KEEPING YOUR CAR CORONAVIRUS FREE, SANITIZE YOUR VEHICLE

We have never seen anything like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is everywhere and disrupting life as we once knew it. It will continue to affect us for many years to come, even after the threat of the virus has passed. Hopefully, that will be very soon. It can’t make your car, truck, minivan, or SUV ill, but it can make its occupants sick.

We hope it causes a change in the way we clean and fight germs in our homes, our cars and our lives. Ideally, this quantum shift will go a long way towards keeping your vehicle free from virus-carrying bacteria. If you have any questions about the care of your Napleton vehicle, please contact our service experts at Napleton Auto Group.

WHAT IS IT A CORONAVIRUS AND WHAT IS COVID-19?

A Coronavirus is a type of virus that circulates among humans and can transmit something as simple as a common cold. The Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain that was first reported in Wuhan City, China. Some medical organizations have linked it to a live animal market.

The virus can transmit through human-to-human contact and through droplets released into the air when talking, sneezing, or coughing. If you feel these indications, coupled with shortness of breath,  consult your doctor for further instructions. Keep in contact with your medical practitioner until you receive the “all clear.”

WILL MY CAR GET SICK FROM CORONAVIRUS?

Your vehicle can’t get “sick” if exposed to the coronavirus bacteria. But it can become a carrier of such germs that can cause COVID-19. Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and packets of disinfecting wipes on your person to wipe down the interior of your vehicle. Don’t store a super-large economy-sized bottle because heat buildup may cause it to breach, leaking its contents all over the interior. Think about every area that your hands come in contact with. These are considered to be high-touch areas. They deserve the most attention.

These would be door levers, grab handles, locks, radio and climate controls, seatbelts, seat buckles, window controls, cupholders, armrests and more. The steering wheel deserves special attention as it is one of the most germ-laden touch-points anywhere, either inside or outside your home. Clean these areas regularly and also make it a point to clean your hands every hour, on the hour.

MAKING YOUR VEHICLE A CORONAVIRUS-FREE ZONE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR BEST TO KEEP YOUR VEHICLE FREE OF GERMS FROM COVID-19. TIPS:

Alcohol is probably the best cleaner to use in your vehicle. It is also the one used most by automakers and component manufacturers to clean parts before they are installed. A quick wipe is usually all that’s needed. If you don’t have alcohol nearby, soap and water will work as well.

Finally, avoid using any bleach-based wipes or ammonia-based window cleaners. They can cause a degrading of the materials used on vehicle dashboards and other surfaces. Such a reaction can cause them to become sticky to the touch.

Keeping Germs out of you car ( Highlights )

• Use alcohol or soap and water if it is not accessible
• Clean your high-touch areas such as door levers, grab handles, locks, radio and climate controls, seatbelts, seat buckles, window controls, cup holders, armrests
• Pay special attention to the steering wheel
• Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the vehicle
• Wash your hands every hour to be safe
• In warm weather states don’t keep a huge bottle of sanitizer
• Do not use bleach-based wipes or ammonia-based
• Clean / disinfect your cell phone regularly
• For more tips see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

Continue to check back at Napleton.news for more car cleaning tips and information as it becomes available.