My Car Survived an Exploded CokeKatherine Keeler - Car and Driver"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."I recently bought a new-to-me car: a 2011 Toyota Camry, purchased from my colleague Andrew Wendler's mother. It is well cared for, has low mileage, and feels like a major upgrade. Especially since I'm usually looking for something in the $1500-beater category.One of my favorite things about the Camry is that the air conditioning works great, which has been welcome during Michigan's latest stretch of oppressive summer heat. We all know how hot a parked car can get on a sunny day, but when temperatures are triple digits, they can, apparently, explode cans of soda. I learned that when I left one inside the car, only to return to find, well, an exploded can of Coke and sticky syrup all over my car.Recreating the moment Coke exploded all over my new car.Car and DriverThe vinyl and plastic surfaces were easy enough to wipe down. My bigger concern was the headliner, which had taken the brunt of the blast. Cleaning a headliner can be tricky because too much moisture or aggressive scrubbing can damage it. I'd really like to avoid the dreaded drooping fabric of a worn-out headliner.The sticky syrup of the soda is worrisome since it will take some elbow grease to get it out of the sensitive headliner.Car and DriverFortunately, the Gear Team has tested just about every type of car-cleaning product imaginable. We also keep many of our "best overall" winners in the garage for office use and reference. So I drove the Camry to work, grabbed our Kenmore Spotlite, and spent the morning hoping I could rescue my soda-splattered headliner.Gannon BurgettKenmore Kenmore KW2001 Spotlite Portable Carpet Spot Cleaner$78 at amazon.comHere's the process and the results:Car and DriverAs the before-and-after photos and video show, the cleaner did a remarkably good job of removing what I assumed would be a nightmare to clean. Unlike seats or carpet, you can't just scrub away. Too much agitation can separate the fabric from the foam backing and leave the headliner sagging.AdvertisementAdvertisementThankfully, the Kenmore Spotlite's gentle suction lifted the stains without requiring manual scrubbing. The headliner looks clean, and more important, it's still fully intact.So, I'm calling this one a success. And if I may impart one piece of wisdom to you today, it's this: Don't leave a can of soda in your car during a heat wave.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
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