Mark King of Milbert's Car Care in Cranberry Township replaces the compressor on a car's air conditioning system. When a compressor's ball bearings fail, it can cause the belt that also charges the alternator to snap, leading to engine failure.

AAA gets a bulk of calls for roadside service during the wintertime, but that doesn't mean vehicle owners can hold off on maintenance throughout the rest of the year.

Jim Garrity, a AAA spokesman, said the wear and tear on a vehicle by cold winter weather can cause vehicle problems throughout the year if left unchecked.

Garrity advised that drivers get their vehicles inspected before embarking on any spring or summer trips.

“Wintertime presents its own unique challenges,” Garrity said. “If you drive a lot during the summertime, now is a good time to get your car checked out, and definitely get your car checked before you go on a long road trip.”

There are many good habits vehicle owners can form to make sure their vehicle is well-maintained.Garrity said many checkups can be performed with the changing of seasons.For example, Garrity advised people to check their cabin air filters every spring, along with their tire pressure, windshield wiper blades and the car battery.Additionally, Garrity said AAA lists approved auto repair facilities on its website, which members can find and sometimes get deals on repairs or routine maintenance with.He said that, right now, one of the best and easiest kinds of maintenance vehicle owners should do is get their car washed of all winter debris.“Make sure you're cleaning all the salt and brine from the winter,” Garrity said. “If that salt and brine stick around, they contain water and lead to further rust.”

Rick Milbert, owner of Milbert's Car Care Inc., Cranberry Township, agreed that cleaning a car's undercarriage is important, and staying up to date on general vehicle maintenance helps keep a car running well throughout the year.“A well-maintained car leads to high durability,” Milbert said.Furthermore, vehicle manuals normally contain information about maintenance service, where manufacturers list how many miles a vehicle should go without getting a checkup.“The manufacturers have suggestions on time and mileage repairs,” he said. “That's a big thing I would emphasize.”

Chad Straessley of Milbert's Car Care prepares to flush transmission fluid from a vehicle.

Mark King shows the difference between a new and old air conditioning air compressor. A broken compressor can be enough to snap the belt that also runs the engine's alternator, causing car failure.

Chad Straessley of Milbert's Car Care pours transmission fluid into a machine to flush the transmission on a vehicle.

Chad Straessley of Milbert's Car Care rotates tires, above, on a vehicle in the Cranberry-area shop. At left, Straessley prepares to flush transmission fluid from a vehicle. Owner Rick Milbert said, “A well-maintained car leads to high durability.”

Chad Straessley of Milbert's Car Care prepares to flush transmission fluid from a vehicle transmission in their Cranberry-area shop.