To prolong the life of your car, we have compiled some surprising tips and expert advice.
Take your time during the break-in period
Now that you have purchased your dream car, you want it to last as long as possible and in the best condition. These are some tips to keep in mind as you take your dream car off the dealer’s parking lot.
During the break-in period, which typically lasts 1,000 miles (1600 km), you should keep your speed below 55 mph (88 km/h) or the recommended rate by your car’s manufacturer.
Avoid towing trailers or heavy loads on your drivetrain. Also, only load the trunk or roof rack with bulky construction materials.
Your new car should be occupied for a short time. This is a good idea for the car’s life, especially for break-ins. This could cause oil pressure to build up that isn’t reaching all parts of the engine.
For the first few hours, only use light to moderate acceleration. Keep the engine revs below 3,000
Get gas at reliable service stations
Ask if the gas you purchase is filtered at the pump. Also, ask if there are policies regarding changing pump filters frequently. Find another station if you feel you are being sung and danced to. Pump filters are unavailable at all stations, making you more susceptible to gasoline contamination. Some stations might need to mix alcohol with fuel correctly, or worse, may water down their product. Stick to a station that you trust.
Only fill up if the tanker is visible
You can see a gasoline tanker filling up the tanks at your local station. If this happens, you should either return another day or visit a different station. The turbulence that fills the underground tanks at the station can cause sediment to build up. Fuel filters and fuel injectors can become clogged with residue from your gas, leading to poor performance and even requiring repairs.
Lighten up your keychain
Is your car an essential part of a chain that includes a dozen or more keys? This is a lot of weight hanging from the ignition key. You can damage the ignition switch by bouncing around while driving, and the importance of the keychain will allow you to separate your ignition keys from each other. Only use the ignition key to start your car. If the ignition key sticks when you attempt to turn the car on, it is a sign that your ignition switch has failed. It’s time to replace it before you become stuck.
Find reliable car insurance
Sometimes, even though you’re careful, disaster can strike, most often in the form of an auto accident. Find an insurance company that will cover the cost of parts and the warranty for repairs.
Shade is best
A garage is the best place to park your vehicle. If you don’t have a garage, try to park your car in the shade. Shades are a good option if there isn’t any shade or you feel parking under a tree causes bird droppings. You’ll also have an excellent car to get into during hot sunny days. There are two types of car shades: ones that you can unfold and place on your front windshield and rear windshield and pleated ones that attach to the windshield frames (with Velcro), windshield posts (with an adhesive), or windows themselves (with suction cups).
Please keep it clean inside
Every time you wash your car, vacuum, and sponge the interior. Spilled liquids like soda and dirt can corrode your car’s interior. A powerful vacuum is the best choice to thoroughly vacuum your interior (smaller cordless models are usually too weak). When vacuuming, make sure to use suitable wand heads. A bare metal wand could scratch and mar surfaces. Use mild detergent and water to clean vinyl surfaces.
Clean dash gauges carefully
Use a damp cloth to clean the dashboard’s clear plastic lenses. They will be scratched if you apply too much pressure. Reading gauges in certain lighting conditions can be challenging if there are too many scratches.
Floor mats are the winter’s best
Protect your carpeting with floor mats. Rubber waffle-style mats are the best for controlling salt, snow, and mud in winter. Rubber waffle-style mats are durable, won’t let water seep through, and can be easily washed. They are also helpful for carpet-style carpets. You can wash, vacuum, or shake them until worn out.
Blast mats together with the hose
Drag carpet or rubber floor mats from your car and blast them with the hose. The hose will remove dirt particles which, if left to build up, can cause holes in the mats. Before you reinstall them, let them dry completely in the sun.
To remove stubborn stains from carpets or mats
Apply foam rug cleaner to resist stains after vacuuming the floor mats and interior carpeting. Use a sponge or brush to work the foam into small areas. When dry, vacuum.
Keep your door and windows sealed
To keep your rubber in top condition, use a rubber protector (such as Armor-All or silicone) on the door and window weatherstripping. Use an oil-based product such as WD-40 to protect the rubber. Your rubber will be less likely to stick to your car’s weatherstripping in cold weather. Regular maintenance and cleaning are essential. This is why you see those black dots on your car’s windows.
Stop inadequate weatherstripping right away
You can inspect your weatherstripping to determine if rainwater is getting into your car’s interior. Brush-on seam sealers can be used to fix minor leaks. Trim adhesive can be used to secure any loose or damaged sections. Special caulking can be used to repair ripped cells. Foam rods can be used to prolong the life of weatherstripping that is damaged but still usable. You should buy different stuff than you would use in your home if you need to replace whole sections of the gasket. Buy a product that matches your car’s original weatherstripping–it’s available in a wide variety of profiles from dealerships and automotive mail-order catalogs.
Prevent leather from drying out and cracking
Leather seats for cars are durable and do not require much maintenance. However, leather seats can get soiled after a while. To remove dirt and stains, use a leather cleaner. Apply a leather protector formulated for top-coated or pigmented grain leather (the most common leather used in leather car upholstery). Protectants are resistant to stains and will make it easier to clean the upholstery in the future. Protect your leather with a protector that contains conditioners.
Use upholstery cleaners
You can use the same upholstery cleaners at home on your car’s upholstery. To avoid damaging the fabric, use them sparingly. To remove the foam, wipe it off with a clean cloth. Brush the fibers on velour seats gently to prevent them from matting and preserve their original texture.
