Whether you love your car or you simply need it for your job, there is no denying that cars are tools. They may look good and shiny, or beaten and rusty, but we have them, because they serve us in some way. And we bet that if you could take better care for your car without spending that much more, you’d want to do it, right?
In this article we will focus on the different things you can do about your car and auto body parts to keep them in good shape. But since we know that different people use their cars differently, we will also cover what the bare minimum of maintenance is, as well as what’s the optimal way to go.
Externals
If you care about how your car looks, then washing it once a week is a must. But this can be expensive and is not always suitable if your work doesn’t depend on your image. However, for best results focus on at least monthly washes, as dirt can damage your parts and rust can develop as well. Bird droppings are also bad.
You may also want to wax your car every six months or at least yearly. This will help you reduce the need of washing and also works as a protective layer. Alternatively, you may want to install some hydrophobic foil, which keeps dirt and dust away.
Under The Hood
It is important to familiarize yourself with certain signs of problems. We cannot go over them here, but make sure you know how to check your oil and also that you keep track of how often it needs changing. If you change cars regularly (every 5 years or less), you should stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Otherwise oil and filter change should be done every 3000-5000 miles. Make sure you use high quality oils, otherwise you run the risk of faster engine wear, which reduces its life significantly down the line.
Handling & Tires
If you are driving a lot (more than 20,000 miles a year) then you might want to have your tires checked every quarter. Be sure to follow the requirements of tire depth. Rotate your tires and see if anything is wrong.
Remember – regular checkups may cost you money, but they will save you tons of headaches and you will likely end up saving more, if you catch things on time. Not to mention accidents are less likely to happen that way.
Check Manufacturer’s Recommendation
Whether you have a new or an older vehicle, it is still good to see what the manufacturer says about regular maintenance. Even though such guidelines are only applicable for the first 5 years (or 150,000 miles), they are still useful as they give you at least the most basic information you need.
A lot of online forums can also give you an idea on how you should treat your exact model. Don’t forget to do proper research and educate yourself on basic car maintenance you can do yourself!