Everyone has their own tried and true car care tips, but it's never too late to learn a few more. With an internet full of car care advice, I've collected some of the more ingenious, frequently overlooked tips that will hopefully keep you out of the auto repair shop until you really need it.
The name of the game really is preventative maintenance. Using basic household items, and a little bit of knowledge, you can make a few simple changes to your car care routine that will keep parts lasting longer, and make maintenance and cleaning far easier.
• Cooking Spray - If I told you that cooking spray could cut down on time and money for cleaning jobs you wouldn't believe it, right? Well the truth is that a bottle of cooking spray can be used as a cleaner for removing unsightly brake residue off of tires and the car's underside. This will do wonders for keeping your car's breaks healthy and increase their longevity. Also a good coat of cooking spray on the car's grille after you finish cleaning it will make wiping away the inevitably returning grim even easier.
• Oil Changes - To perform your own oil change you really only need a wrench, a funnel, and something to drip the oil into. Professional auto repair shops will always be available for a quick oil change at any time of the year though. Keep the oil in your car fresh and your engine will reap huge rewards in term of longevity and fuel efficiency. Also, always remember if you're performing the oil change yourself, to store the used product in a sturdy container and take it to be recycled at the local oil recycling center.
• Maintain Wiper Blades - Wiper blades are an essential aspect of vision while driving, despite being often ignored. Repeated use can wear away a blade, putting your windshield (and thus your vision) at the mercy of the elements. Most auto manufacturers suggest changing your wiper blades once every 6-12 months. Well, I have a trick for making the lifespan of your wiper blades last into the later portion of that cycle. Vigorously rubbing a slightly worn wiper blade with sandpaper will add traction to its rubber and make it hug the windshield and control more moisture.
• Unconventional Wash - Much of brake and tire damage comes from built up dirt and grime on the underside of your car, especially when built up from a long winter of little maintenance. Getting a good wash on the underside of your car while you're de-winterizing it in the spring can prepare for a cheaper trip to the auto repair shop. Many mechanics feature early spring brake specials and tire specials, and cleaning the underside of your car before you go in can make the visit go more smoothly and keep the maintenance costs low. For a cheap clean simply hook up a inexpensive lawn sprinkler system under your car and turn it on. Move it around a few times and let it run for a solid rinse under your car. Car care really can be that easy.
