How to Take Care of Your Car: The Ultimate Guide 

If you want to make your car last as long as possible, then you want to take exhaustive steps towards treating it right.

Many people make the mistake of putting off easy maintenance, thus lessening the quality of their driving experience. Even the simplest of car care tactics can result in a significant difference over time.

Because of that, you’ll want to make sure and learn how to take care of your car properly. Once you do, your eyes will be opened to all it takes to do so.

Here are several essential car care tips to get you started. Be sure to follow each step on your path to improving your car care.

1. Take Advantage of Your Time at the Gas Pump

These days, there are many things that gas stations do to try and keep you entertained while waiting at the pump. They now have TVs for you to watch while you wait for your car to fill up.

However, instead of watching ad after ad, you could be maximizing those five to ten minutes cleaning your windshield.

The dirtier your windshield is, the more of a threat it becomes to your safety. If you were to clean it every other time at the gas pump, you’d have a much safer driving experience.

2. Change Your Oil Frequently

This might very well be the top way that most modern car owners disregard proper car maintenance.

In order to keep your car’s engine going as long as possible, you need to occasionally switch out the oil in the car. The more you do so, the more efficiently the engine will run and the longer lifespan it will have.

So… how often should you change it out? It doesn’t have to be quite as frequently as your auto mechanic will write on your dashboard sticker.

However, make a note of the last time that you had it replaced, then have it changed every 5,000 or 6,000 miles.

Those that don’t change their oil often enough are battling with a dirty engine that will inevitably kill it, costing you thousands of dollars to replace.

3. Have Your Car Tires Rotated

Have you ever wondered why your car veers to the right or left if you let go of the steering wheel while driving?

That’s a universal sign that your car needs its tires rotated. Since the front and rear tires go through different wear and tear, rotating them will help balance that cycle as much as possible.

Generally, you want to have them rotated every 8,000 to 10,000 miles, but make sure to decide what’s best for you. If you prefer to have them rotated every time you take your car in to have its oil changed, then that’s your prerogative!

Most importantly, having them rotated will save you from having to put new ones on more frequently.

4. Monitor Your Brakes

The integrity of your car brakes is always important. Having worn out brake pads can be the difference between you rear-ending somebody and avoiding them.

Too many car owners depend on their auto mechanic to tell them when it’s time for the brake pads to be replaced. 

However, unless you’re in for a checkup (something not many car owners do) then the mechanic might not even gaze at the condition of your brakes while performing other tasks.

For proper maintenance, you need to have them replaced every 25,000 miles or so. If you purchased the car with almost no miles on it, then keeping track of that should be easy. If not, try writing it down on the inside of your car manual.

5. Educate Yourself on the Brands

Like any other product on the market, car parts have certain brands and manufacturers that are more dependable than others.

The better brand of products that you place in your car, the more efficient and durable your vehicle will become.

For example, HKS Exhaust has been a trusted exhaust system for almost 50 years. It is a manufacturer that racers depend on for the performance of their trusty cars.

Whenever you’re looking to make modifications or replacing a part of your car, be sure to familiarize yourself with the brands available.

6. Wash Your Car Often

Even if they’re stored in a garage, the heat of some climates can be a tremendous detriment to the exterior of your car.

To combat the elements from wearing down your car’s exterior, you need to have it regularly washed. 

While the paint may look pretty, it serves as the only defense between your car’s metal and the outside elements. Once the paint is gone, your metal will be eaten away.

7. Store Your Car When It’s Not in Use

Stagnant cars take as much of a hit as a car that’s used several times a day, if not more so.

If you’re not planning on using one of your cars for a while, then be sure to store it properly. Clean the inside and outside, fill it up with gas, and cover it up while it’s not in use.

You’ll also want to occasionally lift the cover and start the car so that you can keep the battery in tip-top shape.

How to Take Care of Your Car: Attention to Detail

Now that you’ve seen some of the top tips on how to take care of your car more effectively, it’s time to put them to good use.

Be sure to consider the ways you can be more diligent with your car’s care and apply them to your routine.

Also, make sure to browse our website for more articles on auto care, as well as many other helpful topics!