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Simple Spring Cleaning and Car Care

Easy-to-do auto care is in full bloom

With winter at long last fading into the warmer and longer days of spring, people often find great relief in opening the windows to take some fresh air into the house. Hearing the birds chirping and the melting of snow means that old man winter has finally gone home. If opening the door of your car brings forth anything but spring fresh air, it may be time to consider some spring cleaning. Keeping a motor vehicle clean not only keeps your ride looking good, but can even help save a few bucks down the road.

Inside Out

Cleaning up and removing all the collected winter junk inside the vehicle will lighten its load. Taking extra weight out of the vehicle will help to achieve better mileage. Once the floor can actually be seen again, removing the floor mats and giving them a good hose and dry will help bring springtime fresh back to even the crustiest of interiors.

Keeping Flexible

Winter is tough on painted finishes. Road salt along with snow and ice can dry out the paint and cause it to lose flexibility and shine. Just because winter has been long and chilly doesn't mean the sun hasn't been beating down on the paint. Paint harming UV rays don't care if it's hot or cold outside. A good wash and wax will get rid of winter road grime and help keep paint flexible looking new. Protection from the hot sun and deluge of rain is an afternoon away.

Underlying Problems

All that road salt that took 39 gallons of window washer fluid and a new set of heavy-duty wiper blades to keep off the windshield also did a good job getting way up under the vehicle. The oxidation process that causes rust likes the summer just as much as winter, and will not be taking vacation. Hosing down the underside of the vehicle with cool clean water can help get rid of road salt and keep rust from setting in. Allow for brakes and everything else hot to cool completely before hosing. Hot brake rotors can warp if sprayed with cold water.

Spoken Words

Road salt does a number on painted, unfinished, and clear-coated aluminum wheels. Getting rid of the colleted crud will help prevent corrosion from setting in over the summer. While modern chemistry promises miracle cleaning, nothing beats a brush and a hose. Now is also a good time to change back from those expensive snow tires to the usual all-season or summer radials. Without snow or ice the snow tires can't take the heat and will wear quickly. Wheel corrosion and the ongoing expense of mounting and dismounting tires is also a good reason to consider a set of dedicated and hopefully less expensive steel wheels for snow tires.

Boiling Over

Ever notice all the steaming over cars on the side of the road on the first warm day of the year? A marginal cooling system that works OK in sub-zero temperatures will give up at the first sign of summer heat. Inspect the cooling system hoses, coolant, and radiator cap now before the real heat comes. As long as the hood is open checking the oil, belts, battery and other wear items isn't a bad idea either.