Whether you’re a first-time car owner or a veteran, everyone can benefit from a little more education on maintaining their vehicle. Taking care of your car is essential to keep it running in top shape, but if you’re looking for tips that won’t break the bank, there are plenty of options.
Here are five things you can do with little money to ensure that your car is performing optimally:
1. Inspect And Change The Oil Regularly
The most critical thing you can do for your car is to check and change its oil regularly. According to the experts, you should change your oil every three thousand miles or so. The process is pretty simple, even if you don’t know much about cars. You pop the hood and pull out the dipstick to see how much oil is left in the engine. When there’s not enough left, it’s time to fill it up again. If you have an old-school dipstick, one rule of thumb is that when the oil reaches the “full” line or a quarter-inch before, it’s time to take it in for an oil change.
2. Use a Scratch And Swirl Remover
A scratch and swirl remover is the best way to fix minor damages to your car’s exterior. This type of car care product is designed to polish out small scratches and swirl marks from your car’s paint job. It can also be used to clean and polish chrome, stainless steel, and other types of car exterior pieces. A swirl remover works by applying a fine abrasive compound to the surface of your car. This compound is designed to be less abrasive than what would cause noticeable damage on its own.
3. Use Wax
Using a carnauba spray wax is a convenient way to get your car looking great without an expensive trip to the auto shop. You just need to spritz on a layer, use a microfiber cloth to spread it around, then wipe it off with a second cloth. The resulting shine can be comparable to what you’d get from a salon waxing if you use a quality product like the ones from Nexgen. And if you don’t buff it too hard, you won’t have any streaks. Plus, it’ll last for several weeks before wearing off completely.
4. Use a Clay Bar Kit
A clay bar kit by removing contaminants that can cause paint imperfections and clogging. The best part about clay bars is that they’re easy to use and work on both painted and unpainted cars! Best of all, they’re affordable and last a long time. Clay bars are one of the best and most affordable ways to keep your car looking great.
4. Use a Car Wash Mitt
Using a car wash mitt will help eliminate streaking and clumping while protecting the paint job on your car. Most car wash mitts are made with soft materials that won’t scratch your car’s paint, and they usually come with padding on the palms for added protection. When choosing a car wash mitt, look for one that’s made with materials that are safe for your car’s paint job. Some car wash mitts are made with materials that are safe for all types of paint, but others are made specifically for a certain type of paint. If you’re not sure which type of car wash mitt to choose, ask your local car detailer for advice.
Finally, car maintenance is essential to car ownership, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank.