Spring Cleaning Your Vehicle

Winter can seem to be a very long time, especially if you spend most of it driving a dirty car. One of the great things about warmer weather is that it’s finally time to give the car a good spring cleaning, and get it feeling and looking like new again. Given the amount of time we spend in our cars, it’s just as important to give them a thorough cleaning in the spring as it is our homes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare to put your car, truck or other vehicle through its annual spring cleaning:

• Start with the clutter — Sweep the interior of your vehicle to clear out any trash as well as winter survival gear that’s been sitting in your car. Keep your ice scraper, emergency gloves and other winter essentials together in a box in your garage so you’ll know where to find them next winter.

• Clean the interior — You’ll need to do more than vacuum to remove all the dirt and road salt that accumulated in your car’s interior all winter. Once you vacuum all the loose dirt and grit, power wash your floor mats and scrub your upholstery with a special cleanser from the auto supply store. Make sure everything dries completely, or else mold can start growing in the carpets. Use a gentle brush to scrub dirt and dust off your dashboard and other interior areas.

• Wash the exterior — Always wash the exterior of your car from top to bottom — otherwise the dirt from the roof can end up washing onto the bottom of the car and stick there after you just cleaned it. Making sure the undercarriage is flushed will prevent salt from potentially eating through the bottom of your car all year.

• Clean your windows — Cleaning the inside of your windows will prevent condensation from fogging them in the spring and summer, but be sure to avoid using household glass cleaner because ammonia can be too harsh for the special surfaces of car windows. Use a special car window cleaner and be sure to roll down windows to clean grime off the edges.

• Remember regular upkeep — Spring is a good time to do some things that aren’t necessarily cleaning but should be done to ensure the best performance from your vehicle. For example, this is a good time to switch your windshield wiper blades, lubricate the hinges on the doors and replace the cabin air filter. Also, take this time to inspect your tires to ensure they’re properly inflated and the tread depth is still sufficient. Have your oil changed and all your fluids topped off, as well.

As you go through the process of cleaning your vehicle from top to bottom, it’s also a good opportunity to take stock and re-evaluate whether or not you’re ready to spend another year in the same vehicle. Maybe once you’re done cleaning everything, you’re still not looking forward to driving this vehicle anymore.

Maybe while you’re washing the exterior, you notice some dents or dings you didn’t know were there. If that’s the case, you might be ready to move on to a new car. Instead of trading it in for less than it’s worth or going through the tedious process of selling it yourself, you might want to consider selling your old car or truck at a public auction. Capital Auto Auction can help you get the most value for your old vehicle — just reach out and find out how we can help.