How to properly care for your car?

Having your own car is not a cheap pleasure, no matter what they say. Do the math yourself, each car requires: fuel refills, which become more expensive from year to year, repairs, which happen even with new cars, regular maintenance, plus expenses for various kinds of documents (insurance, poles, etc.). But in addition to this, we need to purchase such an expensive “iron horse”.

Operating a car takes a lot of money, and the family budget suffers first of all. However, do not rush to call your car a “vacuum cleaner” for money, because here you should remember the benefits that a car brings: it saves time on movement, in some cases it performs the working function of transporting goods, sometimes a car is generally a tool for earning money, a clear example would be work at Taxi.

Having weighed all the pros and cons, you will still be inclined to believe that a car is still a profitable and useful means of transportation. Let's then think about how we can reduce the cost of repairs and various maintenance by providing proper care.

What is included in car care:

Appearance Technical condition Storage and operation Interior care Seasonal car maintenance Care products

Appearance

Wash your car body and windows more often. The most common mistake motorists make is indifference to the dirt that sticks and remains on the body or rear window of the car. In rainy weather, it is recommended to wash the car every time after a long drive on dirty roads. You won’t believe it, but dirt tends to penetrate the top layer of paint on the body, which means that this stain will simply be impossible to remove over time, but now imagine how many similar stains can form on your car. The ideal solution is regular visits to the car wash, but if we decide to save money, we can handle this issue ourselves.

Nuances of the washing process. To wash your car you will need: a car washcloth (brush), warm water and car shampoo. You cannot wipe dust off the car with a dry cloth, as it can collect particles of dust, dirt or small stones, thereby creating scratches on the body. It is better to choose a soft type brush, since a hard one can also cause minor scratches.

Washing steps:

Rinse the car with regular running or warm water, thereby softening the stuck-on dirt.
Mix car shampoo with water. Rub the body with this mixture. For rubbing, use a special car washcloth or brush.
Rinse the soap mixture off the car. It is more convenient to use a hose for this.
Using a special dry rag, wipe the body dry from water, leaving no streaks.

Reminder for the washer:

Shampoo stains left on the body can corrode the paint;
to avoid streaks, you need to wipe the body with a suede cloth;
foam rubber is just like a rag, it is not suitable for washing, use only a brush;
body paint does not like temperature changes, so consider the water temperature and time of year;
You can use shampoo to wash your car no more than 5-6 times a year.

If the car turns out to be dirty quite often, then for washing it is enough to simply use water supplied with good pressure from a hose. Water is also enough to wash windows; sometimes you can use a glass cleaner or even simple ammonia. After washing, wipe them dry again with a cloth.

We recommend that you watch a video that demonstrates washing a car at a car wash:

Protect your body color and paint. Everyone has probably heard about detergent preservatives and waxes that are applied to the car body. So, such conservation is needed in order to protect the four-wheeled friend from external negative factors, which include: dust, dirt and precipitation. This protection will be especially useful for owners of new cars, because you always want to preserve the pristine beauty of your car for as long as possible.

By the way, keeping the appearance of the car in excellent condition is not only pleasant, but also profitable if you suddenly decide to sell it. The appearance affects the presentability of the car and, of course, its price.

Car wash

Yes, before everyone took a rag, a sponge and simply rubbed the car with the first chemical they came across. Don't repeat the mistake of the past - a sponge can damage your car's paint, just like a dry rag. Especially if it is old and not entirely clean. And rubbing only leads to the appearance of cloudy marks and loss of glossy shine. After all, with a rag you drag particles of dirt over the varnish that are not visible to the naked eye. Dirt becomes an abrasive for the body.

You should not use household chemicals - dishwashing liquid removes grease and is not intended for the car. Using household chemicals will very quickly ruin the appearance of your car.

What's the best way to wash your car? You may want to consider touchless car wash. But alone, it will not provide complete removal of dirt, leaving a thin layer that, with further wiping, will easily scratch your car. A modern solution is a three-phase washing system. It takes place in several stages.

