I tend to clean my car when it needs it. Sometimes I wait too long, and dirt can get ground into the carpet, and spills are more difficult to remove. There are a few tips that I’ve learned to help me when I need to clean my truck and make it look beautiful again. 

When cleaning a car, one of the most important tips to help you is having access to everything you need when you need it. That means having a vacuum available and cleaning products on hand when needed. Here are some basic tips that will help you:

• Organize your supplies.
• Use your home vacuum cleaner.
• Use good conditioning spray or liquid.
• Clean your steering wheel regularly.
• Clean your car’s mats regularly.

​​​​​As I’ve cleaned my truck over the years, I’ve found that being organized and having what I need for the job available makes all the difference. If you have a car, you plan to keep it for more than a year, or you lease your car, keeping it clean can make all the difference for resell value and your personal sense of happiness. ​​​​​​

Tips for Organizing Your Supplies

Keeping organized can make the difference for me between cleaning and not cleaning my car. I need to be able to find the items I need easily, so I can get the job done within the time I have planned. An organized area for your car cleaning products will likely help you feel more capable and ready to tackle the challenge. 

Some people have a garage set up for all their tools and car cleaning supplies, and storage. If your garage is like mine, you may not have room for your car or just about anything else. What should I do with little space available? 

My solution was to buy shelving, so I could stack items and then place all the car cleaning supplies together in containers so I know exactly where things were. Here are some things you might want to try:

• Store cleaning supplies in a plastic bin with a lid so that if a spill occurs, nothing leaks out.
• Store similar products together. If you have a big box with cleaning items, use smaller containers to organize items within the box, so you can find items easier.
• Clean out items that you no longer need and sell them or give them away. If you’re committed to getting organized, you’ll be willing to part with items that no longer serve you. 
• Sometimes we buy an item because it sounds like a great item to have, but then we end up using them only once or twice. Next time you want to buy something, consider if you will use it and really need it.
• Do your research before buying products and find the best one you can afford, so you don’t need to buy another one soon after.  

Tips for Cleaning with Your Vacuum

Whether you go to a car wash center or vacuum your car at home, vacuuming can make all the difference between feeling like you have a dingy old car or a freshly clean car.

Sometimes a deep cleaning is needed in order to get some stains out and remove all the debris that has accumulated over the months.

Your pride in ownership will start to show when you have a nice car to drive each day, and you’ll likely have a more positive feeling while driving a freshly cleaned car.

Here are some tips that can help you achieve that clean car interior a bit easier:

• When I used a hand vacuum, it wasn’t powerful. I didn’t have a shop vac, so I used my home vacuum cleaner, and it worked really well. If your vacuum is good but doesn’t have a long enough cord, decide if investing in an extension cord is right for you.
• Take everything out first. I do this so I don’t accidentally suck items into the vacuum that shouldn’t go into it. I remove all my mats and take out all the items from under the seat.
• I think the first thing all vehicle owners should consider before vacuuming is if they need a vacuum in the car at all times. When you have children or are prone to spilling liquids, having a small wet-dry vacuum can be a lifesaver. 
• If you have a handheld vacuum in the car, consider all the places you can store it. Sometimes storing items in a seat back organizer works for some people.
• Consider using a nailbrush or hard bristle scrubber to help comb out and relax carpet fibers, so that ground in dirt can be lifted easier with your vacuum. Some people will use a penny and pull the edge over the carpet to quickly help fluff up compressed areas.
• For matted carpet, place a damp cloth on the matted area and iron over the damp cloth for half a minute. After ironing the area, vacuum the fibers. This can help loosen carpet fibers, so they look fluffy again. 

Tips for Cleaning the Plastic, Vinyl, and Rubber

While plastics, rubber, and vinyl areas inside your car are likely to last a long time, protecting them with a good conditioning spray or liquid will keep them looking new and lasting much longer.

Your car can be protected much better if garaged or placed out of the sun. Weathering can impact the exterior and interior of your car. Adding a protective layer against heat, dryness, and the sun can help your car weather the elements better.

