Owning a car can be quite intimidating for first-time owners because of the necessary work you allocate on routine checks and maintenance. However, the task can be very easy if you know where to look for resources, saving you money and time in the future.
Most people who are unable to do such checks on their own would call a mechanic for help, but familiarizing yourself with the basic measures can come in very handy.
In addition, every vehicle requires specific ways of taking care of them, and you might think that manufacturers and dealerships are the best sources of information in taking care of your car.
Alternately, there are a lot of automotive blogs that you can read about. In this way, you get to learn the right tools and products used when doing maintenance and washing your car.
One thing that most car owners overlook is cleaning their vehicles properly. Thousands of dollars can be saved if only car owners would make it a habit to wash, polish, and protect their cars. Taking good care of your car goes a long way. Not only does this make cars look more attractive, but it can also ultimately increase the car’s resale value.
So to make sure that a car is in tip-top condition, follow these tips on cleaning and maintenance.
Regular Care
Car tuning is essential when taking proper care of a car. Tuning is regularly done to make sure that the vehicle is at its peak performance. On average, a new car needs a tune-up after twenty-five thousand miles, but older ones may need a tune-up every year. In case the car is having trouble starting up, of unexpected or delayed breaks, or is not accelerating as intended, those symptoms mean it’s time to go to the repair shop.
For the engine to start properly, spark plugs should be in good condition. A standard copper spark plug can go up to ten thousand to twenty thousand miles before wearing out. Misfiring spark plugs affects fuel efficiency, so it’s best to check its condition regularly.
Frequent Care
For the engine to run, it needs air and oil, aside from gas. That means adding motor oil and cleaning the air filter after a few months is essential. Dirty air won’t burn properly. Thus, an air filter prevents dirt from going in the engine. Also, clean air going into the car means lesser likelihood of dirty emissions.
You’ll know it’s time to change your motor oil when it looks black and gritty or when the engine is louder than usual. But not all the time do you need to replace the motor oil; usually, it just needs a top-up. If the Check Engine light won’t go away or if the oil level keeps dropping quickly, then the oil is probably old and needs changing.
Aside from oil and air filter, other minor touches need to be done on a more regular basis. One is keeping tires properly inflated. When tires are not properly inflated, they can wear out faster. Also, the car may skid when braking if the tires are underinflated. On average, inflating tires is done twice a month.
Cleaning
Cleaning your vehicle properly is one of the most overlooked aspects of car care. When washing your car, a clean microfiber car towel would be best to wipe excess water from the exterior. Air-drying is not recommended since water minerals won’t be removed.
Microfiber is highly absorbent compared to cloths and sponges yet very soft and durable. It’s very easy to clean microfiber cloth, and there’s no risk of scratching one’s car when using it.
As for soap, it is best to use something specifically intended for car washing and not just any household detergent or soap. Soap that isn’t formulated for car washing may dissolve the paint or coating and scratch the car.
Unnecessary weight and clutter should be removed from the car’s exterior and interior. Bikes or ski racks, when not needed, are better unmounted since any added weight lets the car’s engine work harder. It also becomes a safety concern when an empty water bottle rolls under the brake pedal or a food wrapper flies in front of your face.
During modern times it is certainly worth using a good steering wheel cleaner to make sure your car steering wheel is germ-free.
Finishing Touches
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and this proverb does not only apply to humans. There are a lot of car repair and wash shops that can help you out, but it’s best if you are hands-on with taking care of your own car. Finding a reliable repair shop can be a backup plan, but car troubleshooting should be the responsibility of car owner first.
Lastly, it’s important to know how to properly take care of cars since it benefits you and your car. Proper care will surely extend a car’s lifespan, but better perks of it are that it makes your driving experience better and you save more money. So why don’t you go get the towels and hose out and get cleaning!
