Taking care of a vehicle is a lot like taking care of a house, and while it is technically yours to enjoy (assuming you’re a buyer and not a renter), it’s always a good idea to think about resale value. There’s certainly a lot to consider in this area, so we’ve broken things down into a few bite-sized tips to help you maintain your vehicle’s value...
Keep It Clean.
Sure, we bring this one up a lot, but here’s the thing: the more you keep up with simple cleaning now, the less deep cleaning you’ll have to do later. So, don’t wait to sop up that soda explosion in your back seat. Take a few minutes to vacuum up the dirt ground into your floor mats. You’ll thank yourself later, and especially when it’s time to sell the vehicle.
Also, don’t forget about the exterior! Abandoned collections of leaves and debris on your car can actually damage your paint after awhile (especially when sap is involved). That being said, it’s also a good idea to go through the carwash on a semi-regular basis (or hose it down at home). Tree sap isn’t the only thing that can cause problems with your paint job, so it’s a good idea to rinse off other culprits and chemicals, including salt and tar from the roads and even bird droppings. Finally, treating your vehicle to a wax every so often can help to protect it even further.
Keep It Covered.
Whether it’s a garage, a covered parking space, or an actual car cover, finding a way to shelter your vehicle from the elements is one of the simplest ways to maintain a satisfying aesthetic. Summer weather may seem a little tamer than winter at times, but here in Colorado, we still have plenty to worry about with extremely hot temperatures, gusting wind to send debris flying, and (horror of horrors) hail.
Keep Up with the Tuneups.
Your engine is the mechanical heart of your vehicle, and to keep that ticker “tocking” (and “ticking.” It should really do both.), it’s important to have regular checkups to make sure it’s functioning properly. Tuneup services usually include visual and/or physical inspections of parts such as hoses and belts, fluids, spark plugs, filters, rotors, and distributor caps. Further, depending on your vehicle’s model, these services should be obtained every year or 10,000 to 12,000 miles for older cars, or 30,000 to 100,000 miles for new vehicles. (This is just a general guideline. Make sure to research your car’s specific make and model for more accurate data.)
Neglect Not Your Glass.
Auto glass, that is. Let’s face it: if your glass is pock-marked, scratched, cracked, or has tint peeling off in places, prospective buyers may start to wonder what other parts of your car you failed to treat nicely. So, stay away from harsh chemicals, get cracks and chips fixed immediately, change your wiper blades when they’re old and busted, and always remember that you have a friend in the auto glass business!
Keep Your Smokey Habits Outside.
Before smoking was banned indoors in Colorado, you might remember “smoking” and “non-smoking” sections of restaurants. The thing is, years after the “smoking” sections were eliminated, the aroma of stale cigarettes lingered because smoke of any kind has a habit of sticking around in paint and fabrics. That being said, the inside of your car has a lot of fabric, so getting the stink out after the fact will ultimately be a lot more trouble than simply having your cigarette outside.
So, there you have it. These tips may not be a complete list when it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s value, but they will certainly start you off on the right track.
Until next time, from all of us at Quick-Set Auto Glass, drive carefully out there!
