If you want to keep your car looking like new even though it's getting on in years, you've come to the right place.
With the passage of time it is inevitable that small "aches and pains" will start to appear in your vehicle... However, intelligent care will not only prevent you from having to see your car on top of the garage lift, it will also prevent those small wear and tear that lower its performance, spoil its appearance and cause the car to deteriorate as a whole.
To extend the life of your vehicle and keep it as shiny as the first day, take paper and pencil so that none of these tips escape.
Use the right fuel
Not all fuels are the same, talk to the manufacturer if you do not find any recommendation in the vehicle's manual, and do not skimp on quality. If you want to extend the life of your car and your engine, do not use poor quality fuels just to save a little money, in the long run it will be much more expensive.
Checks the oil level
Checking the oil level periodically is essential to avoid any scares. The oil lubricates and protects the parts from wear, so check the oil level together with the water level every month and change it whenever necessary.
Take care of the clutch and gearbox
The clutch and the gearbox are two elements that are in constant use and exposed to the bad habits that we sometimes have while driving. Avoid making very abrupt gear changes if it is not completely necessary, the fast and aggressive jerks of the lever have repercussions on the internal elements of the gearbox that can deteriorate and end up in failure.
As for the clutch, avoid keeping your foot on it when you are not using it because even if you think that you are not pressing it, in reality only a slight support already forces the mechanism, even if you cannot perceive it, and this habit greatly shortens the life of the clutch.
Replace the rubber seals
Rubber gaskets are one of those elements that tend to deteriorate quickly when they are not paid attention to, and in addition to the aesthetic damage, if they become cracked they no longer fulfill their function of protecting the interior of the vehicle and keeping it watertight.
To prevent this from happening, try to keep the tires clean but use non-abrasive products to remove the dirt, sometimes the remedy can be worse than the disease. Use rubber renovators from time to time, and protect the interior of the vehicle in summer with a sunshade.
Performs maintenance
Don't wait until your vehicle starts having problems to perform periodic maintenance and replacement of the parts that require it. Tires, filters, transmission belt, spark plugs, etc. need to be changed before they are in bad condition and can cause a serious breakdown in your precious car.
Protects paint
The climatic adversities, the sun, pollution, insects... are aggressive agents that are continuously challenging the paint of your car. So that it does not lose shine, fade or permanent stains appear, protect it a couple of times a year with special waxes for bodywork. You will notice the difference!
Cover the car if it sleeps outdoors
If you leave your car outdoors at night, cover it with a protective, waterproof tarpaulin to keep ice, moisture and cold at bay during the winter months.
Treat your vehicle with care and follow these tips to enjoy your car as good as new despite the passing years - it could become a classic one day!