Many drivers don’t think about their vehicle until the task of cleaning becomes a huge chore or repairs are needed! Being proactive with your car’s care can save you time, money, and the headache of unwanted damage.
Cleaning your vehicle—both inside and out—can keep it not only looking and feeling fresh but also help keep your vehicle on the road for longer. We know that vehicles are full of nooks and crannies and tackling a messy vehicle all at once can easily become an overwhelming task. Instead, break it down into small bite-sized tasks that can keep your vehicle clean and running smoothly.
Read on to learn ways to show some love to your car.
Every Week
Declutter Your Interior
Your vehicle isn’t a trash can, so don’t treat it like one! Getting into the habit of taking at least a piece of garbage or two out of your vehicle each time you park is a great way to start decluttering.Â
At the end of each week, do a quick grab and toss of all the drinks, food wrappers, receipts, and whatever else you’ve collected and throw them in the trash. A quick wipe down with a wet rag—or a more serious cleanse with an auto disinfectant—can give your vehicle a quick and easy refresh. Remember: whatever you bring in, you must take out!
Wipe Off Your Windshield
Smashed bugs, leaves, and other muck can make seeing through your windshield virtually impossible! Keep your windshield clear and your drive safer by clearing all the buildup off your windshield at least once a week with a quick clean at home or while you pump gas.Â
Add another layer of protection to your windshield with Aquapel rain protection. Aquapel repels rain and makes clearing ice, snow, bugs, and dirt easy. With the Aquapel package, you’ll have a high-gloss protective finish on your vehicle and better visibility on the road.
Check Your Tire Pressure
It’s easy to forget about your vehicle’s tires until a low tire light comes on. Under-inflated—or over-inflated—tires can shorten their lifespan, increase your fuel efficiency, and may cause your vehicle to drive a little rough.Â
Different vehicles and tires require varying tire pressures. Check your vehicle’s manual—or the inside panel of the driver’s side door—to learn what tire pressure is ideal for your vehicle’s tires. Be aware, the weather can impact your tire’s pressure, so check your local temperature before your over—or under—fill your tires. Remember: it’s always best to check your tire pressure in the cold after it has sat for at least 3 hours.
Every 30 days
Vacuum Your Vehicle
The space between your seats can be a bottomless pit as your vehicle loves to collect crumbs, dirt, dropped food, hair, and so much more in all the nooks and crannies of your interior, so a regular vacuum is necessary to keep your vehicle clean.
Grab your handheld vacuum, your shop-vac, or head over to your local car wash to help you remove all those unwanted crumbs. Be sure to check under your seats, floormats, and your trunk for all the spots dirt, gunk, and crumbs like to hide. For those really stubborn pet hairs or that odor that seems to linger, a professional detail may be needed.
Check Your Oil Level
The oil level in your vehicle is essential to keep your car running smoothly! It not only lubricates all the moving parts of your engine but also keeps heat away from the combustion cycle.Â
Many owner’s manuals recommend checking your oil each time you fill your gas tank, but every few should be sufficient. You can easily check your oil yourself—with help from this guide—or many newer models have a meter in your dashboard for an easy check.
Hand Wash Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is constantly bombarded with sunlight, dirt, water, grease, grime, bugs, and more! To keep your vehicle looking and feeling fresh, you’ll need to clean your vehicle semi-regularly.Â
How often you clean will depend on your location and the climate. During the winter months, it’s better to wash your vehicle more often to wash away the salt that can be corrosive to your vehicle’s paint.
Every Six Months to a Year
Schedule a Full Detail
Your vehicle is bombarded with germs, dirt, muck, bugs, and so much more throughout the year! Whether your constantly cleaning it or only doing the occasional spot clean, your vehicle wants a deep clean!
A full detail will help you maintain the life and appearance of your vehicle. WIth focused cleaning on the interior and exterior of your vehicle, a full detail will remove the damaging dirt and grime and add a new level of protection for the year to come.
Add a Paint Protectant
Whether you’re regularly washing your vehicle or only getting it detailed twice a year, your vehicle’s paint could use some extra protection! Birds, bugs, weather, and minor scratches make it extremely difficult to keep your vehicle in top shape and put your paint to test!
Help your paint last for years to come and still look fresh with Ceramic Pro paint protection. Ceramic Pro will transform itself on the surface of your vehicle to a permanent, durable yet flexible glass shield that will prevent corrosion, withstand weathering, or self-heal scratches.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Your vehicle has a ton of parts that need regular maintenance or replaced due to constant wear and tear. Making sure you schedule your vehicle for an annual maintenance check can help you check for vehicle issues you may not have noticed until it’s too late!Â
Overclogged air filters, cracked components, leaking tubes, corroded wires, and more can do damage to your vehicle and your wallet! Protect your vehicle and keep it on the road longer with regular maintenance from trained technicians.
Don’t neglect your vehicle! It may seem like a lot of work to keep your vehicle in top shape year-round, but by breaking it into simple, easy tasks throughout the year, you can show your car love and keep it feeling like new!
