Winter weather can do a number on your vehicle. As we approach the warmer weather, make sure your car is in top shape for Spring! Here are some helpful tips:
Clean and vacuum inside first.
Make sure you have soap that's specifically for cars.
Never wash your car in direct sunlight.
Use a hose with a mist-spray nozzle to wet down the car and wash away debris.
Using a bucket with tepid water and soap, sponge down all areas of the car gently, rinsing the sponge frequently. Do the fender and bumper areas last.
Blast the undercarriage and wheel wells with the hose to remove as much salt buildup as you can.
Dry the vehicle lightly with a chamois or natural-fiber drying cloth.
Remember to clean the windows and mirrors!
Stay away from automated, commercial car washes on busy, winter-thaw days. Many of them recycle a certain portion of their water, to the point that they're washing with salty water at those times. Otherwise, they're alternatives for keeping your underbody clean and for when it's too cold to hand-wash.
Look for stone chips, sand abrasions and rust. Look over the body completely for stone chips, including smaller surface nicks and scratches from traction sand thrown up bytrucks. Repair them immediately with a touch-up kit (a small bottle of touch-up paint plus a special brush for application, usually inexpensive and available at the dealership). Make sure the spot is clean and dry, without any loose or sharp edges, and apply primer if bare metal is exposed. Have a body shop repair larger patches of rust.
Lubricate your locks and hinges. Consult with your owner's manual and use a graphite lubricant on your locks if recommended. Applying a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant to door and trunk hinges might also silence any creaking that started during winter.
Inspect your weather-stripping. Get any that looks mildewy, cracked, or brittle replaced right away. According to advice from the International Carwash Association, spraying weather-stripping with silicone spray will ensure that the water will bead away.
Inspect your car's underbody for rust and winter damage. If there are any suspicious areas, have a mechaniclook at them, and fix them immediately if needed. Pay special attention to brake components (sticky calipers, corroded brake lines), and exhaust components (rusted clamps, crumbling tailpipes, holes forming in muffler) that might have salt or slush damage. Suspension and steering pieces such as bushings, strut mounts, springs and tie rods are also susceptible to winter damage.
Looking for more ideas? Check out the whole article at: http://autos.aol.com/article/spring-clean-your-car/
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