Investing in a car often involves a substantial amount of money. With rare exceptions, vehicles don’t come cheap, particularly with the continuing cost of living increases.
Taking care of your vehicle will ensure it operates properly and it will maintain its resale value when it’s time to sell it and purchase another vehicle.
Proper maintenance is important for comfort and general performance. Longevity is an important trait, but regular vehicle car care isn’t easy for all owners. Often, they don’t know how, when and where to start.
Here are some tips for proper maintenance:
Table of Contents
Exterior Cleaning
The exterior of vehicles are constantly exposed to elements, which meant they accumulate a lot of dirt — mud to grime, salt to bird feces.
Beware. Some forms of dirt, especially animal waste, can prove corrosive and damage paintwork.
With regular cleaning, via a hand or machine carwash and with vehicle-friendly cleaning products, serious problems can be avoided.
Using microfiber cloths, which are safe on all service, are also preferred. When used properly (no chemical applications), cloths featuring, for example, 70 percent polyester and 30 percent polyamide fiber construction are ideal to penetrate and absorb all particles, provide a deep luster and avoid scratching.
Interior Cleaning
Vehicle interiors can be as dirty as exteriors. Mud, dust and other debris from the bottom of your shoes can be the culprits. Children’s toys and food spills can also cause messes. Properly cleaning the interior of a vehicle is a multi-stage job, including vacuuming, dusting and polishing.
If the seats are dirty, determine the material and then choose the proper cleaner. If the seats are leather, it’s best to use an all-natural leather cleaner. And it’s likely best to rely on a professional to do a seat shampoo or a mini or full valet.
Consider a Garage
The proper care for a valuable luxury or vintage car or for extra careful care of any vehicle is a specialty garage. It will keep it away from vandals, sun exposure, rain, snow, sleet, hail and other elements. Some garages are also temperature controlled.
Garages can also be convenient as an extension to a home with an electric and lockable door and a security system.
Content provided by The Weekly Driver News Service and additional news sources.
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