After the new car smell fades and your temporary tag expires, that brand-new car you just bought should still feel like you drove it off the showroom floor. However, maintaining the value of your investment goes way beyond just washing your ride every week. At the same time, you don’t have to go all-out either.
We’ve gathered a few tips on how to keep your new car clean and protected. Investing in a few of the items below will go a long way towards making sure the car you just bought stays on the road for years and years to come.
Invest in Seat CoversBeyond the wheels and exterior body, your new car’s seats will see the most wear. Many people wait too long to put seat covers on, buying and installing them to hide rips and tears that have already occurred. But purchasing a simple set of covers from your local auto parts store—or even online—you can extend the life of your car’s interior. Seat covers can also be used to protect from baby car seats. Most seat covers sold locally will be universal in fit. However, if you’re looking for a custom set, check out your local dealership or Amazon. If you’ve got connections that are sewing-inclined, perhaps persuading them to hook you up is worth a shot. Either way, customization for your personal style is out there.Rubber, All-Weather Floor MatsCarpet mats are great if you live in a hot climate where mud, snow, and everything in-between doesn’t exist. However, they can stay easily, especially if they are lighter in color. Do yourself a favor: store the brand-new carpet mats and invest in rubber floor mats, even if they aren’t original to the car. WeatherTech is a great brand. Customization is one of their selling points, so if you can afford a set for your brand-new car, the investment is a no-brainer.Protect your Front EndIf you could tie a string from the center of one of your front wheels to the other, across the top of your hood and fenders, everything forward of that string would be subject to dirt, rocks, and debris that lives on the road. To protect your paint from chips and dings, invest in clear bra. A thin, elastic film, clear bra can be an expensive initial investment, but you’ll save tons at the body shop later on.Park your Vehicle InsideA lot of car owners underestimate the value of a garage, or even a carport. You hear about dealerships offering hail damage sales all the time—that’s because the elements will do more to damage your car than anything else. If you can manage to keep your car inside a temperature-controlled, covered environment, it will hold value for a lot longer than if it was parked outside all its life.Opt for Full CoverageSome people might be able to get away with only getting partial coverage on their vehicle, but if you haven’t even made a payment yet, full coverage is always a good idea. Talk with your insurance agent today and see what kind of monthly rate you qualify for. You may end up paying quite a bit per month, but in the event you do get in an accident and your car is totaled, you’ll be glad you’re not upside down on a totaled car. These are just a few of the ways you can take care of your new car. Keeping up on regular scheduled maintenance and of course keeping the car itself clean does a lot to maintain the value of your investment. Take a few minutes out of your day and you’ll find that new car will last long into the future. |
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