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pothole

Survive the Potholes this Spring and Summer

This winter brought on a lot of snow, sleet and ice.  With these types of conditions the roads worsen, not just when this bad weather is happening but after the bad weather has cleared.  The brutal winter has created crater sized potholes that weren’t seen before winter came around.  Driving into a pothole puts enormous strain on your tires, wheels, and suspension.  The speed you are going and the depth of the road all play a part in the severity of the damage that can be done.  Potholes are caused when relentless freezing and thawing of water under the pavement weakens the road and causes large cracks which when combined with the weight of a vehicle driving over eventually turn into potholes. Any direct hit in a pothole could bring about instant air loss in your tire and this will require your tire to be replaced. There are different ways to survive these pothole infested roads! Slow down and pay attention to road conditions.  Some potholes might appear smaller than they are if they are filled with water.  You should also keep an eye on the distance between you and the car in front of you.  This will give them time to react as well as you if there is a pothole ahead. If the impact of the pothole is inevitable try to at least partly slow down and drive straight into the pothole.  Turning into the pothole could create more sidewall damage.  Also make sure that you have a firm grip on the steering wheel to avoid losing control. After encountering a pothole be sure to stop or pull over and check your car for visible signs or wheel or tire damage.  Keep in mind that if the front tire hit the pothole than the back tire more than likely did as well. Keep tires inflated to the recommended inflation pressure.  This is one of the best guards for minimizing pothole damage.  Most cars are now equipped with a inflation pressure monitor.  Under or overinflated tires can affect a tires resistance to pothole damage. A great way of avoiding potholes is to take roads that you know well.  When you take the roads you are familiar with then you will know exactly where the potholes are.  Also try to drive on well-lit roads when driving at night so that you can see any potholes. The potholes can damage much more than just your tires, these include: Tire puncture, damage or wear Wheel rim damage Premature wear on shocks and struts Suspension damage, including broken components Steering system misalignment Exhaust system damage Engine Damage

National Donut Day at the Preston Autoplex

Friday June 6 th was National Donut Day.  National Donut Day is the first Friday in the month of June every year.  It first started in 1938 when a young military doctor was sent to a military base.  On his way to the base he stopped by a bakery and picked up 8 dozen donuts.  When he arrived at the base he began helping wounded soldiers and would give them a donut.  This is how National Donut Day first came about.  In honor of National Donut Day everyone at the Preston Autoplex got to enjoy fresh donuts from Bay Country Bakery.  To add to the excitement we decided to have a donut eating contest in our BlackFrog building.  There were three contestants and they had to eat four donuts as fast as they could.  Whoever finished first won and took home the title of “Fastest Donut Eater”. The contests were Brent “Krispy Dream” Durham, April “Dunkin’ Yourself Green, and Ricky “Hostess with the Mostess” Lynn.  They three of them sat down for a pre-contest interview.  David Wilson Jr. was kind enough to interview each one and ask them how they were going to eat the four donuts the quickest.  There were four different types of donuts they had to eat.  They could eat these four donuts in any order they wished.  The donuts were glazed, powdered, sprinkled, and marble frosting.  All three had different approaches as to which donut they would eat first.  Here is the footage from the actual contest. The winner was Brent “Krispy Dream” Durham.  He ate the donuts in 3 minutes and 22 seconds!  The second to finish was Ricky “Hostess with the Mostess” Lynn who didn’t fall far behind Brent.  He was only a bite or two behind Brent but couldn’t manage to out eat him.  In last place was April, who David says “hasn’t shown up to the competition yet”. Stay tuned for our next eating contest here at the Autoplex which will be on July 6 th.  July 6 th is National Fried Chicken Day, be sure to watch out for our footage on who wins the National Fried Chicken Eating Contest!

