The Technology Behind Keeping Self Driving Cars Clean
Self-driving cars are everywhere, the technology that goes behind making that happen still amazes me. But without a driver behind the wheel, who is to say when the car needs to be cleaned and detailed for deployment. Companies like Uber and Waymo have the cars navigating our roads daily, but how do they keep them clean? Great question, check this out.
Just because you don’t own a Maserati doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your car in top-notch shape; after all, it does get you from point A to point B, so you should show it some love and respect. However, most people think an occasional car bath is sufficient, but not if you want to properly care for your vehicle! And if that vehicle happens to be a self-driving car, you may want to take extra special care of it!
Keeping your car in perfect running condition doesn’t just mean changing the oil and putting air in the tires; it means caring for your car from top to bottom. When you detail your car, you feel better about the vehicle, even if it’s a Pinto! Historical vehicles shine when cleaned properly and newer cars stay looking better longer when they are maintained. If properly maintained, detailing your car doesn’t take long, and it can be done at home or by a professional. Many detailing companies even come to your home or work, so there are few excuses for not keeping up your car’s aesthetics!
We’ve all gotten into a car that is a mess on the inside and filthy on the outside, and even if it is a nice car, we wonder if it runs. Conversely, we have seen older vehicles that are beautiful inside and out and know that the owner has a true sense of pride. Not only does a clean car reflect your character, but it helps the car last longer. The sun, snow, rain and other elements can damage the car’s interior and exterior, but detailing can act as a protective shield. Left to the elements, a car can experience cracked dashboards, peeling paint, rust, discolored interior, and if water gets inside the vehicle, even mold, and mildew. Even dirt, bird droppings and tar and sap from trees can stick to your paint job, causing discoloration. To combat the elements, you should wash your car at least once a week, and have it detailed based on its usage. A car that is covered in a garage will not need as much attention as one that sits out in the snow. If your vehicle is subjected to fluctuations in the weather, it might need some extra protection. Of course, just washing the car won’t keep it looking pristine; it will also need to be waxed periodically to help it lock in the luster. If you are having issues getting that new car look again, there are even more ideas for keeping your self-driving car clean.
Inspecting the car for imperfections will let you know what you should focus on to bring the car’s exterior back to life. Scratches, chips, and dings will all make your vehicle appear older but the exterior can be protected by professional sealants and coatings, extending the life of the car wash, too. A semi-permanent paint sealant will last for a few years and it is scratch resistant, whereas a wax will only last a month or two. To prolong the shine of your wash and wax, you will want to have your car professionally polished. A professional car detailer can use a tool that uses a soft polishing disc to fill in any surface scratches while spreading the compound. However, polishing too often is likely to have the opposite effect and may wreck the paint job.
There are also some common sense ideas for maintaining your car’s clean appearance: don’t park under trees, where sap and bird droppings can mar your vehicle. If you happen to get these items on your car’s paint, you will want to wash them off as soon as possible or they can harden and oxidize your paint. Club soda will do the trick, just as it does with spots on clothes! You also want to make sure you use quality products when you wash your car. Old rags and a cup of dishwashing liquid won’t do; your car needs professional products to prolong its cleanliness and shine. If you are washing the car yourself, make sure to use two buckets of water so you don’t continually spread the dirty water back on your car! This will keep your car cleaner, longer.
While the outside of your car is important, the cleanliness inside is equally important. A car that has been well maintained will bring top dollar when it comes time to trade it in, but not if the interior is dirty, ripped or cracked. You will want to vacuum the interior of the car regularly, and if you have pets that ride in the vehicle, you may want to vacuum every week. Not only will this pick up the dirt, debris and pet hair, but it will also help to eliminate any strange odors. If your car has a smell you just can’t seem to get rid of, try baking soda on your floors and fabric seats. Vacuum up the baking soda; vacuum up the smell! Leather interior is also very popular, but keeping it clean requires special care. Instead of using baking soda, you want to use a leather conditioner to maintain its good looks. Leather seating that cooks in the sun just cracks and makes the car look old; protection is the key!
If you want to keep your car looking cleaner for a long time after cleaning it, it is important to be diligent. Whenever possible, park away from dirt lots, other cars, and trees. A covered parking space is preferable, but a car cover can suffice to keep the dirt and dust off your vehicle. To maintain the cleanliness of the inside of the car, pack a handy cleaning kit to use whenever necessary. Include a small brush to dislodge mud or dirt from seats and floor mats, and keep small amounts of baking soda, stain remover and soft rags in the cleaning kit. If you eat and drink in your car, make sure you have a trash bag handy to dispose of all the garage immediately. Vacuum up any crumbs, or leftover food to avoid funky smells. For the outside of the vehicle, make sure you have a small cloth on hand, one that will not scratch the car’s paint. If you encounter any bug splats, bird droppings or plant residue, you can remove it immediately.
Keeping your car clean is like any other responsibility; you must schedule a time to get it done. If you don’t have the time, hiring someone to detail your vehicle will be helpful, but it might be costly. However, if you have the car detailed, you will then just be responsible for prolonging the cleaning, and that will be an easier task. Simple tricks and common sense can help you keep your car looking spotless!