Most drivers know it’s important that washing cars regularly keeps vehicles free from dirt and harmful paint-dulling contaminants. However, an often neglected part of the car wash process is the undercarriage of a car. Just as washing the visible exterior of a car helps prevent deterioration and improves a car’s longevity, regularly cleaning the underside of your vehicle also increases its life-span. There are two ways to go about cleaning the underside of your vehicle.

Do It Yourself

Undercarriage cleaning can be an overwhelming task for some car owners. However, you can save money by washing the underside of your car at home instead of at the car wash. Before you begin to clean the underside of your car, prop the vehicle up on car jacks or use dolly tire-skates that have swivel casters with lock. Raising the car off of the ground will help you easily reach underneath your car. Use a high-powered sprayer or garden hose with a nozzle and spray the underside of your car to remove dirt and grime. Then, apply a cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. If your car is heavily soiled, you can spot-clean areas with cleaner and a scrubber brush. Then, rinse those areas after cleaning. 

Have It Professionally Cleaned

Washing underneath your car prevents rust from forming and removes any oil and road grime buildup from the bottom of your car. Many professional car washes offer underbody cleaning as an easy add-on when you get a regular car wash. These professional car washes have the proper equipment and tools to quickly and thoroughly clean the underside of your vehicle. While adding an underbody wash to your car wash services may not save you money, it might save you some time and labor because the car wash already has the necessary tools, cleaners and equipment in place to quickly wash the underside of a vehicle. 

Whether you choose to do it yourself or opt for a professional clean, you don’t need to clean the underside of your car each and every time you wash the exterior. However, it is good to add a once-a-month undercarriage cleaning into your regular rotation. Additionally, when you know your car has been exposed to road salts or a lot of mud and dirt, it’s a good idea to make sure the underside is cleaned and any harmful contaminants have been removed, even if it's between your monthly washes. By regularly cleaning the underside of your car, you will protect against rust and increase the car’s life-span. 

The new Volkswagen Golf Estate launches at prices starting at € 18,500. The Volkswagen Golf Estate is one of the most prosperous models on the market, especially in the...read more

Picking a new car can be a tricky decision, especially when you’re on a budget, and there are so many options out there. The decision will of course depend on what your requirements are. Here are...read more

This is a project winner of the international invitation competition for the construction of the Automobile Museum in Nanjing, designed by Italy-based architecture studio 3GATTI to...read more

The Easter vacation is almost here - have you prepared your car for long journeys? If you have to go to the sea, mountains or other resorts to spend the free days, you do not have to overlook...read more

While many individuals take it for granted, driving is actually exciting and quite liberating. For young motorists, there’s nothing better to look forward to than finally getting out on the road in...read more

Having your car detailed is a great way to keep it looking its best. However, if you're unsure how often to detail your car, there are several things to remember. Interior detailing Usually,...read more

Top Gear made a comeback with a shocking truth. Jeremy Clarkson exposed the true identity of the man behind The White Stig's helmet. And guess who? Well, it's none other than Herr...read more

The phrase "commercial vehicle" sounds simple enough, but you might be surprised to find out that the meaning can actually vary depending on where you are in the world. In Europe, a car might be...read more

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Altima and Maxima passenger cars. the upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for...read more

The Porsche Festival is the most iconic event of Porsche Italy: a whole weekend dedicated to the brand and the sportiness of the German brand. Hundreds of cars from the Zuffenhausen house will be...read more

Categories