It’s amazing how you can make a dirty car look new again with a bit of effort. Here are some tips that can help you protect your car’s plastic, rubber, and vinyl interior:

• While plastics, rubber, and vinyl areas inside your car are likely to last a long time, protecting them with a good conditioning spray or liquid will keep them looking new and lasting much longer.
• Keep your conditioner and cloth together, so you can use them the next time you need them. A one-gallon zip lock bag can come in handy for storing products and cloth together.
• Use a product that is meant for conditioning, not cleaning. Make sure it has UV protection and can work on all three surfaces. (Amazon Link)

Tips for Cleaning Your Steering Wheel

A steering wheel is important to keep clean as well as easy to grip. Some sprays that help clean other plastic and vinyl areas leave a slippery surface that is hard to hold. 

Be sure to keep your steering wheel clean to prevent the spread of germs and protect it so it looks and lasts for a long time. 

Here are some tips that can help you achieve your goals:

• Using soap and water with a microfiber towel is a good idea when you don’t have cleaning or conditioning products available. Be sure not to use water on a leather interior unless you have a conditioner to place on it soon after.
• Be sure to try cleaning and conditioning products on other surfaces first to make sure they are not slippery when dry.
• Some steering wheels will need a thorough cleaning before they are conditioned. Be sure to have a microfiber towel or a scrubbing cloth. 

Tips for Cleaning Mats

When taking care of your car’s carpet, your car’s mats will do a great job. If you clean them regularly, your car will be able to handle plenty of dirty situations. 

The mats can be an effective guard against water, snow, dirt, and food. If you replace your mats with something sturdier and waterproof, your carpet will likely look great for the life of your car.

Here are some tips for maintaining your mats: 

• It’s easy to clean carpet mats once a week if you want your car to look cleaner. Just take them out and hit them against a solid wall or driveway to remove particles. This only takes a few minutes if done regularly. Better yet, keep a rechargeable handheld vacuum in your car and vacuum the mats for a minute each week.
• If you have a newer car, one option that I’ve used is to replace the original mats with a cheaper version. This way, I can keep the car’s carpet looking good and keep the original mats in perfect condition by storing them until I resale the car. 
• Another idea is to purchase easy-to-maintain mats (usually made with thick rubber or plastic), so you can wash them off and place them back in the car right away. Carpet mats can stain and take a while to dry if washed off.  

Tips for Cleaning Time Management

We all have a limited amount of time and energy to accomplish our goals, and cleaning our cars may not be our top priority. It’s important to put things into perspective when it comes to using our time for cleaning our vehicle and deciding the value it holds for us. 

Some things to consider are the ability to take time regularly to maintain your vehicle, the cost of DIY cleaning vs. having someone else clean your vehicle, the resale value when kept clean, and how you feel when driving your car when it looks and feels clean.

If you have decided on a way of cleaning that works best for you, you can set a regular schedule for cleaning so that you can accomplish your goals. Here are some ideas you may want to try:

• Take bite-sized efforts to get your goals meet. If you’re like me, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning your car for an hour. So break up the process and commit to only 10 minutes, and agree with yourself that whatever you get done is fine. You may also decide to commit to one section, such as just cleaning the dashboard. 
• Have someone else clean your car every six months, so your car gets a deep clean and improves the feel and resale value of your car.
• Set a date on the calendar and keep a regular monthly day to clean the car and push everything else back, so they take second priority.
• Don’t wait to clean up trash. Clean any trash in the car whenever you get out of the car and have a trash can readily available.
• Organize your vehicle after work for one minute before you get on the road.
• Keep wet wipes in your car and clean up any sticky or dirty areas before leaving the car each day.
• Group up on cleaning. Ask a friend or family member to help you clean. You can switch off helping each other.
• Set a timer and stop cleaning when it goes off. Plan on another time to clean if you don’t finish.
•  Take a photo. When you look at your phone photos, you can get a reminder of what you want to clean, and after you’re done, you can take a photo to feel a sense of accomplishment.  

Time Task Chart

Starting with smaller tasks on our car can be easier until we are more motivated to do larger tasks. 

Remember not to buy any new car cleaning gadgets until you have at least regularly committed to cleaning your car for about 5 minutes each week. Larger tasks can seem daunting, and that new gadget may go unused for years.

Try starting small and getting some tasks done regularly, and you will start to feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete tasks that are easier to achieve.

Conclusion

When cleaning your vehicle, it helps to have a plan of action to know what to do and how long it will take. If you are organized, this will improve your chances of creating a good experience, and you’ll have the supplies you need available. ​

Starting small can be helpful. Try a task this weekend to help your car look its best. 