Contactless washing. Use gentle products with a low alkali content. This avoids future scratches and removes all underlying dirt.
Hand wash. Use products with antistatic properties. Use either special mittens or a sponge with large pores.
Drying. Either hand dry using microfiber or dry with a hair dryer.

Technical condition

The first step towards proper car care will be (you won’t believe it) – studying the instructions that come with any vehicle. In particular, you should study how often maintenance is required and what consumables you need to remember to change. In addition, the car's operating instructions indicate what types of oils and antifreeze need to be filled, what gasoline to fill, and many other important technical nuances. You might think that a car service center will give you more correct advice, but the manufacturer still knows more about the weak points and features of his particular brand of car than a mechanic at a service station, for whom all cars are the same. Also, you should not rely entirely on the experience of friends if they have a completely different brand of car.

Frequent visits to specialized workshops will also not be superfluous, since if the problem is noticed in the early stages, then it is much easier to solve it and prevent complications, and it is much more profitable in terms of money. However, in this case, try to contact honest and trusted companies.

Here is a small list of consumables that you should pay attention to and replace them on time:

Engine oil. The engine oil must be changed once a year or after 8,000 - 10,000 km. We would like to note that it is better not to skimp on motor oil.
Antifreeze. Antifreeze is replaced once every 4 years, however, if you forget about it, you can end up with a tidy sum, since a radiator costs a lot of money in any auto store.
Replacing filters. When performing so-called car maintenance, it is necessary to replace filters. When changing the engine oil, the oil and air filters are replaced. Also, do not forget to check and change the cabin filter promptly.
Liquid level control. As often as possible, and preferably before each trip, check the level of fluids: engine oil, brake fluid and antifreeze.
Brake pads. The frequency of replacement depends on your driving style, but they still wear out quite quickly. If they are not replaced in time, you will also need to buy new brake discs.
Spark plug. The first symptom of the need to replace spark plugs is instability in engine operation. They need to be changed at least once every 50,000 kilometers, however, in addition, the operating conditions must be taken into account. If you neglect this factor, the spark plug will “merge” with the cylinder head, and such repairs will require serious financial investments.

How to avoid body corrosion? Let's be honest, it is very difficult to avoid corrosion on the body, but with proper care it is quite possible. Be sure to treat the bottom with anti-corrosion agents. Install wheel arch liners; they will also protect the body from premature rust. If you have a fairly used car, then study its body in detail, since in the first stages it is much easier to deal with corrosion. Rust-Stop liquid copes well with corrosion and perfectly protects the body, as it penetrates right into the metal. The only disadvantage of such a liquid is its high cost.

Window

Washing windows is no less important task than cleaning the car body. In order for them to shine in the light and be streak-free, you need to know the technology of this procedure.

Car windows should not be cleaned with glass cleaners at home. Here you will also need to purchase special chemical reagents.

Aquapel is a good product. Thanks to its unique composition, it removes traces of nicotine, insects and moisture. Aquapel also creates a protective film on the surface that protects the glass from dirt.

How to wash - procedure:

Use water pressure to remove most of the dirt and dust.
Apply your chosen detergent. Rub the glass with a microfiber cloth. Car dealerships even sell window cleaning cloths.
Rinse everything off with water pressure, rub it until it shines with the same napkin or wipe the glass with newspaper. The last method is old, but effective.

As you can see, the process of washing glass is easy. It is not necessary to use professional chemicals; you can use any shampoo or dishwashing detergent.

Interior care

Torpedo

. An integral part of taking care of your car is keeping the interior tidy. All motorists know that after a long trip around the city, with the windows open, a layer of dust forms on the surface of the dashboard, and each such trip accumulates it. To prevent dust from spoiling the surface of the torpedo, it is recommended to wipe it with special cloths using torpedo cleaning products. Special napkins are also sold for this. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is highly not recommended to use polish and napkins with shine; this will negatively affect the view of the road and the very appearance of the torpedo.

Seats

. As for the seats, to preserve the original seat upholstery, we recommend purchasing special covers, since their range today is very large. There are special brushes for caring for velor interiors and covers, and rags with polish and napkins for leather.

