Before cleaning your car, check the recommendations made in your owner’s manual and on the labels of any products you use.

The elements are tough where your car meets the road. As wheels spin, brake dust and road grime become heat-sealed to the rims. Leave it untreated and corrosion may damage your wheels. Meanwhile, oxidation, UV rays, and ozone cause your tires to become discolored and to crack over time if they are not protected.

Wheels

• Different kinds of wheels require different treatments-if you're unsure what kind of wheels you have, check with a wheel shop.
• Aluminum or chrome-plated wheels call for a special wheel polish.
• Painted or clear-coated steel wheels can use a standard auto polish product.
• Wheel cleaners include surfactants, metal chelators, and degreasers that surround and dissolve road grime and brake dust.
• Many wheel cleaners use highly acidic, harsh ingredients that may cause damage to your finishes-only use alkaline/basic formulas and never use them on aluminum or damaged wheels. Follow directions on the product label, paying special attention to safety instructions (i.e. wearing goggles and gloves) and the maximum time the product can remain on the wheels without damaging them.
• Clean your wheels last, after washing the rest of the car, to allow time for wheels to cool. Grease and road grime sticks more to warm wheels.




• Remove hubcaps and wash separately with soap and water.
• Wash the wheels with mild soap and water.
• Cleaning one wheel at a time, spray on the wheel cleaner and allow it to soak for 30 seconds.
• Use a 100%25 cotton cloth to wipe clean. For cars made in the last two years, lamb's wool is safe for wheels.
• For crevices, use a soft bristled brush.
• Rinse the wheel thoroughly, then dry with a soft clean towel to prevent water spots.
• To keep your wheels clean longer, you can wax your wheels, which will slow the buildup of brake dust and make cleaning easier.
• You may want to consider removing the wheels once a year to clean both the back and the front.

Tires

• Use a tire dressing to give your tires a high-gloss finish and to protect them from damaging environmental conditions that age them.
• Tire dressings come in two forms:
• Silicone oil dressings penetrate rubber, creating a glossy, somewhat greasy film that deflects dirt.
  Water-based silicone dressings have a nongreasy finish.
• Tire dressings also have different "looks" that are a matter of personal taste-the high-shine, wet look or the rich, black matte finish. See the chart below for more information about application types.
• Do not use tire dressings with bleach because they may make your tires gray and can stain your wheels.




• After applying the dressing allow it to penetrate the tire for 5-10 minutes.
• Do not apply dressing to treads, as it can be dangerous when driving.
• For tougher stains like tar and for whitewalls, try using a wet scouring pad to clean.
• Regardless of the product type you choose, keep a cloth handy to wipe all the excess off the tire. Buffing with a cloth also allows you to customize the shine on your tires.