As the seasons change, so do the maintenance needs of your car. While you may deep clean your car in the spring to get rid of all those soils and rock salts, the summer calls for a fresh layer of wax or coating to protect your paintwork from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It’s important to know which areas of your car to clean, restore and protect each season to prevent staining, oxidation and permanent damage to your vehicle, both inside and out.

We’ve compiled a list of steps you should take every winter, spring, summer and fall to help your vehicle stay in tip-top shape. Just follow this complete checklist to keep your car looking beautiful all year long!

As the snow and ice begin to thaw, Spring is the perfect time to restore your vehicle after the cold, winter months and to prep it for the warmer weather ahead.

Another car wash tip for the spring is to pop the hood of your car and scrub all the intricate surfaces of your engine compartment. This is another area where soils and rock salts collect through your grills and vents, posing a serious oxidation risk. Clean these areas thoroughly, hand drying with a fresh, microfiber towel.

Many drivers keep two sets of floor mats: carpeted mats for the spring and summer and more durable, rubber mats for the fall and winter. Once you’ve cleaned all the dirt and salts from your rubber floor mats, switch them out for your carpeted mats to start the spring out on the right foot! Be sure to store your rubber floor mats in your trunk or garage so you can pull them out again in the fall.

Between road trips, vacation getaways and cruising on the highway, summer is a prime time to show off your car to the world! This is the season to protect and shine your exterior paint finish to achieve a glossy, showroom look that lasts and lasts.

The surface of your car takes a beating in the summer from all sorts of harsh, environmental factors, including acid rain, flying debris and powerful UV rays. You’ll need a durable, long-lasting wax or paint sealant to protect your paintwork from scratches, fading and oxidation.

We recommend a hybrid car wax like Hybrid Solutions PRO to the Max Wax, infused with genuine graphene and carnauba wax to give you the most powerful protection, and the most incredible, high gloss shine! Hybrid wax coatings can last for up to 12 months with the occasional touch-up, so this one will keep your car protected throughout the fall and winter.

Autumn is a great time to prepare for the upcoming winter before it becomes too cold to wash, wax or polish your car.

Most waxes and polishes are only designed to be used in 60 to 80-degree weather. Early in the fall, you’ll want to give your wax or ceramic coating a quick touch up with a spray wax to rejuvenate that mirror-like shine and strengthen your vehicle’s layer of protection for the harsh winter ahead. We recommend Hybrid Solutions PRO Flex Wax to give your finish an extra boost with the same durability and shine you’d receive from a pro liquid wax.

Be sure to focus on your rocker panels and the lower panels of your car exterior that you’d like to protect from soils and rock salts during the winter.

The winter is also a low-visibility season, so it’s important to clean and protect your auto glass after all the heat and oxidation from the warm, summer months. Use a car glass spray like Turtle Wax Dash & Glass and a couple of microfiber towels to spray and wipe your windows, windshield, mirrors and tech screens. Be sure to spray a generous amount of product to prevent streaks and smudging to your auto glass.

Now that the winter is coming up, it’s time to switch back to your more durable rubber floor mats. These mats are designed to withstand icy weather conditions and the heavier soils you track into your car with the wet snow and ice. Be sure to store your carpeted floor mats in your trunk or garage for safe keeping.

As the weather dips into the 30s and below, it’s time to wait out the winter months and focus on keeping the interior clean and fresh.

You should vacuum your carpet, mats and upholstery in the winter at least once a month to remove dirt and soil buildup. This will prevent permanent staining or discoloration to your carpet and fabric upholstery. Be sure to use the upholstery attachment on your portable vacuum cleaner to reach deep in the nooks and crannies of your seats and cushions.

Give your car a few mists of our Odor X Spray to keep the interior smelling fresh and clean all winter long! Our Odor X products come in Fresh Car Scent to capture that “new car” smell, or Caribbean Crush for a more fruity, floral fragrance.

With this complete seasonal checklist, you can be confident that your car will endure every season and maintain its like-new condition year after year! If you need further help or instructions on how to complete any of these tasks, be sure to check out the rest of our How-To articles for more detailing tips, tricks and step-by-step guides!