Did you miss these spots while spring cleaning?
Most of us pay a bit more attention to our rides when warmer weather arrives.
It’s all part of good maintenance and an easy way to wash away the bad memories of yet another season of Canadian winter driving.
But those weekly wash routines usually pay a lot of attention to the surfaces we see, and not much else.
And like most things we have to deal with, underlying and unseen issues can come back to bite us hard.
Check the windshield wiper cowl: That plastic cover at the bottom of the windshield wipers hides a perfect trough to collect leaves, pine needles and every other manner of flora you can think of.
It also has substantial drains at both sides, which deposit water under the vehicle just behind the front wheels.
When doing any type of car wash, it’s worth shining a light through the grill slots to see if anything collects at the bottom. When moisture gets trapped there, it can create an almost irreparable corrosion problem.
In most cases, a little extra water pressure applied through the slots can wash things away, but with stubborn buildups, you may need to remove or loosen the cover and get your hands dirty.
Check what’s under the spare: A lot of vehicles on the road today still have spare tires, and many of them are stowed in a waterproof tub under the rear floor.
Popping the spare out once a year to check for any moisture buildup, as well as ensuring the jack and other tools aren’t corroded or seized, is a good idea.
Check what’s under the hood: Engine bays are places that few DIY cleaners want to tackle, but it’s worth taking a close look to see if any winter road grit has accumulated on horizontal surfaces.
This can trap moisture, leading to rusted metal.
If using water is risky because of nearby electronics, use a Shop VAC or blower nozzle on an air compressor to get things clean.
If you want a professional shine on underwood components, try a little silicone lubricating compound from an aerosol. It can bring dull plastics and rubbers to life, as well as provide some water shielding. Just don’t spray directly onto any electrical connections with open cavities where wires are connected. Instead, spray the silicone onto a clean cloth and wipe.
Check the underbody: You can spend some uncomfortable time on your knees or back using a pressure washer or garden hose to dislodge accumulated grit from your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Or, you can just head to a touchless automatic car wash and select the underbody blaster to do the work for you.