HOW TO PROPERLY
WASH YOUR VEHICLE
1 Household detergents, including dishwashing detergent and laundry soap, should never be used to wash cars. Their high pH content—designed to cut grease—will remove your car's wax coating and harm its clear-coat finish. Use specially formulated car wash treatments instead.
2 Rinse your car before washing it. Caught under your sponge or towel, dirt and grit can scratch the paint.
3 To clean leather, wipe with a damp cloth and buff dry. Follow up with a good leather conditioner. Never apply silicone dressings to leather. If a more thorough cleaning is needed, see a professional for service to avoid damaging the leather.
4 Beware of acid rain from industrial fallout. It's harmful effects can be activated by dew or fog, as well as rain. Rinse and dry your vehicle often to prevent acid rain damage.
5 Be kind to your car. Avoid car washes using nylon brushes or recycled water. Brushes can scratch your paint, and recycled water may contain salt and other contaminants from previous vehicles that can accelerate deterioration.
6 It's gross, we know, but clean off bird droppings, bug stains and tree sap as soon as possible. For best results, use a mild car wash soap, then rinse and chamois dry to avoid staining and discoloration.
7 Touch up chips and scratches promptly. Chipped or scratched paint can cause blisters and surface rust.
8 Moisturize your vinyls. Interior and exterior vinyls should be cleaned and dressed at least twice a year to prevent drying and cracking. Use a cleaner specifically recommended for vinyl, then buff dry and apply a temporary vinyl dressing, such as Armor-All
9 Don't use Brillo-style pads on those wheel covers or aluminum wheels. Abrasive pads are made for cleaning pots and pans, not the delicate finish of your wheels. Aluminum or magnesium sports wheels have a clear-coat finish, which can strip away if not treated properly. Use a non-caustic cleaner and soft brush or sponge
10 Remove bumper stickers and window decals gently. Use a hair dryer to soften the adhesive. Then scrape clean with an old credit card. If your bumper is painted, keep the heat source low to prevent damage. |
HOW TO MAKE YOUR VEHICLE SECURE
- Always lock your car and take your keys with you.
- Take all valuables with you, or hide them from plain sight inside your vehicle.
- When parked, keep all windows rolled up and your sunroof closed.
- Never leave your keys in the ignition and walk away from your vehicle, even if you are running an errand for a minute. It only takes a few seconds for someone to climb in and drive away.
- Always park in well-lit areas and try to park near open businesses.
- When parking in a public garage or an attended lot, leave only your ignition key with the attendant.
- When parking at home, back your car into your driveway, so neighbors can see the front of your car. This may make a potential car thief think twice about hot wiring your car in plain view.
- When going out of town, if possible, remove the distributor cap or coil wire from under the hood.
- Always set your parking brake and turn your wheels toward the curb.
- This will make it difficult for thieves to tow the vehicle away.
Vehicle Security
- Starter Kill - prevents to engine from starting if the vehicle is entered illegally.
- Passive Arming - sets the alarm automatically. (Note: Many insurance agencies offer discounts when you install this feature)
- Fully Adjustable Shock Sensor - activates the alarm if the vehicle is subject to tampering.
- Flashing LED Light - indicates when the alarm is set, discouraging intruders.
- Flashing Parking Lights - serve to attract attention visually in an emergency.
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GIVING IT A WASH
Washing is the process of removing loose dirt and road film on the top of your car's paint surfaces. A good car wash solution provides lubrication to prevent scratching and conditioners to maintain the shine.
Washing can be a double-edge sword, though, as even the mildest soaps can remove the natural oils from your car's paint, causing oxidation (paint starvation). Detergents can dull your car's finish even faster. For years, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and most other fine automobile makers recommended using only pure water to wash your car. Here are some tips to make washing easier:
1. Wash the wheels first!
2. Make sure your car is cool and work in the shade, if possible. A hot surface causes the wash and rinse water to evaporate too quickly, increasing the likelihood of water spotting. One trick is to park on a slight incline. This allows rinse water to run off moldings, trim, and recessed areas better. Start by thoroughly wetting the car's finish with a medium spray of water to remove loose grit and surface dirt.
3. Use a car wash shampoo specifically formulated for automotive use. Look for a shampoo containing surface conditioners and natural oils. These oils act as a lubricant. Sand and abrasive grit slide off in the rinse water without scratching the surface. These shampoos cost a little more but are worth every penny if you own a dark color car. Follow the shampoo manufacturer's directions for the proper mix ratio. Using too much shampoo is wasteful and may leave a filmy residue on the surface.
4. We prefer a natural (not synthetic) sea sponge, cotton chenille pad, or sheepskin wash mitt for washing. These tools have a large number of fine filaments that draw dirt and grime away from the surface being cleaned into their internal structure. Synthetic (flat sided) sponges and wash clothes can trap dirt, grit, and grime on the surface which can scratch your car's paint. If you use a natural sea sponge, use the outer "soft" side for washing, not the harder "cut" side, and always rinse new sponges thoroughly to remove any remaining sand or shell particles. 100% cotton chenille wash mitts and pads are also excellent as they hold lots of soapy water and are gentle to your paint.
5. Start washing from the top down and rinse the car often. Frequent rinsing is especially important if you are using a wash containing natural oils. While these oils cushion the paint and minimize abrasion they are heavier than water and can leave a film if allowed to set on the car. I use a final rinse of free flowing water (nozzle off the hose) allowing the water to sheet off the car. | |