I hope you can achieve your cleaning goals, whatever they are. To learn more about cleaning your car, check out this article – 12 Common Car Cleaning Mistakes That You Can Avoid.

A good piece of software can make all the difference in how easy and helpful your job is. Some software programs have a lot of options, but it takes 50 or more hours just to get the basics. We love intuitive and helpful software that gets the job done. That’s why so many people have purchased the iPhone and similar products.

Tekmetrics get 5 stars from most users because it is intuitive, has great customer service, lots of updates, and is high speed. Users of the software like that it has a texting feature to communicate with the customer, it allows electronic approvals over the phone, has customer history, unlimited auto shop users, the ability to send pictures of car issues, and is integrated with most vendors.  

When I look for software, I always look at the customer reviews, and Tekmetric has been getting some very good reviews for ease of use, value, customer support, and functionality. Customers are likely to come back when they find value in their experience, and Tekmetric adds value for customer and service center operators. 

Customers Feel Welcomed

Most auto shops are too busy to focus on their customers. Not only do they have cars to fix, but they also have an overload of administrative duties to take care of. The Tekmetric auto shop software helps reduce the workload and allows you to focus on the needs of your customers.

So instead of a quick “hello, we’ll be with you in a minute,” which then leads to fifteen minutes because you are too busy working on other things, your employees can spend less time with software and more time making customers feel welcome.

You Can Send Work Details By Email

The Tekmetric auto shop software will get 5 stars in part because it enables you to send the customer a detailed description of the work you will be carrying out on their vehicle via email or text. You can also send pictures so that customers will have peace of mind because they will know exactly what is wrong with their car and how you intend to fix it.

You can Send Promotions and Tips Via Email.

The Tekmetric auto shop software can also be used for email marketing and allow you to stay in touch with your customers. Customers like to feel taken care of. 

So sending promotions to your customers can help them feel appropriate because they can get a good deal by email. To go the extra mile, you can also send them free tips on car maintenance, all of which will make your customers feel appreciated and keep them coming back.

It can Teaches Drivers.

To your customer, you should be seen as an expert in their mind; therefore, you will need to position yourself as such. You can do this by demonstrating your expertise, so instead of just fixing cars, you can send customers informative articles that help and inform them about their cars. This can be done with Tekmetric software. 

You can build trust and loyalty by letting customers know you are thinking about them.

Customers Give 5 Stars 

To look at customer reviews, you can go to the website Software Advice.com. It will help you see why they like the Tekmetric auto shop software.

To find out more about the software for the company, go to tekmetric.com.  If you want to see some videos, you can also go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tekmetric/. 

Conclusion

Tekmetric is an intuitive software that helps service center operators to get things done easily and helps customers to feel like they are being informed and appreciated better. It has been getting a consistent 5-star review from users of the software because it works so well and has great customer service.

It is also great for the customer since you can send pictures and text to them. This helps the service center and customers relay information and get approvals for repairs easier. This communication helps build trust and can help customers come back time and again.

Driving can be intimidating at first, especially given the fact that you have a lot to learn. Among others, one of the first things that you need to learn is steering. In theory, it might seem easy. But, once you are in the driver’s seat with your hands on the steering wheel, you might be confused about what technique to use.

If you want to know how to turn the steering wheel, there are several ways to proceed. The first step is to know you can do it and have some faith in yourself. Fear needs to be replaced with calm as much as possible, so you don’t overreact. Also, the following three methods will help you learn how to turn the steering wheel.

• Hand Over Hand
• Milking the Cow
• Wiping the Dishes

As you calmly turn the steering wheel, you begin to master the skill of steering. It can seem difficult at first, but if you know the right steps, things can be a lot easier. It won’t take long before you can finally drive like a pro!

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Turn the Steering Wheel

Before we proceed, it is important to note that there are different methods of turning the steering wheel. As a beginner, it is helpful to place your hands in the 10 and 2 o’clock positions.

This means if your steering wheel was a clock, your left hand would be holding the wheel at 10 o’clock, and your right hand would be holding the wheel at 2 o’clock. Some steering wheels have bumps in those areas to make turning the wheel easier.

Later, as you get better at driving, you may have a position that is more comfortable, but for now, start in the 10 and 2 positions. If you are comfortable with this position, it is your safest and easiest way to drive once you use to it. 

