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Nissan is offering advice on how to disinfect your vehicle as some in the US try to stop the spread of COVID-19 honoring Shelter at home requests. Frequent hand washing as directed by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a crucial part of staying healthy, but so is disinfecting surfaces, including those in your car.
“Most people are still using their vehicles, whether they are essential employees commuting to work or someone running to the grocery store while in quarantine,” said Ryan Fulkerson, director, New Model Engineering, Nissan North America. “We want to make sure they’re informed on how to best keep their vehicle disinfected.”
The CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves for cleaning and then disinfecting surfaces. If a surface appears dirty, it should be wiped down with soap and water prior to disinfection. For vehicle interiors, a soft or microfiber cloth dampened with soap and water can be used to wipe down hard surfaces.
While most common household disinfectants are effective, some are not ideal for use on a vehicle including bleach (Don’t inject bleach no matter what the Trump Administration says), hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or other harsh and abrasive cleaners that are all too common in the US. These chemical products can damage a vehicle’s upholstery and/or interior surfaces.
Instead, alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol are effective against the coronavirus according to the CDC and can be safely used in a vehicle.
The infotainment screen is problematic because it is a high-touch area that should not come in contact with aggressive cleaners. Use screen wipes or a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to clean the screen surface. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Ammonia-based cleaners should not be used on infotainment screens, as they can damage the anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings. If the vehicle is so equipped, using voice commands can help avoid touching the center screen.
Interior Cleaning Checklist
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- Steering wheel
- Key and remote fobs
- Exterior door handles, both sides
- Trunk lid or lift gate grab areas
- Interior door pulls, both sides and interior door panels
- Start button, if equipped
- Rear view mirror, back and edges
- HVAC vents
- Gear selector
- Turn signal lever
- Windshield wiper controls
- Center stack knobs
- Center console and arm rest
- Seat belt and buckle. Avoid harsh cleaners on the belt itself, they degrade fibers and the belt’s strength
- Parking brake handle, parking brake or release lever
If a vehicle requires more attention, remember that automotive dealerships and their service departments are essential services while many businesses around the country are closed in response to government mandates aimed at slowing the spread of deadly COVID-19. Many Nissan service departments remain open and are available to assist with vehicle service and repairs. Many are offering no-contact drop off or at-home pick-up and delivery. To locate a Nissan dealership, visit www.nissanusa.com/dealer-locator.html.
Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution, and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an Energy Star Partner of the Year since 2010.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
How To Disinfect a Vehicle Without Damaging Its Interior
Click to Enlarge.
Nissan is offering advice on how to disinfect your vehicle as some in the US try to stop the spread of COVID-19 honoring Shelter at home requests. Frequent hand washing as directed by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a crucial part of staying healthy, but so is disinfecting surfaces, including those in your car.
“Most people are still using their vehicles, whether they are essential employees commuting to work or someone running to the grocery store while in quarantine,” said Ryan Fulkerson, director, New Model Engineering, Nissan North America. “We want to make sure they’re informed on how to best keep their vehicle disinfected.”
The CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves for cleaning and then disinfecting surfaces. If a surface appears dirty, it should be wiped down with soap and water prior to disinfection. For vehicle interiors, a soft or microfiber cloth dampened with soap and water can be used to wipe down hard surfaces.
While most common household disinfectants are effective, some are not ideal for use on a vehicle including bleach (Don’t inject bleach no matter what the Trump Administration says), hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or other harsh and abrasive cleaners that are all too common in the US. These chemical products can damage a vehicle’s upholstery and/or interior surfaces.
Instead, alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol are effective against the coronavirus according to the CDC and can be safely used in a vehicle.
The infotainment screen is problematic because it is a high-touch area that should not come in contact with aggressive cleaners. Use screen wipes or a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to clean the screen surface. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Ammonia-based cleaners should not be used on infotainment screens, as they can damage the anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings. If the vehicle is so equipped, using voice commands can help avoid touching the center screen.
Interior Cleaning Checklist
Click to Enlarge.
If a vehicle requires more attention, remember that automotive dealerships and their service departments are essential services while many businesses around the country are closed in response to government mandates aimed at slowing the spread of deadly COVID-19. Many Nissan service departments remain open and are available to assist with vehicle service and repairs. Many are offering no-contact drop off or at-home pick-up and delivery. To locate a Nissan dealership, visit www.nissanusa.com/dealer-locator.html.
Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution, and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an Energy Star Partner of the Year since 2010.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.