Secrets to keeping your car looking new for a long time.
During vehicle use, wear and tear, deterioration, and technical problems are inevitable... To minimize these issues and maintain the lifespan of your vehicle, owners should take the following steps:
Regular maintenance
Take your car to a service center for scheduled maintenance. Typically, maintenance intervals are every 3,000-5,000 km or every 3-6 months. Additionally, ask the technicians to thoroughly check items such as the oil filter, fuel filter, steering joints, ball joints, etc., to detect and replace any damage early.
Repair immediately after the problem occurs.
To keep your car in good condition and save money, car owners should pay attention to even the smallest issues and fix them promptly. Minor problems, if not addressed early, tend to escalate and spread, leading to more serious damage.
Car polishing
This not only enhances the car's aesthetics but also protects the paintwork from sunlight, acid rain, dust, etc. Therefore, it should be done regularly, at least twice a year or more. Choose reputable places and avoid getting your car polished at car wash shops that also wash motorcycles.
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, car owners should avoid being tempted by cheap options. If you have a limited budget, you should choose genuine but used parts at a more affordable price to replace parts that are not seriously damaged.
Use the parking brake correctly.
Engaging the parking brake every time you park is a mandatory step for all drivers. However, some drivers of automatic cars, when parking, often shift the gear lever to the P position before engaging the parking brake. This puts the weight of the car on the gearbox, which over time can damage internal components. Therefore, the advice is to engage the parking brake before shifting the gear lever to the P position.
Drive gently.
Accelerating gently and avoiding sudden braking are two of the ways to drive more fuel-efficiently. Furthermore, this helps protect the car from damage and extends its lifespan.
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Maintaining proper tire pressure results in a more stable, smoother ride and better fuel economy. Additionally, it increases tire lifespan by up to 15% compared to underinflated tires. Therefore, keeping your tires properly inflated contributes to protecting both your vehicle and your wallet.
Learn about common car problems.
To protect your beloved car, you first need to understand it, and more importantly, be able to detect any abnormalities. Currently, forums and magazines offer a wealth of information for you to explore and utilize. Understanding common car problems will help you be more proactive when issues arise and, most importantly, prevent being overcharged when taking your car to a garage.
Choose a parking spot
A spacious and cool parking spot will help drivers reduce many risks. Therefore, avoid trying to squeeze into tight parking spaces to prevent collisions and scratches to your car. Furthermore, drivers should also avoid parking in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to the sun will cause the paint to age, fade, or peel. Moreover, the interior materials will deform, detracting from the car's appearance and reducing its lifespan.
Keep your car clean.
If possible, keep your car clean, because mud and dirt that accumulate over time without being washed away will discolor the paint. Furthermore, it can cause rust and stains on other parts, detracting from its appearance. Wash your car regularly and use creams or waxes to polish it. Doing this will not only enhance the car's appearance but also keep it looking new.
