Seasonal Maintenance
Turn seasonal changeovers into a predictable revenue stream.

Seasonal maintenance is the highest-margin, lowest-resistance upsell in the shop. Customers understand the value of preparing their car for summer heat or winter cold — and they're often already thinking about it. This template gives advisors the presentation language to make the seasonal inspection feel like essential car care, not a sales pitch.

Inspection Items
🔋
Battery + Charging System
Advisory
What to Check
Perform a load test with a conductance tester. Record CCA (cold cranking amps) vs. spec. Inspect terminals and cables for corrosion, looseness, or damage. Check the hold-down bracket for security.
What to Say to the Customer
"Your battery tested at [X]% health — [strong / acceptable / marginal]. This is the original battery, correct? [If over 4 years:] Most batteries last 4–6 years, so you're in the window where it could go anytime. I'd rather not see you stuck on a cold morning."
Upsell Trigger
Pre-winter: "The cold is what kills batteries. A battery that starts fine in 50-degree weather can leave you stranded at 10 degrees. Getting this replaced before the first freeze is about $X and 20 minutes."
Common Missed
Checking the battery cryptogram (date code) — a battery can test "good" in summer and fail in the first cold snap because it's near end of life. Always verify age + load test together.
🔵
Tire Condition + Pressure
Monitor
What to Check
Measure tread depth at all 4 tires in 3 positions across the tread face. Record mm or 32nds. Check spare if equipped. Set tire pressure to the door jamb spec (not the tire wall). Inspect for uneven wear patterns that indicate alignment or inflation issues.
What to Say to the Customer
"Your front tires are at [X]mm, rears at [Y]mm. [Any amount above 4/32":] You've got good tread for now. [At or below 4/32":] I want to flag this — at [X]mm, you're at the threshold where wet-road stopping distance increases significantly. The legal minimum is 2/32", so you're legal, but I wanted you to know where you actually are."
Upsell Trigger
Seasonal: "With the coming [summer heat / winter freeze], tire pressure is one of the most important adjustments you can make. Under-inflated tires flex more and generate more heat — a leading cause of blowouts in July. Cold weather makes pressure drop even further."
Common Missed
Setting tire pressure to the number on the tire sidewall rather than the vehicle specification. The door jamb decal specifies the correct pressure for the vehicle's weight and tire size — sidewall is a maximum, not a target.
🌡️
Coolant System
Advisory
What to Check
Test freeze point with refractometer. Inspect color and clarity. Check for sediment or oil sheens. Verify reservoir level. Inspect radiator and heater hoses for cracking, swelling, or pinching. Check thermostat function if cooling complaint exists.
What to Say to the Customer
"Your coolant is protecting you down to [X] below zero — good for [area climate]. The color is [normal / showing age]. Here's my recommendation: [flush / monitor / no action] depending on what I see."
Upsell Trigger
Pre-summer: "Your cooling system is working fine now, but summer heat is the ultimate stress test. I'd rather check the hoses and the coolant now than be on the side of the road in August with an overheating engine."
Common Missed
Not pressure-testing the cooling system when a coolant loss complaint exists. A visual inspection doesn't find internal leaks. A pressure test often reveals a leaking head gasket or intake manifold gasket before they cause a breakdown.
❄️
Heater + HVAC System
Advisory
What to Check
Run the A/C on max cool at fan speed 3. Check drain line for blockage. Sniff for mold or mildew in the cabin. Inspect cabin filter access and condition. Test blend door operation through all modes.
What to Say to the Customer
"The A/C is cooling to [X] degrees — [good / needs attention]. I'm seeing [mold in the cabin filter / a restricted drain line / normal conditions]. The cabin air filter in particular is something most shops don't check but makes a huge difference in air quality."
Upsell Trigger
Pre-summer: "Your A/C worked fine last summer, but the cabin air filter is the part that's been working all winter in recirculation mode. That's the one that's been filtering the air you breathe. If it's overdue, it's making your system work harder than it needs to."
Common Missed
Not running the A/C system in winter. Compressor lubricant circulates through the system when running — even briefly in cold months. Running A/C for 5 minutes per week extends seal life and compressor longevity.
🌧️
Wiper Blades
Advisory
What to Check
Inspect blade edge for cracking, splitting, or curvature loss. Test on dry glass for streaking. Check the wiper arm tension and pivot points for stiffness. Look for correct wrap pattern on the glass.
What to Say to the Customer
"Your wiper blades are [condition]. Here's what I see: [streaking / the blade is leaving a gap / the rubber is beginning to crack]. Wiper blades are one of those things most people don't think about until it's raining and you can't see."
Upsell Trigger
Seasonal: "Rainy season / [winter weather season] is the time you'll need these most. At $X for a pair installed, this is one of the cheapest safety items on the car."
Common Missed
Wiper arm pivot corroston. The arm itself can develop rust at the joint that affects blade pressure on the glass. More common on vehicles that sit outdoors. Reprogram the arm curvature if replacing the blade doesn't fix the streaking.
Tips to Close
Closing Techniques
Upsell Every Time
Always Offer These
Advisory Items
Flag for the Next Visit
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Inspection template by ServiceAdvisorStack