Winter is over and spring is in the air. As harsh as this winter was, your Ford car, truck or SUVs could use a good spring cleaning. We invite you to bring in your Ford or any make or model vehicle to Planet Ford in Spring on I-45 (serving Houston, Aldine, The Woodlands, Conroe) for a good detailing of both your interior and exterior. Planet can also provide regular maintenance to ensure your vehicle is running right! Here are a few key items when conducting your vehicle Ford’tastic spring spruce up!
1. Interior Clean Up
First step: take time to throw out all the wrappers, napkins, receipts and random junk that’s gathered on the floor and between seats. Next, remove what you no longer need, including winter tools like brushes, ice scrapers and shovels. Make sure to keep nonseasonal emergency items like a flashlight, jumper cables, blanket and a tool kit. Check the glove compartment to make sure your insurance and registration papers are up to date.
2. Clear the dust, dirt & grim
Now it’s it’s time to get to the nitty gritty. You can use a handheld vacuum for the seats, floor and trunk, and use crevice attachments to get into nooks and crannies, like underneath seats. Wipe off the dash and other hard surfaces, such as cup holders, with a wet cloth or a Motorcraft® dusting cloth, which polishes surfaces with a special wax. Use an upholstery cleaner or fabric-safe stain remover on non-leather seats—or rent a steam cleaner from your local grocery or home store. A mild detergent and scrub brush is all you need to get salt off the floor mats and carpeting. If your floor mats are worn out, replace them here.
3. Clear view
You may be shocked at how grimy the interior of your windshield and windows can get from fingerprints, but it’s nothing a little ammonia-free glass cleaner can’t fix. Once you’ve finished the inside, head outside to check your windshield-wiper blades for wear and tear. They tend to suffer the most damage in the winter months, when ice and snow can warp the rubber, decreasing their effectiveness. Change your own windshield wiper blades or take your vehicle to your local dealer for replacements.
4. All in the Detail
Nest, inspect the exterior for problem areas, like tree sap, bird droppings or paint chips. Before you wash the entire car, treat the trouble spots with detailing spray or Motorcraft® bug and tar remover, if necessary. Note any chips, swirls or dents, and get them treated at your dealer.
5. Splish Splash
Do it yourself? Scrub your vehicle from the top down using a lambswool mitt and a bucket of Motorcraft® detail wash. You can attack stubborn dirt with a nylon or natural-bristle brush and a little elbow grease. After you’ve rinsed off your car, truck or SUV and allowed it to dry, apply wax in a circular motion using a microfiber or foam applicator pad, then remove any dried wax with a microfiber or all-cotton cloth.
6. Under it All
The beginning of spring is a great time to get a thorough car wash—just make sure it includes an under-spray. The winter’s road salt can seriously corrode your car, because it accelerates the formation of rust, which can damage exposed parts. It’s also bad for your vehicle’s finish. As a preventive measure, consider having the car professionally waxed and sealed.
7. Fill up Your Fluids
Now that you’ve cleared away the grime, it’s time to do a fluid check. It’s key you don’t skip this step. Coolant, in a 50/50 mix with water, is vital to your engine. Too little fluid or the wrong ratio can seriously damage your engine, so it’s important to keep your levels up. Consider using Motorcraft® coolant for the best results. Next, fill up your windshield washer fluid. You may want to adjust the dilution from season to season—more alcohol helps keep the washer fluid from freezing. Read the product instructions to find out the proper amount.
8. Tread carefully
After a bumpy winter barreling over icey potholes and lumpy roads, now is the time to head over to Planet Ford where our certified technicians can check your alignment with our state-of-the-art equipment. Make sure to check the tire pressure to help with efficiency. Use a digital gauge for a more accurate reading, and fill the tires to the proper level as listed on the vehicle certification label found on the driver’s doorjamb.
9. Max efficiency
Don’t forget! It’s important to have your oil changed regularly. For optimum efficiency, most vehicles need an oil change every 7,500 miles or six months.
Source: http://www.myfordmag.com/seedo/spring-car-maintenance
