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Tradies<br />
How about that spring clean?<br />
Now is an ideal time to check over your<br />
vehicle(s) and take stock of what the<br />
winter months and lockdown-reduced<br />
usage may have done to your vehicle.<br />
If your vehicle is normally parked<br />
outdoors, it may now be covered in<br />
winter’s grime and could even have<br />
lichen or small weeds growing in small<br />
crevasses that must be removed before<br />
the summer sun comes into full force.<br />
Especially for those vehicles that are<br />
used on the odd occasion over winter.<br />
Here are some small tips and jobs to<br />
take note of to do!<br />
Exteriors<br />
A $20 wash will only get you so far, but the<br />
trick to keeping your vehicle sparkly clean<br />
is in the details. If you have the time and the<br />
products, you can get that showroom shine<br />
back in no time.<br />
Without regular cleaning, conditioning and<br />
treatment, your vehicle’s shimmering exterior<br />
is prone to fading, cracking and peeling. The<br />
paintwork can also be affected by things like<br />
UV damage, road grime and bird droppings.<br />
How often a vehicle needs to be cleaned<br />
and detailed is dependent upon how<br />
often the vehicle is driven, the conditions<br />
it’s exposed to and the length of time it<br />
spends sitting under the sun. And or where<br />
it is stored. If you have been storing your<br />
vehicles under trees or shade then it is<br />
more than likely to have damp mildew,<br />
moss growing on its exterior. So a good<br />
professional clean is recommended.<br />
Detailed exterior clean done by a Groomer<br />
service is more about getting the most<br />
protection on to your vehicle’s surface and<br />
creating a ‘barrier’ against things that can harm<br />
the paintwork. Keep that in mind before you go<br />
to a Service station to get an exterior clean!<br />
Interior<br />
Unless you park next to a giant dehumidifier,<br />
the chances are that some moisture has<br />
entered your vehicle over the winter months,<br />
especially if you park outdoors.<br />
Portable moisture absorbers like Damp Rid<br />
are great; just pop one inside the vehicle for a<br />
few days and you’ll be amazed at how much<br />
moisture is removed. Alternatively, wait for a<br />
hot sunny day, open all the doors and let the<br />
sun do its work.<br />
Give the internal surfaces a clean with some<br />
automotive wet wipes to get rid of dust and<br />
grime than may have accumulated, especially<br />
around frequented areas like cup holders.<br />
Try to avoid shiny silicones on the dash<br />
under the windscreen as they may cause the<br />
surface to reflect the sun more than normal.<br />
If you’re using a spray, be careful not to<br />
smear the inside of the glass.<br />
Did you know that the average New<br />
Zealand motorist can spend up to 20<br />
working days each year in their vehicle<br />
stuck in traffic alone, and that’s not even<br />
including driving time?<br />
Check for any empty drink bottles or coffee<br />
cups lying around. Vehicles can quickly<br />
become cluttered with rubbish, circulars,<br />
clothing and who knows what else. Clutter<br />
not only diminishes the appeal of your<br />
vehicle, but it also creates safety hazards<br />
and projectiles in the event of an emergency.<br />
If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner suitable<br />
for your vehicle, you can use the commercial<br />
ones located at most service stations for just<br />
a few dollars.<br />
Often the biggest source of clutter can come<br />
from items that are only needed temporarily.<br />
We’re talking sports equipment, camping<br />
gear, and the odd road trip supply. Keep<br />
these items in convenient containers and<br />
store in accessible areas of your home or<br />
garage. The easier these items are to access<br />
(load and unload), the more inclined you will<br />
be to only bring these along when they’re<br />
needed. Removing heavier items will also<br />
increase your fuel economy.<br />
For safety purposes, ensure the driver’s<br />
area is a clutter-free zone. Nothing should<br />
ever be able to fall near the driver’s feet and<br />
impede the use of the pedals. If you’re in the<br />
Page 22<br />
habit of kicking off your shoes or jandals,<br />
make sure they are well under your seat, or<br />
better still, pop them behind your seat for<br />
easy access later.<br />
Floor mats also need to be considered. If<br />
you have more than one, they’re not secured<br />
or the correct fit, then the mat can affect<br />
the pedal operation which can sometimes<br />
hinder the brake or unintentionally press the<br />
accelerator pedal.<br />
Clutter in a vehicle is not just a physical<br />
nuisance - it can affect your ability to focus.<br />
Keeping your vehicle organised not only<br />
looks and feels good, but it can increase<br />
mental concentration on the road (and reduce<br />
stress!). So, keep the vehicle well organised to<br />
create a pleasant, safe driving experience that<br />
you and your passengers can enjoy.<br />
Checklist<br />
While you are there it is best to check on<br />
the essentials; is your lock nut where it is<br />
supposed to be? Is your service book in<br />
the glove box. First aid kit accessible and<br />
topped up? Is your Fire extinguisher there<br />
and is it certified? These little things are<br />
best to get on top of now before the buys<br />
Xmas period is upon us and it is a sound<br />
practice of getting into a routine to check<br />
these things. Always best to stay on top of<br />
things while you can!<br />
Nothing beats a Clean work vehicle – so get<br />
on to it this weekend before the summer<br />
vibes and rush hits!<br />
Source:<br />
AA Motoring www.aa.co.nz
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