I love my car and do what I can to keep it looking beautiful. However, a vehicle is like a child to me, something that I can pamper and raise as my own. Like a kid, a treated vehicle will work better with you and be more enjoyable to interact with as a parent.
But how can you pamper your vehicle like me? Let’s take a look at some of my favorite steps to ensure that you know how to keep your car looking and operating great. These simple steps are things you should already be doing, as they can keep you from experiencing problematic issues.
Step One: Wash My Car
When I’m pampering my car, I like to make sure that she is presentable and clean. Unfortunately, too many car owners don’t visit the car wash and keep their vehicles looking great. What a colossal mistake! A wash will help to make your car shine and inspire a lot of excitement for anyone who sees you riding by them.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your car gorgeous! Me, I sign up for my local washer’s loyalty program. It lets me get unlimited car washes for a month, a massive deal for me. I like to go at least three or four times a week and, in the winter, I sometimes go every day to keep it looking great.
However, it’s sometimes fun to get out the hose and wash down the car with a brush and hose. I love to take this step because I can add wax in places that the wash sometimes misses. For example, I can really get underneath the chassis and get it in great shape with a bit of waxing.
How often should you be washing your car? That all depends on how often you use it. I love washing my car multiple times a week because I use it all the time. However, if you don’t use your car as often, you might find it better to wash it once a week or no more. Doing so should minimize any issues you might experience.
As for waxing your car, that too depends on different factors that need to be carefully considered. You probably don’t need to do it every time you wax. I like to do it at least once a month to protect my car’s paint. Talk to your local mechanics to decide which is the right step for your needs.
Step Two: Regular Repairs
Another great way I keep my car in shape is with regular spot repairs. I get it: you don’t always have time to drop everything and take your vehicle to get repaired for every little thing. I’ve been there, and I appreciate the stance. However, I know that I always feel better when I take care of my vehicle.
For example, do you have a slight dent on your bumper that you just haven’t dealt with yet? Why leave it in rough shape? Get bumper repairs done ASAP. This step is brilliant because it helps you quickly take care of this situation and minimizes how much money you spend on repairs.
I think this step is also wise for higher-end vehicles. For instance, you need BMW repair if these high-cost vehicles get damaged in any way. Otherwise, you might end up losing out on your investment and having to get more extensive repairs that may be quite costly, such as replacing the engine.
Sometimes, I will take all of my vehicles in for this type of repair at once to get comprehensive care. For example, motorhome repair helps to keep these transportable homes in great shape for years to come. Many of the same maintenance is necessary for these vehicles, as are for other types of cars.
Just think of these repairs as touchups on your vehicle that help to make it more attractive. In some ways, I consider them like a haircut: I get one every month and a half to keep myself looking and feeling great. Your car deserves the same kind of TLC, so find a mechanic you can trust.
Step Three: Upgrade the Oil
How often do you change your oil? Most vehicle manufacturers probably suggest swapping it out at least once every 3,000 miles. This guideline is good and is usually a wise choice for most car owners. That said, you may also want to upgrade your oil more often as well.
The frequency with which you change your oil will all depend on several factors. Me, I like changing it every 2,000 miles or so. Why? It helps to pamper the car and keep it operating smoothly. If you leave it for too long, it might end up getting sludgy and causing damage to your engine.
Personally, I like changing the oil in my car myself. That lets me get real hands-on with the car and underneath it to see if there’s anything wrong with the underbody. And it saves me money at the same time: a massive bonus for those trying to avoid excess spending in their life.
The type of oil will also vary, and I always suggest going with what the manufacturer offers. You might want to save money by buying a less expensive option or trying to cut back on how much oil you use. Don’t make this mistake! Instead, always buy the best oil that you can find.
If you don’t feel comfortable getting underneath your car, you can just go to an oil changing shop and have them handle it for you. However, I do suggest changing your oil once yourself to get a feel for it. Doing so will help to give you the unique insight that you need to keep your car working smoothly.
Step Four: Protect It Legally
Here’s a step that you might not consider when pampering your vehicle: keeping it legally safe. However, this option is vital because you need to make sure that your car doesn’t end up costing you a lot of money when you get into an accident of any kind.
Therefore, it is essential to do what you can to minimize any legal problems. Doing so not only helps to protect your vehicle but keeps you from experiencing financial troubles. That’s what I call pampering! Just a few things that you need to consider here include:
- Great Auto Insurance – Make sure that you talk to a skilled insurance company and get the most comprehensive auto insurance policy possible. Doing so will not only help to make it easier to repair your car or vehicle after an accident but can also save you money. While you might spend more on the policy, you will pay less when your vehicle gets damaged and needs high-quality repairs.
