Who else loves the feeling of driving around a clean car? We know we do! There’s nothing more rewarding than picking up your friends in a car that you’re proud of, but that goes beyond a great interior clean. It also includes the heart of the car: the engine. While not everyone takes the time to maintain the engine of their car, we know it’s one of the top priorities for all the car lovers out there.
And while showing off a clean engine does allow bragging rights, it also comes with a range of benefits to help improve the vehicle’s performance. For those of you who are interested in cleaning your car’s engine, you first need to know why it’s important and how often it needs to be done.
Is It a Good Idea to Wash Your Car’s Engine?
You shouldn’t just clean your engine to say that you did it – you should know the benefits that come with it. These are the 4 advantages that you can look forward to.
Protects Plastic Parts
Your vehicle’s engine contains multiple plastics parts that play an important role. If not cleaned regularly, the oil and grease in the engine can accelerate the deterioration of these parts. This means that by cleaning your engine, you’re actually saving yourself money on repairs down the road.
Helps Identify Leaks
Leaks are clear indicators that something’s wrong with the engine, so the faster the leak is identified, the faster the problem can be fixed. When the engine is full of dirt and dust, the fluid can get trapped, therefore making the leak undetectable.
Extends Engine Life
The dirt and debris in an engine can block important passageways and promote rust if not properly maintained. When the grime is washed away, it helps extend the life of the engine and improve its functionality.
Enhances Appearance
There’s no denying that this is perhaps the most attractive benefit to many car lovers. Since not everyone maintains a clean engine, it boosts the appearance of the vehicle. This is especially important when a person wants to sell their car, as car buyers expect the entire vehicle to be thoroughly detailed.
How Often Should You Clean Your Engine?
How often you clean your engine depends on the environment that you live in. For those that live in an area with little debris on the road, such as urban areas, the engine should be cleaned at least twice a year. If your car is exposed to harsh conditions such as snow, ice, or unpathed roadways, then it will likely need to be cleaned every 2 to 3 months.
Book a Wash at Rinzer
At Rinzer, we know how good it feels to have a clean car year-round. That’s why our on-demand car wash comes to you – just let us know when and where you want your wash and we’ll deliver our services to your doorstep. When you book a wash with us, you can spend more time doing what you love, whether that’s taking the time to learn important car tips or just enjoying a freshly cleaned ride.
How to Wash Your Car’s Engine in 5 Steps
In our last article, we talked about the advantages of having a clean engine. But now let’s get to the fun part – learning how to clean it. If you’re like us, you love spending your weekends working on your car and learning new ways to improve its performance. Though sometimes it can seem intimidating (especially when it comes to something as important as the engine), you can wash your engine in 5 easy steps.
Step #1: Check Local Laws & Read Manual
The first thing you should do is get up to date on county and state laws for public car wash regulations and read your car owner’s manual for recommendations on cleaning and degreasing. Why is this important? Because your engine is filled with substances that can be harmful if they enter the sewer system. That’s why many people choose to clean their car’s engine at a self-serve car wash, as they’re legally required to dispose of the water in a safe way. If you want to clean your engine at home, no problem! Just make sure you have a way to collect the substances.
Step #2: Prepare the Engine
Before starting, make sure your engine is cool to avoid being burnt. When you’re ready to get to work, the first thing you should do is cover any sensitive parts that could be damaged by water. While some engines are waterproof, it’s always better to take precautions. Using plastic, cover sensors, exposed wiring, the distributor, and spark plug openings. You should also tighten loose caps and covers.
Step #3: Spray Engine with Degreaser
Many petroleum-based products are harsh and could affect some of the engine parts so It’s recommended to use a water or citrus-based cleaner. Spray the degreaser over the engine, making sure you thoroughly coat every surface. Let the degreaser sit for 3 to 5 minutes depending on how dirty the engine is. Using a non-metallic brittle brush, scrub the engine to remove grease buildup.
Step #4: Rinse
Using a hose, rinse the entire compartment to remove the degreaser. If you’re using a power washer, make sure to use it on a light setting; high-pressure nozzles can cause damage to sensitive parts.
Step #5: Dry
Wipe down the engine with compressed air or a clean towel. Using a towel will help remove any leftover grime that wasn’t removed with the hose, leaving it with that beautiful shine we love. And that’s it! While this task may seem intimidating, washing your engine is easy when you follow these 5 simple steps.
At Rinzer, we know how important it is for your car to maintain a squeaky clean appearance. That’s why our on-demand car wash brings our services to your doors. We also offer a variety of tips and advice so that you can learn more about how to improve the performance of your car, keep it clean between washes, and learn new skills such as how to clean your engine. Follow us on social media or stay tuned to our blog to learn must-know car tips.
