Having your own car is not a cheap pleasure, no matter what they say. Do the math yourself, each car requires: fuel refills, which become more expensive from year to year, repairs, which happen even with new cars, regular maintenance, plus expenses for various kinds of documents (insurance, poles, etc.). But in addition to this, we need to purchase such an expensive “iron horse”.
Operating a car takes a lot of money, and the family budget suffers first of all. However, do not rush to call your car a “vacuum cleaner” for money, because here you should remember the benefits that a car brings: it saves time on movement, in some cases it performs the working function of transporting goods, sometimes a car is generally a tool for earning money, a clear example would be work at Taxi.
Having weighed all the pros and cons, you will still be inclined to believe that a car is still a profitable and useful means of transportation. Let's then think about how we can reduce the cost of repairs and various maintenance by providing proper care.
What is included in car care:
Appearance Technical condition Storage and operation Interior care Seasonal car maintenance Care products
So, the good condition of the spare parts and the car as a whole largely depends on how actively you take care of the car. Every time you get behind the wheel, you expose your iron horse to dust, dirt, fine gravel and other negative influences. But not only the technical condition of the parts suffers from this, but also the appearance of the car. I don’t think you will agree to drive a car that looks terrible. If you want to preserve the beauty and “youth” of your car, then start today by taking care of it and driving very carefully.
Appearance
Wash your car body and windows more often. The most common mistake motorists make is indifference to the dirt that sticks and remains on the body or rear window of the car. In rainy weather, it is recommended to wash the car every time after a long drive on dirty roads. You won’t believe it, but dirt tends to penetrate the top layer of paint on the body, which means that this stain will simply be impossible to remove over time, but now imagine how many similar stains can form on your car. The ideal solution is regular visits to the car wash, but if we decide to save money, we can handle this issue ourselves.
Nuances of the washing process. To wash your car you will need: a car washcloth (brush), warm water and car shampoo. You cannot wipe dust off the car with a dry cloth, as it can collect particles of dust, dirt or small stones, thereby creating scratches on the body. It is better to choose a soft type brush, since a hard one can also cause minor scratches.
Washing steps:
- Rinse the car with regular running or warm water, thereby softening the stuck-on dirt.
- Mix car shampoo with water. Rub the body with this mixture. For rubbing, use a special car washcloth or brush.
- Rinse the soap mixture off the car. It is more convenient to use a hose for this.
- Using a special dry rag, wipe the body dry from water, leaving no streaks.
Reminder for the washer:
- Shampoo stains left on the body can corrode the paint;
- to avoid streaks, you need to wipe the body with a suede cloth;
- foam rubber is just like a rag, it is not suitable for washing, use only a brush;
- body paint does not like temperature changes, so consider the water temperature and time of year;
- You can use shampoo to wash your car no more than 5-6 times a year.
If the car turns out to be dirty quite often, then for washing it is enough to simply use water supplied with good pressure from a hose. Water is also enough to wash windows; sometimes you can use a glass cleaner or even simple ammonia. After washing, wipe them dry again with a cloth.
We recommend that you watch a video that demonstrates washing a car at a car wash:
Protect your body color and paint. Everyone has probably heard about detergent preservatives and waxes that are applied to the car body. So, such conservation is needed in order to protect the four-wheeled friend from external negative factors, which include: dust, dirt and precipitation. This protection will be especially useful for owners of new cars, because you always want to preserve the pristine beauty of your car for as long as possible.
By the way, keeping the appearance of the car in excellent condition is not only pleasant, but also profitable if you suddenly decide to sell it. The appearance affects the presentability of the car and, of course, its price.
Body polishing
Regular use of polishing agents will help prolong or improve the paint surface of your car.
Today there is a wide selection from many manufacturers. Each product has its own positive properties in operation and application. The main task of conventional polishing agents is to protect the surface being treated from unwanted moisture and dust, as well as maintaining the attractive appearance of the surface. When used on paintwork, the polish penetrates deeply and fills all microcracks and scratches, and also covers the surface with a thin film, which protects the surface from the aggressive external environment.