2015 focus outside

The 2015 Ford Focus

For the year 2015 the Ford Focus is going to take on a new striking look from both the inside and the outside.  The exterior of the Focus commands attention from every angle while still showcasing an elegant profile with nice flowing lines.  The focus is also outfitted with stylish wheels.  You can choose from a wide range of designs available on the S, SE and Titanium. With the 2015 Ford Focus there will be a SE EcoBoost Package, this will come with a 1.0L Ecoboost engine, an engine that packs enough punch to handle wherever you go driving!  The Focus Elcectric is powered completely by a rechargeable state of the art lithium battery.  This means you never have to stop for gas or even an oil change.  Being 100% Electric also means that there is zero CO2 emissions!  The standard 2.0L Ti-VCT I-4 engine is flex fuel capable so you can use unleaded or E85 or a combination of the two. On the interior you will find it to be just as impressive as the exterior.  The inside has a center stack that will be re imagined.  The technology is inspiring and there is a new lineup of available seats on the S, SE, and Titanium trims.  There is also a new SE Appearance Package.  It includes features such as leather-trimmed seats with an eight way power seat, LED signature lighting, and new 17 inch aluminum wheels. The 2015 Ford Focus will also get new technology!  Standard features will include the communications system that helps you stay connected and a rear view camera that helps you see what’s behind your vehicle.  The voice activated technology, SYNC, comes standard on all models.  There is also the available Blind Spot Information System which uses rear radar sensors to warn you of cars approaching from either side.  Cross traffic alert can help warn you of other vehicles you can’t see when you’re slowly backing out of a parking space. The rear view camera gets a picture of what is behind you.  All you have to do is put your vehicle in reverse and the standard rear view camera will automatically display an image of what is behind you while you are backing up. The Ford Focus is also smart!  The available SecuriCode keyless entry keypad lets you conveniently unlock your vehicle without a key or push button remote.  MyKey encourages responsible driving by others when they are behind the wheel of your Focus by allowing you to limit top speeds, decrease audio volume and more.  Grabbing a cold steering wheel in the winter is not pleasant!  Now the Focus will offer an available heated steering wheel.  This will make those unbearably cold days a little better! The 2015 Ford Focus will be in showroom in early 2015.  Stay updated on Facebook and our blog for more information about when the Ford Focus might be at the Preston Autoplex!  Preston Ford is looking forward to having this excellent car on their showroom floor!

Cars With the Best Leg Room

Some drivers prefer and need a lot of leg room in their vehicles.  We have put together a list of the best vehicles we sell that have great leg room!  The best way to really judge the room in a vehicle is to come test it out yourself.  Get in the vehicle and see if there is enough room for you to move around and drive comfortably. The first car to make the list is the Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata has 45.5 inches of front legroom and 40.0 inches of front headroom!  That gives you a lot of space to stay comfortable.  The raked roofline, shark-fin antenna and sculpted grille give the Sonata the special Hyundai design called Fluidic Sculpture.  The Sonata gets its inspiration of all works of nature.  The interior of the Sonata of course has a ton of leg room but it is also built for your convenience.  Get your dose of sunshine and Vitamin D with the Sonata two sunroof options.  There is the power tilt and slide sunroof or the panoramic sunroof that extends the entire length of the roof.  The Sonata also has an available Electroluminescent Gauge Cluster with color LCD trip computer which gives you important information in a second!  The trip computer also allows you to customize things like having your door lock automatically when you reach a certain speed. The Hyundai Azera also made the list of one of the cars with the best leg room! The Azera has 123.3 cubic feet of interior space!  This allows you to really enjoy your space.  The sleek appearance of the Azera is both energetic and elegant.  Both the driver and the passenger can enjoy plenty of seating options.  This includes front and rear heated seats and ventilated front seats.  The available 12 way adjustable power driver seat which also features an optional seat cushion extension and an integrated Memory System.  This memory system has two memory settings for the seat, side mirrors, and steering column.  There is also ambient lighting that sets the mood.  The available interior lighting system adds soft ambient light that illuminates the cabin. The Nissan Altima also has great leg room!  The exterior of the Altima is very stylish.  The design of the exterior is achieved through laser measured panel fit and sculpted steelwork.  The Altima can also be finished on the exterior the way you would like it.  You can choose between Nissan’s 3.5 liter 270 horsepower engine or the 182 horsepower 4 cylinder engine.  The Altima features zero gravity seats.  NASA research determined the posture astronauts naturally take in the weightlessness of space.  Nissan then used this to design front seats which reduce fatique and create optimal comfort.  Also in the Altima is the Advanced Drive Assist Display.  From turn by turn navigation to caller ID this display does it all for you.  It is designed so that you can get info quickly allowing you to focus on what matters the most which is driving! The last car that makes the list which is available here at the Preston Autoplex. The Ford Fusion has 39.2 inches of front head room and 44.3 inches of front leg room!  Not only are the Ford Fusions big on space but they are also big on MPG.  The technology in the Fusion does everything to make your drive more convenient and pleasant.  The available voice activiated SYNC with MyFord Touch allows you to keep your hands on the wheel while you choose your music and climate control.  The Fusion is also a very safe vehicle and has some of the best Ford technology.  There is an inflatable second row outboard safety belts which help distribute crash force energy across more of the torso than a traditional safety belt.  This helps reduce the risk of energy while supporting the neck and the head! All four of these vehicles are available today at the Preston Automotive Group.  These vehicles are also all best sellers here!  They fly off the lot almost as soon as they get delivered here.  Be sure to stop in today and take a look at four of the roomiest vehicles available!

