The Palm Beach Post

Scrub those headlights — or gently bathe them?

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DEAR CAR TALK: Please settle yet another marital dispute. When cleaning the windshield at the fifilling station, one of us always likes to give the headlamps a s c r u b b i n g ; t h e o t h e r thinks that doing so puts tiny scratches on the plastic lens, and over the years this will lead to light scattering and reduced visibility. Is it OK to routinely clean the lenses in this manner, or should they be cleaned only under running water? CAR TALK: Most headlight covers are made of polycarbon­ate plastic and are covered with a clear-coat sealant of some kind. And over time, that sealer wears off, and the plastic gets yellowed and dulled. The biggest culprit is ultraviole­t light from the sun, but road grit and the heat from the headlamps play a role, too.

Overly rough scrubbing of the plastic or using an abrasive cleanser certainly can scratch them up, too. But mostly, these lenses die of natural causes: sun and heat.

When the lenses get cloudy and yellow, your best bet is to take the car to a shop, where they’ll use profess i o n a l t o o l s a n d s p e c i a l chemicals to buff out the yellowed plastic and -- in some cases -- seal it again. It won’t last as long as the original coating on the lens, but it’ll at least help for a while. In the meantime, you’re free to clean the lenses to your heart’s content.

The GMC Acadia provides comfort, style and safety combined with flexible space and cargo capacity. The Acadia Denali builds on those characteri­stics with even higher levels of luxury and design.

Acadia’s 2016 lineup includes a new SL base model, SLE, the SLT, and the Denali models, with seven- or eight-passenger configurat­ions.

The 2016 GMC Acadia focuses on new connectivi­ty and technology features that keep owners connected anytime, anywhere. All models come with OnStar 4G LTE connectivi­ty that includes a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.

The state-of-the-art technology provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected wherever and whenever they like, with up to seven personal devices. The hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and comes with a three-month/three gigabyte data trial, after which there is an option to purchase additional data.

A 3.6L V-6 VVT engine using gasoline direct injection technology powers all Acadia models, optimizing performanc­e and fuel economy across the board. The engine is paired with Acadia’s fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmissi­on to give FWD models an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive is available. Towing capability for the Acadia is 5,200 pounds, when properly equipped.

Acadia’s interior functional­ity is popular with families, particular­ly the SmartSlide seating system, which provides easy access to the third row for seven- and eightpasse­nger seating configurat­ions. Additional­ly, the second and third row still fold flat for class-leading maximum cargo space, including the ability to carry 48-inch-wide sheet goods, such as drywall and plywood.

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