Cars can often be a bit of an investment for people. We take the time to research what we want from a vehicle, shop around, compare features and prices, make the final decision, make the investment, and drive out of the lot feeling happy and secure in our new or pre-owned vehicle. It’s a great feeling driving around in our gleaming new ride for a while, but what happens when it begins to dirty up inside and out? We may not feel the pride or comfort we did the first few months of purchase.
There is no reason we shouldn’t continue to be proud of the investment we put into a car. Not only are regular oil changes, safe driving habits and regular tune ups important for a car to stay in shape, but there are also simple things we can do to maintain the pristine condition we purchased our vehicle in.
Cover your car
While some may consider their garage as a storage place for lawn equipment, bikes, and tools, it is a good idea to leave some room to store what a garage was initially created for: your car. Keeping your car covered and away from the elements will help preserve the sheen of the color and prevent rust. If you live in an apartment that has car ports, take advantage of these coverings. If you have no such cover and live in a particularly harsh climate, a car cover may be a necessity for keeping your car looking good.
Wash your car
This may seem like incredibly obvious advice, but you’d be surprised to find how many people don’t do it! Washing your car, whether in an automatic wash or with your own hands, will remove dust, dirt, salt and grim build up that have the potential to corrode your ride. Try to wash your car at least once every two weeks, preferably more (especially if you travel dirt roads often). When washing your car by hand, use a gentle detergent that won’t ruin or wear the paint. For extra protection against the elements, throw on a coat or two of wax a few times a year after a thorough wash and drying.
Watch where you park
If you don’t have a garage or are out-and-about, be aware of your surroundings. Try not to park under trees or other things in nature that have the potential to drip sap or have other things that can fall onto your car. Sap can dry and be extremely difficult to clean off of your exterior and other things that can fall onto your car could dent your exterior. Look for a spot in a parking lot that leaves wiggle room on each side and park next to cars that appear to be in good condition. Parking next to a beater holds a high risk for dings and scratches that could easily be avoided.
Clean your interior
The inside of your car should reflect your polished exterior. Keep your belongings off of your dashboard and back windshield. Make sure to vacuum regularly, as dust and grass can wear down the interior fabric and make your car look dingy. Take your trash with you when you get out of your car. You can buy cheap floor mats to cover your manufactured mats for everyday use. When you are in the mood to impress, simply take them out and the mats underneath will be like new. Remember to clean your windows and mirrors on the inside of your vehicle and you may even want to use a special cleaner on leather seats.
About Carol Leginus
Carol Leginus is responsible for the administration/maintenance of Uni-Select public websites. She supports e-commerce, e-business and data warehouse initiatives.
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