2014 Nissan Altima

Preston Nissan has an ever growing inventory of the 2014 Nissan Altima.  Currently they have 80 Nissan Altimas alone not including other Nissan models.  The reason Preston Nissan keeps such a large inventory is because they believe the Nissan Altima is one of the most family friendly and affordable midsize cars available.  They also feel that the 2014 Nissan Altima is a step ahead of their competitors.  The Altima gets an astonishing 38 mpg highway, has advanced technology, and advanced safety features. The 2014 Nissan Altima gets the best gas mileage when compared to other vehicles such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata.  Again the Altima gets an incredible 38 mpg whereas the Honda Accord gets 36, the Toyota Camry gets 35 as does the Hyundai Sonata.  The owner of a 2014 Nissan Altima will have to spend less time at the gas station and more time on the road. The Altima is also very street smart.  It has NissanConnect with Apps, where it’s ever expanding list of apps separates it from other infotainment systems.  The driver can easily keep tabs on their social network, play music, check the weather, find a gas station, make reservations, and even check the times of a local movie.  The Hyundai Sonata nor the Kia Optima offer a technologically advanced system such as this.  Also featured in the 2014 Nissan Altima is the Advanced Drive Assist display.  This system features call display, individual tire pressure, and optional turn by turn directions which are right in front of the driver.  Vehicles like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry don’t have this featurthe 2014 Nissan covers all areas when it comes to safety.  It has safety features such as Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection, and Lane Departure Warning.  These safety features are instrumental in helping to keep the driver and passengers safe at all times.  The Blind Spot Warning turns on a warning light if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot area and even sounds a warning tone if the driver signals to change lanes.  The Moving Object Detection gives the driver visual and audible alerts if the rearview monitor detects something moving from behind the vehicle while in reverse.  The Lane Departure Warning gives the driver visual and audible alerts if the vehicle strays from its lane.  The competition can’t quite get all of these items covered like the Altima does.  The Hyundai Sonata only has 1/3 of the features and the Honda Accord has only 2/3 of these features. For the year 2014, Kelley Blue Book named the 2014 Nissan Altima as one of the 12 best family cars.  It has also received a five star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Edmunds has also said that “sophisticated driving dynamics, energetic engines and impressive fuel economy give the 2014 Nissan Altima a leg up on rival sedans. It’s an excellent choice in this segment.”  Preston Nissan also has many leftover 2013 Nissan Altimas available for purchase.  In the 2013 year the Altima also won multiple awards.  Consumers chose the 2013 Nissan Altima as an AutoPacific 2013 ideal vehicle.  Kiplinger’s gave the 2013 Nissan Altima the best new car award.  Lastly, Edmunds.com named the 2013 Nissan Altima as the most refined, efficient and upscale Altima ever.  So not only is the brand new 2014 Nissan Altima a great buy but so is the 2013 Nissan Altima.  Both of which are available now at Preston Nissan.

