Convertible tops look great when a car is new, but they won’t stay looking nice for long without proper care. Fabric, clear plastic and vinyl are far more delicate and vulnerable to radiation, acid rain, and the elements than painted surfaces. Sunshine can be especially damaging. Here are some tips from eHow to keep your convertible top looking like new.

Things you will need:

• High quality convertible top cleaner
• Soft sponge or brush
• Vinyl window cleaner
• Hose

Convertible tops should be cleaned at least twice a year, but more frequently if the car is parked outside a lot. Make sure to use only high quality convertible top cleaners and if possible, use a cleaner that’s biodegradable. Do not use detergents or powders that contain chlorine-based bleaching agents. These can remove essential oils in vinyl tops that are needed for protection against the sun’s UV rays.

Tip - If at all possible, park your convertible in a garage or carport. If you can’t, then use a high quality, breatheable car cover.

Image via carcleaningguru.com

Wash the top in the shade and not in direct sunlight and make sure the top is cool before wetting. After wetting the top thoroughly, spray a light coating of top cleaner evenly across the top and gently work the cleaner using a soft sponge or brush to scrub away dirt. Once cleaned, rinse off the cleaner while brushing and using lots of water from a nozzle-less hose. Continue until the water runs clear.

Do not use ordinary glass cleaners if the window is plastic; these may damage the plastic. Use cleaners and polishes specifically designed for plastic windows. These products will remove minor scratches as well as dirt and help prevent the plastic from discoloring.

Tip - To prevent creasing and scratching plastic windows, place a soft towel or baby blanket over the plastic rear window before folding down the top.

You don’t need to use a top cleaner every time you wash the car. You can usually keep a top clean by washing with plain water. If it’s dirty, use a gentle, pH neutral car wash and make sure to rinse thoroughly. After washing, let the top dry completely before folding it down, since this will prevent mold and mildew.

Tip - Use a sticky clothing lint roller to remove dust and lint from the top and clean the plastic window without scratching.

After cleaning, use a top protectant to preserve the color and texture of the top material. This will also prevent fading and cracking, and help repel dirt, grease and oil.

Remove bird droppings immediately. They are very acidic and can quickly damage tops.

Don’t let snow accumulate on your top. A soft top can handle moderate amounts of snow, but heavy or wet snow can overload the top structure and cause the metal frame to bend. Be careful when removing snow and ice from the plastic rear window so you avoid scratching it.

I’m thinking about purchasing a used vehicle, what consumer protections are offered to me?

Video Transcription
Federal law mainly deals with used vehicles. A dealership is required to post what is called a buyers guide, included in that buyers guide will be information pertaining to the financing of the contract, whether a vehicle is purchased as-is. As-is basically means you are buying what you get, whether it has the warranty with it, information such along those lines. It’s important, also they should post that the customer should have the ability to have the car inspected prior to purchasing your vehicle as well, having gone through all of that, that should be posted on the vehicle itself.

The first time your teen gets behind the wheel signals the first step toward independence and adulthood. As a parent, there are always concerns about safety on the road. It’s important for teens to remember that although the freedom that comes with driving is exciting, that freedom comes with significant responsibility. Here are some basic driving tips from CarsDirect that parents and young drivers should always keep in mind.

Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
Many people, especially new drivers, have trouble following this simple suggestion. Before your car leaves the driveway, adjust your mirrors, your seat and anything else you may have to before taking off. Doing this prevents you from having to make these adjustments while driving, which can easily take your eyes off of the road and create a dangerous situation.

Image via carinsurancequotes.uk.com

Turn Your Cell Phone Off
Studies have shown that driving while trying to send out a text message is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Do yourself, and everyone else on the road, a favor and turn your phone off. Turning it off is the easiest way to avoid a distraction from a message or a call. If you really need to use your phone in an emergency situation, pull over first. Never talk on the phone while driving. In some states, this is illegal and a ticketable offense.

Wear Your Seat belt
Wearing a seat belt is scientifically proven to help prevent injury in an accident and not wearing your seat belt is a ticketable offense in 49 of the 50 states. Save yourself the hassle, and the money, and just wear your seat belt- it could save your life.

Obey the Speed Limit
Speeding is a major cause of traffic crashes, so always obey the posted speed limit. More drivers are convicted of speeding than any other offense. Slow down in rain, fog, snow and ice, and keep at least twice the normal stopping distance between you and vehicle in front of you.

Stay in Your Lane
Pay close attention to what lane you are driving in and the cars in the other lanes. If you cut a person off you can cause an accident, or a backup in traffic. Be sure to check your blind spots when switching lanes.

Give Yourself Enough Time
Instead of racing to your destination because you are running late, plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going safely, without the speeding. You’ll be safe and save money on traffic tickets and car insurance.

Be Prepared
Sooner or later it will happen to you, a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared for a roadside emergency with a carefully stocked emergency kit. At all times you should have in your car: a battery charger (or jumper cables), a first-aid kit, a flashlight, Fix-a-Flat, some energy or granola bars, bottled water, rags, a multi-purpose tool and a pocketknife. Also, make sure you have a spare tire and jack, and learn how to safely change a flat tire.

How do you know when it is time to change your transmission fluid?

Video Transcription
Alright, when is the time to change transmission fluid? Well, that is typically 24,000 to 30,000 miles or 2 to 3 years. The fact of the matter is the transmission fluid breaks down and it gets dirty over time. So, you want to clean the inside of the transmission, which means that you have to put a chemical in there and you have to use a machine to get rid of all the dirt and everything inside the transmission.

Gasoline usage and its effects on the economy and the environment are always a concern. Recently, some drivers have considered a switch to using ethanol to fuel their vehicles because it is more environment friendly. But, are there any downsides to using ethanol over gasoline?

Video Transcription
How does ethanol differ? Well of course, it’s an alcohol as opposed to gasoline. But the big thing is that ethanol is good for the economy. It’s good for our dependence on foreign oil in the sense that it cuts it down, but as far as the car goes, not so good. Ethanol attracts moisture into the fuel system of the car, and that has to be dealt with. If it isn’t, then you wind up with fuel system problems. Additionally, it cuts fuel economy. There’s not as much energy in a gallon of ethanol as there is in a gallon of gasoline. So the difference in that energy, because it deals with density and a number of other very technical things, but because of these differences, you will automatically see a drop in fuel economy when you use ethanol. The higher the concentration of ethanol, the lower the fuel economy goes.