8 tips to keep your car looking new and in good condition.

1. Understanding the car's "problems"

Many car problems only appear under certain circumstances or when reaching a certain speed in km/h. Car websites and forums are a "gold mine" of information for you to explore and learn about.

In many cases, knowing your car's "problems" doesn't necessarily mean you have to do everything you can to fix them, but rather helps you be better prepared when the problem occurs.

2. Drain the oil from the containers every two years.

Power steering fluid, brake fluid, and coolant should all be flushed out of their containers. Check the owner's manual for the recommended flushing intervals. Newer vehicles may have longer intervals between flushes. It's best to change transmission fluid and filters every 64,000–72,000 km.

3. Fix problems immediately when they occur.

If you want to keep your car for as long as possible, don't overlook seemingly minor issues like a broken trim panel, torn seat cushions, or electrical system malfunctions.

Small problems that aren't addressed promptly tend to accumulate and degrade your vehicle.

4. Do not replace parts with substandard ones.

Currently, the market is flooded with counterfeit and low-quality parts, including those with low durability that can even damage surrounding components. Therefore, you shouldn't be tempted by cheap options. If you have a limited budget, you can choose genuine but used parts at a more affordable price to replace parts that are not seriously damaged.

5. Choose a parking spot.

Choose spacious, slanted or straight parking spaces. Don't try to squeeze into cramped spaces because there isn't enough room, and an accidental slip could have serious consequences.

Avoid parking in direct sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure can cause paint aging, blistering, peeling, and fading, as well as making the paint more susceptible to scratches and cracks.

6. Polish the car

This not only enhances the car's aesthetics but also helps protect the paintwork against sunlight, acid rain, dust, and other elements. Therefore, it should be done regularly, at least twice a year or more often.It's best to choose reputable places and avoid getting your car or motorcycle polished at car wash shops.

7. Ask a friend to test drive the car.

Every two to three months, you should have someone test drive the car. Some problems appear and gradually increase without you even noticing because you're so familiar with it.

By sitting in the car as a passenger instead of the driver, you might discover problems that are often overlooked when you're preoccupied with driving.

8. Regular maintenance

Take your car to a service center for scheduled maintenance. Typically, maintenance is done every 3,000-5,000 km or every 3-6 months. Additionally, ask the technicians to check items such as the oil filter, fuel filter, steering joints, ball joints, etc., to detect and replace any damage early.