5 Tips on How You Can Maintain Your Daily Driven Car

Cars are often the preferred mode of transportation for people in the United States and worldwide. Your car is like an extension of yourself because you drive it daily. Your car takes you to work, brings your children to school, lets you go on a vacation, and everywhere else you want. Because your car plays a vital role in your everyday life, it's only fitting to ensure you keep it running in tip-top condition. From cleaning your car, providing the car fluids are topped up, to getting the best OBD scanner, here are some ways to maintain the car you drive every day.

1. Clean Your Car

One of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicle is to clean it. Environmental factors like dust, air, and pollution can damage your car's exterior. Clean your vehicle with detergent specially formulated for car use, and avoid using ordinary dish soap if you can. It's also ideal for taking your car to a car wash at least once a month so it can clean everything else below your vehicle. Don't forget to clean the inside of your car as well. Using the proper head, vacuum your vehicle with a small yet mighty handheld vacuum cleaner. Don't forget to clean the vinyl parts with a sponge and a mixture of water and mild detergent. Keeping your car clean makes it last longer and feels and looks good when you drive it!

2. Make Sure All Your Car Fluids Are Topped Up

Ensuring your car's fluids are at an optimum level is another way to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. If you're confident enough, you can top your car fluids yourself. If you aren't, your local garage can do it for you. Below are some of the crucial liquids you need to check:

• Engine Oil: Low engine oil is one of the leading causes of car breakdown. You can check your engine oil level by opening your car hood and pulling out the engine dipstick. Wipe the stick with a rag or paper town, put the rod back in, and pull it up again to see the oil level. The ideal level should be between the minimum and maximum levels.
  

• Brake Fluid: To check the level of your car's brake fluid, you'll first want to locate the brake reservoir. You can consult your owner's manual if you have trouble finding it. The brake fluid reservoir is semi-transparent, so you should be able to see the oil level. The liquid should be in between the min and max marker. If you need to change the oil, you should take it to your local auto shop because brake fluids are very sensitive.
  

• Antifreeze: During winter, you must check the level of your antifreeze because it prevents your engine from freezing during the cold. Similar to the engine oil, the level should be between the min and max marker. The ideal ratio of antifreeze to water is 60% antifreeze and 40% water.
  

3. Park Your Car in the Shade

The sun's UV rays and heat can damage your car's interior. If you can, try to park your car in the shade. If you can't find a shaded area to park your vehicle, invest in a car shade to minimize the sun's impact. Car shades come as folded types you can put in your windshield or back window and the pleated type which you can attach by velcro, suction, or suction cups.

4. Pay Attention to Your Car’s Warning Lights

You can find your car's warning lights on your car dashboard. When they light up, it's your car's way of letting you know something might be wrong with it. It's easy to ignore them, especially when there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your car. However, ignoring these warning lights can damage your vehicle. So, pay special attention to significant faults like your dashboard's engine, brake, and power steering lights.

To help you determine if your dashboard lights are something to be concerned about, invest in the best OBD scanner. An on-board detection (OBD) scanner analyzes your dashboard lights and tells you what these codes mean. Invest in the best OBD scanner so you won't be double-guessing what to do.

5. Keep Fuel Levels at Optimum Levels

If you always keep your fuel levels low, your fuel pump will attempt to draw the fuel on the bottom, which can be full of debris, air, and sediment to power your car. These materials, in time, can clog your system, corrode your filters and pump and prevent your car from starting. Keeping your fuel levels at optimal can help stave off potentially expensive repair bills.

Keep Your Car Working Longer

Often you can take your car for granted, expecting it to keep going until it unexpectedly doesn't start one day. Give your trusty vehicle the care and attention it deserves and maintain it daily. Washing your car every day, investing in the best OBD scanner, and following the rest of the tips mentioned above can help ensure that you and your car will go longer miles together.