Spring Cleaning, for your Car
By Justin Stewart
As we get closer to the spring, it is important to make sure that your car is ready to meet the challenges of the year ahead. This the perfect time to complete some necessary car maintenance and make sure that your auto is ready for anything you want to throw at it. Here is what we here at Go On the Road do to get our cars ready from top to bottom for the new season.
1. Winter is one of the hardest months on your car. You’ve subjected it to snow, slush, salt and sand and this can really do a number on your paint job. Look under every crevice of the undercarriage, paying special attention to the wheel wells and bumper areas. These are the spots that are most likely to rust. Carefully clean off the accumulated debris. If it is really stuck on there, you may need to use a pressure washer. Avoid using this in any areas that might be damaged.
2. If you have installed winter tires on your vehicle, it’s time to take them off and put your usual tires back on. You may want to have them professionally rotated as well. Winter is tough on tires too and you’ll want to be ready for all the potholes left behind by extreme conditions. Inspect your tires carefully and replace them if they are beginning to go bald or getting patchy in spots.
3. Check the wipers. After dealing with hard ice and snow, your wipers may be a little worse for the wear. If you have noticed that they skip or stutter a little bit while they are in use, you will need to have them replaced. Look for any missing chunks in the rubber wiper as well as any alignment problems.
4. Replace washer fluid. If you have been using washer fluid with an antifreeze additive, it is a good idea to replace it now. You can also replace your old regular washer fluid or add to it. This is the perfect time of year to make sure that the reservoir is full, before the nasty rain showers hit.
5. Check your brakes. Sliding around all winter long can do a number on your brakes. Take your vehicle to the shop and have it professionally checked out to make sure that there are no brake problems. You may need to replace them if they are starting to wear out. Brakes are not an area that you want to mess around with.
6. Check the shocks. While your vehicle is in the shop, have them check your shocks as well. This is an area that many car owners overlook and it can really affect vehicle performance. If you have noticed odd squeaking when you get in or out of your car, or if it bounces like mad going over a bump, they need to be replaced.
7. Change the oil. You should be changing your oil frequently anyway, but many cars require special oil during winter months that is not necessary during spring or summer. While your vehicle is being checked, have them replace the oil with the right mixture. Even if you’re not due for a change yet, it’s easier to have it done while you have it in the shop. If you are changing it yourself, most cars require 10W30 for warmer months.
8. Get a tune up. Operating in extreme conditions is hard on any engine. Ask your garage for a tune up to see if one is in order. If you can do it yourself, you can save a little money, but it’s always nice to have a professional take care of it.
9. Clean the mats. Now that the exterior of your car is all clean, you’ll want the interior to be clean too. Take an hour or so to completely remove all the mats and wash them off with a hose. After trekking in sand and snow all winter long, your mats and carpet will be pretty dirty. The salt in some mixtures may be detrimental to your carpet, so you’ll want to take care of this right away.
10. Vacuum and Clean the Interior. After the mats are cleaned, vacuum out your floors and apply some Armorol or other cleaner to the leather or vinyl inside. This will help protect the interior of your car when the sun is beating down on it in summer. Armorol usually comes in wipes that make it easy to quickly clean your dash and keep it protected all year round.
11. The Little Stuff. Lastly, clean out any trash as well as your ash tray if necessary. Organize any CD’s or tapes and clean out your glove box. Keep a stash of car wipes in there for easy touch-ups throughout the rest of the year.
Comment by Pressure Washers on 2 October 2008:
This is a very informative article. Much seemed quite obvious but very complete. Ideally if you clean your car with a pressure washer, cold is all you need and a chemical injector would be of great benefit.