Fall Cleaning for Your Car

Tips for getting ready for the change of seasons

With summer fading away, it’s time to start thinking about getting your car ready for the colder months ahead. After summer road trips and excursions, your car may not be as clean as you would like it to be. You won’t want to spend the winter locked in a car filled with beach sand, food wrappers and extra suntan lotion. Fall is the perfect time for regularly scheduled maintenance. It’s also a great time to stock your ride with things you might need in the next few cold months, like an ice scraper, umbrella, blanket and warm gloves

 

We have developed for you a few simple maintenance checks to help keep your vehicle in top condition, so read on to find out what they are.

 

Car Battery

Fall is a good time to inspect your car battery, so the car doesn’t give up on you during the cold months. Making sure the cables and terminals are in good shape and retighten if necessary for good contact. If the connections are dirty or corroded, it might be a good time to disconnect and clean them with a wire brush or cleaning tool. But, just be aware that when you disconnect the battery, you may have to re-enter a security code in your radio or navigation system.

If you have a sealed, maintenance-free battery with no removable caps, there’s not a lot you have to do. If your battery has removable caps, check the water level periodically, and refill with distilled water. If you prefer, bring your vehicle to your favorite repair shop and they can help.

 

 

Headlights

Cars age, just like the rest of us. And as cars age, their headlights can become hazy, especially on cars that are parked outside. Clouded headlights can be a safety hazard, compromising night vision and reducing the effectiveness of your headlights. This is especially dangerous in winter, where conditions are less than favorable and the darkness is more consistent. It is important, therefore, to get these cleaned. A headlight restoration kit can be purchased or you can also use household products like toothpaste and baking soda to get them spotless. Ask your favorite repair shop for a quote if you would like this done by a professional.

 

Having your tires ready should also be a must during the colder months.

 

Tires

Tires should always be checked, not only for fall or winter months. You should have regular tread inspections, so you know when the tires need replacement. If your tires have less than 1/8-inch of tread left, it’s time to change them. Most people buy all-season tires because it’s easier and less expensive than buying one set for the winter and another for summer. All-season tires deliver good performance all around but can’t compete with winter tires when it comes to snow traction. The difference is in the braking ability on cleared roads, where all-season tires excel and winter tires are just fair at.

 

Wash and Wax

Fall is a great time to clean up your car so that winter’s mess of ice and wetness doesn’t land on top of the summer’s dead bugs, beach sand and tree sap. Getting a car wax is a great way to keep your car’s finish looking new. It is like a seasonal chore that protects your car and keeps it looking beautiful. If you prefer, ask your favorite Service or Detail Shop for a quote to help get ready for the change in Season.

 

Wipers

With the cold months coming (with dead leaves in the immediate vicinity and snow right after that) having your wipers in top condition is important. If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, it’s time to replace or clean them. Wipers degrade very quickly and typically need to be changed every 6 to 12 months. Try cleaning the blade with a paper towel and glass cleaner before replacing them if it has been less time than the 6-12 month recommended timespan. That can help renew the blades for a few more weeks or months.

 

What about the inside of the car?

 

Inside your car

There are a lot of specialty products for cleaning the interior of your car, including upholstery and dashboard cleaners. For a DIY solution, you can use laundry soap on a cloth to do most car interior cleaning jobs. Use a vacuum with good suction, and try some of the attachments as well, which will help get into every nook and cranny. For detail work or small space, use a 1-inch paintbrush or even an artist’s brush to get rid of crumbs and dust.

The trunk needs to be cleaned out as well. We’re sure you’ll have all your summer leftovers there, like beach chairs and extra flip flops. Clean it out for the colder months where you might need a snow shovel and ice picks. Carrying that extra weight in the back wastes gas, so it’s a good idea to get rid of accumulated clutter and replace it with an emergency road kit.

 

Anxious for the fall and the colder months? Now you don’t have to be, because your car will be prepared for it. We hope these tips will help you feel at ease about the upcoming cold and have a great fall season!

 

Sources

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/fall-cleanup-and-maintenance-for-your-car/

https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/5-tips-for-cleaning-for-fall3.htm

 

Tags: car cleaning, car maintenance, fall cleaning
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