Snowbird season
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Car maintenance checklist
South Florida car care calendar: what to do each month
Car care in South Florida follows the seasons: battery and tire checks when snowbirds arrive in winter, cabin filters during spring pollen, A/C and cooling checks before the summer heat, wipers and tread for the rainy season, and a plan for your car from June through November’s hurricane season. Pick a month below and tick off each job, from the technicians at Prestige Auto Repairs & Tires in Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park.
Pollen starts
February
Before the heat
March
Snowbirds head north
April
Rainy season starts
May
Hurricane season begins
June
Peak heat
July
Storm season
August
Peak hurricane season
September
Rainy season ends
October
Snowbirds return
November
Holiday travel
December
Your ticks are saved in this browser only. For the services due at your mileage, see the car maintenance schedule by mileage.
Every month, 5 minutes
The quick car maintenance checklist
Five checks anyone can do in the driveway. If anything looks wrong, call either shop or send a photo with the estimate form.
A light on the dash? The dashboard warning lights guide tells you how urgent it is. A new sound? Try the car noises guide.
- Tire pressureCheck cold, once a month, against the sticker in the driver’s door jamb.
- LightsWalk around with the lights and hazards on; ask someone to check brake lights.
- FluidsEngine oil on the dipstick, coolant and washer fluid in their reservoirs.
- Wipers and glassBlades that streak or chatter, and chips that could spread in the heat.
- Warning lightsAny light that stays on after starting needs a look; see the warning lights guide.
Let us check it for you
One visit, the whole list
Ask for a multi-point inspection and we check tires, brakes, fluids, battery, belts, hoses, lights and the A/C, then send photos and a written estimate before any work. Repairs carry our 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty. Storm season? Read our hurricane and flood car guide.
What should be on a car maintenance checklist?
Monthly: tire pressure, lights, oil and coolant levels, wipers and any warning lights. Every oil change: tire rotation and a multi-point inspection of brakes, belts, hoses and leaks. Every 15,000 miles or yearly: air filters, battery test, alignment and an A/C check. Use our maintenance schedule by mileage for the bigger services.
How should I store my car while I am away for the summer?
Fill the tank, change the oil, set the tires to the correct pressure, connect a battery maintainer or disconnect the battery, use a sunshade and a breathable cover, and park on higher ground away from flood-prone spots. When you return, have the battery, tires and fluids checked before regular driving.
What car maintenance matters most in South Florida?
Heat and humidity are the big ones: the A/C, cooling system and battery work harder here than almost anywhere, and brake fluid absorbs moisture faster. Rainy and hurricane season add wipers, tire tread and flood awareness. Most manuals treat this as severe service, so follow the shorter intervals.
Can you check everything on the list in one visit?
Yes. Ask for a multi-point inspection at either shop and we check tires, brakes, fluids, battery, belts, hoses, lights and the A/C, and send photos of anything that needs attention with a written estimate. Oakland Park, 250 NE 44th St, is open 7 days; Fort Lauderdale, 930 NE 4th Ave, Monday to Saturday; both 8 AM to 7 PM.
