- Clear Out and Declutter
Over the winter months, our cars are far more likely to accumulate all manner of items that we will simply not need in spring and summer. Go through the Rapid carefully, check every cubby and bin and empty out all those items that you no longer need. Some of this stuff can be placed in a box in the garage marked as “winter car stuff,” and then you can decide whether to put it in when winter rolls around again. You may be surprised at how much stuff you have left over to throw away. Recycle this material wherever possible, and your car will already feel lighter. As an added bonus, removing all this weight will make your Skoda Rapid even more fuel efficient.
- Get the Bonnet Up
Many people don’t even look under the bonnet when they are cleaning their cars. However, you don’t have to be a mechanical genius to spot dirt, debris, and leaves that don’t belong there and remove them. These types of materials can interfere with the normal operation of your engine, and they can be a source of moisture. This accumulation of moisture in the corners and seals can cause corrosion issues. Clean out any material from the engine bay that shouldn’t be there and take care not to disturb and hoses or connectors. Then give the engine covers, and other plastic covered surfaces a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- Freshen Up the Engine Bay
While you have the bonnet open why not take a quick look at the fluid levels that may have been depleted over winter. Examine the oil level, check the brake fluid, power steering fluid levels and make sure the washer bottle is topped up and ready to go. There may be less bad weather ahead, but a dusty windscreen can be just as dangerous as driving rain if you cannot clean it off during a drive. Put the bonnet back down and look at the wiper blades to see if they need to be replaced. A typical wiper blade will go through a great deal of rubber over winter so replace it if you’re not sure that it’s up to the challenge ahead.
- Freshen the Interior
Vacuum the upholstery and seats, then move onto the floor mats and don’t forget the boot carpet. Any stains can be cleaned with an appropriate cleaning product and any plastic surfaces can be cleaned down with a clean damp cloth. Finally, clean all the glass surfaces including the mirrors with a good glass cleaner to make them shine.
If they are looking to buy a Skoda Rapid, Perth based drivers should contact Skoda Perth to arrange a no obligations test drive today.