Spring has finally sprung and that means it’s time to give your car a good spring check up and cleaning. Follow our tips and your car will be clean, refreshed and ready for spring.
Deep Clean Inside and Out
Rainy and muddy days leave the body of your car full of dirt and grime which is why an extra thorough car wash is our first tip. Pay special attention to cleaning the underbody of the car, in addition to those wheel walls and tires.
Once the car is washed, dried and squeaky clean, apply a good coat of wax to protect the car paint.
Interior
As for the interior, collect and toss all garbage and anything that’s been accumulating on the seats and floor for the last few months, including the trunk and glovebox.
Thoroughly vacuum and clean all the windows inside and out.
Before cleaning the vinyl, clean all surfaces like the steering wheel, door handles, seat belts, radio/audio control knobs, garage door openers and gear shifter with an antibacterial disinfectant to kill off any germs or lingering bacteria.
After disinfecting, it’s time to clean and bring back the sheen of the dashboard, steering wheel and all vinyl with a car vinyl cleaning product you can find at any hardware or auto parts store.
Let the car air out for about an hour or so and as a finishing touch, add an air freshener to keep your car smelling clean and fresh.
Check the Wiper Blades
Because you use the wipers so much especially during the rainy season, it’s really important to check the wiper blades for any damage or wear.
The sun’s harmful UV rays in warmer climates work to shorten the life of your wiper blades by causing the rubber to deteriorate and eventually fall apart. Damaged wiper blades can seriously impact your visibility and ultimate safety.
It’s usually a good idea to change the wiper blades at least once a year or more based on usage.
Check the Tires
Check the tires for wear, damage and make sure there’s no debris stuck in the treads.
If it’s time to take the car in for an oil change, ask the service technician to rotate the tires so they wear more evenly.
Since temperatures will be heating up, tire pressure may increase. If you filled your tires with air during the cooler months when tire pressure tends to decrease, it’s possible for your tires to become over-inflated as the climate warms up.
Check the tire pressure to make sure it matches closely with manufacturer’s recommendations because over-inflated tires wear out sooner.
Check the Engine
Pop the hood and remove any leaves or debris that may have landed in and around the engine.
Check to see that all the belts and hoses are in good condition without any cracks or damage.
Check the windshield wiper, brake and coolant levels. If low, top them off.
Check the Filters
If you haven’t checked in a while, check your cabin filter. Changing the cabin filter every 30,000 miles helps keep the air in your car clean and helps alleviate allergy symptoms from the dust and pollen that comes along in spring.
Check the engine’s air filter and if it’s dirty or clogged, change it to avoid potential engine problems.
Schedule a Service Appointment
Spring is an excellent time to take your car in for service. An all-points inspection can take care of checking and changing out dirty filters, topping off fluids, checking air pressure and further investigating any alignment or suspension issues.
Conclusion
For your safety and to prolong the life of your car, clean and inspect your car in spring to get it ready for the warmer temperatures and travels ahead.
For the repair and/or restoration of all your paint and exterior damage repairs, reach out to Downtown Autobody, proudly servicing customers in Sonoma County.
