How to protect your car during pollen season

Spring is a beautiful time of year here in Central Florida, but unfortunately, it also brings a TON of pollen into the equation. Get ready to sneeze, cough, and watch your car be steadily coated with green and yellow for a few weeks. 

Can pollen actually damage your car? 

While most drivers think that pollen on their car is just an aesthetic inconvenience - let's be real, it looks pretty bad - it actually can do a lot more harm than you'd think. Pollen can actually oxidize your car's paint, leaving unsightly stains that can't be wiped away. In fact, if the stains are bad enough, you may need a paint job to repair them and get your Orlando Toyota looking like-new again. 

Luckily, there are ways to prevent paint damage from pollen both before and during pollen season. Check out these pro tips from our Orlando auto service experts. 

Tip #1: Wash your car. A LOT. You should get ready to break out the car detailing supplies when pollen season arrives - you'll want to wash your car as often as possible to prevent paint damage. Even a quick rinse is better than nothing. And make sure you're using the right supplies; using soap not formulated for cars (like dish soap) can actually do more harm than good to your paint. You can shop for supplies at Toyota of Orlando's parts store!

Tip #2: Prep your vehicle for the season. Another way to get ahead is to prepare your vehicle before pollen season arrives. Detail the exterior and apply a couple of coats of quality wax. This will keep a barrier in between your car's paint and the pollen (and also leave it looking shiny and new), and make it easier to rinse the pollen off. 

Tip #3: Clean out the interior. You should also give a little TLC to the interior of your Orlando Toyota. Wipe it down, shake the floormats, and vacuum to give your allergies a break. 

Tip #4: Don't forget under the hood. Get under the hood during pollen season, too. It can wreak havoc on your engine air filter and cabin air filter, so be sure to clean and replace them as needed.

Tip #5: Park wisely. Make sure you pick where you park with pollen in mind. Parking under trees is always a recipe for a bright green car. It's in your best interest to park in a garage, if possible, or at least under a carport or some sort of covered parking area. 

Let Toyota of Orlando help you protect your ride

Need to shop car detailing supplies or get a little help changing your air filters? Visit Toyota of Orlando! We're located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and our Orlando auto service center is open seven days a week.