Your car, whether new or old, is important to your everyday life. Chances are, you use it to get to work, run errands, go on road trips and so on. Given how much you use it in a day, you must also learn to take care of it properly! While giving it a good wash every so often is part of it, there is much more that is required. For instance, you must bring your automobile in to shop for maintenance regularly, and even just to check that everything is working smoothly. As a result of this, you should personally become more educated about spotting problems before they happen. Doing this will save you time and money. Don’t forget to get the appropriate interior cleaning supplies and also check your headlights and tires often. Last but not least, you should provide your vehicle with the appropriate seasonal care and always be prepared in the event of an accident. Below is your car maintenance 101 guide.
Washing and polishing
Washing and polishing your car does not necessarily have to be done professionally. You can easily learn to do it at home like a pro, so long as you are attentive to all of the different parts that require cleaning. The lighter the color of your car, the more easily you can spot all of the dust that accumulates on the outside. Still, you should make a point of cleaning every nook and crevice, hose it down and even give it a scrub. A coat of wax at the finish will surely make it glow and look brand new. When you are in a rush, remember that you can also get it professionally done (although the cost will be more).
Shop maintenance
When was the last time you brought your vehicle in for shop maintenance? Whether it’s to check your oil, brakes, or something else, your car needs to be brought to the professionals that know how to fix it properly. After all, it’s something you will have for many years to come, so you want to make sure it continues to work well.
Educating yourself about car problems
If you don’t know when your vehicle needs fixing, how can you properly bring it to the shop in the first place? Sometimes it will be very clear, and your car will start making weird noises, lights will go on, and so on. However, you should never leave this process until the last minute. Repairs take time, and it’s better to do in on a weekend that you won’t need it as much.
As one example, what does it mean if you go to the car and it doesn’t start? Before it gets to this point, there are signs your starter is going out, but you may have missed them or neglected them. Before it went out, there was a certain type of noise you had to look out for. Was there a whining sound? Perhaps a grinding sound when you started the engine? Save yourself time and money by learning more about the necessary maintenance and spotting the signs early on.
Interior cleaning supplies
The cleaning maintenance you will be doing inside your car will be completely different from the outside. Firstly, you will need the appropriate products. Is the inside of your vehicle leather? Do you have a micro-fiber towel for better cleaning? You don’t want to accidentally scratch or even make your car worse, all because you didn’t do the appropriate research. If you buy the products, you will also be saving money long-term by not having to get it professionally cleaned.
Checking tires
Tire maintenance is incredibly important before you head out for a drive, regardless of whether it is short or long. Often, you can check the air pressure of the tire near a gas station, and you can also fill it there. You can then rest easy knowing that your car will not stop mid-way to work. If it does, however, be sure to have an extra tire kept in the trunk for these types of situations.
Headlight maintenance
When it gets dark outside, it can be harder to spot all the cars on the road. Even with streetlights, if you have a black vehicle and are on a less dim side of the street, how can other drivers possibly know you are there? You must always make sure that your headlights and taillights are on and working to let others know you are there and prevent a possible calamity.
Seasonal care
The way you take care of your car in the winter will differ than in the summer, or even in the spring or fall. In the winter, for instance, you must have winter tires on. If you do not, the chances of sliding on snow are high, and you may even cause an accident as a result of it.
Equipped for accidents and repair
Is your car equipped for potential accidents? A first aid kit is something you should keep inside at all times, but what about airbags? In addition to these safety measures, you must also have car insurance for the necessary repairs. Do your research and choose the best possible one, as you never know when something may happen, even if you are a careful driver.
The reasons for taking care of your car are numerous. Plus, almost everyone will agree that entering a car that looks clean and feels safe, is much more enjoyable. If it is your primary form of transportation, you need to make it a priority. The very best way to do this is also to set up a maintenance routine. Determine a few dates of the year where you should bring it to a shop for check-ups, give it a wax, and so on. Of course, this is in addition to those repairs that can be required out of the blue, such as if a battery all of a sudden stops working. Know that you are not the only one that has to go through all of these steps, and you will be glad you did, as your automobile will last much longer.