Scarcity of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

As summer is approaching the demand for sportier cars continues to grow.  For this reason the sportier certified pre-owned cars become harder and harder to find.  In general the certified pre-owned vehicles are in high demand.  They allow vehicle buyers to purchase an almost new vehicle at a much cheaper price.  Not only is the price desirable but the warranty that comes along with the purchase is also great. There are many pros to buying a certified pre-owned vehicle.  The Factory certified pre-owned gives you piece of mind.  The certified pre-owned vehicles go through inspection, repair and warranty.  Due to this you save the time and money it would have taken you to do this yourself and find a good warranty. You also avoid the high up front 20-40 percent depreciation cost that any new car buyer suffers from within the first few years of ownership.  Since the vehicle is factory certified these vehicles typically represent the best deal.  The vehicle has been inspected, the needed repairs have been made and the car has been backed by a factory warranty.  The factory-backed warranty simply means that if you buy a pre-owned Ford then you will have the same coverage you would if you bought a new car from Ford. All certified pre-owned vehicles go through a multipoint inspection.  More details will be taken care of.  For example if the brakes on the vehicle have less than 60 percent life left then they must be replaced. There is also a lot of choice with a used car. Although they can’t be made to order a customer can find a model and option package which might not be made any longer. There are a lot of pre-owned vehicles out there that have only had one owner. The chances of these vehicles being in excellent condition is very high. A car with owner is less likely to have problems with it since many owners of newer model year vehicles keep their vehicles clean if they know they are going to trade it in. Here at the Preston Autoplex we sell five different types of certified pre-owned vehicles.  We have Nissan Certified Pre-owned, Mazda Certified Pre-Owned, Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned, Ford Certified Pre-Owned and lastly Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned.  For most certified pre-owned programs the vehicle must be 6 model years or newer and have fewer than “x” amount of miles on it.

Police photo

Top Ways to Get Pulled Over by the Cops

We have compiled a list of the most common ways people are pulled over by the cops.  If you avoid doing these few things you will be less likely to be pulled over and get a ticket from the cops!  Everyone hates having to pay those unwanted tickets. The first of course is speeding!  In a survey administered by Edmunds, every cop that was surveyed listed stopping speeding drivers as a main priority.  If you feel the need for speed be prepared to pay the price.  Each year in the United States 34 million speeding tickets are handed out! Distracted driving is another reason for people getting pulled over.  These tickets include illegal texting and driving!  According to the Highway Traffic Safety Administration an amazing 40 percent of teens in the U.S. admit to having been in the car while a driver used a cell phone in an endangering way.  Teens are attached to their cell phones, ever since smart phones such as iPhones first started making an appearance. Another main offense is equipment violations.  These are easy bait for a cop to pull you over and give you a ticket.  According to police officers the most prominent violation is illegal window tints!  Following the window tint is burnt out lights, broken windshields, and expired license plate tags! Tailgating and improper lane changes are ranked equally important when trying to avoid getting pulled over by the cops.  Both of these are considered reckless and the cops monitor these things closely.  Always use your blinker when changing lanes or turning.  This is something the police officers will notice if you don’t use them. Here are some other attention-getting moves that the police officers pay attention too.  Cruising in the left lane of a multilane highway instead of using it only to pass slower traffic on the right.  Driving more slowly than the normal traffic flow also creates attention.  Peeling out or screeching your tires from a stoplight or stop sign or just squealing tires in general draws attention to you. It is important to be cautious while driving!  Remember the safer you drive the less likely you are to get pulled over by the police!