Floor

. In order to preserve the floor covering, we recommend purchasing special car mats, including the trunk. The mats will not stain the floor covering, and they are also easy to clean from dust and dirt by simply carefully removing them from the interior. For summer, you can use pile car mats, and for winter, rubber ones.

Elimination of minor defects

A shallow scratch to the ground or a chip is not a serious threat to the coating. It can be easily removed using a special pencil. Of course, the defect will not disappear completely, but it will become less noticeable.

Deeper scratches require the use of special polishes. They are:

waxy;
abrasive.

Wax products are a temporary solution. After several washes, the wax will be washed off and the scratches will appear again. An abrasive polish can permanently eliminate the defect. Unfortunately, along with the scratch, it also removes a small layer of varnish, which is not at all endless. If you use this product frequently, the body will become covered with dull spots.

Seasonal car maintenance

It is also necessary to take into account that the season for motorists is divided into two parts: summer and winter. First of all, this concerns the replacement of tires, which are also divided by season: summer and winter (studded). As the temperature drops, it is necessary to fill the glass washer barrel with the appropriate liquid for the given season. This is done so that the liquid in the washer does not freeze and spoil the barrel itself, and also, when it gets on the glass, does not freeze on it in frosty weather.

Winter is a difficult period for the motorist and for his car. First of all, in winter it is necessary to constantly check the battery charge level. Periodically clean the fender liners from accumulated snow and frost, and also clean the body itself from this. Sometimes take your four-wheeled friend to the car wash in winter, this will not only make it clean, but also clear it of the same frost and snow. Winter washing is also useful because you will wash off various anti-icing agents from your car, which negatively affect the body and contribute to the formation of corrosion. Of course, it is very advisable to remove the garage for the winter in order to reduce the impact of winter factors on the car. Below we invite you to watch a video about car care in winter:

Summer car care does not require special approaches to operation. At the same time, it is best to carry out vehicle maintenance at this time of year, especially checking the chassis, since by this period the potholes in the city have already been repaired after a harsh winter.

Air conditioner maintenance

. It’s worth saying a few words about car air conditioning care. It is recommended to clean it once a year; this is usually done before the summer season. To do this, use special antibacterial air conditioner cleaners. They kill bacteria that settle in the air conditioning system and the unpleasant odor from it. If the air conditioner begins to cool or heat poorly, then you need to contact a service station to check the functionality of the entire air conditioning system.

Removing dirt from headlights

The low beam illuminates the road in front of the driver for 50-60 meters, and the high beam illuminates almost 100 meters. In addition, drivers of oncoming cars see burning headlights at night at a distance of about two kilometers. If something goes wrong, they will have time to react.

Dirty headlights have a significant impact on visibility, which can be reduced by up to 95%. On the highway, especially at high speeds, it will be impossible to see anything, even a few meters ahead. It will also be impossible to react quickly to danger. Therefore, it is important to clean the headlights in a timely manner: this will not only make the car more beautiful and well-groomed, but will also save lives.

A standard wash, along with the body, is usually sufficient. But in the summer, especially after a trip to nature, the windshield, grille and headlights can be covered with insect corpses. If this mass hardens on hot headlights, it will be very difficult to get rid of it.

Glass cleaner and a rag will do the trick if you clean your headlights as quickly as possible. If the dirt has hardened, it is recommended to use insect removers. Many drivers recommend a product that has been proven over the years - WD40 fluid.

Storage and operation

In addition to proper care of the iron horse, its proper storage is also required. Naturally, the ideal place for this is a properly insulated garage, especially if you leave the vehicle for the winter. The garage must have good ventilation, the indoor temperature should not fall below 5 degrees Celsius and, of course, the room should not have high humidity. If your four-wheeled friend is constantly in the sun, then it must be covered with a special material (cover) that retains the sun's rays. Otherwise, the body paint, interior panels, car seat upholstery may fade, or stains may appear on the body.

