Tips on Convertible Car Care

A convertible is a stylish choice of automobile that has been consistently popular for decades, and it isn’t difficult to see why. A convertible affords you a unique driving experience, able to enjoy the sun on your face and the wind in your hair while moving at incredible speeds. Like any car, though, convertibles need regular maintenance, and one thing that must be taken care of is the car’s convertible top. It will require some time and a little elbow grease, but it will definitely pay off. After all, if the top breaks, you’ll either be left with a standard roof, or no roof at all! Thankfully, if you’re wondering how to clean and care for your car’s convertible top, you’ll be relieved to find that it’s actually quite simple.

What Products Clean Convertible Tops?

First, make sure you buy the right kind of cleaner for your convertible top. The two most common choices for convertible tops are vinyl and fabric, and these materials require regular cleaning in order to look their best. The label should specify which kind of top it is made for. If it’s doesn’t, don’t buy it—it’s worth making sure that you have the right equipment for the job. Vinyl can often be cleaned with regular car shampoo, although some standard soap may be too harsh for the job. Fabric, on the other hand, requires a fabric top cleaner. Simply wash as usual with a soft-bristled brush and then hose the suds off, and you’ll find the top shining in no time. While vinyl is designed to be water-repellent, fabric is not; it is treated so that it is suitable for use as a convertible top. A fabric guard will keep you from getting soaked while it is raining. Simply apply with a flat sponge, making sure to get every part of the roof. Several light coats are preferable to one thick coat, which will take a long time to dry. If you live in a particularly rainy area, one coat per month should be plenty; less is needed for drier climates.

Protect Your Convertible Top and It Will Protect You

It is important to treat the convertible top itself well. Although most modern models retract automatically, you should make sure that there are no obstructions, or you could damage the mechanism and potentially tear the fabric. Many vintage convertibles have to be retracted by hand, which is easy, but remember to be gentle—after all, older parts are usually more difficult to find. Thankfully, convertibles require little maintenance beyond this. You’ll find that cleaning and caring for your convertible top is a cinch, leaving you free to drive off into the sunset!

Looking to get yourself into a convertible this Spring? We've got the one just for you!

Check out our Convertible Inventory today.

Customer Appreciation Month April 2013

Here at Route 46 Chevrolet, this month, April 2013 is Customer Appreciation Month. We wanted to do something extra special for you all.

Yes, we’ve extended our Spring In & Switch Up Event, but we’ve got something else up our sleeves for you!

All throughout the month, Monday through Friday from 5:30PM to 7:30PM we are holding a Spring Clinic in our Service Department. Schedule an appointment to come in for a one on one vehicle inspection with one of our Certified Service Technicians.

They will gladly go over the entire vehicle and answer any questions you may have. We want to make sure any Winter wear & tear is addressed and fixed! Get ready for Spring and Summer with us.

We also are offering you 2-Years FREE Maintenance on the 2013 Silverado 1500 this April!

We’ll even give you $9,000 MSRP* a Corvette! Check out our inventory.

Spring Clean Your Chevy

Spring is upon us and that means it’s time to clean out not only our homes, but our vehicles as well. Time to throw out those water bottles that have been building up, dust off your dashboard and let some fresh air in. Yes, some glass cleaner and a once over with the vacuum is good, but it has been some Winter season, between the snow, ice, salt brine, floods and whatever else you may have driven through. We want to inform you on how important it is to thoroughly inspect any damage the season may have caused.

In our February newsletter we had sent out a Salt Brine Warning, explaining that while it does keep us safe from snow and ice build up on the roads, it unfortunately causes damage to our vehicles, mostly the undercarriage. The mixture of the Salt Brine accelerates corrosion to the suspension. Body damage is possible as well. There is no avoiding this issue, but that is why we want you to take some time this Spring to give your Chevy some extra TLC.

What you must do is inspect your vehicle’s underbody for rust. Also pay attention to any other Winter damage, we have all hit a pothole or two.

If you notice that there is any suspicious areas bring your vehicle in to Rt 46 Chevrolet’s Service Center and we’ll have an ASE Certified Master Technician inspect it for you. We want to do our best to keep you and your Chevy safe! You can schedule your service appointment here.

Happy Spring!