Washing your car is a fun activity for the whole family when the weather warms up, but there’s definitely a right and a wrong way to do it. Luckily for you, we’ve written this guide to washing your car properly so that you can have fun with the kids and make sure that your clearcoat won’t get frazzled.

The first tip we have for you is to invest (and when we say “invest,” we really mean “spend a little more than you would otherwise”) in some car shampoo that is specifically formulated for exterior automotive use. In other words, don’t use dish soap. You can find it at any auto parts store, and when you use a microfiber cloth or cleaning mitt with the shampoo, you’ll get a great wash. Make sure you rinse your car off with the hose before you start washing and you’re good to go!

Make sure you don’t wash your vehicle in direct sunlight. It might seem like the thing to do, but it’s not. We’ll cover that in a minute.

When you do wash, don’t move the cloth in circular patterns. That creates swirl marks, which are visible on your paint if you look the right way. Rinsing your vehicle first helps get rid of the dust and other pollutants that collect on your vehicle and cause scratches when you wash your vehicle. The proper way to wash is in long straight strokes, doing one panel at a time. Don’t rub too hard, but make sure you are effectively washing each area.

Don’t rinse your vehicle off just yet – take the time to rinse and wash your wheels with a stiff brush. It really improves the look of your wheels, and makes sure they’re getting the attention they deserve. After that, take a clean cloth, dip it in the wash, and focus on the little details of your vehicle before the final rinse.

Now it’s time to rinse your vehicle off with a nice high-powered blast of water from the hose. Don’t let your vehicle air-dry – this is why you’re not washing your vehicle in direct sunlight – because if the rinse water evaporates it creates rings and deposits and can damage your clear coat and/or paint. Dry each panel with a clean, dry microfiber cloth, and then apply whatever protectant sprays or waxes you want.

Teach your kids the right way to wash a vehicle and you’re set for life on car washes! Trust us, ours are practically expert detailers.

Travel is both a necessity and a fun activity, and that’s why road trips were invented. However, regardless of the reason for your travel, there will always be little things that pop up here and there that need to be addressed… like boredom, small injuries, thirst… regular things. We don’t have a choice about those things happening, but we do have a choice about being prepared! So, we’ve put together a little list of some great essentials to have in your vehicle for any occasion, whether it’s an actual emergency or just a fit of boredom. Check it out!

In The Car

• Blankets and pillows
• Music
• Folding chairs
• Reading material
• Camera
• Cash for toll roads
• GPS
• Binoculars
• Wet wipes
• Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids
• Pen, pencil, notepad
• Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper
• Small bags for garbage

Vehicle Emergency Kit

• Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs
• First aid kit
• Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic tool kit)

• Gallon jug of water
• Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid
• Rags, workshop towels, old blanket
• Gloves
• Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts)
• Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel)
• Duct tape and WD40

Do you find that your battery dies more frequently than it should? If you don’t know how frequently it should die, then the answer is that it shouldn’t die on you at all. Basically, what I’m saying is that if your battery has died on you, it might be time to crack the hood and investigate the cause. Here’s how to discern the reason for your deceased power source.

Your battery could just be a little old. If you can’t remember when the last time you changed your battery was, then it is probably time to replace it. Old batteries can’t really hold a charge, and that’s all you really need a battery for anyway.

The connections to your battery could be loose and/or corroded, which will impede their ability to work with your vehicle’s charging system. Make sure the connections are tight and clean them off if you see any corrosion and see if that fixes any of your issues.

Your charging system itself could be the culprit. Take a look at all the wiring, belts, and other electrical connections and charging system components to make sure everything is in good order. When you give your vehicle a jump, drive it straight to the shop.

The final thing that is a common battery killer but also very easy fix is that you could just be leaving lights on when you don’t mean to. When you get out of the car, make sure that all of your lights are off – headlights, map lights, dome light – and then make sure your trunk light isn’t on as well. If any of these lights stay on when they shouldn’t be, then you probably have a broken switch.

If you’re very concerned about your battery, or you believe you have something broken or malfunctioning, please stop in and ask us about it!