While gripping the steering wheel, hold it firmly but not tight. You’ll need to be somewhat relaxed as you make turns and release your grip while gripping it again soon.

To have a better understanding of ways to turn the wheel, here is a short video that will help:

Hand Over Hand

The hand-over-hand method will work best if you have to make turns. This will allow the wheel to be turned at a greater distance within a short span of time. For U-turns, turning onto a crossing street, turning slowly, and other sharp turns, hand over hand, is best to use. 

Here are the steps that you should follow when making a hand-over-hand turn:

• Position your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. This is usually right above the car horn and usually above the cross section that some people use to rest their hands on.
• If you are making a right turn with the use of this method, your hand should be positioned at about 10 and 2 o’clock.
• Rotate the steering wheel clockwise until your left-hand reaches about the 2 o’clock position. At this point, release your right hand and bring it to about the 12 o’clock position.
• Continue rotating the wheel if needed, always keeping your palm grip towards the center of the wheel and never facing out (see video).
• After the turn, release your grip while holding the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. The steering wheel will turn back, and then you can grip the steering wheel again.

Milking the Cow

This is the second method that is shown in the video above. This method can be useful when making smaller turns. It may not be as useful unless accuracy is needed and may be best during slower speeds. Not normally used in regular driving, this method can come in handy at times as roads slightly curve, so being aware of it and practicing once in a while can be helpful. 

• Position the left and the right hand at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. Be sure that you are as relaxed as possible and not stiff.
• While turning the wheel, you bring one hand to the other hand, but the hands never cross. This requires you to alternate gripping the steering wheel between your hands. As you repeat this step, the original position of your hand should return to about 10 and 2 o’clock each time.  

Wiping the Dishes

While most people would say that both of your hands should hold the steering wheel all the time, there are situations where one hand will be needed, like when you are backing up. This is where it becomes useful to learn this method of steering.

• If you’re backing up, you’ll usually hold the wheel with your left hand in the 11 or 1 o’clock position. This can help you get more control at the beginning of your turn.
• Putting your right hand on the back of the passenger’s seat can help you control your steering and enable you to accurately view the rearview mirrors and look behind you as you back up. 
• Turn the steering wheel with your left hand in a slow, steady motion. Just remember to keep your hand palm over the wheel, facing away from you, and not palm facing towards you as you turn. 
• As you turn, you should be able to apply pressure with your palm on the steering wheel, so you can turn it as much as needed without using your finger much, so you don’t twist your wrist.

Pro Tips

Now that you know how to turn the steering wheel using the methods discussed above, here are some of the important tips that you also need to keep in mind:

• As much as possible, hold the steering wheel with both hands. One of the few exceptions would be when backing up, as discussed in the washing the dishes method of steering. You will have better control of the wheel when both of your hands are touching the steering wheel.
• You also need to maintain the 10 and 2 o’clock positions for safe driving. When you are driving long distances, some people have the tendency to just lay their hand flat on the steering wheel without gripping. This gives you less control.
• When it comes to holding the steering wheel, most of the time, most people use these two positions – the 10 and 2 o’clock position and the 9 and 3 o’clock position. If you have power steering, the latter will be possible. On the other hand, if you are driving an older model, it will be best to choose the former.
• The position of your thumbs is also critical, depending on the road conditions when you are driving. It is recommended that you hook the thumb around the steering wheel if you are on a paved surface. On the other hand, when you are off-road, you can release the thumbs to help you stabilize the wheel on rough roads.
• Be aware of the steering wheel airbag. Do not keep your hands crossed when turning. Do not drive with one hand at the top of the wheel. These positions can result in injury if the airbag goes off. It’s safest to keep your hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions.
• Before you steer, especially when making sharp turns, make sure to reduce your speed. This is not only for safety but will also provide you with better control as you turn. 

Conclusion

As a new driver, one of the first things that you need to know is how to turn the steering wheel. I hope that this post is able to provide you with insights on how to do it right. Always remember to position your hand correctly and to turn with caution. Keep an eye on the road, be mindful of your hand position, and have a safe driving experience!

To learn more about driving tips, see these articles: 

Safety Guide for Driving With Your Phone 

​List of Auto Parts That You Should Know Before  Driving A Car 

​Essential Tips For Beginners On Driving Automatic Cars