Spring Cleaning your Vehicle

How to Spring Clean Your Vehicle

It may be overlooked, but cleaning your vehicle is an important and simple step you can take to keep your vehicle in good condition. If you only clean your vehicle once a year, you are still taking the necessary steps to look after your vehicle. Consider cleaning your vehicle in spring, as this is the best time to do it.

After the winter months, the interior of your vehicle is likely damp, due to wet clothes and shoes, whilst the exterior of your vehicle is likely to be covered in mud, grit and general dirt from the roads. By giving your vehicle a thorough clean in the spring, you can help combat issues such as rusting.

Cleaning the Interior:

Remove any rubbish – It’s natural that your vehicle may have become cluttered, start by removing any rubbish, this makes cleaning the interior easier.
Hoover the interior – Using different attachments you can hoover most areas inside your vehicle. Remember hoover under the seats, as well as removing the mats and hoovering underneath them.
Check the carpets for any wet patches – This could be a sign that rainwater is getting into your vehicle.
Shampoo seats and carpets – Be sure to test the shampoo out on a small patch of material first. When shampooing the interior of your vehicle, it’s best to do it on a warm and sunny day, as this will help to speed up the drying process.
Dust your surfaces – Dust builds up easily, use a duster and wipe down your dashboard. You can also use a small brush (old paintbrush etc.) to clear the air vents of any dust or buildup. Alternatively, you could clean the air vents with a can of compressed air.
Clean any interior glass – This can be done with glass cleaner and a cloth.

Cleaning the exterior:

Pre-rinse your vehicle – Gently hose down your vehicle, paying particular attention to the wheels, wheel arches and rims.
Shampoo your vehicle – Start at the top of the vehicle and work your way down. This way, any dirt that falls is cleaned off by the time you reach the bottom of the vehicle.
We recommend using two buckets – you can fill one with water and one with a solution of water and car shampoo. This method helps to keep your sponge/wash mitt free from dirt. Start by soaking your sponge in the cleaning solution. Wipe your vehicle with the sponge. Dip the sponge in the water bucket and then start again with the cleaning solution.
Rinse your vehicle – Starting at the top, use a hose to gently rinse away any remaining soap suds.
Dry your vehicle – Using a microfiber cloth, pat your vehicle dry.
Polish your vehicle – Applying polish to the exterior of your vehicle will help to protect the paintwork.

Checking your vehicle:

Whilst cleaning your vehicle, take the opportunity to check it over. If you notice any chips, scratches or patches of rust, it’s best to get these sorted as soon as possible whilst the damage is only Cosmetic before it becomes more serious.

You can also check your tyres to ensure that they are safe, look out for:

Check for damage – such as cuts, bulges or splits.
Check your tread depth – the legal limit is 1.6mm.

If discover any damage to your tyres or that the tread depth is too low, ensure you get these replaced. If you have Winter Tyres on, get these changed to Summer Tyres.

Spring Health Check

Another great way to look after your car is too book a Swansway Health Check! Get into the swing of spring with a health check from our experts. The cooler months can have a big impact on the condition of your vehicle, our Spring and Summer Health Check will give you peace of mind that your vehicle is ready for the months ahead.

As part of a Vehicle Health check, our expert technicians will carry out a health check on your vehicle including…

Express visual check – Our technicians will cast an expert eye over your car to spot items requiring attention, this can include checking the battery, tyres and brakes.
Essential liquids top-up – We’ll check your coolant, oil and washer liquid levels and top up anything that is required.
Wash and vacuum – We’ll make sure your car looks fresh after the harsh winter months