How Much Does It Cost to Detail a Car?
Tired of making resolutions to lose weight, save money, and otherwise better yourself?
Set goals for the new year that you can keep with car care resolutions.
Your car may not be a living thing, but it does require regular TLC to keep it running well. When you handle regular maintenance, you help extend the life of your car. It also helps you get your family places safely without worry about breaking down.
Not sure where to start? Try these five 2020 resolutions for car care.
1. Change Your Oil Regularly
Traditional wisdom says to change your oil at 3,000 miles, but modern vehicles can often go longer between oil changes. That’s especially true if you’re using synthetic oil, which may allow you to wait for 5,000 to 10,000 miles before an oil change.
Check your owner’s manual to find out the recommended type of oil and time between changes. Following those recommendations is particularly important when your vehicle is still under warranty. Not following the regular maintenance recommendations can void the warranty.
2. Watch the Tires
Tires seem simple, but they’re very important in driving your vehicle safely. Too much or too little air can cause issues.
Underinflated tires hurt your gas mileage and may continue to go down until they’re flat. Overinflated tires can cause a blow-out that makes you lose control. Check the tire pressure occasionally to ensure its within the recommended range.
You also need to check the tread occasionally to determine when it’s time for new tires. An easy way to check is by putting a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If the entire head is visible, you need new tires right away.
Rotating the tires helps the tread wear evenly, which can make them last longer.
3. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Following a regular car maintenance schedule for checkups helps keep things running well. This includes checking various fluid levels and filters. Belts, shocks, struts, and spark plugs also need to be checked regularly.
If you don’t want to mess with checking these things yourself, schedule maintenance with your mechanic. Many mechanics check the basics when you get an oil change.
4. Address Problems Immediately
Even with regular car maintenance, your vehicle may eventually have a problem. Those little noises or other issues could be a sign that your car needs work.
If you notice anything unusual or any lights come on in your vehicle, have it checked out right away. If you catch the issue early, it’s likely easier and less expensive to repair. If you wait, it could become a major issue that costs a lot more.
5. Wash It Regularly
Dirt, mud, sap, and other debris on your car can damage it on top of making it look bad. It can damage the paint job over time, which makes your car look older and hurts its value.
Washing your car at least once every 2 weeks is a good goal. Head to the car wash more often if your car gets extra dirty.
Set Your Car Care Resolutions
The new year is the perfect time to set your car care resolutions. Preventative maintenance goes a long way in keeping your car running smoothly.
Make it easier to keep one of your resolutions with our unlimited monthly pass. With one low monthly fee, you have unlimited washing to ensure your car stays sparkling clean.
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