Why Is it Mandatory to Wash Car Undercarriage Regularly?
18 December, 2023
Car undercarriage is one part that gets dirty easily. The reason is that under the car is the part closest to the road, so when the car is driven, the dust on the road can stick to the part under the car.
Not only dust, but when a car passes through roads that are flooded with water and mud, the dirt will immediately stick to the gaps under the car. In fact, it is not uncommon for the parts between the car’s shock absorbers to be filled with mud. When the car is dirty and left for too long, it can cause corrosion over time. This stuck dirt could affect the lifespan of several components under the car.
Therefore, car owners need special attention to regularly clean their cars. Apart from that, it is better to clean the undercarriage part after being exposed to rain or passing through muddy puddles.
Benefits of Washing Car Undercarriage
Washing a car undercarriage has several very important benefits to support comfort when using the car. Having a car that is always clean will certainly be comfortable to use in various conditions.
The following are the benefits of washing car undercarriage:
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Prevents Rust
One of the main benefits of washing undercarriage is to prevent corrosion or rust on the bottom of the car. Therefore, it is very important to wash under the car regularly.
The parts under the car will get dirty very easily when the car is exposed to rain or polluted water. Dirt and particles will stick to the bottom of the car. It is certain that this dirt can cause corrosion on the metal parts of the car.
Dirt stuck to the bottom of the car can also damage the car’s brakes and suspension system. The car will experience problems when driving if these parts are damaged.
Furthermore, regular car washing will help it last longer. If rust or corrosion spreads to the underside of the car, it will cost you a lot of money to repair it.
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Maintain Car Performance
A clean undercarriage allows air to flow more smoothly to the engine and reduces wind resistance, which can improve your car’s performance.
Clean air will improve fuel efficiency and overall engine performance. Cleaning under the car can also help reduce engine temperature, which can impact your engine performance.
When a car engine overheats, its performance will decrease. Too high engine temperatures can also cause damage to engine components, such as dry or hardened engine seals. As a result, engine oil leaks, which reduces overall engine performance.
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Prevent Pest Attacks
Rats, cockroaches and insects can breed under dirty and wet cars. These pests have the ability to damage car components, such as cables or hoses in the engine.
Additionally, these pests can transmit diseases that can harm your health. While washing under the car, make sure all parts are clean, including hard-to-reach parts.
Also make sure to use the right water and soap when cleaning the area. By cleaning undercarriage regularly you can maintain your health and prevent pest attacks.
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Improving Driving Safety
Washing the undercarriage part can also improve driving safety. Because dirt that sticks to the bottom of the car can damage the brake system, even though the brakes themselves are a very vital component in controlling a car.
Furthermore, it can also help you identify car problems early. By washing it, you can find out whether there are damaged or leaking parts, such as suspension components, exhaust systems, or leaking engine components. If you find the problem early on, it’s best to have it repaired before the problem progresses and becomes more expensive.
How to Wash Under Your Car Yourself
Washing an undercarriage is actually very easy; you don’t need to go to a car wash as long as you have the equipment to wash it yourself.
Apart from that, car washing equipment is now easy and cheap to obtain, so it can be done when you have free time at home. Here’s how to wash undercarriage:
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Prepare the Tools and Equipment
Before starting to wash under the car, you must first prepare the tools and equipment. Such as a water hose, fiber, and brush, as well as placing the car in the right place so that it is easy and safe to wash it.
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Wet Under the Car
The first step to washing under the car is to wet all parts of the undercarriage with water. Use a water spray with pressure so that the dirt stuck to the underside of the car can come off by itself. Make sure that the gaps between the parts containing dirt are clean by spraying water.
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Menggunakan Sabun
Ada banyak sekali pilihan sabun untuk membersihkan kolong mobil. Alangkah lebih baik menggunakan sabun yang dapat membersihkan kotoran dari minyak dan korosi agar kolong mobil benar-benar bersih.
Focus on areas that are susceptible to scale and corrosion, such as areas affected by road salt or crust. You can use a brush so that the dirt is completely removed.
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Rinse with Clean Water
After you have finished washing it with soap and brushing it with a brush, you must rinse under the car using clean water so that any remaining dirt can be removed completely.
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Dry immediately
Next, you can dry it using a cloth and a chamois so that it dries completely. Or you can use air pressure to remove remaining water droplets.
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Routine Maintenance
Cleaning under the car is certainly not just done once; this activity will be carried out periodically to see the condition of the car. If you feel it is dirty, of course you have to wash it, or you have just been exposed to rain and passed through muddy puddles.
Carrying out routine maintenance really helps keep the condition of the car in top condition and makes the service life of your car components last longer. It is better to be diligent in checking and maintaining it rather than causing unwanted damage to your beloved car.