The first sign that you need to use a polish is that when water gets on your car, it spreads out rather than forming individual droplets. Also, minor scratches or faded color visible in sunlight.
There are several types of polishing materials - these are wax polishes, possibly painted in the color of the car, and polishing materials containing abrasive of different fractions. As you might guess, wax polishing materials do not physically affect the paintwork of the car, they serve as a protective and decorative element that fills cracks and scratches, and also creates a protective film with deep reflection.
Polishing materials containing abrasive elements are used in more difficult cases. These products physically “erase” all scratches, thanks to extremely small “grains of sand”. At the same time, restoring the integrity of the top layer of coating. Which also returns shine and the original depth of reflection.
In the most difficult cases, polishing materials with abrasive are used, but mechanically. Special manual polishing machines perform the job much better. But it is advisable to entrust this procedure to a specialist, since careless use can damage the top layer of varnish, which can only be restored in a paint shop.
Technical condition
The first step towards proper car care will be (you won’t believe it) – studying the instructions that come with any vehicle. In particular, you should study how often maintenance is required and what consumables you need to remember to change. In addition, the car's operating instructions indicate what types of oils and antifreeze need to be filled, what gasoline to fill, and many other important technical nuances. You might think that a car service center will give you more correct advice, but the manufacturer still knows more about the weak points and features of his particular brand of car than a mechanic at a service station, for whom all cars are the same. Also, you should not rely entirely on the experience of friends if they have a completely different brand of car.
Frequent visits to specialized workshops will also not be superfluous, since if the problem is noticed in the early stages, then it is much easier to solve it and prevent complications, and it is much more profitable in terms of money. However, in this case, try to contact honest and trusted companies.
Here is a small list of consumables that you should pay attention to and replace them on time:
- Engine oil. The engine oil must be changed once a year or after 8,000 - 10,000 km. We would like to note that it is better not to skimp on motor oil.
- Antifreeze. Antifreeze is replaced once every 4 years, however, if you forget about it, you can end up with a tidy sum, since a radiator costs a lot of money in any auto store.
- Replacing filters. When performing so-called car maintenance, it is necessary to replace filters. When changing the engine oil, the oil and air filters are replaced. Also, do not forget to check and change the cabin filter promptly.
- Liquid level control. As often as possible, and preferably before each trip, check the level of fluids: engine oil, brake fluid and antifreeze.
- Brake pads. The frequency of replacement depends on your driving style, but they still wear out quite quickly. If they are not replaced in time, you will also need to buy new brake discs.
- Spark plug. The first symptom of the need to replace spark plugs is instability in engine operation. They need to be changed at least once every 50,000 kilometers, however, in addition, the operating conditions must be taken into account. If you neglect this factor, the spark plug will “merge” with the cylinder head, and such repairs will require serious financial investments.
How to avoid body corrosion? Let's be honest, it is very difficult to avoid corrosion on the body, but with proper care it is quite possible. Be sure to treat the bottom with anti-corrosion agents. Install wheel arch liners; they will also protect the body from premature rust. If you have a fairly used car, then study its body in detail, since in the first stages it is much easier to deal with corrosion. Rust-Stop liquid copes well with corrosion and perfectly protects the body, as it penetrates right into the metal. The only disadvantage of such a liquid is its high cost.
Don't neglect your CASCO insurance policy
Care and maintenance of a VAZ 2106 with an injection engine
Why this matters: You can be the best driver in the world, but it only takes one bad driver on the road to get into an accident. As a result, it can leave you and your car inactive for a long time.
Therefore, we advise you, although it is, of course, expensive, to purchase CASCO insurance policies that will protect you from damage to your car in the event of an accident. And you don’t need to rely on the MTPL insurance policy, which, unfortunately, often cannot cover all the costs of car repairs after an accident.
