CITIZEN’S NEWS Friday, October 12, 201214

Much like curb appeal improving the chances of a sale on your home, having a car that is presented well inside and out may boost the amount of money and potential of a resale on your vehicle. Even vehicle owners who don’t anticipate sell -ing their vehicles in the near future should maintain the vehicles to ensure they are safe and sound.

After home and work, a car is where many people spend most of their time. As a result, a vehicle can easily become soiled,scratched or overrun with clutter.Maintaining the interior of your vehicle need not take much time or effort, but it should be done often enough to keep on top of the mess. Here’s how to start. Remove Clutter

The first step in cleaning the interior is to remove the excess items that may have accumulated in the car. Busy families tend to leave toys, books or clothing in their vehicles. There also may be discarded food wrappers or beverage containers.People who commute also may accu -mulate a number of items in their cars,including business materials. These items should be sorted through and put where they belong before tackling the rest of the cleaning work.

Simple steps to a clean interior

VacuumMuch of the

dirt and debris that accumulates in vehi -cles can easily be removed with a vac-uum. A shop vac will have enough power to thoroughly clean upholstery and mats. If you do not have one, visit a self car wash.

Remove the floor mats and set them on a flat surface. Thoroughly vacuum the mats to clear them of dust, dirt, food crumbs, and any other debris. Vacuum the floor of the car as well as any seat uphol -stery that may be a catch-all for crumbs.Using a soft-bristled vacuum attachment,you also can remove dust from the vents,speakers and the center console of your vehicle . Spot cleaning

Spills and stains do occur in vehicles,just as they do elsewhere. Cleaning these stains may require a little elbow grease and a cleansing agent. Most automotivesupply stores will sell an upholstery cleaner designed for car interiors.You also can use a mixture of laundry detergent and water applied with a slightly damp rag or sponge. Go over each area that is

soiled so you can devote adequate time to each stain. The same process can be used on the vehicle’s carpeting. Use a brush to really clean heavily soiled areas.

Leather upholstery can be more deli -cate than cloth upholstery. When cleaning a leather interior, use only products that are designed specifically for leather so as to avoid damaging the interior.Console and dashboard detailing

A barely moist cloth can be used to clean the plastic components of the dash -board and consoles of the vehicle. The goal is to wipe away any dust and any minor stains or sticky areas without saturating important electrical components. It is always better to spray polish or cleaning agents on your cloth than directly on the dashboard. In hard-to-reach-areas, con -sider using a soft-bristled paintbrush or cotton swabs to clean in crevices. Wipe down everything with a dry cloth or towel afterward. Windows

Having clean windows is essential to driving safely. Cleaning the windshield and windows is relatively simple to do with a glass cleaner spray and a lint-free cloth. Use caution when cleaning the rear windshield if it has a defogger/defroster grid on the window. These wires can be damaged easily. Clean with the direction of the defroster grid lines.Freshen the car

Place an air freshener or spray a prod -uct on the air intake vent to eradicate musty smells in the car. It also is important to replace the cabin air filter periodically,otherwise you could be breathing in dust and dander that is trapped in the filter.

These are the basic steps to cleaning a car’s interior. Other detail work can be done depending on your preferences and the make of the car. Routine maintenance helps others see you have pride in your vehicle and can ensure a better return on your investment down the line if you choose to sell.

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When shopping for a new vehicle,some drivers know exactly which model of car they want to buy, while others are not so sure. Though price and features often carry the most weight when making a decision, a test drive can narrow down the prospects as well.

It is easy to become awestruck by the look of a new car, and even easier to fall into the eager hands of a salesperson. It can be confusing when comparing the dozens of statistics and numbers asso -ciated with a car -- from price to horse -power to gas usage ratios. One of the best ways to judge a car is to take it out for a test drive.

There are many things that a test drive can tell you about a car or truck. A test drive shouldn’t be a quick jaunt around the block. It should include a thor -ough examination of the vehicle, and the drive should be long enough for you to get a feel for the vehicle.

It is important to take your time on a test drive and not feel rushed. There are also many other tips that can help you find the right buy.

• Pick a time when you feel focused.Doing a test drive on your lunch hour or right before you’re expected at a meeting or carpool is not the ideal time to make an assessment of the vehicle. You certainlymay feel rushed and distracted by the other tasks you have to accomplish.Rather, pick a time when you are well rested and well fed and able to concen -trate on the job at hand.

• Avoid distractions. Sometimes schedules conflict, and you may have to bring other people, including children,along on the test drive. However, when possible, only include those people who will be driving the vehicle in the test drive.This way you will be able to focus solely on the car and not worry about what the other passengers are doing as well. It is

How to conduct a test drive

also perfectly acceptable to ask the sales -person to be quiet during the test drive and reserve explaining the features and attributes for before or after the drive. This way you can focus on the driving expe - rience.

• Research the vehicle. It helps to go into a test drive already knowing the majority of the specifications on the vehi -cle and what the car or truck is capable of doing. This way you’ll be able to tell if the sales information you are receiving is accurate or embellished.

• Try out different terrains. Most test drives consist of a short jaunt to and from the dealership. Salespeople also may rec -ommend certain routes, but these could be tailored to get the best response out of the car. But if you’re familiar with the area take a test drive on your terms. Try differ -ent road surfaces and speeds. Also be sure to make turns to gauge the turning radius.This can be as simple as making some turns in a parking lot.

• Change lanes. Take the opportunity to change lanes so you can judge the visi -bility of the vehicle.

• Adjust the seating.This will help you determine the comfort level of the vehicle and if it will fit your frame.You don’t want the car to be uncomfortable to drive.

• Test the radio and the climate con -trol. See how the car functions, including whether it takes a long or short time to reach a comfortable temperature.

• Have a passenger ride in the back. If you won’t be distracted by it, have a friend or family member ride along and pay attention to the things you might be miss -ing while focusing on the road. These may include road noise, suspension and the general comfort of the vehicle.

A test drive is an important com -ponent of buying a car. It can often makeor break a sale, so be sure to include it on your must-do list.

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Friday, October 12, 2012 CITIZEN’S NEWS 15

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