Lincoln Driven to Give Event this weekend May 24th at noon!

This Saturday at the Preston Autoplex, the Preston Automotive Group with be hosting a Lincoln Driven to Give Event.  The event is starting at noon and will last until 6 p.m.  For every Lincoln vehicle that is test driven on Saturday, Lincoln will donate $20 to a charity.  The Preston Automotive Group has chosen the donations to go The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.  All you have to do is test drive a Lincoln!  You do not have to be in the market for a Lincoln vehicle in order to come test drive one! The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the memory of Andrew, he was a 14-year old athlete and ‘A’ student from Wilmington, Delaware.  In 2007 Andrew had just helped his team become victorious and win a state championship tournament.  In the next 48 hours Andrew went into a cardiac arrest.  His diagnosis was Leukemia.  The doctors didn’t expect him to live through the night but yet Andrew fought for 167 days.  Andrew’s family learned that his blood type was B+ which become their motor throughout the fight to “Be Positive”.  B+ reflects how Andrew lived his life and how he inspired others to do the same.  The B+ Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in research grants and family assistance.  They have 3 objectives.  The first is to ‘Do Good’ by providing financial assistance and emotional support to families of children with cancer through The B+ Family Assistance Program.  They also want to ‘Do Good’ by funding childhood cancer research in search of cures and advancements in chemotherapy.  They have awarded grants for over $500,000 over the past two years!  The last objective is to ‘Do Good’ by spreading the B+ message and helping others “Live Like Andrew”.  To “Live Like Andrew” means to set goals and try your best, show affection, and be comfortable with yourself. After you test drive a Lincoln you can also stick around for the cake booth and food vendors.  There will also be a kickball tournament in the field by the Hyundai building.  All the proceeds from the kickball tournament will go directly to Nathan’s Story.  There will also be t-shirts for sale during this time as well!  The proceeds from the t-shirts will also go towards Nathan’s Story. The Preston Automotive Group will be hosting three more Lincoln Driven to Give events this summer!  Lincoln will again donate $20 for each Lincoln that is test driven on the day of the event.  The second event will take place on June 7th benefiting the Caroline Country Humane Society, the third is June 21st benefiting Alex's Lemonade and lastly July 19th benefiting Talbot Humane Society.  Stay tuned for more details on these other events!  All events will take place at the Preston Autoplex.

2015 Hyundai Genesis was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis is the first ever rear wheel drive luxury sedan to earn the highest safety rating! It is the first and only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class to receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest honor. The Genesis is also the first rear wheel drive vehicle to earn a "Good" rating in the small overlap crash test.  To receive a top safety pick, vehicles must earn “Good” ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint test.  They can’t receive any less than “Acceptable” in the small overlap test and at least a basic rating for front crash protection. The IIHS rates vehicles in a moderate overlap front crash, small front crash, side impact as well as rollover test and they also evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries.  The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object such as a tree. In the small overlap test in the Genesis the driver’s space was well maintained.  The injury measures recorded on the driver dummy indicated low risk of any significant injuries. The optional front crash prevention test system which is new for the 2015 year earned the Genesis a superior rating due to its automatic braking capabilities.  In the track tests, the car stopped completely before hitting the target in tests at 12 mph and 25 mph. The 2015 Genesis offers a plethora of safety features which aim to prevent accidents and maximize the safety in the event that you do get in an accident.  The new Genesis uses new Sensory Surround Safety technology including an Automatic Emergency Braking.  These utilize sensor fusion technology to help avoid a potential collision and even reduce its impact.  The Genesis is also equipped with new advanced technologies such as the Intelligent Drive Mode.  This allows you to select between four different drive modes depending on conditions and driving preferences.  There is also a new Blind Spot Detection system which can help you monitor traffic around the car.  One of the most talked about new features in the Hyundai Genesis is the Heads-Up Display, the BSD system indicators also project onto the windshield.  The Lane Change Assist helps to detect vehicles that are approaching towards the rear side at high speeds, especially during high speed driving.  The Rear Cross Traffic Alert scans areas to each side of the car when you are backing out of a parking spot.  It also has the CO2 sensor control system.  This detects when CO2 levels in the vehicle are getting high and will freshly ventilate the vehicle.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe was awarded best 3-row $40,000 SUV

