Spring cleaning? Don’t forget your wheels & tires!

How to Clean Wheels and Tires

Keeping your wheels clean isn’t just about looks. Don’t get us wrong — it’s a major consideration — but it’s actually about much more than aesthetics. Wheels that are dirtied from brake dust are destined for corrosion. And you definitely don’t want that. Today we’ll tell you a bit about why a maintenance routine is so important and how to clean wheels and tires so you won’t have to worry about damaging these not-particularly-cheap parts of your vehicle. 

First of all, what is it about brake dust that damages the wheels? The dust is made up of a few things, but largely you’re dealing with carbon fibers from the brake pad and small bits of metal shavings that come off the rotor. Take that mixture, add the heat and friction that come with running your wheels round and round on pavement, and you’ve got yourself a perfect recipe for corrosion.

What you’ll want to do is determine the type of wheels you have and the cleaning product that’s right for the material. It varies quite a bit so don’t wing it. Use a soft-bristled scrub brush to apply the cleaner and rinse clean. Your wheels will be better looking and in better shape.

You should also wash your tires for improved braking and traction when you drive. Tire cleaners are widely available and are best for avoiding using the wrong substance to clean them. If you also wax your tires, make sure to dry them thoroughly to avoid dissolving the wax.

We’ve got a great service center here at Palmen Motors, but we certainly don’t want people having to come in for things that are so easily prevented. So get scrubbing! And if you go take a look at your car and find that it’s too late — the damage is done and you need new tires — that’s unfortunate, but it might ease your pain a bit to know that we’ve got a current tire special that offers a 30-day price match on tires. How does that work? When you buy tires with us, we’re so confident you won’t find a lower price that we’ll refund the difference if you find a better deal within 30 days after your purchase! That’s good through May 30th, so come on in soon if you want to take us up on it!