Moreover, now in most cases you cannot receive a cash payment for damage, since insurance is paid in kind (vehicle repair in a technical center working under an agreement with the insurer). Unfortunately, the quality of repair work in such establishments leaves much to be desired. Moreover, no one is insured against an accident due to their own fault. And unlike the MTPL policy, the CASCO policy will cover damage, even if you yourself are to blame for the accident.
Don't: While common sense is that you should never drive a car without insurance, many people try to save money on car ownership by any means necessary. Not only is it a pity for motorists to pay (or there is really no opportunity) money for a CASCO policy, but in recent years many drivers have stopped purchasing a compulsory MTPL policy. This means that there are many cars on the road today without insurance. If such a car collides with your car, then you should not count on payment under the MTPL policy.
After all, if the culprit of the accident does not have a valid MTPL policy, no one will pay you for the damage. In this case, you will be forced to seek compensation for damages through the court. Isn’t it easier to find some cheap CASCO policy with a deductible at a promotion? Believe me, sometimes it is more profitable than not insuring your car. Remember that the saying “We are not rich enough to save” has been proven true more than once.
Interior care
Torpedo
. An integral part of taking care of your car is keeping the interior tidy. All motorists know that after a long trip around the city, with the windows open, a layer of dust forms on the surface of the dashboard, and each such trip accumulates it. To prevent dust from spoiling the surface of the torpedo, it is recommended to wipe it with special cloths using torpedo cleaning products. Special napkins are also sold for this. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is highly not recommended to use polish and napkins with shine; this will negatively affect the view of the road and the very appearance of the torpedo.
Seats
. As for the seats, to preserve the original seat upholstery, we recommend purchasing special covers, since their range today is very large. There are special brushes for caring for velor interiors and covers, and rags with polish and napkins for leather.
Floor
. In order to preserve the floor covering, we recommend purchasing special car mats, including the trunk. The mats will not stain the floor covering, and they are also easy to clean from dust and dirt by simply carefully removing them from the interior. For summer, you can use pile car mats, and for winter, rubber ones.
Car shampoo
The most famous and frequently used product is car shampoo. Car shampoo is used when washing a car, since clean water is not able to remove all types of contaminants, especially organic ones. Shampoos often contain polishing additives that give the paintwork additional shine, as well as some protection from aggressive environmental influences.
Everyone should wash their cars like this)
Cleaning shampoos are more universal products: in their pure, undiluted form, they are used to remove stubborn stains - for example, insect marks, bitumen. When added to water, the cleaner can perform the functions of a regular car shampoo for washing the entire body. Cleaning shampoos are more convenient to use, because one package takes up less space than two, but still the usual car shampoos do their job a little better.
Car shampoo
To remove stains, waterless removers are also used, which are used only for local removal of stains that cannot be removed with a sponge and water.
Seasonal car maintenance
It is also necessary to take into account that the season for motorists is divided into two parts: summer and winter. First of all, this concerns the replacement of tires, which are also divided by season: summer and winter (studded). As the temperature drops, it is necessary to fill the glass washer barrel with the appropriate liquid for the given season. This is done so that the liquid in the washer does not freeze and spoil the barrel itself, and also, when it gets on the glass, does not freeze on it in frosty weather.
Winter is a difficult period for the motorist and for his car. First of all, in winter it is necessary to constantly check the battery charge level. Periodically clean the fender liners from accumulated snow and frost, and also clean the body itself from this. Sometimes take your four-wheeled friend to the car wash in winter, this will not only make it clean, but also clear it of the same frost and snow. Winter washing is also useful because you will wash off various anti-icing agents from your car, which negatively affect the body and contribute to the formation of corrosion. Of course, it is very advisable to remove the garage for the winter in order to reduce the impact of winter factors on the car. Below we invite you to watch a video about car care in winter:
Summer car care does not require special approaches to operation. At the same time, it is best to carry out vehicle maintenance at this time of year, especially checking the chassis, since by this period the potholes in the city have already been repaired after a harsh winter.
Air conditioner maintenance
. It’s worth saying a few words about car air conditioning care. It is recommended to clean it once a year; this is usually done before the summer season. To do this, use special antibacterial air conditioner cleaners. They kill bacteria that settle in the air conditioning system and the unpleasant odor from it. If the air conditioner begins to cool or heat poorly, then you need to contact a service station to check the functionality of the entire air conditioning system.
Finishing the wash
Caring for leather car interior
It is advisable, after washing the car, to leave it outside to dry all the moisture in a ventilated area, especially important after wet cleaning of the interior. In a poorly ventilated room, all the accumulated moisture in joints, niches and cracks will remain there for a long time, which can lead to premature corrosion. It is also advisable to remove moisture from external locks using a pump. It is especially important during the winter period of operation, or to use special anti-freeze lubricants for locks.
After washing the car. Body defects are clearly visible - cracks, chips, scratches and so on. We advise you to correct defects immediately, before corrosion begins to form in these places. A special car pencil, specially selected to match the color of your car and containing nitro enamel, is well suited for this. It is worth noting that sometimes automakers equip cars with such an emergency kit.
Storage and operation
In addition to proper care of the iron horse, its proper storage is also required. Naturally, the ideal place for this is a properly insulated garage, especially if you leave the vehicle for the winter. The garage must have good ventilation, the indoor temperature should not fall below 5 degrees Celsius and, of course, the room should not have high humidity. If your four-wheeled friend is constantly in the sun, then it must be covered with a special material (cover) that retains the sun's rays. Otherwise, the body paint, interior panels, car seat upholstery may fade, or stains may appear on the body.
As for operation, remember that the car requires you to drive carefully, especially considering the quality of the roads in our countries, where every kilometer of the road has at least one hole. Try in every possible way to avoid even small holes, but do not take this to the point of fanaticism, since there are often cases when the desire to avoid a hole leads to serious accidents. If you see that there is no way around a road bump, then try to slow down as much as possible and drive through it smoothly. If you do not release the brake pedal, a very strong impact will occur on the wheel rims (iron rims will bend, titanium rims may even crack), and pressing the gas pedal can knock the steering wheel out of your hands, thereby causing you to drift into another lane. Be careful on the road.
By carefully driving and caring for your car in technical and aesthetic terms, you thereby increase its service life, so we strongly recommend that you do not forget about caring for your car!
Replace worn or damaged belts.
Check your belts for cracks or wear. Then check the belt tension to make sure it has not stretched. If you notice signs of damage or the belt does not have enough tension, replace it.
- When installing a new belt, be sure to follow the diagram on the sticker in the engine compartment (or in your car's repair manual).
Why is the cost of maintaining one car so much higher than another?
This is because diligence is an important part of car care. Maintenance is the proper maintenance of your vehicle in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. There are also additional steps to keep the car in excellent technical condition and ensure an impeccable appearance.
The meaning of the word "zeal" is very broad. In thousands of used car advertisements, sellers describe them as "tidy" and "constantly maintained." But is this the kind of care customers expect? Disappointment can be very painful. For the procuring organization, “order and constant maintenance” should mean functionality, cleanliness and the absence of accidents.
To most sellers, a "neat and well-maintained" car is a rusty, neglected junk car refurbished from scrap metal, with HID headlights and new seat covers. The owner of such a car would rather spend about 50 euros on a chrome exhaust tip than on a 5-liter tank of fresh engine oil. So often, it seems, there is “care and constant concern” in life.
Buying such a car will be the beginning of many problems, nerves and endless costs. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to carefully inspect a used car in a professional workshop.
Accumulator charging:
In some cars, the battery lasts for 5 or even 7 years, in others it can disappoint after just a year of use. This can happen if the battery is constantly drained due to short distances. Additionally, at temperatures above 25°C the battery itself will discharge faster, and at temperatures below 0°C its performance will be reduced.
The battery suffers most from deep discharge. How can I avoid this when driving short distances? It is enough to charge it with a microprocessor charger every few days. Removing the battery is very easy. This can significantly extend its service life.
