Our Tips For Car Care Bliss

About this time every year most cars are feeling the effects of winter wear. It’s a good time to take stock of the things that will keep you and your vehicle happy with each other.

"Frequent car care is easy car care," said Mike Pennington of Meguiar's Car Care Products. "the time you spend on upkeep in February keeps your vehicle healthy and looking good. It also reduces the amount of time needed to clean your vehicle come spring."

Take a few moments to give your car some TLC before all those blooming adventures. Here are our top suggestions from repair and car care experts.

Keep Up On Routine Maintenance

Foul weather makes it easy to put off routine maintenance. By the time calendars flip to February, your vehicle has been through some of the worst weather Mother Nature can throw at your vehicle.

Routine oil changes are one of the best ways to keep your engine healthy.  Frequent, short drives common during stay-at-home recommendations are tougher on engine fluids than extended freeway driving.

Inspect the tread

Vehicle tires lose air pressure every month, especially in winter. If you haven’t had them checked since before New Year’s Day, drop by your service advisor and have them inspected.

Riding on the tires with low pressure can severely damage their sidewalls and lead to accidents.

Brighten up your drive

Having a little difficulty seeing when driving at night? Might not be your eyes.

Consider, vehicle exterior bulbs dim significantly after even one year. When was the last time your headlight and taillight bulbs were replaced?

If the answer is, “I can’t remember” or “never,” you may benefit from replacement bulbs--and your eyes will thank you.

Meantime, don’t forget to clean out exterior lighting surfaces. Road grime also puts a thin film over front, side and rear light covers. Use cleaning products such as a car wash solution designed for vehicle exteriors.

Take a few extra minutes to clean interior glass surfaces. Gases from fabrics and plastics create a thin haze on the inside of window surfaces. Smoking also contributes to hazy windows.

Prevent Corrosion

Grit, grime, road salts--the accumulation of winter slop can damage paint and ruin the curb appeal of your beautiful ride.

Those expensive alloy wheels are especially at risk. Keep them clean to avoid corrosion and pitting.

If weather keeps you from your appointed taks, consider using a coin operated or automatic car wash. Rinse off the area in and around wheels, include the brake parts.

Also, clean off the undercarriage of your vehicle to prevent corrosion.

Wipe away those rainy day blues

Wiper blades are an inexpensive safety accessory. Replace them whenever you see smearing, rubbing or frayed edges.

You have many choices for blades--from those designed to handle snow to silicone replacement parts that can handle hot environments.

Got an odiferous interior?

Clean the carpet and any beverage spills on seats. Mold can accumulate and make your vehicle interior an allergen factory on wheels. Vacuum thoroughly to remove loose particles and debris. Apply cleaners specifically intended for vehicle carpet and upholstery. Don’t forget the cup holders--a caldron of spillage that can turn into a petri dish.

Prevent damage with rubber floor mats and cargo liners

Rubber floor mats can help prevent winter weather from soaking your vehicle carpet and creating those foul smells. They are easy to clean and easy to install. Look for mats designed specifically for your vehicle.\

The same is true for cargo liners. Winter travel gear can make a mess out of our truck and cargo spaces. Keep them clean with form-fitted inserts.