When a vehicle starts dragging at green lights and sputtering out AC like its final breaths before death, it’s clearly time for a tune-up. If things get bad enough you might even consider replacing your vehicle. A good strategy is to look for used cars that are in good shape. A sad reality with all cars is that they might sometimes break down or give you trouble. Most people farm their vehicles out to mechanics, who then charge $70 an hour (including donut breaks). However, you can improve vehicle performance at home: here are some of the easiest ways.
Clean It In & Out
Just by cleaning a vehicle on the inside and outside you will feel like it deserves more attention. It’s easy to do, and it takes less than an hour and $20 You might need a pressure washer to speed some things up in cleaning. Not to worry, there are a lot of great pressure washers on Bob Robinson’s review on Best of Machinery. If you already have one, even better.. Here are the tools you will need:
- Vacuum – Get the entire interior, and then the mats.
- Windex – Clean the inside and outside of your windows. Over time cigarette smoke, fingerprints, GPS suction cups and other debris will make your window look gross.
- Armor All – Wipe down all of the interior plastic or leather. Use a Q-tip to get into the grooves.
- Soapy Water – Wash the exterior and dry it well. Pay attention to the hub caps. Use high-quality cleaning products from Duel Autocare for better results.
Once your car is sparkling, make a list of performance issues you’d like to address.
Change Your Oil Regularly
By switching to synthetic oil during a home oil change you prepare an engine to clean itself. This kind of lubrication prevents friction. If you have never done an oil change before, read this handy guide. Doing this service for yourself will save you up to $75 every three months.
When you change your oil your vehicle runs better. You will feel the difference in acceleration and when you idle. Furthermore, your car will last longer overall when you take care of its oil needs.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter is to your car what your lungs are for your body. It needs to be kept clean and replaced as needed. This is simple to do, and can save you a lot of money. Here are the easy to follow steps:
- Buy the right air filter for your car.
- Open the hood.
- Carefully remove the filter housing, being careful not to allow dirt inside.
- Remove the old filter and clean the housing box.
- Insert the new filter, and then replace the housing mechanism.
- Close the hood.
This simple procedure can save you hundreds of dollars a year, because you don’t have to pay slow mechanics for their costly labor. You may also consider window tinting to help cool down your car so you won’t need to use the ac as much. When you buy a new car at Tindol Ford new cars Charlotte, it’s worth the time investment to keep it running well.
Inflate Your Tires Properly
Want to save up to 12 cents a gallon? All you have to do is properly inflate your tires. Most cars on the road are driving with the tires too empty or too full, which reduces road traction and causes a loss of energy efficiency. Check out this buyer’s guide to the best all-terrain tires for the best tires for your buck. It’s estimated that 1.2 billion gallons of gasoline are wasted every single year due to under-inflated tires. To check your tires simply follow these steps:
- Check your owner’s manual for ideal tire pressure.
- Use a tire gauge to check the current pressure.
- Add or relieve tire pressure using a free air hose at a gas station.
Keeping your car performing well is important for your wallet as well as your peace of mind. By doing routine check-ups and tune-ups your car will perform better, save you money, and resale for more money at the best used car buyers in Sydney.