Buying a new car is a considerable investment. It’s not as big as buying a house, but it’s not something you’d casually splurge on just because you want one. Owning one is a commitment, too, as the upkeep is usually much more expensive than what you regularly spend on public transport. This is why some people take care of their vehicles as if it’s part of their family. They try to keep it in pristine condition when not in use.
You’d be surprised at the lengths many go to just to avoid even the tiniest scratch on their precious car. But if you’re just a regular car owner who wants to ensure that their investment looks and runs well for a long time, here are some practical tips to prolong its life.
Keep The Exterior and Interior Clean
Some car owners are just concerned with how their car looks on the outside but can’t be bothered to pick up the junk littered in the back seats. If you want to prolong the life of your car, you should be mindful of both its exterior and interior.
You want the paint smooth and shiny at all times? You then wash it regularly, especially after driving through mud and rain. Do you want to keep that new car smell even after all these years? Then you better pick up empty bottles, food containers, and dirty clothes from the seats. With a small, enclosed space like the cabin of your vehicle, it’s easy to impart the awful smell from food and sweaty clothes. If you ever keep a pair of shoes in your car at all times, be sure to put it in the boot, in a box to make sure it doesn’t stink up the inside.
Ditch The Car Cover and Put It Inside Your Garage Instead
Garages are made to properly store your car, not as a storage for all your household junk. When the garage is filled to the brim, you’ll end up parking your car outside, opting to just secure it with a tarp car cover to protect it from the elements.
You see, this is how you get those phantom streaks and scratches on the body paint. The car cover traps dirt and small pebbles, which can scratch the car’s paint when you put it on and off. This is why you should just ditch the car cover and empty your garage. That’s the only place you can safely store your vehicle without any risk of damaging it.
While you’re at it, you can also check if the garage doors are working properly. You don’t want it dropping and banging on your vehicle while you park. For garage door installation, Salt Lake City offers several reliable companies to choose from.
Find Time to Drive It Even When You Don’t Need To
The best way to keep a car in good running condition is to keep driving it. It keeps the oils flowing, the mechanical parts moving, and that’s the only time you’ll notice if something’s wrong with it. A car kept in storage without getting any time on the road could end up breaking down when you finally drive it. That’s why even if you’re regularly taking public transport for work, you should find time to take your car out for a spin on the weekends. Go out and buy groceries, go and run errands for your family, or use it as a reason to visit your friends or relatives. You don’t even need to drive it far.
