Auto News & Features, Car Information » Car Cleaning

Cleaning your car can help extend vehicle life

Jennifer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:15:31 +0000

(ARA) – The average price of a light vehicle has risen to $28,715, according to the Comerica Index. For most Americans, this means their car is the second largest investment they will make in their lifetime.

With the average age of a passenger car in North America being 9.4 years according to R.L. Polk & Co. — and the current economic conditions — motorists are working to stretch the life of their vehicle even longer. To help maintain this significant investment, extending the household cleaning ritual to the family vehicle is more important than ever.

Incorporating a vehicle into any cleaning routine can be easy. Start by examining the car from top to bottom, checking everything including tire pressure, tread depth, wiper blade wear and parts that should be replaced. Regular maintenance tasks and recommended intervals are often outlined in a vehicle’s manual.

“For anyone looking to extend the life of their vehicle, maintaining its interior and exterior routinely is essential. Motorists appear to be following this advice, as the automotive industry has seen an increase in regular vehicle maintenance being completed,” says Mark Ferner, Shell Lubricants technical specialist and ASE-certified master technician. “Maintaining a vehicle by cleaning interior and exterior with appropriate products and completing manufacturer-recommended engine maintenance can save money on expensive repairs down the line and potentially extend its usable life.”

Ferner recommends lifting the hood of the vehicle next to check the motor oil, which is considered the lifeblood of the engine. Just like dust and dirt can build up in a home, sludge can build up in an engine. To clean sludge out of the engine and restore responsiveness, drivers should use quality full-synthetic motor oil such as Pennzoil. By using Pennzoil motor oil, motorists can clean out up to 15 percent of engine sludge in the first oil change. With Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic motor oil motorists can clean up to 46 percent of engine sludge in the first oil change and it has the ability to continue to clean the engine further during the next oil change.

If a vehicle’s maintenance history is unknown or questionable, and if low-quality gasoline has been used in the vehicle, treat the car with a fuel system cleaner to help restore the engine to its peak condition. In older, high-mileage vehicles, special care may be required to clean out the tough, built-up gunk that has collected in the fuel system over time. Products such as Gumout Fuel System Cleaner are designed to help clean the combustion chamber, fuel injectors/carburetors and intake valves and ports of an engine, which can lead to improved fuel economy and engine performance. Regular use of a fuel-system cleaner is suggested for those who use a low quality fuel to continually clean the engine and keep it clean of any gunk or deposits.

“When cleaning a vehicle in an effort to maintain its usable life and value, it is not only the drive train that requires attention, but also the interior and exterior as well,” says Ferner.

For example, a vehicle’s wheels are subjected to a high amount of wear and tear. Tight, intricate wheel spaces can be particularly difficult to clean and polish, as dirt, dust and grime can get into those hard-to-reach spaces. The new Black Magic Bullet Wheel Polishing Tool is designed to polish your whole wheel — corners and all — in just minutes by using absorbent foam and gentle microfiber so that only the softest, safest material makes contact with the wheel.

For additional automotive cleaning hints and tips, visit pennzoil.com, gumout.com and blackmagicshine.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Cleaning Tips for Your Car

Jennifer — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:50:37 +0000

Changing wiper blades at least once a year, combined with using a hydrophobic windshield repellent such as Rain-X Original Treatment, can dramatically clear a driver's vision.

For most Americans, their car is the second biggest investment they will make in their lifetimes. The average price of a light vehicle is $28,715, according to the Comerica Index. It makes sense to have an annual cleaning ritual to help preserve and maintain your car, just as you undertake regular cleaning to care for your home.

“Aesthetic maintenance is important to preserving a vehicle’s integrity and value,” says Ron Fausnight, Shell Car Care technical expert. “Routine maintenance, including washing and waxing your vehicle, can be viewed as preventative maintenance that helps to preserve a vehicle’s paint from the elements while restoring a polished, new look.”

Tires and wheels are often overlooked when washing a car, but they are two areas that take the most abuse throughout the year. Road grime, salt and brake dust can quickly collect on wheels, and without proper removal, can lead to discoloration of aluminum alloys and corrosion and pitting of steel alloys used. When removing the debris, use a cleaner that is pH-balanced to avoid any potential damage to the composition and finish of wheels. A pH-balanced product such as the Black Magic Titanium Wheel Cleaner is as gentle as soap and water, but contains stronger cleansing and shine agents that are safe to use on all wheel types.

“While all preventative maintenance is important, maintaining a vehicle’s safety features should be an even higher priority,” Fausnight says. “Roadway safety needs a multifaceted car care approach, and taking steps to ensure visibility is important.”