- Classic Car Insurance – Is your car technically considered a classic vehicle and needs specialized insurance? Then, don’t hesitate to buy a policy! This option is unique to vehicles with this listing and is particularly interesting for those who want to keep their car from long-term complications. For example, it will protect you when taking your car to shows in your area.
- Create a Repair Savings Fund – Do you want to make sure that you have enough money to repair your vehicle if your insurance doesn’t kick in for it? Then, you might want to consider a savings account set up just for repairs. I have one of these accounts, and it continually grows, allowing me to tap into it when my car runs into any serious problems that need repairs.
- Talk to a Lawyer – It’s always a great idea to have an auto accident lawyer on your speed dial when you own a car you want to pamper. These professionals can help you when you get into accidents and ensure that you get adequately compensated. Don’t hesitate to find the highest-quality attorney, either, as you want someone who can provide you with the long-term protection you want and deserve.
When taking these steps (such as finding a car accident attorney), I strongly suggest balancing your budget wisely. It would be best if you didn’t go for the cheapest protection possible, as you’re likely to lose out. However, you may not be able to afford the most expensive options for each coverage.
Whatever the situation, make sure to think of your car’s needs as well when going through these steps. Doing so will help to give you the general help that your vehicle needs to stay strong. But, just as significantly, it will minimize the risk of serious financial troubles if you get into an accident.
Step Five: Pay Attention to the Little Things
Car owners usually notice the big problems with their vehicles but don’t pay enough attention to the little things. Unfortunately, I’ve found that it’s often these minor concerns that have the strongest possibility for damaging your vehicle and causing problems.
For instance, a minor imperfection on your tire could slowly worsen over time and cause a blowout as you ride. Unfortunately, you might not even notice these minor problems before they impact you, meaning that you need to go over your vehicle at least once a week to spot these potential issues.
Do spot repairs on these concerns to make sure that you take care of them right away. Most of the time, you don’t need any expertise to handle these simple steps. Thankfully, you can usually buy various repair items and materials from shops near you to keep your car pampered.
Should you repair these things yourself or work with a professional? I usually suggest handling small things yourself but getting an expert to handle more complicated things. For example, a Ford dealership is a great way to catch more wide-ranging problems because they fully understand the vehicle’s design.
However, you can easily handle things like replacing your windshield wipers without working with a professional. I strongly suggest replacing your wipers a least once every year or two to keep them from scratching or streaking. Then, all you need to do is snap them off and put on the new ones.
Also, make sure that you clean the interior regularly, dusting the surfaces properly and providing an excellent interior wax that boosts the shine. Don’t forget to apply a little sealant to your tires from time to time, too, as this can help to keep them strong and prevent blowouts, which can be pretty frustrating.
If your vehicle has any chrome decorative elements, make sure that you shine them up and clean them regularly. Also, watch for signs of rust and take care of it right away. Rust has a nasty tendency to spread through your car’s metal rapidly and must be managed ASAP to keep your vehicle safe.
Step Six: Pay Attention to Your Driveway’s Health
Do you know that your driveway can do a real number on your vehicle? Unfortunately, not enough people understand just how damaging a poor surface is for their cars. There are several steps that you need to take to keep your ride protected. For example, do you have a gravel driveway?
If so, you’re damaging your car every time you drive on it. I used to own one, too, until a big rock jumped up and caused severe problems with the underside of my car. Thankfully, I got the driveway paved, and it no longer causes this problem.
That bumpy ride can also be hard on your vehicle’s suspension and cause real concerns. In the same way, you need to make sure that your driveway is level. Even if you don’t have a bumpy driveway, you might have an uneven one. This problem could cause even more suspension problems on your vehicle that need to be managed appropriately by driveway leveling services.
This process helps to make your driveway smoother and minimizes the bumps and bounces that could cause severe problems with your vehicle over the years. I strongly suggest taking steps like repairing potholes or even replacing your entire driveway, if necessary, to keep it secure.
These steps will pamper your car in fun ways and give you the chance to show how much you appreciate it. So, don’t hesitate to try out these options to get the best results. Personally, I think that it is probably best to find the options that feel the best for your needs and work with them. If you then find other options that work well for you, expand into using them to pamper your car truly.
