Spring is a season of renewal, which makes it the perfect time of year to work on sprucing up your vehicle. Winter is hard on cars, so perform some basic maintenance as soon as the warmer weather rolls around. This will protect your vehicle from long-term damage, maintaining its value. Auto center experts encourage taking these five steps.

Auto Centers Recommend Focusing on These Areas in Car Spring Cleaning

1. Undercarriage

Road salt is corrosive on exposed metal, incubating rust that eats away at the bottom of your vehicle. That’s why the first maintenance step you take should be to rinse and scrub the undercarriage. If you find areas of aggravated rust, pay an expert to grind them away and paint over the exposed surface to prevent this from happening in the future.

2. General Exterior

Next, focus on getting rid of all the mud and grime that stuck to the sides of your car during winter. Avoid abrasive cleaning materials like tough bristles or scouring powder. Instead, wash your vehicle with cold soapy water, rinse it thoroughly, then wipe it down with a microfiber towel before adding a protective layer of wax.

3. Tires

After winter, your car’s tires will also need a little love. Clean off the mud, scrubbing vigorously at the cracks between the treads. You’ll be surprised at what a big difference this makes to the vehicle’s overall appearance. Don’t forget to top off the tire pressure, as well. The freeze/thaw cycle of winter can throw it out of whack by causing the air to expand and contract multiple times.

4. Floor Mats

Moving to the inside, focus on getting rid of all the dirt you and passengers tracked onto the floor mats on the bottom of your shoes, as well as food crumbs and other trash. Vacuum thoroughly and take the mats out and beat the dust from them. An air freshener will remove any lingering odors from the season of keeping windows closed against the cold.

5. Seating

Pay special attention to all the seats, as well. First, remove personal items and throw away any trash. Then vacuum away the crumbs and dirt, just as you did on the floor. Finish by wiping off the seats with an upholstery cleaner, which will remove any remaining dirt and prevent it from permanently discoloring the surface.

If you’re seeking an auto center to help with general maintenance and repairs around Versailles, KY, contact the experts at Quick Lane at Jack Kain Ford. They have served their community for over 40 years, offering everything from tire rotations and repairs to oil changes and belt inspections. Learn more today about how they will keep your vehicle in top shape by visiting them online or calling (877) 837-1796.