If you have a vehicle, you know how essential it is for everyday transportation for the family. From picking up groceries to picking up the kids, you need it to get places without relying on others. Take proactive measures to keep your vehicle in good condition so it will last longer. As time passes, the things you own will inevitably show signs of wear and tear, especially your vehicle. You can change how quickly it becomes old and dull-looking by taking an easy and proactive approach to how you care for the thing that gets you from place to place. Keep reading to learn how you and your family can extend the life of your vehicle and keep it looking great in the process.
Care for Your Vehicle’s Interior
Start your vehicle care regimen by looking at the interior. If you drive enough, your car may almost seem like another room in your home. Do your best to treat it respectfully to help maintain its cleanliness and integrity. Here are some tips to start with.
Floor Mats - Since dirty shoes are a fact of life, you should install protective floor mats in the vehicle. Shop all car floor mats to find the best one for your lifestyle. You will feel comfortable traipsing through a muddy berry patch or exploring the forest in search of the perfect holiday tree because you will not need to worry about dirtying your vehicle’s floorboard. All you need to do is hose off the floor mats, let them dry, and move on to your next destination.
Trash - Keep the car’s interior clean by using a small bin bag or taking out any trash whenever you leave the car. Place a small bag in the front of the car and one in the backseat for the kids. Empty them whenever they are full to avoid lingering odours.
Windows and Surfaces - Wipe down the windows and hard surfaces weekly or as needed. This will help avoid any obstructions in your line of vision due to a dirty interior windscreen. By dusting the surfaces, you can preserve the air quality and prevent dirt accumulation in the air filter.
Keep the Exterior Clean
Moving on to the exterior. The outside of your car is what you and everyone else see as you roll through town. It is nice to look at a well-kept and shiny vehicle, and it makes you feel good to see it being cared for.
To start, ensure you wash the car regularly so you can see clearly through the windscreens and reduce dirt and debris buildup. Removing dirt also helps prevent scratches while allowing you to see if there are any dents or rust forming so you can deal with them before they get worse. Running the vehicle through a wash or cleaning it at home will help prevent road salt and chemicals from damaging or rusting the undercarriage, which will lead to more problems as time passes.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
Your vehicle, whether purchased new or previously owned, has a maintenance schedule. Adhering to the manufacturer’s guidance for caring for the vehicle is important to ensure everything runs smoothly. Compare the maintenance schedule to preventative health measures. When you go to your annual check-up, your GP can assess for any issues before they become bigger problems. The same goes for your vehicle.
The maintenance schedule will likely be found within the pages of the vehicle’s user manual. Set calendar reminders a few weeks before each maintenance item is due to ensure you have time to make an appointment and keep everything on schedule.
It is important to note that some maintenance items are based on the number of miles driven, whereas others are tied directly to the age of the vehicle. If you drive more than others, you may require service more often, and if you get on the road infrequently, your service calls could be less so. Maintaining the vehicle is essential, especially as it gets older, to ensure it continues to operate safely and reliably.
Familiarise Yourself with the User’s Manual
It may sound silly, but taking time to read your vehicle’s included user manual will save you a lot of time in an emergency. Of course, you can use your ever-present smartphone to search for an answer to a problem, but then you will need to sift through later models or download a manual only to read it on your small screen.
Save yourself time later on by taking a moment now to familiarise yourself with the user’s manual. Pull the vehicle out of the garage so it will not run inside the garage and present a carbon monoxide safety risk. Put a cup of tea or coffee in a travel mug and settle in for a bit. Read the manual from cover to cover while identifying the parts of your vehicle and trying out the features. If a warning light pops up during your evening commute, even if you no longer remember what it means, you will know where to look in the manual and alleviate unnecessary stress.
Understand the Basics of Car Care
While you might not be a certified mechanic or feel confident performing any maintenance tasks on your own, you should still understand the basics of car care and what you need to do to keep it in optimal condition.
Ask your significant other for a primer on things like checking the fluids and tyre pressure. Alternatively, you can enrol in a local class for car care, if available. Watch this short video to learn how to do basic vehicle maintenance.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qxeUpfdiPxo?si=safaRUlGKTehbG-0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Your vehicle is an investment. To replace it with another would mean handing over your hard-earned money when you can invest time, effort, and a lot less money right now to keep it working far into the future. Take care of your vehicle by using high-quality floor mats that will help protect the integrity of the interior. Focus on keeping it clean and following the maintenance schedule while getting to know your vehicle.