Spring Cleaning For Your Car

Clear Out The Trash 

When you're cleaning any car, much less a winter-weather-beaten one, start by removing all the junk you've been ignoring. Have a garbage bag and a "keep" box handy, because you'll want to hang on to some of the stuff. Be thorough: Get under and beside the seats and in the trunk. 

Vacuum the Inside 
You'll want to work from the top down, because gravity dictates that stuff stirred up works its way floorward. Also, yank out the salt-caked floor mats for a quick pass with the vacuum. Then use a house or shop vac and a rigid tool such as a screwdriver to work dirt out of the creases. 

Scrub Carpet and Upholstery 
This step is optional but worth the satisfying results. Grab a spray bottle of automotive-upholstery-and-carpet cleaner and a heavy-duty scrub brush to clean the soft parts of the interior. Spray the seats or anything cloth- covered; scrub, then wipe down. Repeat at least one more time, moving to the carpet for the same job. Being thorough with the carpet is important, as it can act like a filthy, salty, wet rag that accelerates rusting. When you're done, pull the drain plugs under the floor and let things air out for a few days. You'll be amazed at how much better the car smells. 

Power-Wash the Floor Mats 
The floor mats are without question the parts of the interior that take winter abuse the hardest. If you've got all-rubber floor mats, they won't take long to clean, but carpeted mats will likely take two passes with a power washer to get all the salt and dirt out. If you don't have a power washer, use one at a self-service car wash. Let the mats dry thoroughly before putting them back into the car or you could be begging for mold growth in the carpet. 

Swap Your Tires 
If you live in far-north climates, it makes sense to own sets of summer and winter tires. Make sure to swap them out in a timely manner. Leaving winter tires on too long will result in excess wear, because they soften with warmer temperatures. 

Tip: Old Tool, New Trick 
When cleaning out door and body drain holes, we’ve found that the best method is to repurpose a plug-installation tool used in tire repair. Cut up an old shop rag or sock and stick it into the slot of the tool just the way you would a tire plug. The setup makes dragging out dirt and plant matter very easy, and the fabric scrap is easily replaced when it gets grimy. 

Ditch Winter Windshield Wipers 
Wipers get beaten up pretty bad in the winter, and torn-up old wipers in a summer downpour will leave you blind. 

Lube the Hinges 
Hit each door, trunk, and hood hinge with white lithium grease to prevent squeaks and premature wear. 

Clean the Windows 
Ever notice how your windows fog up really bad during damp spring weather? Part of that has to do with how dirty the inside of your windscreen is, but you can take steps to prevent this. First, wash your windows with a good car-window cleaner; the ammonia in household stuff will make the fogging worse. Fog has a harder time clinging to a clean surface, and you can go a step further by wiping down the interior of the glass with an antifogging agent. 

Wash the Car 
This seems obvious, but there are some subtleties. As with the interior, you want to clean the car from the top down, rinsing ­frequently. Don't start at the rocker panels and move to the roof—it drags dirt around and scratches the clear coat. When the body is clean, spend a few dollars at your local automatic car wash and get the underbody flushed. This will dislodge the road salt that is doing its best to turn the unibody into Swiss cheese. 

Replace the Cabin Air Filter 
This filter keeps dirt, pollen, and plant matter from entering the ventilation system. It gets dirtiest during autumn, when falling leaves work their way into the cabin-intake system. 

Don't Forget the Trunk 
Add a bag of sand, gravel, or kitty litter to the trunk as ballast to improve traction in slippery conditions and to have something to throw under the tires when the car's stuck. But come spring, remove the bag and other winter gear to improve fuel economy and free up space. 

Wipe Down the Entry 
Scrub door sills to keep your pants clean, and dust off any nooks missed during a car wash. Rub door seals with mineral oil or use silicone spray to keep them supple. 

And While You're At It 
Since you're already poking around the car, take a few more minutes for regular upkeep. 

☐ Inspect tread depth. 
☐ Test your tire pressure—including the spare.
☐ Change the oil. 
☐ Add washer fluid.
☐ Clean the wheels and tires. 
☐ Dump a bottle of fuel-system cleaner into the gas tank.

What Is Your Car's Color Saying About You?

It has been said that your car's color can say a lot about your personality; whether you're simple and sophisticated, or artistic and bold, or elegant and under-spoken, it can be argued that your everyday vehicle can say a lot about you as a whole. So tell us, what does your car color say about you?

Black: Powerful, Classic, Elegant - You are a bold and powerful person, and likely your wardrobe matches your car's color in reflecting it. You are elegant in everything that you do and believe "you can't beat the classics".

White: Pure, Pristine, Direct - Likely you are a very clean, organized person. Your passengers would better hope they remember to grab their trash out of the car before they leave, otherwise they can expect an earful from you about maintaining your car's pristine state.

Pearl: Glamorous and Exciting - You aren't too flashy, but you aren't too boring either. You've got yourself together but you'd like to make sure everyone else knows there is a part of you that isn't afraid to cut loose every now and again.

Silver: Futuristic and Prestigious - You're a forward thinker. You tend to value the finer things in life. Regular colors are just a bit too plain for your personality.

Red: Sensual, Dynamic, and Outgoing - Always on the lookout for a good time. You probably tend to be a bit outspoken, but it is the reason why you are appreciated by the people around you. You're a true social butterfly.

Gray: Practical and Pragmatic - Cool, calm, and collected, you are. You're likely a very logical person and a great thinker. Not usually very quick to excite.

Blue: Calm and Faithful, yet Confident and Authoritative - There is a lot to be said about people who drive blue cars, however, most tend to be very calm and collected individuals. Do not confuse these people with pushovers, though, these types of people tend to be very opinionated and steadfast.

Orange: Unique, Artistic, and Complex - You are an artist. You are not afraid to let your freak flag fly and are probably not often concerned how you come off to other people. And why should you be? You're too busy being you to worry about other people's opinions, and that's a good thing!

Brown: Powerful, yet Down-To-Earth - You're a very "grounded" individual, pun intended. You are not fazed by over-the-top antics but rather appreciate the finer things in life. You are a very neutral person.

Yellow: Joyful, Humorous - You're that guy or gal in your circle of friends who is always making everyone laugh and is generally a hoot to be around. You've got a very sunny disposition that tends to brighten up the lives of those around you.

Green: Well-Balanced, Organic - Leading a life of indulgence and excesses is just not something you are concerned with. You would rather concern yourself with what you can do for other's around you. You are generally a very compassionate and self-aware person.

Gold: Intelligent and Warm - Contrary to most of gold's usual implications, you are a warm and intelligent person. You value attention but you are not in others' faces about it all the time. You crave comfort.