Every January we want to start the New Year with resolutions like eating healthier, exercising more and spending more time on our hobbies. Well, why not make a few New Year’s resolutions for your car as well? After all, it plays a big part in your life, and the condition it’s in can affect your quality of living. We have provided you with a list of five New Year’s resolutions for your car that will keep your car in good health and help you save money in the long run.
1. Get Your Car Detailed
The first thing to do is to take your car for detailing. The ideal detailing frequency is every four to six months, and most places offer multiple detailing packages. In general, a detailing package should include an exterior wash and waxing, interior vacuuming, polishing and window cleaning. If you are willing to spend more for your car, opt for services like paint touch-ups, mold removal for your air conditioner, undercoating for the wheel wells, synthetic paint sealant and an engine wash.
2. Take Care of the Tires
Tires are often ignored during the regular upkeep of your car, but they shouldn’t be since both your car’s performance and your safety rely heavily on them. If you aren’t already, make an effort to care for your tires this year by following these simple tips:
- Check Tire Pressure Monthly: Driving on underinflated tires increases the wear and tear on the tires and also increases fuel consumption. It’s important to maintain the recommended air pressure in all your car’s tires, including the spare. During warmer months, you can check tire pressure every month. During colder months, you need to check the tire pressure more frequently as tires lose 1 PSI pressure with every 10-degree drop in temperature.
- Inspect the Tread: You should inspect all your car’s tires for cracks or bulges, especially before long trips. Ensure the tread depth for all tires is above 4/32 of an inch. If the tread depth is lower, get new tires.
3. Practice Good Driving Habits
You should practice good driving habits throughout the year. Not only will they benefit your vehicle, but they will help keep you safe, too. Here are some easy tips:
- Obey the speed limit
- Don’t brake too hard
- Don’t accelerate quickly
- Don’t drive aggressively around corners
- Don’t use your phone while driving
4. Remove Junk From the Car
It’s easy to forget things in your car, whether that’s clothes, tools or the beach chair in the trunk from last summer. However, leaving a bunch of unused items in your car can increase the overall weight of the vehicle, which, in turn, increases fuel consumption. This year, make a habit of removing the junk from the car regularly. Plus, it’s always nice to drive in a clean car!
5. Schedule Bi-Annual Checkups
Vehicle checkups are essential to ensuring the reliability and safety of the car. This year, take your car for a thorough checkup every six months. After a complete checkup, the mechanic can suggest what repairs and maintenance tasks should be performed now and what can be kept for later.
It’s never too late to make New Year resolutions for your car. We hope the New Year’s resolutions listed in the post benefit both your life and your vehicle!
