Buying a car is a big investment that you probably worked so hard to get. Therefore, it’s only right for you to invest as much time in caring for it so that your car wouldn’t break down or be damaged by eventual wear and tear. Otherwise, it will be a complete waste of your money.
Knowing how to care for a vehicle properly and actually doing the work are two different things with different results. To be a responsible car owner, you’ll have to know how to balance those two aspects of car maintenance and hope that your efforts are worth it in the long run.
There can be many ways to care for your car, but here are three of the most important ones you have to take to heart. You wouldn’t want to spend more money on an investment that is already taking up most of your income, so take preventive measures and safety precautions to ensure your car’s longevity.
Keep It Clean and Safe
Since your car is often exposed to natural elements, cleaning it properly should be like clockwork to you now. Your vehicle is subject to rain, snow, heat, and occasional bird droppings, along with everything else that nature can throw at you.
If you allow these contaminants to settle into your vehicle’s hardware, it may cause long-term damages that can be hard to reverse. To add to that, the dirt will settle in the crevices of your vehicle, making it look unkempt and a sight for sore eyes.
Regularly washing your car’s exterior and vacuuming the interior will allow it to be free from dirt that can negatively affect your engine’s health. This dirt buildup can also pollute your car’s air-conditioning system, which can make the air stuffy from contaminants and affect you directly.
Conduct Regular Checkups
Other than noticing the check engine light on your vehicle when it inevitably turns on, you should know how often you need to take your car to a technician for a checkup. Maintaining the good condition of your car will allow it to have a longer life span than neglecting its welfare.
For instance, you can follow the factory-recommended maintenance for Subaru vehicles, which are supposed to be done every 30,000 miles (48,280.32 km) or two to three years. This routine checkup can include changing the filters, replacing fluids, checking the spark plugs, or making sure that the timing belt is secure.
But of course, the specifics of maintenance vary from vehicle to vehicle, so it will be best to consult an expert regarding what your car needs. Conducting regular checkups will allow you to take care of your vehicle’s overall state and avoid complications that spiral out of control in the future.
Don’t Overdo Customization
The art of car customization has a long history of improving vehicle performance and appearance but can also lead to its eventual demise. There are car owners who take such extreme measures on their vehicles that they end up harming the stability and functionality rather than improve it.
If you decide to create custom upgrades on your car, you should know how these changes can affect its overall performance. Many upgrades can really be beneficial to you in the long run, such as boosting the horsepower and eliminating additional weight.
But some upgrades can harm your engine over time. Some of these can include quirky modifications like wings or side skirts that can add unnecessary weight to your car’s engine or having a custom exhaust and muffler so that the engine can be revved to keep up appearances.
You might not notice that such customization can affect your car’s health until it’s too late for regrets. A big part of becoming a responsible car owner is knowing that your actions have consequences that your vehicle will suffer.
If you want your car to last a long time, then you should do whatever it takes to keep it in tiptop condition as much as you can. It can be easy to forego routine checkups when you’re preoccupied with other important matters in your life, but that doesn’t mean that you should neglect your vehicle’s health.
Besides, it’s not that hard once you fall into the habit of conducting regular maintenance and cleaning. Treat your vehicle as an extension of your home because it can provide you shelter when you’re traveling and keep you safe from harm in the outside world.
