When you buy a new car, it often feels like you are spending a fortune. That’s because brand-new vehicles aren’t cheap. Consumers can spend $15,000 to $20,000 or more on the rides. And when somebody unloads that kind of cash, you can bet that they’ll want to learn to care for their car. After all, failing in that regard could result in troubles with the engine, transmission, or other parts.
Nobody wants or needs a significant system or component to break on their vehicle, but sometimes, things happen. Properly maintaining your car may not keep every issue at bay. However, the act might eliminate many breakdowns, and that’s something that every vehicle owner should be able to get behind. So, now the question is, “How should you care for your car?”
Obtain a Vehicle Warranty
Obtaining a used car warranty is one way to ensure you can care for your vehicle. Once manufacturer warranties expire and people have to begin paying for auto repairs out of pocket, things can get expensive fast. But, if you buy one of these plans, then you’ll only have to cover deductibles to get problems fixed instead of entire costs. So, acquire a warranty to ensure you can afford unexpected auto issues when they arise.
Practice Safe Driving
If caring for your car is important, you’ll want to practice safe driving each time you get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, there’s no sure-fire way to stop every accident in its tracks. However, it may be possible to avoid most collisions by doing certain things, which is a method to care for your vehicle. Wrecks are violent and chaotic. They can leave cars beat up, mangled, and even inoperable.
Therefore, if you’re all about making your vehicle last as long as possible, drive safely, responsibly, and defensively. Those driving tactics could prevent you from getting involved in accidents. And if no crashes occur, there won’t be any chance for issues to develop in them.
Wash and Wax the Exterior
It is also a good idea to regularly wash and wax your car. But how often should those tasks be completed? As far as washing is concerned, various factors may make you have to wash your vehicle much sooner than others. For instance, mud, bird droppings, and tree sap are some of the things that could get onto your paint between washings, causing your car to need a wash early.
However, according to Motorway, vehicle owners should tackle this venture at least once every fortnight. That will keep the exterior nice and shiny. Plus, it will prevent items from remaining stuck to and damaging the paint.
Meanwhile, it is typically recommended that people wax their vehicles every three months. The polishing should leave your exterior bright and shiny. It will also help protect the clear coat finish, which is responsible for protecting the paint. Staying on top of washing and waxing are excellent ways to care for your car.
Clean the Inside
The outside of your vehicle isn’t the only thing that needs to be cleaned. To care for your car, you’ll also need to clean the inside of the cab. You can do this chore yourself or take your ride to a full-service car wash. There, aside from getting it washed and waxed, you should also be able to get the interior of your vehicle vacuumed and wiped down.
Then again, you could take your car to a professional detailer if you wish. Or, there are even mobile detailers who will come to you. These individuals will keep your interior looking brand-new. Just don’t forget about shampooing, vacuuming, and things of that nature. They are necessary parts of caring for a car.
Change That Oil
People used to change the oil in their cars every 3,000 miles in the past. However, thanks to new oils and manufacturer recommendations, oil changes can now occur at 5,000 to 7,000-mile intervals. Look inside your owner’s manual to determine exactly when to change your vehicle’s oil. But don’t fret if you do not have a booklet because all is not lost. You can also contact your local car dealership to see when to do the deed. Then, you can take a DIY approach to the task or get a lube company to tackle the endeavor.
Oil is essential because it lubricates engine components, allowing them to move freely. But oil becomes less effective after so many miles. So, be sure to keep your oil changed, along with the oil filter, and, hopefully, that will stop issues like thrown rods or broken pistons from entering the picture.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways to care for your car in the modern world. These items genuinely barely even begin to scratch the surface. So, if you’ve picked up other tips over the years, don’t hesitate to bring them into your maintenance routine. You can also ask friends or shade tree mechanics for tips and advice. The point is that if you want your car to last and perform at its best, tune-ups, services, and repairs will be required.
Can you see the dollar signs piling up in the back of your mind? That’s because mechanic work can get pricey. Therefore, be sure to get an extended car warranty to stop those expenses from wreaking havoc on your bank account.
