As the sun warms up, you may feel the need to roll up your sleeves
and to tackle the big task of cleaning and tuning up your car. Getting rid of
the winter mess inside and on the outside of your car is critical. The
following are the 10 most important things you should do:
1.
Carpeting and Upholstery: Focus first on the interior carpeting and upholstery. Using
a damp towel, wash down the seats. Get rid of any rock salt debris, mud or dry
dirt on the carpeting using a carpet-cleaning machine, if possible.
2.
The Console: Wash the consoles carefully. Avoid getting electrical
connections wet, but do wipe them down appropriately. Clean out cup holders,
too. Use a wet cloth to get the top of the dashboard, but be careful to dry it
thoroughly
3.
Organize: Clean out the compartments. In your rush to get inside and out
of the cold during the winter, you may have debris, trash or just too much
stuff in the car. Get the compartments cleaned out and organized.
4.
The Windows: Shine the windows. After all that winter driving, the windows
will need a bit of extra attention. Clean the inside and outside using a window
cleaner. Shine them with a dry towel. Do the mirrors of the vehicle in the same
way.
5.
The Trunk: Check the trunk of the vehicle next. Clean out the wintertime
mess. This is also a good time to make sure the spare tire is in good repair.
Be sure your emergency kit is in order too. Vacuum the trunk out.
6.
The Exterior Body: Look at the exterior of the car. A good car washing is often in
order. Make sure the first spring car wash is a thorough one that gets the
winter grime out of cracks and under the edges. Use a soft towel and a mild
detergent to wash the vehicle down.
7.
The Wheels: Pay some extra attention to the wheels. Remove the hubcaps and
wash them down. Scrub the tires and wheel wells thoroughly. This is also a good
time to check the tire pressure and to tighten up any loose lug nuts.
8.
Under the Hood: Look under the hood next. Leaves, debris and even dirt can get
into the engine area. In some cases, just wiping down the edges is enough. In
other cases, you may need to consider having the engine wiped off or professionally
cleaned.
9.
Waxing: Waxing the exterior of the car is a good idea, as long as
you do so out of direct sunlight. Choose a spray or liquid wax for the best
results. If you are using a new product, test it on a hidden portion of the
car's body to ensure it works properly.
10.
Replace Wipers: After a harsh winter, many vehicles require new windshield
wipers. Having wipers in good working order is necessary, especially during
intense spring showers.
Maintenance Considerations
While these ten tips for spring cleaning are important, springtime
also brings the need for maintenance and tune ups. Focus on the following
areas:
·
Get the oil changed as needed.
·
Tune up the engine to ensure it is working at its best. This
includes having belts checked.
·
Have the air conditioning tested.
·
Be sure all lighting systems, both on the exterior and interior of
the car, are working properly.
·
Replace tires if they no longer hold air properly.
These tips will enhance the function of your vehicle. These, along
with the spring car cleaning tips above, will ensure your car is working and
looking its best throughout the spring and well beyond.