Ash and soot could ruin your vehicle’s finish

That foul air covering most of Southern California could be as damaging to your car as to your lungs.

Smoke, soot and ash from the wildfires will rule the skies for days, and the debris is falling like a constant mist and blanketing vehicles, possibly scratching and damaging paint.

“Since the automobile is the second-largest monetary purchase after the home, motorists want to make sure they maintain their vehicle’s paint finish to maintain the car’s value,” said Dave Skaien, spokesman for the Automobile Club of Southern California’s repair program. “It’s especially important to remove ash and soot from vehicles as soon as possible.”

Because of the continually falling debris, vehicle owners may need to do more than one washing, Skaien said.

The Auto Club offered these car tips for the coming weeks:

* Whenever possible, put the car in the garage or cover it, not only to protect it from ash but also to prolong the finish on the vehicle, the trim and the tires.

* If you can’t do either, gently wipe off the vehicle with a long-handled car duster.

* Wash the vehicle thoroughly with warm water, a soft mitt, a towel or sponge and car wash soap. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly and dry with a soft, clean towel or chamois.

* After the fires are over, inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine air filter, and have mechanics inspect and replace ventilation filters in the passenger compartment. A dirty air filter can restrict fuel economy and increase vehicle emissions.

* Check and, if necessary, change windshield wipers for the winter season. Make sure the wiper fluid reservoir is filled, and spray the windshield first to avoid scratching it.

* Keep the sunroof and windows closed. Outside of the fire areas, run the air conditioner on “recirculate” until the outside air quality significantly improves. Once the air quality is better, set the air conditioner on “fresh” or “vent” so you’re moving outside air inside. If the interior smells like smoke, add a vehicle air freshener to mask the odor.

* Thoroughly vacuum floor mats and cloth surfaces. Wear a mask if necessary.

* Once the air clears, wax your vehicle in the garage after it’s been washed and is cool. Car wax helps protect the finish against ash as well as hard-water spots and rain.