The Hyundai Santa Fe was named the best 3-row $40,000 SUV in a 3-row challenge that consisted of top competitors in the SUV segment.  The Santa Fe was named the best SUV by experts at Cars.com, USA Today and MotorWeek.  The judges combined their feedback with an evaluation of a consumer family that was in the market for a 3-row SUV.  This challenge put seven 2014 model 3-row SUVs head to head.  The vehicles were tested over a three day period.  Within this three day period the SUVs went through a real-world gas mileage test, expert evaluations, as well as family evaluations.  The expert’s scores accounted for 75%, family 15%, and fuel economy 10%.  The Santa Fe that was provided was equipped with the Limited Technology Package. In the real world gas mileage test the Santa Fe achieved the group’s highest with a rating at 22.5 mpg.  It also received praise on its strong value under $40,000.  The judges were impresses with the abundance of features in the Santa Fe.  Features include the panoramic moonroof, rear sunshades, heated steering wheel, and cooled seats.  The experts also commented on the acceleration, handling and infotainment system. The 2014 Santa Fe Sport is assembled at the Hyundai production facility in Georgia.  The Santa Fe starts with innovation.  The Santa Fe Sport shows off the latest iteration of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture designed named “storm edge”.  It gives the Santa Fe Sport style that exhibits power and strength of nature.  Dynamic side character lines add to the aerodynamic flow while design elements and chrome accents on the grill and door handles create a distinctly premium feeling.  The aerodynamic design of the Santa Fe can help improve MPG.  Two types of wheels are available on the Santa Fe Sport, the standard 17 inch alloy wheels will generate plenty of traction, there is also an 18 inch alloy wheel, and if the driver really wants to step things up then the available 19 inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels can be added. The 2014 Santa Fe is also one of the safest vehicles out there for purchase.  There are seven airbags in the Santa Fe including a driver’s knee airbag.  There is also electronic stability control, this uses sensors in the steering system and at each wheel to compare where you want to go with where the car is headed.  If there is a difference detected between the two then the Electronic Stability Control slows the appropriate wheel to redirect the car and help the driver keep course.    The Santa Fe also has an excellent Anti-Lock Braking System.  Emergency braking can cause the wheels of the vehicle to lock up and skid, this can result in loss of control.  The Anti-Lock Braking System helps prevent the possibility of wheel lockup under hard braking.

March for Babies was a complete success!

