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The Benefits of Car Detailing
July 22 2024 - Emily White

A close up of a person cleaning the headlight on a red vehicle.

Over time, your car collects dirt and grime from the road. Windshields might see a buildup of dead insects and dirt, while your interior might accumulate debris from one too many road trips. For most folks, washing your car down with a garden hose and using a handy vacuum on the interior once in a blue moon might seem sufficient. Others might decide to pay for an automated car wash every few months. However, these don’t provide the benefits you will realize from paying for your vehicle to get a thorough car detailing.

At Klein Honda, we are proud to offer our customers different levels and services of detailing. This is more than just a simple car wash. Detailing involves a thorough cleaning of every interior and exterior part of your vehicle. We use special equipment to get into every nook and cranny, even hard-to-reach spaces where dirt and grime can accumulate. This includes the engine and all areas under your vehicle’s hood. The goal is to return it looking the way it did when you first drove it off of the lot. While this will make your car look great, car detailing also has many other benefits.

Increasing Your Car’s Lifespan

All of that dirt that accumulates on your car’s seats can start to get into the fabric. If you have cloth or other fabric upholstery, all of those stains can not only ruin the appearance but also reduce their comfort. Suede and leather seats can get frayed or damaged if you don’t treat them properly. Many newer seats have heating elements that also need attention. The thorough cleaning provides protection for your passenger compartment. The same goes for the exterior, where wear and tear can damage the paint on your vehicle. The result is that you will get to enjoy your current vehicle for a longer period of time.

A man is cleaning the windshield of a vehicle with a squeegee.

Improving Driver Safety

You may think you are getting by using your windshield wiper fluid from time to time. But often, this is not sufficient. The windows, windshield, and side view mirrors on your car can be stained from the buildup of dirt and other debris. This can result in streaking that reduces visibility while increasing glare. The end result is that you may be more at risk if you don’t give these glass surfaces the attention they deserve.

Reducing Health Issues

Your car's interior is designed to be as airtight as possible without causing you and your passengers trouble breathing. This is why your vehicle has a cabin air filter. However, that is designed to clean the air coming into your vehicle. If the interior itself is full of pollen in the spring and summer and dust all year round, this can cause breathing issues, especially for passengers with allergies. In addition, other contaminants can build up in a dirty interior, such as pet dander and spilled foods and beverages. Over time, these can prevent a health hazard for you and your passengers. Detailing services like a chloride bomb or an ozone treatment can eliminate these risks.

Eliminating Noxious Odors

The other benefit of interior detailing is the elimination of nasty smells and noxious odors. All of that dirt that can be causing you health problems can also smell pretty bad. If your nose is telling you that your car doesn’t smell right, then it could be a sign that you and your passengers are exposed to a health risk.

Improving Vehicle Performance

Your vehicle relies on a combination of systems to perform optimally. The engine, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, wheels, tires, brakes, and exhaust must work together so that you can get the best acceleration, braking, and fuel economy possible. Harmful debris like road salt in winter or dust and dirt throughout the year can affect each of these parts. In addition, the simple act of driving your vehicle will create grime that increases the wear and tear on each of these systems. This can reduce your vehicle’s performance.

You may notice a buildup of dirt on your wheels and tires. If you look closer, you may also see the same thing with your brake calipers and discs. This dirt can get in the way of your brakes, causing you to need more distance to come to a complete stop. Similarly, this grime may reduce your vehicle’s acceleration. This can increase the risk of getting into an accident while at the same time reducing your vehicle’s fuel economy.

The same thing is true of dirt and debris in the engine compartment. All of that debris may get in the way of your engine’s performance. If left untreated, you can start to see real problems down the road. This can also reduce the life expectancy of your engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. This is why it is crucial for you to get your car’s engine and moving parts thoroughly detailed.

The rim on a black SUV is being powerwashed at a dealership during a car detailing.

An Ounce of Prevention Is a Pound of Protection

Detailing isn’t just for making your car look good now. It also has long-term benefits. If you have ever had to remove a stain from clothing, then you know that time is not on your side. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove that stain. The same goes for the upholstery inside of your car. Stain removal detailing will make it easier to remove future stains. This is because the surface will be clean and cleared of old ones, avoiding a buildup.

This protection also applies to the other surfaces inside and outside of your vehicle. The sun’s rays can start to weather exterior paint. Interior surfaces like trim and seats can start to fade. Getting these surfaces detailed will help preserve their look and luster for as long as possible. When it comes to detailing, time is not on your side.

Improving Your Vehicle’s Resale Value

People who deal in collectibles understand the value of something in mint condition. The closer any item is to its original condition, the more valuable it will be. By the same token, if an object is not in very good condition, it will not have much value, even if it is rare. The same goes for vehicles, even if most folks drive cars that are not collector’s items. When you get your car detailed, you will restore it to as close to its original condition as possible.

Drivers who are looking for a used vehicle will often think with their eyes. If they see a car that looks like it is in mint condition, with a clean exterior paint job, seats that look factory cleaned, and free from odor, they are more likely to want to buy it than one with exterior paint scratches, worn seats with stains, and an interior that smells bad. You should always keep in mind that when you are selling your vehicle, you are competing with everyone else who drives the same make and model. Getting it detailed will make your car more attractive than those that others are driving. This will translate into a better resale price and an easier sale.

Come In Today to Get Your Car Detailed!

Keeping your car in top condition is not just about getting routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. It also involves keeping the interior, exterior, and working parts free of grime and debris. The buildup of these can affect your car’s performance and safety, as well as your health. This is why you should get your car detailed on a regular basis. Stop in today to start your detailing process with us!