WAYNE, N.J. — April is National Car Care Month, and Hankook Tire asked U.S. drivers about how they plan to spruce up their vehicles now that the winter season is over, according to a press release.

Two-thirds (67 percent) of American drivers said cleaning the interior and exterior of their vehicles was on top of their spring cleaning list, stated the release, ahead of cleaning homes (59 percent) and closets (59 percent).

The Car Care Council reports that washing your vehicle helps to protect your investment and prevents chemicals and dirt buildup, which can harm a car’s finish, continued the article.

Hankook notes it is important for drivers to make sure to close their windows when going through the carwash, reported the release, adding that one in 10 U.S. drivers admitted to leaving their windows open during a carwash.

Hankook Tire’s Quarterly Gauge Index found 66 percent of American drivers encounter potholes on their daily commute, informed the release, which can cause significant damage to tires, steering systems, suspension and engines.

Moreover, added the release, 46 percent of drivers estimate that they will hit at least 11 potholes this season.

As car care business owners and operators, make sure your customers understand the importance of car care — especially during National Car Care Month.

In the release, Hankook Tire shares an informative car care checklist for drivers, which includes the following:

• Check tires. If properly maintained, tires can help safeguard a car from damage caused by potholes. According to Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index, 51 percent of U.S. drivers do not regularly check their tire pressure, and 33 percent do not know how.
• Change tires. The release stated that 40 percent of all drivers do not know how to change a flat tire. Ensure your customers are safe on the road by providing car care tips, such as changing a flat tire, around your business.
• Choosing the right tires. Your customers should consider switching to season-specific tires to help protect their vehicles.

“Our quarterly Hankook Gauge Index helps us understand what is top of mind for American drivers around the country,” said Henry Kopacz, public relations and social media manager for Hankook Tire America Corp, in the release. “As we head into National Car Care Month, our latest survey highlights the importance of vehicle care and tire maintenance to ensure safe driving. There are simple actions that drivers can take to improve the safety of their vehicle, and we want to make sure drivers are equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to do so.”

The spring installment of the company’s quarterly survey, which was conducted March 21-22, polled 1,020 randomly selected U.S. drivers, noted the release.

Headquartered in Wayne, informed the release, Hankook Tire America Corp. “markets and distributes a complete line of high-performance and ultra-high-performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the U.S.”

You can find the release here.

The Professional Carwashing & Detailing team regularly features helpful car care tips and techniques, sure to keep your customers’ rides in tip-top shape as well as your bottom line. Discover why it’s important to educate customers on professional car care here.