Though it may sound like something only serious aficionados do, a good rule of thumb is to wash your vehicle every two weeks. 

As particles like road salt, tree sap, or dirt collect on your car's paint, they can leave lasting damage. When you wash your car, it's essential to use cleaning products specifically formulated for your car's finish, like microfibre cloths and sponges that go easy on the paint. Regular washing every two weeks keeps the finish free from road grime and retains the same factory-fresh shine.

You don’t have to wash your undercarriage as often, but it’s just as essential to schedule a regular cleaning. 

Consumer Reports recommends an undercarriage wash once per season and even more frequently if you regularly drive off-road. 

Car care product manufacturer Dr. Beasley's goes one step further, suggesting a cleaning as soon as possible after driving on salted roads. With the corrosive qualities of road salt buildup, removing it from your vehicle as quickly as possible limits the risk of rust and other damage. 

This is all part of how you can maintain the peace of mind that your car is working as hard for you as you are for it. From the undercarriage to the engine, a used vehicle could be hiding mechanical issues. But when you buy a used car from Shift, you know it's good to go from the moment you take delivery. Shift's certified mechanics perform extensive 150-point inspections on every car and have complete vehicle history reports, so you know your used car feels as good as new. ‍

Shift's website has a large selection of fully inspected vehicles located across the country that are ready to go. The website is user-friendly, and you'll be able to find various makes and models to suit your needs and budget. Want to take a test drive before you buy? If you live in one of Shift's many service areas, a concierge will drive to you, letting you get a feel for the performance and interior before signing the papers.

Since your vehicle's undercarriage has many nooks and crannies, cleaning it is a more involved process than an exterior wash and wax.

If you want to go the DIY route, investing in a pressure washer is a wise decision. Not only does a high-pressure spray allow you to cleanse hard-to-reach areas when used with a degreaser, but it also provides a thorough rinse.

With your pressure washer ready, here are the steps to an undercarriage wash:

1. First, elevate your vehicle on ramps or jack stands for easy access to the undercarriage. You can skip this step if you have a truck or an SUV with a lifted suspension. You may also want to remove the wheels for even better coverage. At this point, you can inspect your brake lines and fuel lines for corrosion since they're essential to the safe function of your vehicle. 
2. With the pressure washer turned on, begin the undercarriage wash from the front and slowly work your way back. You can divide the undercarriage into sections and clean them one by one for an especially thorough clean. For the best cleaning action, hold your pressure washer’s wand at a 45-degree angle. 
3. Although the pressure washer should remove most dirt and other contaminants, some might be left behind. During that off-road trip you took in your SUV, you might have taken home some clay. Or perhaps you commute over salty, winter roads in your. Whatever the situation, using a brush with a cleaning solution should wipe away the rest of the particles. A good method is spraying the solution onto the undercarriage, waiting a few minutes, and then removing the brush.
4. When you need to use a brush and cleaning solution, it's good to respray the undercarriage with the pressure washer afterward. This ensures a complete rinse of the remaining cleaning solution and allows you to see how much dirt you’ve washed away.

Although not a required step, applying a metal protectant is a good practice once you finish an undercarriage wash. With the undercarriage constantly exposed to harsh elements, metal protectant provides added safety and helps maintain cleanliness.

Though washing and waxing the finish may seem like all that's needed to maintain the exterior of your vehicle, car undercarriage cleaning is also essential.

With your vehicle's undercarriage constantly exposed to contaminants like road salt, asphalt, gravel, and dirt, keeping it clean ensures the function of brake lines, fuel lines, and more. Keeping your car's undercarriage clean also prevents rust and corrosion, ensuring its longevity.

When you perform an undercarriage wash, a pressure washer is an essential tool, along with a quality degreaser. Combined, the two provide a thorough clean and keep your vehicle's undercarriage in excellent condition. 

When you're in the market for a used vehicle, finding a well-maintained one — from the undercarriage to the braking system — can be a hassle. And you also need a used car that stands the test of time. You don't want to be on a road trip in your new-to-you vehicle, experience a mechanical issue, and be stranded far from home. But with our best-in-industry service contracts, Shift gives you peace of mind for the long haul. With a Shift Vehicle Protection plan, not only are essential components covered, but you also receive roadside assistance if you run into trouble on the road. Wherever you happen to be in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, help is just a toll-free phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.