Changing wiper blades at least once a year, combined with using a hydrophobic windshield repellent such as Rain-X Original Treatment, can dramatically clear a driver’s vision. The treatment seals the microscopic pores of glass, causing any precipitation to bead up and roll off the windshield. In fact, in tests conducted by a major university, the increased visibility provided by Rain-X improved driving response time up to a full second or more.

“Regular maintenance for your vehicle does not necessarily only relate to the exterior. With gas prices climbing higher than ever, many people are looking for ways to clean the inside of an engine to maintain a vehicle’s performance and fuel economy,” Fausnight says.

In some cases, cheaper gasoline can be a low-quality fuel that meets the minimum requirement of detergency by the EPA, but may allow deposits of gunk to form in a fuel system. One way to help remove this gunk is by using a fuel additive to clear deposits from fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers.

One such product is the new Shell V-Power Complete Fuel System Cleaner that contains more than three times the required cleansing agents by government standards for premium gasoline. The fuel treatment actively cleans all components of the fuel system restoring optimum performance and fuel economy while also protecting from future deposit build-up. When used regularly, a product like Shell V-Power Complete Fuel System Cleaner can actually reduce carbon monoxide emissions and help the engine run cleaner.

Incorporating these tips into an annual cleaning routine, and performing regular maintenance, are important steps to preventing the deterioration of a vehicle and may help to save money in the long run.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Now’s a great time to care for your car

Jennifer — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:13:23 +0000

Spring is finally here and after the harsh Canadian winter it’s time to think about making your car or truck look great once again.Proper car care starts with a thorough washing. It’s important to wash all the road salt, mud and grime that have accumulated on your vehicle and under the wheel wells during the winter. Greg Morton, general manager of Meguiar’s Canada, a manufacturer of automotive appearance care products, said to make sure you use a pH balanced car wash. “Using a harsh detergent like dish wash soap is not recommended as it will strip any car wax off your car”.

After washing your car Morton says the next step is to evaluate the surface of your car. “Rub the face of your clean hand across the top surfaces. If the surface feels rough to the touch, you likely have items such as road tar, bugs or water deposits on your surface. These need to be cleaned off your car before waxing. Otherwise you won’t be waxing your paint but you will be waxing on top of these bonded contaminants.” There are a few products on the market to do this such as Meguiar’s Quik Clay, Morton said.

After washing and cleaning your vehicle, you need to apply a polish and wax to protect your car’s finish from the harsh elements such as UV rays, acid rain, and industrial fallout. “Always use smooth, uniform and even coats for maximum coverage,” Morton said.

“Tools are just as important.” Morton recommends the use of a high quality microfibre cloth or 100% terry cloth towel. “The use of dish cloths, diapers, or rags will end up scratching your car and doing more harm than good. The paint on your car is very sensitive,” Morton says.

In its effort to serve the customer, Meguiar’s offers a free personalized Car Care Prescription Guide on its website: www.meguiars.com. Simply type in your car’s information and where you live and Meguiar’s will prescribe a car care program tailored to your personal needs.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Car clutter and cleaning solutions

Jennifer — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:59:41 +0000

(NC)-It’s an all too familiar scene in millions of family vehicles. Items like snacks and juice boxes make their way onto the seats and floors, which along with books and toys, leave the car a mess. In fact, in a study by urbanmoms.ca, more than half of the respondents said that litter on the seats and floors is the interior mess that occurs most in their cars. Just over 40% say their car’s interior is messier than their home. So, how can you tackle the clutter, litter, stains and fingerprints without spending too much time and money? Parenting coach Terry Carson says it’s easier than you think, as long as you have a plan of action. Here are six tips she recommends for today’s on-the-go families.

. Use a litter bag designed for the car, like Blink Toss Outs. They conveniently clip to seatback pockets and help contain litter like apple cores, wrappers, tissues and drink cups.

. Use backseat and trunk organizers to keep sports gear and automotive chemicals/maintenance items under control.

. To help the kids avoid getting restless, keep a few small travel games or special toys organized in a Blink Tidy Tote mesh bag beneath your child’s seat.

. For disasters that threaten to stain the upholstery, like ketchup, be sure you have a product like Blink Mess Lifters on hand. They help take the stain out of sudden spills.

. Windows can get covered with sticky handprints quickly and often. Keep windows clean with Blink Smudge Cleaners – handy spray and wipes in one package, so you no longer have to carry around a roll of paper towels.

. Keep a blanket and pillow for each child in the back to make traveling comfortable and cozy; it can help with naps during longer trips.

Blink products are sold at many retailers including Canadian Tire, Pharma Plus, Wal-Mart, Babies R Us and Canada Safeway. You can find a list of retailers and more car organization tips and tools online at www.blinkanditsdone.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com