Because a car represents the second-largest – if not the largest – purchase most people will make in their lifetimes, it’s important to protect that investment. In fact, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average sticker price of a new vehicle recently increased 5.4 percent from $26,150 to more than $27,000. Given the cost of vehicles, it only makes sense for car owners to do everything they can to keep their vehicles clean on the inside as well as on the outside. With the new 2005 car models beginning to hit showroom floors, and as car lovers and everyday drivers continually work to keep their older models in top shape, it’s important for motorists to be up to speed on the best car care products for their vehicles. To help drivers sort through the ever-increasing number of products now flooding the car care market, Shell has compiled the attached list of 10 top products for taking care of vehicles – both inside and out. Under the Hood and Inside the Cabin: Car Care Products for the Interior 1. The Dashboard – Armor All Ultimate Clean ( www.armorall.com) helps protect a vehicle’s dashboard and interior from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The product effectively removes dirt, dust and grime while also protecting against discoloration, leaving a low shine and a clean finish. 2. The Seats – Pinnacle Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (www.pinnaclewax.com) gently removes any dirt, grease, ink, oil or spills from leather seats, while keeping the surface conditioned and looking healthy. The spray-on cleaner is an easy and quick way to protect the leather inside the car and keep it looking like new. 3. The Floorboards and Upholstry – Blue Coral Dri-Clean® Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner (www.bluecoral.com) helps to clean one of the most abused parts of a vehicle – the upholstery. The product’s deep cleaning spray penetrates fabric to lift and suspend all types of stains from carpets and upholstery, including wool, nylon and other synthetic fabrics. 4. The Gas Tank – Shell V-Power (www.localshell.com), a new premium-grade gasoline from Shell, actively cleans your engine as you drive. With more than five times the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by government standards, it’s the company’s most advanced fuel ever developed and can clean up carbon deposits that low detergency gasolines can leave behind. 5. The Engine – Pennzoil SUV, Truck and Minivan Motor Oil (www.pennzoil.com) is designed, engineered and formulated to help prolong the life of a vehicle’s engine. While it can be used in any type of vehicle that uses conventional motor oil, the product is specially formulated for vehicle engines subjected to heavier loads. If you’d prefer not to change the oil yourself, stop by a service center, such as Jiffy Lube, which offers high-quality Pennzoil products for all types of vehicles. From the Sunroof to the Tires: Car Care Products for the Exterior 6. The Body of the Car – Zip Wax Self-Drying Wash ’n Wax from the makers of Turtle Wax (www.turtlewax.com) features a unique two-layer formula that is activated when the product is shaken. The top layer provides a wax protection, while the bottom layer features biodegradable cleaning agents, which together form a wash and wax that leaves a high-gloss shine on your car’s exterior. 7. The Hood and Headlights – Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay (www.wolfgangcarcare.com) is a non-abrasive product that is safe for paint, aluminum, fiberglass and chrome finishes. When used with a special lubricant, the clay is designed to loosen and lift bugs, tar, dirt, grime and environmental contaminants away from almost any surface, from the car’s hood and headlights to the painted side panels. 8. The Bumpers – One Grand Chrome Polish (www.onegrand.com) produces a smooth, particle-free finish on non-clear coated chrome wheels, engine parts, exhaust pipes and bumpers. The product also can return the shine to chrome that has rusted and is starting to or already has deteriorated. 9. The Windows – Rain-X Windshield Wax (www.rainx.com) helps repel rain, sleet and snow on contact to increase visibility for all-weather driving. The product forms a slick non-stick barrier to make water bead up on the windows and run off during driving. During the application process, the product hazes when dry to let car owners know where the product has been applied and where it needs to be buffed off. 10. The Wheels – Black Magic® Tire Wet® Foam (www.blackmagiccarcare.com) is designed to clean, shine and protect tires in one step. The specially formulated thick foam clings to the tire to dissolve and release dirt, road grime and mud. Silicones in the product also help protect and enrich the tires to renew their shine.
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