This one is for anyone who uses their car during flu season. (Pretty much everyone, then.)
Whether you’re part of the carpool network for your job or even run errands between taking the kids to school, you’re exposing yourself and potentially your family to the flu virus and cold germs in ways you don’t even realize.
Think about it: anywhere you go when you’re out, you’re potentially bringing what you exposed to right back into your car.
Much like the cabin of an airplane, these contagions can live on the surfaces inside your vehicle for hours at a time, and can recirculate every time you use your vehicle’s climate control system.
So how can you disinfect your vehicle’s interior?
First off, take a day you know you won’t be using your car to air it out. Roll all the windows down and let it sit for a good couple hours in order to let the breeze move air through your car. If your interior lights have a safety or timer that cuts off power after a certain period of time in order to keep your battery from dying, you can even open all of your doors for even greater effect.
By doing so, you’re circulating what is otherwise stagnant air that can contain cold germs and viruses that can cause the flu, bronchitis, sinus infections and other illnesses that you don’t want to get this close to the holidays.
From here, The Auto Shop recommends wiping down every surface with a wet, disinfectant wipe. Wipes are often safer than sprays, as they generally won’t seep into cracks and crevices that could drip onto and damage your vehicle’s electrical systems, but aerosol disinfectants can also be effective as they generally are quick-drying.
Areas for disinfecting your vehicle interior should include:
- All handles, power switches and door storage areas
- Center consoles, dashboards, arm rests and instruments faces (including the speedometer, stereo, and climate control areas, where many people cough and directly sneeze into)
- Windows, mirrors, cup holders
- Anywhere in the back seat where children touch, including car seats, video screens, etc.
Lastly, make sure you keep your cabin air filter is fresh. While this won’t explicitly filter out viruses or bacteria that can get you sick, keeping the air in your car’s heater (or AC, as we’re still breaking temperature records in Phoenix) clean is always a good idea.
When it is unseasonably warm in Phoenix, say in the fall and winter, the flu season can be particularly bad. So you worry about keeping you and your family healthy, and let The Auto Shop worry about keeping your vehicle healthy!
From auto repair, maintenance and more serving Phoenix, AZ since 1979 — give The Auto Shop a call today at (602) 256-6164 today to learn how we can keep you on the road!