When spring arrives, we often think of giving our home a good cleaning to remove winter’s accumulated cobwebs, mustiness and grime, but it’s also a good time to do the same thing for your car to get it ready for those great road trips we all like to take in spring and summer. So, from Hawk Ford, your friendly and reliable car dealer in West Chicago, here are six of our best tips for effectively cleaning your car for spring.
Wash and Wax the Exterior
Living in the Chicagoland area, it’s likely you have an accumulation of road salt on and under your car, and to prevent corrosion it’s essential to wash under your car to protect the exhaust and muffler systems, the coil springs and the frame of your vehicle. You can do this with your garden hose and plain tap water.
Then give the exterior a thorough hand-washing, using a carwash solution rather than dish or household soap, and to avoid streaking, dry the surface using a chamois or microfiber chamois. Finally, waxing your car can add shine and protect the paint, preferably using a liquid wax rather than a spray or paste for the best results.
Clean the Windows
Wash your windows and windshield, using an ammonia-free cleaner. Then dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving streaks and spots.
Clean or Replace Wiper Blades
Winter can take a heavy toll on your wiper blades, and it’s a good idea to prepare them for spring showers by wiping off them with a window cleaner and soft cloth. If your blades are still not removing water effectively, it’s probably time to replace them.
Brush and Vacuum Interior Surfaces
Use a fine-bristled brush to remove dust and dirt from all the interior crooks and crannies of your car, like vents, buttons and crevices in your seat cushions. Then vacuum to completely remove all dirt from these areas. And throw away all the empty cups, bags and bottles that accumulated during the winter.
Clean the Mats and Carpet
After a long winter of harsh weather, your mats and carpet will need a deep cleaning to remove all the salt and other grime that’s collected for months. To get the best results, use a stiff brush to go over the mats and carpet to loosen all the accumulated grime from the material. Then thoroughly vacuum the mats and carpet to remove all the dirt, leaving your car floor with a fresh, dirt-free look.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Technically, of course, tire pressure is not part of cleaning, but keeping the pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended levels can increase gas mileage by about 3%.
We hope these tips will help you get ready for spring and summer driving, and we hope when you’re looking for a car dealer in West Chicago with a great selection of new and pre-owned vehicles, Hawk Ford will be your dealer of choice.
