Oil changes, tire rotations, battery checks, safety inspections. The list of preventive maintenance actions we perform (or should perform) on our vehicles is seemingly never-ending. And yet for many of us, this list somehow doesn’t include sanitizing.
Cars are a hot spot for germs, bacteria, and viruses. In fact, studies have shown steering wheels to be up to four times dirtier than a public toilet seat. With that in mind, it goes without saying that you should probably take more care to sanitize your car.
Tips for Better Car Sanitation
Below are some car sanitation tips to follow to improve the cleanliness of your ride and keep you and your passengers safe from illness.
Wipe down the surfaces you touch
Think of all the things you touch during your normal commute: door handle, seatbelt and fastener, keys, steering wheel, gear shifter, turn signal knob, radio dial, GPS buttons, heating or air conditioner controls.
Now think of all the things you touched immediately before touching those parts of your car: gas pumps, public restroom doors and sinks, food, pets, nature.
It’s easy to see how our cars can harbor so many germs. Keep a pack of disinfectant wipes or a spray bottle full of soapy water in your car and give those oft-touched surfaces a regular rubdown.
Take out the trash
For some reason, we tend to treat our cars more like a garbage can than a second home. Fast food wrappers, empty coffee cups, and dirty laundry pile up in cup holders, consoles, floors, back seats and trunks. Coupled with the heat, humidity and stale air that can be housed inside of a car, and it’s a recipe for mold, bacteria, and even viruses.
Become more diligent about tossing out trash when you reach your destination. Clean up spills before they have a chance to dry. And don’t store your dirty gym clothes in the car.
Get some fresh air
Germs, bacteria, and viruses can also be airborne. Your vehicle should have an air filter located inside the cabin which filters the air that enters your car from the engine. When you think about how dirty the air in the engine is — think oil, grease, dead bugs, and road pollution — you quickly realize how important it is to keep your cabin filter clean.
Your cabin air filter should be changed out at least a couple of times per year, and it’s wise to check it each time you have your oil changed.
Don’t skimp on the service
While you should certainly make more of an effort to sanitize your car, it shouldn’t come at the expense of proper service. Visit the Ford Service Center at Loveland Ford in Loveland, Colorado, and let our technicians change out your cabin air filter or perform a variety of other services designed to keep your car running safe and smooth.
And be sure to check out our service specials for discounts on batteries, brake inspections, wiper blades, and more. A little sanitation effort combined with proper service will keep you and your passengers safe out on the road this summer.
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