This article discusses best hand auto car wash clean – car washing tips. Bypass the machine-equipped car wash.
Doing it yourself: Fill one bucket with a mild detergent and another with clear water. Run the suds over the car with a thick terrycloth towel. Wash a small section at a time, starting at the top. Rinse each section with another towel dipped in the clear water. Then wipe the section semidry with a third towel. Avoid:
Harsh detergents that dull finishes. Also: Never blast the car with the hose on full force. This procedure drives the dirt into the paint. See car wash for more information.
Avoiding Transmission Problems: Bad driving habits that hurt an automatic transmission:Doing it yourself: Fill one bucket with a mild detergent and another with clear water. Run the suds over the car with a thick terrycloth towel. Wash a small section at a time, starting at the top. Rinse each section with another towel dipped in the clear water. Then wipe the section semidry with a third towel. Avoid:
Harsh detergents that dull finishes. Also: Never blast the car with the hose on full force. This procedure drives the dirt into the paint. See car wash for more information.
Shifting into reverse or park when the car is moving.
Keeping the car from back-rolling on a hill by revving the engine in gear, rather than using the brakes.
Parking for long periods with engine running and transmission engaged.
Racing the engine for more than 10 seconds with the drive wheels stuck in snow or sand.
Maintenance for automatics: Check the transmission-fluid level with each motor-oil change. The fluid should be the color of cherry soda. If it is dark, change it.
Bad habits to avoid when driving a manual transmission: Riding with a foot on the clutch pedal. Racing the engine when letting out the clutch.
Maintenance for manuals:
Tighten the clutch pedal if it has more than a half inch of play. Sign of clutch wear: Shuddering or jerking in the transmission when you let the clutch out.
Again, check the transmission fluid level with every oil change.
Alternator Troubles
When the generator light comes on, there may be a dead battery in your future. What to look for:
Loose or broken fan belt. Caution: A loose belt won’t always trip the warning light. Dimmer headlights and slower clicking of the turn signals are sure signs of alternator trouble. Point: It’s the alternator that keeps the battery charging.
A break, blown fuse, poor connection, or open circuit in the wiring.
A defective or improperly adjusted voltage regulator.
Special problem: A noisy alternator that still functions is usually caused by worn bearings, a loose fan-belt pulley, loose mounting bolts, a worn drive belt, or an open or shorted electrical connection.
