Spring Cleaning Your Car

Spring is approaching quickly! Along with the beautiful weather comes “spring cleaning”, an overhaul of our homes and wardrobes- but what about our cars? Spring cleaning your car can help maintain its value no matter where you live. Here’s what you can do to keep your car in tip-top shape:

Wash Your Car

We just got through Winter (yay!) and if you live in an area that received snow this winter, your vehicle is sure to have an accumulation of salt on, and under, your vehicle. Salt is corrosive, and after time, it can eat away the paint on your vehicle, lead to rusting problems on the frame, brake lines leaking, and even damage the undercarriage.

Read: Wash Away Road Salt

Clear Out the Clutter

Bring a trashcan for this one! Remove all trash and clutter from your vehicle’s interior. Then, give it a good cleaning with your vacuum and/or interior cleaners.

Tip: Vacuum from “seat to feet”, because of how dust settles after getting stirred up.

If your carpets need a little extra attention, try using a spray bottle of carpet cleaner to remove the stains/salt. As Popular Mechanics suggests, make sure to use the correct cleaner for each surface. “For leather trim, use a leather cleaner. Clean the inside of windows with glass cleaner, but spray directly onto your cloth to avoid streaking.”

Change the Wiper Blades

Winter is especially rough on your windshield wiper blades, so it’s always a good idea to replace them when spring begins. Newer blades will clear water more efficiently, and will ultimately help you see. “Our tests have found that most blades are ready for replacement after just six months, but you can try extending their service life by wiping them with a cloth and glass cleaner before removing them,” Consumer Reports says.

Don’t forget to make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off, since it can be depleted by winter weather.

Check Your Tires

Winter is probably the harshest season for tires due to to salted roads, vicious temperature swings, and potholes. To test your tires for wear, CBS Newsi recommends inserting a quarter into each tire’s grooves. If Washington’s head is covered, you likely have enough tread to drive safely, CBS News reports. The site also notes that keeping your tire pressure at manufacturer-recommended levels can increase gas mileage by 3 percent.

Replace Air Filters

It’s also important to replace your vehicle’s air filters. Popular Mechanics says, “These filters keeps dirt, pollen, and plant matter from entering the ventilation system.” Also, it’s very easy to change!

Check Your Fluids

To extend the life of your car, it’s essential to regularly check your engine oil and replace it when necessary. You should also check the oil’s color. If it appears lighter, it could be an indication of engine trouble.

Spring your car into the new season with our tips, and remember to stop by any of our Winchester, Stephens City, Inwood, and Berkeley Springs locations to give your vehicle a quality scrub-down!