Taking care of the engine, tyres and inner workings of your 4x4 is no doubt at the top of your to-do list, along with making sure your vehicle’s chassis looks great. But no one wants to go for a ride in a 4x4 that smells odd, has dirty seats and is generally untidy.
Looking after the interior of your four-wheel drive is just as important if you want to protect its future value and make it pleasant to use or spend more time out on the road in. That’s why this month at Milner Off Road, we’ve got seven top tips on how to maintain the interior of your 4x4.
1. Use seat covers
If you want to keep your seats looking and feeling brand new for you and your passengers, seat covers are an absolute must. You can apply them whenever you’re going off-roading or if you use your 4x4 for work, ensuring any dirt, grease and dust goes on the covers and not the fabric of your seats. Remove the covers for when you’re travelling with your family for fresh, pristine seats that everyone can enjoy.
2. Change your air freshener
Over time, stale air and warm bodies sitting in a hot vehicle during a long journey can create an unpleasant smell. Avoid any uncomfortable travelling and make sure you’re always greeted by an interior that smells the same way it did when it first rolled out of the manufacturing plant.
Try out our Milner Off Road air freshener for an amazing, clean-smelling 4x4.
3. Refresh your floor mats
Since they often take the brunt of your feet - including all the mud, rain and debris you trek into the vehicle - your floor mats should be one thing you regularly remove and clean. And don’t forget to swap any old and worn mats for brand new ones from our range to make sure you’re keeping the interior of your 4x4 well protected.
Check out our full range of floor mats for both the front and back of your vehicle.
4. Vacuum regularly
For all the benefits your floor mats and seat covers bring, there will still be debris, crumbs, dust and dirt that gets into the interior of your 4x4, making it feel untidy and dirty. Take pride in your vehicle and make sure your upholstery is kept in top condition with regular vacuuming. This also makes it far more enjoyable and appealing to drive.
5. Bin your rubbish
It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you drive, we can all be guilty of letting the rubbish pile up. From used coffee cups to receipts and paperwork, this kind of clutter can make the interior of your 4x4 feel cramped, dirty and chaotic, so make sure you regularly take your rubbish out with you to put in the bin. If you’ve let things get out of hand, just grab a bin bag and head out to the car — it takes less time than you think to grab it all and freshen the space up.
6. Clean your glass
Whether the kids have put their sticky hands all over your windows or it’s just an accumulation of grime, your glass will require regular cleaning on the inside as well as the outside. This can not only keep your 4x4 looking fresh, but it can help to keep you safe, because obscured and dirty windows are a hazard while you’re out on the road. With a squeaky clean windscreen on the inside, you’ll also be free to set up a dash camera from our range that can help in the event of any accidents.
7. Wipe down surfaces
No matter how tidy and clean you think you are, dust is something we constantly have to battle. Left unchecked, a layer of dust can build up on the surfaces inside your 4x4, just like with any vehicle. This not only makes the interior look unloved, but it can’t be good for the air quality inside while you drive either. At the very minimum, all you need is a damp cloth to do a regular sweep of these surfaces, with an appropriate cleaning solution if you’ve got any stubborn sticky patches from food and drink spillages.
No matter what 4x4 you drive - whether that’s a Ford Ranger or a Mitsubishi L200 - we’ve got everything you need to keep it in top condition both inside and out. You can find tools, parts, accessories and universal products on our website, all with worldwide delivery and swift despatch to help you maintain your four-wheel drive. Order today and get everything you need in one place!