Every responsible car owner knows they have to clean their vehicle regularly. However, many people often forget that cleaning their vehicle includes more than just its body and interior seats. Dirt and debris can also build up in the door jambs, under the hood, and on the tires. When cleaning your car, don’t forget to give these car parts a good wash too:
People love cleaning their chromed wheels until they’re shiny again, but how often do they also clean their tires? Tires are constantly touching the ground and are exposed to dirt, small rocks, and trash.
Cleaning your tires is a quick and easy job that anyone can do, but here are a few tips to make it easier:
All you need is a soft-bristled brush, a hose with a spray nozzle, and a non-abrasive cleaner such as dish soap. If you’re dealing with a lot of dirt, you can use a pressure washer, waxing mitt, or wheel brush instead.
When rinsing your tires, try to be as thorough as possible. Work the water from multiple angles so you can get rid of as much loose dirt as possible before scrubbing the tires with a brush. If you’re using dish soap, be sure to dilute it with warm water.
While you’re down there, consider giving your tires a quick inspection. Look for any holes or tears that the dirt might’ve covered up before, and check the air pressure and tread depth.
People often forget to clean the undercarriage of their vehicles, and who can blame them? It’s out of sight and hard to reach. Unfortunately, the undercarriage collects dirt and dust really easily because it’s close to the ground and exposed to road salt, moisture, and other debris.
Cleaning your vehicle’s undercarriage can be tricky, especially if you’re doing it all by yourself. However, it’s something that should always be done after driving somewhere with snow and salt on the road. Here are a few ways to make things easier:
Cleaning the undercarriage should always be done after driving somewhere where there is snow and salt on the road.
– Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Jack stands can help you lift your vehicle safely. With the jack stands holding up your car, you can now gently scrub the dirt away with a soft brush and an auto parts cleaner of your choice.
You can use a hose to clean your vehicle’s undercarriage, but a pressure washer can help make things easier. Just be sure to angle the pressure washer properly so you can get rid of as much dirt as possible.
You don’t have to wash your undercarriage by yourself if you don’t want to. You can always go to a car wash and have them do it for you. Just don’t forget to specifically ask them to wash your undercarriage.
People often think cleaning under the hood isn’t necessary, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Dirt and debris can still enter your engine bay even if you always keep your hood shut. It needs just as much TLC as the rest of your vehicle.
Engine cleaning can be a long and complicated job, so make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before you begin. Here are a few tips to consider when cleaning under the hood:
Before cleaning your engine, disconnect the battery cables first. Covering sensitive parts such as the battery, ignition wires, and other connectors with plastic bags to protect them from water and soap is also a great idea.
Use a vacuum or compressed air for a quick air clean before you start cleaning various engine parts. This is a great way to get rid of any loose dirt before going for a deeper clean. Remember to wear safety goggles to prevent dirt and other debris from getting into your eyes.
This is one of the most popular ways of cleaning various engine parts. Soda blasting involves blasting baking soda to remove dirt, grease, and sometimes paint from a surface. It’s especially effective on aluminum parts.
You’ll find plenty of car parts cleaners on the market, but not all of them are safe to use for the engine bay. Make sure to double-check the label before using them. Check for any harmful chemicals that might damage your engine.
Corroded battery terminals can negatively affect your battery’s performance in many ways. They can cause electrical issues, lead to acid leaks, and prevent your vehicle from starting. Don’t forget to clean your battery terminals at least once a year.
Cleaning your battery terminals can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Consider these tips on how to clean your battery terminals:
For some vehicles, disconnected batteries can cause drive monitors, navigation systems, and engine control parameters to reset. You might need a memory saver to prevent these issues, so be sure to check your owner’s manual first before proceeding.
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of water, and you have your own battery terminal cleaner. Apply this mixture on an old toothbrush and use it to gently scrub your battery terminals.
Pouring coke on them works as well. You can also buy a battery-cleaning spray which has an acid detector in it. After cleaning them, you want to spray a protective spray on the terminals to help prevent corrosion.
You don’t want to breathe in dirty air, do you? Cabin air filters keep dirt from entering the cabin, but your air vents can still get dirty over time. Unless you want to breathe in contaminated air, you’ll have to clean them from time to time.
Cleaning your air vents can be tough. However, it isn’t impossible, and there are a few ways to make this job easier, such as the following:
To reach between the slats of your air vents, try using a microfiber cloth wrapped around a butter knife or long stick.
You can also try spraying some furniture polish on a clean paintbrush. Then, gently brush in between the vents. Most of the dust and other debris will stick to the furniture polish, leaving your vents nice and clean.
Drivers often forget to clean their door jambs, even if it’s something they touch every time they exit their vehicle. Unless you want to touch a greasy handle just to open your car door, you’ll have to clean it regularly.
Cleaning door jambs is easier said than done, especially since there are small crevices that can be hard to reach. Here are a few tips to make sure the entire process goes smoothly:
The right detailing brush can help you reach every nook and cranny of your door jambs. You can use multiple brushes to make sure you clean every surface possible.
Using a hose or pressure washer can cause things to get messy quickly. To leave the rest of your interior nice and dry, use a small spray bottle to rinse your door jambs instead.
Once the door jambs are squeaky clean, you can apply a coat of spray-on wax to give it a nice shine.
A dirty vehicle might not seem like a big deal, but it won’t take long before grimy engine parts, dirty battery terminals, and clogged air vents interfere with your vehicle’s performance. For example, dirty battery terminals can cause electrical shorts and poor battery performance. In some cases, they can even prevent your car from starting. But with the right tools, you don’t have to worry about any of this. Keep engine parts, battery terminals, and other forgotten components squeaky clean by getting cleaning supplies from CarParts.com today.
From car wash soaps to cleaning cloths, CarParts.com has everything you need to clean your vehicle. The best part is that you can order cleaning essentials without leaving the comfort of your home. Place an order with just a few clicks, and enjoy our convenient and secure checkout. Thanks to our strategically located warehouses around the US, you don’t have to worry about waiting too long for your order to arrive. Order by 12 PM ET, and your new cleaning supplies should be at your doorstep in as fast as two business days.
Clean your dirty engine parts and other components before they interfere with your vehicle’s performance. Check out our selection of high-quality car wash soaps, wire brushes, and cleaning cloths at CarParts.com and order today!
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