Basic Rules for Taking Care of Your Car

Every car owner wants their vehicle to serve them faithfully for many years. A car's condition depends largely on the care it gets. You also need to follow some basic rules of operation. Reading your owner's manual and a service manual for your model is a good way to extend the life of any car.

A car's body and interior are constantly exposed to dust and dirt. If you neglect the vehicle, it will soon suffer from scratches, dents and rust, and lose its appeal. Selling a car in that condition later will be very hard! So what can you do to extend its life? Below are the main methods that can help every car owner.

Washing the body

Some drivers don't take cleaning their cars very seriously. That careless approach has unpleasant consequences. Dirt that isn't removed in time eats into the finish and does serious damage. It breaks down the paint, and once that happens, it can't be undone.

That is why a car needs to be washed regularly. How often depends on the season and how dirty the car gets. And if regular trips to a car wash are hard on your budget, there is a way around that: washing the car yourself.

When washing a car yourself, follow these rules:

• Wash the body with lukewarm water and a special car shampoo;
• Use a soft-bristled brush or wash mitt. An ordinary rag or sponge traps hard particles that can scratch the surface of the car;
• Apply the cleaner starting from the roof;
• Rinse off the cleaning solution thoroughly, or shampoo residue will harm the paint;
• Dry the car with a chamois to prevent water spots;
• Don't wash a hot car, to avoid sudden temperature changes on the paint;
• Car shampoo is best used about once every two months, so plain water can handle light dirt in between.

Protecting the finish

After washing, the car needs a protective coating. It shields the paint from harmful effects and helps preserve its original color. For the best results, use a paint sealant or wax.

Cleaning the interior

Seats, headliner and door panels need thorough care. To remove stains from leather and plastic surfaces, simply wipe them with a damp cloth. Velour upholstery is easy to clean with a vacuum, and stains can be treated with a cleaner made for upholstery. (Avoid harsh solvents such as acetone, which can damage fabric and plastic.)

For deep-seated dirt, there are special products that clean, restore and leave a protective layer.

Fighting corrosion and storage

Every car owner fears body corrosion. With a few specific steps, you can keep this problem to a minimum. Inspect the car regularly, wash it and wax or polish it. By storing it under suitable conditions, you extend its life.

Sometimes a car breaks down and needs to be repaired. In that case, a factory service manual for your make and model will come in handy.