With new and used car prices increasing every day, there has never been a better reason to extend the life of your car. The best way to do this is to take good care of it inside and out. While the average lifespan of a car in the 1980s was 7 years. During that time, most vehicles tapped out after they hit 100,000 miles. Such is no longer the case. In fact, AARP reports that people keep their cars today for at least 12 years, or until they hit 200,000 miles. To maximize your investment, you should make sure you take care of the mechanics as well as the aesthetics of your car or truck. Here are a few ideas of how to go about doing just that:
How to extend the life of your car
The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to extend the life of your car. These simple steps will help you save money and get the most out of your car.
Keep it clean
Simple and affordable, yet profound. One of the best forms of protection for any motor vehicle is a car wash. If you can avoid drive-through shops that use plastic whips that drive small marks into the paint finish, do so. A better option is to wash the car yourself or to take it to a hand-car wash. Also, routinely detail your ride. While you don’t have to do this on a weekly or monthly basis, detailing every 6 to 12 months will protect the paint as well as increase your pride of ownership.
Store it safely
Since your car is one of your priciest possessions, don’t let elements such as the sun, rain, cold and dust collect on the surface. Believe it or not, your garage wasn’t built to store stuff. It was designed to protect your car. And most insurance companies grant a discount for anyone who stows their vehicle under a carport or in a garage. If you don’t want to move boxes to storage or give away things so you can park your vehicle in your garage, why not invest in a car cover? Doing so will help extend the life of your car.
Maintain it
When it comes to taking care of your car, don’t stop at the exterior. Your love for your car may start to turn because of simple things like bad brakes, wonky suspension, an untuned engine, bald tires, and idiot lights gone awry. As asinine as it may seem, some people start to comb classified ads in search of a new car when simple things start to go wrong with their current vehicle. Bad move. Instead, take care of the car you have now. Take it for regular oil changes. Rotate the tires. Replace spent windshield wipers.Auto Body works
We aren’t just saying this because we own an auto body shop. One of the best ways to take care of your car is to keep it in good condition. If you have a fender bender, don’t ignore it. Take it to your local collision center so an auto body technician can give you an estimate. You might be surprised that we can often make minor repairs that make a big difference. And if something dents your windshield, call your insurance company. Most adjusters will send an auto glass repair company to your home to repair the dent for free. They do this because it’s less expensive for them to repair cracks than to replace entire windshields.
We would love to help you extend the life of your car!
About DG Collision Center in Covina, California
If you or someone you love involved in a car accident, we would love to help get you back on the road. DG Collision Center in Covina, California is your one-stop-shop in Covina for auto body repair after car accidents and auto restorations. Our highly trained team includes specialized technicians. We work directly with all insurance companies. This enables our customers to file a claim without even needing to be present. Additionally, if you don’t want to leave your home in Covina right after the accident, you can request an online estimate for auto body repairs or any other auto restorations. We have a smartphone app that allows us to provide estimates without coming to your home or place of business. We pride ourselves in providing excellent service.