Be Car Care Aware

A Clean Car Is Money In The Bank

Monday, January 28, 2019

(NAPSI)—Purchasing a new car is a major financial investment.    Keeping it clean can be an easy and inexpensive way to protect its resale and    trade-in value.    “Many motorists procrastinate when it comes to cleaning their    vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director of the nonprofit Car    Care Council. “Whether you do it yourself or have it cleaned    professionally, proactively keeping your car clean on the outside and tidy on    the inside will pay big dividends when it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s    value over time.”    The Car Care Council suggests five simple steps to keep a vehicle clean,    helping protect it from the elements and preserve its value.    • Declutter—Start    the cleaning process by removing excess clutter from inside the car as it can    be distracting and hazardous, especially when debris finds its way near the    gas and brake pedals. Don’t forget to clear out items that have    accumulated in the trunk as they can add extra weight and reduce fuel efficiency.    • Clean the Interior—The    next step is to thoroughly clean the interior, wash the windows, and clean    and install floor mats. Be sure to vacuum on a regular basis. A clean and    orderly interior lets you spot issues in the cabin so you can get them repaired    before they get worse.    • Wash the Exterior—Give    your car a good wash from top to bottom using products specifically made for    automobiles. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body and    don’t use the same washing mitt or cloth for both.    • Wax Twice a Year—Waxing    not only protects a vehicle’s finish, it makes subsequent washing    easier. Before proceeding, make sure there are no foreign particles on the    paint. It’s important to note that waxing should be done in the shade,    not direct sunlight.    • Fix Chips—If you    find minor paint damage, cover the paint chips as quickly as possible to    prevent further damage. For a quick fix until you can get paint touch-up    supplies, dab a little clear nail polish on the scratch.    The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car    Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of    regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.     Free Guide    To order a free copy of the popular “Car Care Guide,” visit    the council’s consumer education website, www.carcare.org.

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Caption: Keeping your car neat and clean can help you keep    more money in your pocket.

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