Our cars are our pride and joy. They’re like children, just made out of metal and carbon fibre and rubber instead of living tissue.
That’s why we spent so much of our hard earned cash on buying the very best one we could afford, sometimes even ignoring our budget in favour of something that little bit sweeter.
The problem is, we tend to neglect our cars over time. We stop loving them like we once did, and that can be a problem, because a well-looked after vehicle can last you a lifetime. That’s why we have put together a list of tips and tricks to help your car live a rich and full life.
The Car
Don’t buy a car you don’t care about. So many people do it and it is the start of all their problems. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, there is a car out there that you will fall in love with. Why is this important? Well, if you don’t love your car then you probably aren’t going to care for it in the way it needs caring for. Simple.
The Mechanic
Find a mechanic or company that really cares about their customers and really cares about cars. Finding a mechanic you trust to get the job done to an excellent standard and for a reasonable price is worth their weight in gold, so hang on to them. As a rule of thumb, try and used recognised companies that have built up a great reputation over decades of good work, a company that offers the same level of professionalism as a Bridgestone car service company. Mechanics at these big shops know what they are doing.
The Oil
If there is one simple maintenance check you should do yourself and do regularly it is changing your car’s oil and filter. This is the single most effective way of increasing your car’s health, and ensuring it will last a lot longer. It’s the blood flow of your beautiful car’s engine, so look after it and it will look after you.
The Parts
This is one of the easiest ways to keep the wheels rolling, and it is a simple rule to follow. If your car is a Ford then use Ford parts. If it is a Audi then use Audi parts. Factory parts are made for your car so there is nothing out there that will be more compatible. Keep your car what it was designed to be, simple.
The Fuel
It’s important to choose where you get your fuel from. As such, try to stick to petrol stations that are constantly busy. If you go to a quiet petrol station to refuel, the chances are that fuel has been kept in storage for a substantial, which increases the chance of it being contaminated. So find your busiest local station and stick to it.
The Clean
Clean your car well and clean it often. This means getting the hoover out. This means washing the outside. This means waxing it a couple of times a year. It will be well worth the effort.
It’s a never ending battle of making your cars better and also trying to be better yourself.