Spring Cleaning "Musts" for your Car Interior & Exterior
It’s now May, and warm weather is here to stay! Spring-cleaning is commonly associated with cleaning out your home, but after a long, cold winter it's also a good time to take care of your vehicle as well.
What should you be sure to include in your car’s spring tune-up? Here’s a handy checklist:
Spring Maintenance
Typically we want to check on our car every time seasons change even if your dash isn't lighting up. The following maintenance will make sure you are keeping your car running its best.
Fluid levels: Check your car’s oil, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid levels, and top off any that need it.
Check the gas: Do you store your car over the winter months? If you have a vehicle that doesn't get a lot of action, you should consider replacing the gasoline. Gasoline can lose effectiveness over time due to evaporation.
Tire pressure: When the temperature changes from cold to warm, it's important to keep an eye on your vehicle's tire pressure to ensure it's within the optimal range. You can usually find this info in your owner's manual. If needed, tire pressure can often be corrected at gas stations.
Tires: If you installed snow tires, you’ll need to swap them out when temperatures are consistently above about 45 degrees. Also, inspect the tire tread and look for any punctures or debris that may be stuck in the tires. If the tread is looking low, it’s a good idea to bring your car into the shop and see if the tires need replacing as well.
Wiper blades: Wiper blades take a beating in the winter. Replace them in the spring if you see any streaks on the windshield when using them.
Cleaning Your Car’s Exterior
Depending on where you live you Iowa, your car may be exposed to salt, sand or both! These slick road deterrents can leave your car looking rough during the winter, so be sure to take advantage of the nice days ahead. After all, you always want your car to look it's best.
Wash your car: Take your car through a car wash (or wash it yourself). Pay special attention to the undercarriage and the wheel wells, where salt and grime can collect. If needed, clean the headlights as well. Doing so will not only make your car look nicer; it’ll enhance your safety on the road at night.
Wax your car: Ideally, you would like to wax your car twice a year, once before the winter and once in the spring. Another coat of wax can help protect the paint and restore the shine ahead of muddy spring weather.
Check the paint: When your car is dirty, you don't always notice the new dents and scratches on your paint. So after you wash your car, don't be afraid to inspect your car and make sure there isn't a scratch out of place. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may want to repair any of those promptly to prevent rust – and you’ll want to consider bringing in a professional.
Cleaning Your Car’s Interior
It's important to remember to clean the inside of your car after a long winter. You may think that's just picking up the bottles and trash off the floor but likely, your car needs more attention than that. It's easy to see that floor mats take a beating in the winter, and that should an indication of how deep you need to clean.
Check for trash: It’s easy to let trash accumulate in your car. Check underneath all the seats – and the trunk – and dispose of any trash that you find.
Update the emergency kit: With the change of the seasons, you may need to also switch out some supplies in your car’s emergency kit or restock supplies that you used.
Clean the carpets: Clean carpet can help protect your car’s value. Once you’ve vacuumed the interior, use a steam cleaner or spot carpet cleaner to remove stubborn stains.