But after a few months of neglect, you might not even know where to begin with your cleanup. Here are some suggestions to give your vehicle that new car look so you can once again be proud of it when driving down the street.

1. Start by giving the car a thorough washing. Start on the inside by vacuuming with a small vacuum cleaner. Use cotton swabs and old toothbrushes to clean those cracks and crevices in the dash. These are ideal for the radio buttons and other small parts.
2. Spray the outside of the car with a fine mist to get it wet and wash away the debris and gunk that has accumulated through the winter.
3. Use a more powerful setting on the hose nozzle to spray the undercarriage and the tires. This is where salt and mud build up so it will take more power to wash the dirt away.
4. Fill a bucket with warm water and soap made especially for washing cars. Use a soft sponge to soap up the entire vehicle. Rinse the sponge periodically to keep it from spreading dirt on the clean areas. It’s usually best to wash the bumper and fenders last because that’s where much of the dust and dirt accumulates.
5. Before the soap dries, rinse it off with the hose. Be sure to rinse all of the soap off of the car before finishing.
6. Gently dry off the car with a chamois or other soft cloth made for drying windows and vehicles. Don’t use the towels from your linen closet, as these may be too harsh for your paint’s glossy finish.
7. Look for small dings and dents. These dings often happen during the winter and you don’t even notice them because of the snow and salt accumulations. Get some touch-up paint and fix the dents immediately to prevent further paint chipping, decay or rust around the area.
8. Inspect your vehicle’s weather stripping. The frigid weather combined with wetness can sometimes cause cracks or leaks. This could mess up electrical components and even cause leaks around the windows if not checked after winter is over.
9. Inspect the undercarriage of the car. Look for any rust spots that could cause problems. Pay close attention to the brakes, exhaust and steering components. If you see something that could be a potential problem, take your car to a trusted mechanic for a solid opinion.

By conducting these and other proactive and preventative maintenance on your fine Mercedes-Benz automobile or other vehicle during the warmer months, you can enjoy it for many years to come - regardless of the weather outside.