You’ve just gotten your dream __(insert luxury car here)__, and she’s a beauty. Naturally, you want to make sure she receives the best care possible in order to keep her running like the quintessential luxury car that she is. And if you follow the following tips, you’re going to be saving money in the futureProtect your paint
In order to keep that paint job looking shiny and new, you’ll want to keep your car out of the sun as much as impossible. (Car covers work, but garages are better.) If you happen to be hauling a bike or rack, make sure it’s secured properly. Even the slightest insecurity can leave scratches and dents. Make sure that you wash your car regularly, even in winter. You want to wash off anything that could potentially cause damage - sand, slush, ice, road salt. Finally, wax your car in order to keep that polished shine. It’s a lot of work, but it provides a great barrier between your paint and those pesky bird droppings. By protecting your paint, you’ll avoid having to pay for touch ups - or a new paint job altogether.
Maintain your coolant system
Replacing your engine’s coolant is cheap insurance against extreme temperatures. Over time, antifreeze can generate a weak current, which can cause oxidation and eventually failure inside your coolant system. Ideally, you want a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water to provide protection against below-zero temps. Keeping everything fresh will put less stress on your vehicle’s hardware and save you serious money in the long run.
Keep your tank at least ¼ full
If you wait until your gas tank turns on the reminder light before you turn into a gas station, you might be causes damage to your car - in addition to running the risk of running out of gas. Gasoline acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor, so when you run low, this allows the pump to suck in air. This creates heat and can cause the pump to wear prematurely or fail. The repair could end up costing you a couple hundred dollars to fix - which is much more than $3/gallon to fill up.
Take care of your battery
You should have your electrical system checked to make sure it’s charging at the correct rate. If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot water. Additionally, keeping the top of your battery clean is a good idea. (Who thought of dusting your car battery?) Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on the terminal, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.
By taking a few simple steps to protect your paint, maintain your coolant system, keep your tank at least ¼ full, and taking care of your battery, you can help keep your car in tip top shape - and hopefully save money down the road.
