10 Practical Ways To Keep Your Car In Top Condition
Car ownership is something that everyone has to go through. So it’s worthwhile for everyone to actually learn how to keep their hefty investments in top condition. Car repairs can be mentally and monetarily exhaustive, so it’s better to be proactive and keep your car in good condition.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to keep your car in top condition so you don’t have to shell out on unnecessary car repairs.
1. Oil
How often have you heard about oil changes from one of your car enthusiast friends? Oil is the blood of your car, and if it gets dirty or runs dry, your car will die a slow but sure death.
Most modern cars will alert owners about pending oil changes through the dashboard, so the excuse of not remembering to change a car’s oil is moot.
One common misconception among car owners is that oil can last very long. Most manufacturers rate car oils to last up to 10,000 miles, but that’s an extreme.
Ideally, you should be changing your car’s oil every 3500 miles. And there really isn’t a reason not to do it. Quality oil can be had for quite cheap, and it’s not a labor-intensive job either.
2. Keep Your Brakes In Good Condition
Modern cars have very good braking systems, allowing them to stop much quicker. However, these brake systems require maintenance, as the ability to stop cars quicker comes at the cost of faster brake pad degradation.
If you notice a difference in your car’s braking, get it inspected, as you don’t want worn brake pads to damage the brake discs.
3. Keep Your Car Sheltered
Don’t park your car out of the shade for extended periods of time. Sunlight and dust particles are your car paint’s worst enemy. The showroom shine will only last if you park your car in a sheltered place with decent insulation from the elements.
If you don’t have a car garage at your place, get one from a store like Carportsandmore.com to keep your car in a sheltered place where it will be well-protected against sunshine and dust.
4. Pay Attention to Warning Lights
Car manufacturers put warning lights on your dashboard to alert you if the car’s computer system calculates something wrong. You shouldn’t brush off these warning lights as inconveniences, as they’re in place for a reason.
Now, we’re not suggesting your car will suddenly explode if a warning light comes on, but you may want to get your car inspected to ensure everything is working how it should be.
Delaying a repair or maintenance can cause big problems for your car in the long run, affecting its lifetime value and resale value.
5. Don’t Cheap Out on Repairs
Sure, your friendly neighborhood car guy might know how to check your car’s oil level, but they won’t know how to fix a problem with its ECU. Modern cars are more sophisticated than ever; only trained mechanics can handle this complexity.
Dealership mechanics might not be the best at this either, so our advice would be to get advice from friends and family and, of course, Google Reviews to find a trustworthy mechanic with the tools and experience to work on your car.
6. Don’t Modify Your Car
So you just bought a Subaru Impreza STI and want to fit a bigger turbo in it? Just know that anything more than the manufacturer has put in the car will be a questionable modification.
Cars are designed with specific design limitations, and you can’t be more clever than experienced automotive engineers, can’t you? So think hard before putting those inexpensive Chinese HIDs in your car.
7. Maintain Your Car’s Interior
Some car owners absolutely neglect their car’s interior, and it ends up being a filthy place with food leftovers and grease. Don’t forget to take care of your car’s interior, as it’s the only place you’ll be spending time in your car.
Driving around a car with a nice and clean interior is a relaxing experience, whereas driving around with rubbish inside will no doubt frustrate you.
If your car’s interior is left unkempt for a long time, the grease and dirt will stick to the plastic and soft-touch surfaces and become really hard to get off. Also, an important thing is firewall insulation. It helps control the temperature within the vehicle to a comfortable level when you are driving.
Also note that if you decide to sell your car, the buyer will judge a lot of your car’s value by its interior appearance. If something’s broken or doesn’t work, and there’s lots of dust and grime inside, you’ll either be lowballed or refuse the sale altogether.
8. Use the Right Tires
Fat tires might look cool, but you should definitely stick to the type of tires that come stock with your car. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines about the kind of tires you should use and the ideal tire pressure since every car will have its own handling characteristics.
9. Keep the Fluids Fresh and Topped Up
Oil isn’t the only fluid inside your car’s engine and drivetrain. Transmission oil, windshield washer fluid, brake oil, and other fluids need to be inspected and maintained steadfastly.
Neglecting the condition and level of fluids in your car will lead to many repairs and wasted money, not to mention the frustration when you learn these are easy to take care of.
10. Keep Your Windows and Lights In Top Condition
Headlights get yellow over time, but there’s an easy fix to this. You can easily buy a headlight restoration kit and restore them completely on your own. If any of the car’s lights are broken, get them replaced (not repaired) immediately. You risk getting a ticket if this isn’t done.
Likewise, if there’s damage to your windshield, get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Clean your windows if dirty, as the dirt will lead to minor scratches over time.
