Now that winter is coming to an end, you're probably thinking about spring cleaning your home and preparing your family for the warmer weather. One thing that you might not have thought about, however, is preparing your car for the season. Your vehicle probably took a pretty rough beating during the winter months, so follow these three tips to help get your car ready for the spring and summer months.

1. Pay Your Windshield a Little Attention

If you live in an area where there is a lot of snow, ice and storms during the winter, then your windshield could probably use a little bit of attention. Clean it thoroughly to get rid of any leftover brine from the snowy and icy roads, and consider applying a rain repellent to help maintain visibility during springtime rain and summer storms. Now is probably also a good time to replace your windshield wiper blades; they don't cost much, and your existing blades probably got a pretty big workout during the winter months.

2. Check Your Tires

Now is the time to pay your tires a little bit of attention. Wash any leftover brine off of your rims, and give them a good cleaning. Check the tread on your tires, and check to ensure that they don't need any air. Since cold temperatures can affect tire pressure -- and since you might not have felt like standing outside in the cold to check and pump up your tires -- now is the time to check for proper inflation. If your vehicle has snow chains or snow tires on it, now is the time to swap them out for a good set of all-terrain tires.

3. Give it a Thorough Cleaning

Ice, snow and the salt brine that they usually use on the roads can all make your vehicle look like a mess. Plus, brine can stick to the undercarriage of your vehicle and can cause rust over time. To avoid auto repair, it's important to give your entire vehicle exterior a thorough cleaning, focusing on the undercarriage to get rid of any residue. You will also probably want to vacuum out your interior to get rid of any debris that might have been tracked in on your snow boots. For an added effect, consider adding a floral or tropical air freshener to help get you in the mood for the warmer temperatures.

As you can see, there are a few things that you can do to help prepare your car for the spring and summer. Follow these tips, and you and your vehicle are sure to be prepared for the upcoming warm months.