Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts for you to follow. These tips will keep you safe, and will keep your car operating at its best as well as maintaining a respectable appearance throughout the year.
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| DO NOT |
- wash vehicle when painted surfaces are hot or in direct sunlight.
- use dish soap or clothes detergents.
- use sponges on paint.
- allow hard water to dry on paint. You must dry off the body before doing the wheels and tires, or wash wheels and tires first with separate water/cleaner/tools.
- leave bird droppings and bug splashes on painted surfaces. Clean off with lots of water and terry cloth as soon as you notice them.
- leave spills or human/pet accidents in carpets, upholstery, or on leathers. Vacuum/water, vacuum/water repeatedly to get them out. Leathers should be wiped clean with a damp terry cloth.
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| DO |
- wash vehicle when painted surfaces are cool and in the shade, and only with carwash specific soap, mitts or cotton terry towels available in most auto parts stores and the auto departments of KMart, etc.
- dry off body paint with cotton or microfiber towels before water spots begin forming.
- wipe leathers with barely damp towels only.
- clean off bird droppings and bug splash ASAP with lots of water and soft terry.
- check tire pressure regularly, using the recommended pressure usually listed on the driver's side door jamb.
- change wiper blades at annual inspections, whether they "need it" or not.
- Remove carpet mats and use all weather mats for winter (Nov - March). Try WeatherTech.com DigitalFit™ floor liners for state-of-the-art protection.
- follow manufacturer's maintenance schedules.
- rotate and balance tires at annual inspections and at a six-moth interval between inspections. Don't forget to ask for the safety check while this is being taken care of.
- APD recommends that Pittsburghers purchase and use dedicated winter tires mid-November through mid-March. The simplest way is to own two complete sets of tires and wheels. The cost is little more than the typical deductible for one accident— not to mention the insurance premium cost of a chargeable accident.
"All season" tire merely means "not really good in any specific season." These tires might be okay for Virginia or North Carolina, but not here in Southwestern PA!
Visit TireRack.com or DiscountTireDirect.com for tire packages. A second set of tires will save your factory rims or "best" rims, and keep you and yours safe by preventing accidents. Some dealers/repair shops will even store the extra set for you in order to keep you coming back to them.
- visit APD annually— or better yet— semi-annually (you'll get a 10% discount if you schedule semi-annually) for full services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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