When you have a car you love, you’ll do anything to protect your car right and keep it safe. To take care of your car properly, read on for the things you might need. People spend an average of over $8,000 a year to own a car. Your car is a major investment. Not only should you feel a pride of ownership but you should keep in mind that people might be judging you by the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of your car. Chances are your car wasn’t cheap. Failing to take proper care of your car can shorten its lifespan. We’re willing to bet you want to make the most of your money.
Keep reading for 10 things you need to take care of your car.
- Cleaning Supplies
Keeping your car clean is one of the simplest ways to take good care of it. Not only will keeping your car clean improve its appearance but it will improve its lifespan.
We’re not just talking about the exterior. Cleaning the interior is just as important for comfort and safety.
If you allow too much trash to collect, you might obstruct your view. Trash on the floor could block your gas or brake pedal.
Failing to clean the windshield could also be dangerous. Grime and bug guts could obstruct your view of oncoming traffic. Too much dust could trigger your allergies.
Practicing good hygiene is a good idea when it comes to your car.
So, what do you need to keep your car clean? A vacuum, a trash bag, a household cleaner, a toothbrush for detailing, a microfibre towel, window cleaner, air freshener, and a stain remover.
If you live in an area that gets snow during the winter months, be sure to get regular underbody car washes to prevent rusting.
- Oil
Changing the oil is essential for the function of your car’s engine.
Different car manufacturers have different recommendations for how often you should change your oil, so check your car’s user manual.
All experts agree that it’s important to change your oil regularly and failing to do so might damage your engine by allowing dirt to build up. For the most part, you should change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
It’s also recommended that you use a reliable brand. Mobil 1 is a popular brand of synthetic oil that works for most cars.
Make sure you are using a type of oil that is approved for your car if you are changing your own oil. There’s no shame in having a professional change it for you.
- A Tire Pressure Gauge
Even the least car savvy among us can handle using a tire pressure gauge.
These small devices are essential for monitoring the health of your tires. Be sure to check your tire pressure each month.
If your tires aren’t properly inflated you could experience difficulty breaking, a flat tire, and poor gas mileage, which will cost you money. You also don’t want to have to pay for replacement tires.
It’s also recommended to have your tires rotated every 7,500 miles. This can easily be done while you are having your oil changed.
- Mirrors
Don’t be that car driving down the road with no side mirrors.
This happens all too often and makes driving the car totally unsafe. If you are going to drive your car, make sure it has fully functional side and rear view mirrors.
Make sure these mirrors stay clean or they are pretty useless.
- Spare Bulbs
Driving with broken or missing headlights or taillights is unacceptable and does not mean taking care of your car right.
If one of your headlights fails while driving at night you could be in danger. In order to make sure you can see and other cars can see you, consider being prepared with a spare bulb.
Most headlights stop working due to a dead bulb. Changing your headlights is a lot easier than you’d think. In fact, you can do it yourself.
When it comes to taillights, you should check them regularly. Have someone help you check your brake lights.
Performing this simple task will help you stay safe in the dark and avoid getting pulled over or cited.
- Rain-X/Good Wiper Blades
No one likes driving in the rain, but there are products to make the experience less nerve-wracking.
Rain-X is a product that you can spray on your car’s glass that works to repel rain. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
You should also make sure your car has good windshield wipers and they are in working order. We recommend inspecting your windshield wipers every six months and changing them whenever necessary.
Being unprepared for rain might require you to pull over if a storm hits and will jeopardize your safety.
- Antifreeze/Coolant
All car owners should have a supply of antifreeze and coolant. These come together in many products and work to maintain a stable temperature in your engine and radiator, a key factor to keep your car right.
If you fail to use these products, you run the risk of your engine overheating and freezing. If your engine overheats, it’s seals and gaskets will become damaged, which will cause leaks.
A gallon of antifreeze is only about ten dollars and we’re sure you can imagine the cost to replace your engine. You can easily top off these fluids yourself or have your mechanic do it while getting your oil changed.
- A Place to Store Your Car
After putting so much money and work into your car, it’s important to have somewhere to safely store it.
When it comes to inclement weather, storing your car under a roof will save you time and wear and tear on your car.
Having a garage or carport like the ones found on this page for your car also gives you a place to work on it. Having someplace to clean and store your investment will give you peace of mind.
Another great way to protect your investment is using vehicle covers designed for all types of cars. There are ideal for indoor and outdoor usage.
More Ways to Take Care of Your Car
Owning a car is a big expense and a lot of work but the payoff is worth it. These are only a few of the many ways you need to take care of your car right. Failing to properly care for your car could end up costing you significant time and money.
For more car maintenance tips, check out this article.