On Sunday May 4 th at the Preston Autoplex there was a March of Dimes, March for Babies event.  There were fireworks on May 3 rd which kicked off the whole event followed by the three mile walk and day of fun on Sunday! The field by Hyundai was packed on Saturday night as many came out to watch the firework show put on by Zambellis Fireworks and sponsored by the Preston Automotive Group. The event turned out to be a huge success.  Over 400 residents came out in support of the March for healthier babies.  At the Autoplex there was an abundance of people, strollers, dogs and families.  The Preston Automotive Group had a goal of raising $100,000 for the March of Dimes.  By the time the event came around they had raised over $90,000 and are still pushing to reach $100,000. The walk started off at the Preston Autoplex by the Hyundai building.  The ribbon was cut to start off the walk by Dave Wilson and Mallory, this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador.  Everyone who participated in the walk then walked by the rest of the Autoplex and into the town of Preston, they continued through town and took a left onto Williamson Street and came back to the Autoplex.  Once everyone returned there was complimentary food, funnel cakes, drinks, and entertainment.  Richard Kimball, a sales consultant at Preston Ford, was the dj for a few hours before Mike Hines and The Look took the stage!  The Preston Frog and Sherman the Shorebird also made a special appearance.  Many children had a chance to get their pictures taken with the Frog and Sherman. For many years now Preston Automotive Group as well as Dave Wilson have been huge advocates for the March of Dimes.  The March of Dimes was originally established by Franklin Roosevelt to fight polio, later the mission focus was shifted to premature birth and birth defects.  Research breakthroughs have helped save thousands of babies.  Since 2003 the March of Dimes fight has been to save babies strongly characterized by the Premature Campaign.  The rising amount of babies born prematurely has demanded action and the March of Dimes has responded by initiating a multi-year campaign to raise awareness and find the causes of prematurity.  The March of Dimes mission is to “help moms have full term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies”.  In local communities across the country the March of Dimes is helping moms take charge of their health and support families when something goes wrong.  They also act globally by sharing the best practices in perinatal health and helping improve birth outcomes where the needs are most urgent. All the donations made for March for Babies help fund research, education, and community programs that help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies!  There is still time to donate to the March of Dimes, if you would like to do so log onto www.marchforbabies.org and make your donation!

Washing Car

How to Detail your vehicle

Cars get dirty but there is more than just the dirt and rain on your cars exterior; pollutants, acid rain, dead bugs and bird dropping all degrade your paint!  It isn’t just the exterior that gets dirty.  The interior will also go through wear and tear.  The cloth seats will need to be shampooed and leather seats deserve a proper leather cleaner and then followed by leather conditioner. The first step to detailing your vehicle is to wash and dry your car as thoroughly as possible.  You should park in the shade while washing and waxing your car in order to prevent the heat from drying off the car and in return creating water spots before you get a chance to dry it.  By washing your car this gets off the dirt that comes off easily so that later on the cleaning products can get rid of the harder, stuck on dirt. Next you should clean the door jambs!  This is often forgotten because you cannot see them without the door being opened.  However, door jambs tend to collect a lot of dirt.  Spray them with a good detail product and wipe them down with a microfiber detail towel. Now you are ready to clay the paint.  Clay is used to remove deep ground in dirt and stains without damaging the cars paint.  This is especially important on newer cars because they have a clear coat paint.  In order to clay the car spray the area with a detailer then slide the clay back and forth over the paint.  The clay pulls up dirt and shaves it off of the cars surface.  Don’t drop the clay, if the clay is dropped it can pick up dirt that can scratch the vehicle making it useless.  After you clay the car the surface should feel noticeably smoother. Now it’s time to polish your car.  Polishing your car smooths, clarifies, and cleans the surface of your car.  It will remove some small scratches, but it can also remove paint so make sure if you polish by hand that you are careful with the amount of pressure you put on the car. It’s time to wax your car!  Wax doesn’t just make your car look nice but it also provides a coat that protects the paint.  Wax can be applied by hand but an electric orbital polisher/waxer can save you a lot of time and might be a good investment if you have a large car or truck!  Apply the wax directly to the applicator not directly on to the car.  Work in one small area at a time, make sure you are careful not to get wax on the black plastic trim as it will stain.  When the wax looks hazy run your finger through it if it breaks apart then it is ready to come off.  Buff the wax off gently with a cotton or microfiber towel. Don’t forget to clean the inside of your vehicle as well.  Take out any floor mats and lay them aside.  Now vacuum all the floors, under the seats, the seats, etc, making sure you get into all the cracks and crevices.  Spray a dashboard cleaner on the dashboard and wipe them down getting all dust and pollen off the dashboard.  You can also get window cleaner and clean the inside of your windows eliminating streaks and smears. Now you are ready to drive around in your extremely clean vehicle!  Preston Automotive Group has a detail team here that can detail your car for you if you prefer to have someone else do it!  The team here will get every nook and cranny so that your car looks and feel brand new!

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