It’s possible that your car is one of your most important assets, so it seems sensible that you feel proud of it. But were you aware that if you want to keep its worth, you need to be doing a great deal more for it than simply taking it to get washed and using a valet service?
One of the most effective ways to maintain the value of a car is to keep it in the finest possible condition at all times. If you ever decide to sell or trade-in your car, the general appearance and condition of it will be the most important factors. While the appearance of a single small scratch on the body or a tear in the upholstery may not seem significant when they first appear, over time, a buildup of dents, broken mirrors, or windows will not only distract people from the visual appeal of your vehicle, but it will also decrease the value of your vehicle when it comes time to sell it.
In spite of the fact that most of a car owner’s focus is typically directed toward the vehicle’s external components, maintaining the vehicle as a whole should be the primary concern.
A Frequent Service
Your car, in the same way, that individuals require frequent checkups at a doctor’s office to maintain excellent health, needs to have regular appointments with an “expert” to function at its absolute best. According to Keletso Mpisane, director of digitalized motor insurance MiWay Blink, taking good care of your vehicle would save you money in the long term.
According to her, “an automobile that is frequently serviced and well-maintained operates more effectively and uses less fuel, which in turn saves you money.” It also indicates that you are driving a vehicle that is safer and more dependable. Any component of the engine that has the potential to result in a breakdown, such as a failing alternator or defective spark plugs, or to lead to an accident, such as worn tires or malfunctioning lights, is inspected on a routine basis to ensure that it is in excellent shape.
Wax on, Wax Off
Imagine car wax as the lotion that you would put on your face to protect it from the sun. Waxing a car after washing not only leaves it looking sleek and glossy, but also creates a barrier that prevents the paint from deteriorating due to the harmful effects of the sun. If your car spends a lot of time sitting in the sun, the paintwork on it may eventually fade and become damaged.
Taking care of the paintwork on your vehicle is important not just for its appearance but also because it will save you money in the long run. According to Mpisane, “The rates for auto insurance are determined by a variety of criteria, one of which is the economic amount of repairing a certain car.” The expense of the repair is often broken down into three categories: the parts, the labor, and the paint.
The current economic climate has resulted in a rise in the price of paint and parts that are more than the average rate of inflation. The economic and trade impact caused by the pandemic has made it more challenging to obtain car parts for the purpose of making repairs. This is because of restrictions placed on the shipping sector as well as demand and supply constraints. For instance, the cost of paint has risen by at least 6% since last month.
If you want to offer your vehicle the most protection possible, you should wax it at least once every three months. Additionally, if you are willing to invest the additional money, ceramic coating and a paint protection layer will preserve the finish of your car for a longer period of time.
Maintaining the exterior’s cleanliness in between waxings is an important part of preventative maintenance. It is important to carefully remove any paint-damaging contaminants, such as mud, dirt, bug splatters, and bird droppings. Some people who are passionate about automobiles believe that after driving in the rain, you should wash your vehicle with a hose, let it air dry, and then wax it.
Stormy weather can end up leaving watermarks and induce a thin coating of toxins to form on your car, but at a period on our planet when water ought to be used sparsely, whipping out the hose to wash your car after a downpour may be frowned upon by your neighbors. Even dew drops that are left to settle on the bodywork can cause damage, which brings us to our next tip, which is to provide adequate protection for your infant in order to keep it secure from various environmental hazards.
Park Under Protection
Your vehicle will be protected from the elements, including the sun and precipitation if you park it in a garage or under a carport. If you do not have access to a garage, you should safeguard your vehicle by purchasing a car cover; however, you should take care to purchase one that is the appropriate size and ensure that water does not become trapped below a cover that is 100% waterproof.
If you can find a place to park that is covered, the dashboard and windshield of your vehicle will also be grateful to you. South Africa may be famed for its magnificent summer weather, but hot, sunny days may cause mayhem on the plastic components found in the dash and steering wheel, causing them to fracture and deteriorate over time.
As the blazing sun warms up both the metal and the glass of your vehicle, it can cause damage to the windshields as well. As a result of the fact that metal warms up more quickly than glass, this can cause the windshield to fracture around the sides, and eventually through the windshield itself. Utilize a collapsible windshield sunshade as a protective layer against the heat if you are unable to park your vehicle in the shade.
Clean Underneath Your Car
It’s possible that you don’t think the region underneath your car requires cleaning, but washing that area is essential, particularly if you frequently drive in muddy or dusty environments. Due to the fact that it is so near the ground, the underside of a vehicle is susceptible to collecting dirt, grime, and other contaminants. If allowed to accumulate, caked-on dirt can clog good drainage at the bottom of your car, increase rust, and cause overall deterioration in the region.
If this is allowed to happen, your automobile will not last as long. If the thought of doing yet another duty around the house stresses you out, take your vehicle to the car wash at least once a month and have the undercarriage washed there. The attendants there will use high-pressure hoses to remove the grime.
Keep Standing Water Damage at Bay
During the wet season, water can cause damage to your vehicle by seeping into even the smallest cracks and crevices. Check that the rubber seals on the doors and windows of your home are in good condition and able to keep out water. Not only will they prevent water from getting in, but they will also reduce the amount of noise and rattles caused by the wind.
Purchasing floor mats that are resistant to the elements is another smart investment option. Even though mats made of rug fabric are more effective at soaking up water than rubber mats are, they still have the potential to remain moist or even soggy after becoming wet.
Additionally, they have the potential to become odorous or even moldy, which will inject a lingering musty odor into the interior of your vehicle. Rubber mats are an excellent means of protecting the floor of your vehicle from liquids such as coffee, milkshakes, and cold drinks in the event that they are unintentionally spilled on the floor. Water can also be tracked inside your vehicle during wet weather.
Maintaining the excellent condition of your car will pay benefits in the long run by extending the life of the vehicle, insuring that you have a good-looking car, and making driving a safer experience.