As for operation, remember that the car requires you to drive carefully, especially considering the quality of the roads in our countries, where every kilometer of the road has at least one hole. Try in every possible way to avoid even small holes, but do not take this to the point of fanaticism, since there are often cases when the desire to avoid a hole leads to serious accidents. If you see that there is no way around a road bump, then try to slow down as much as possible and drive through it smoothly. If you do not release the brake pedal, a very strong impact will occur on the wheel rims (iron rims will bend, titanium rims may even crack), and pressing the gas pedal can knock the steering wheel out of your hands, thereby causing you to drift into another lane. Be careful on the road.

By carefully driving and caring for your car in technical and aesthetic terms, you thereby increase its service life, so we strongly recommend that you do not forget about caring for your car!

Wheel disks

The rims of the car absorb more of the dirt than the body. Taking care of them is important for their safety, because they are as close to the road as possible and all the brake dust settles on them.

Frequent visits to a car wash will be expensive for the driver. They need to be washed at least 2 times a week. Unfortunately, not all drivers can afford professional cleaning of wheels and rims. There is a way out - wash them with your own hands. You can do this quickly and save a lot of money on a car wash.

How to care for rims:

To begin, select cleaners. There are a huge variety of them sold on the shelves of car dealerships, cheap and expensive, with and without a sprayer, in small and large volumes. Select the appropriate product and begin the cleaning procedure. Products such as LIQUI MOLY, Dannev, NANOX, Sonax, SOFT99 02044 New Wheel Tonic 400 are considered good.
You can use regular hair detergent or shampoo. You will also need a high-pressure apparatus; if you don’t have one, take a hose or bucket of water.

Algorithm of actions:

remove the wheels;
remove dirt with a sponge;
direct the high-pressure apparatus to remove brake dust and stuck stones;
use a homemade or special wheel cleaner;
wash off the foam;
treat with a protective coating.

You don't have to remove the discs. They can be washed without dismantling. It's even simpler and easier.

However, experienced mechanics still advise removing them. This is due to the fact that chemical solutions have a detrimental effect on brake pads and pipes.

Good mechanic

When you see it's time for your next maintenance appointment, you need to take a look at what services are available in your area. You should either go to an authorized dealership, which has the best staff and top-notch tools to carry out maintenance, but their services are very expensive. So if you can't afford it, try to find a mechanic who is reliable and does quality work - you can ask your friends where they get their inspection done.

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Is it possible to buy trackers without breaking the law?

There are companies that import such devices into Russia without violating any laws. First, they are registered at customs, receiving so-called notations, the devices undergo mandatory certification, and entrepreneurs pay all relevant customs duties and other fees established by domestic legislation.

It is completely legal to purchase GPS trackers from such companies and there will be no problems with this. Law enforcement agencies have questions for those who order such devices abroad, usually in China or on the websites of other foreign countries. In this case, they are illegally imported into Russia. Such gadgets do not undergo examination and certification established by domestic legislation. On this basis, they can be recognized as special technical means, the use of which is prohibited by ordinary citizens. Then you will have to prove that you ordered this spy device solely for good purposes, to ensure your own safety.

Recently, in addition to tracking cars, it has become popular to install such tracking trackers on animals, children and the elderly, who can easily get lost. For example, there are watches with which any parent can monitor their child, know where he went, with whom he communicates, when he returns home, and whether he is skipping school. Such devices are sold in Chinese online stores, so they also fall into the risk zone, since they do not undergo the appropriate certification.

Beacon capabilities

Such a beacon can show high efficiency. You will be able to create the routes the driver should follow with maximum accuracy, as well as control possible deviations.

Follow the driver on the map, viewing all movements online. Monitor the level of fuel consumption and the duration of idle time with the engine running. Receive full reporting on all trips, route deviations and stops to your email. Find out what your driving style is like by recording sudden accelerations, sharp turns and braking.

Technique

Currently, service centers are still open, so now is a great time to change the oil and check the condition of other technical fluids. Add coolant (but not water). Ask a mechanic to check the condition of your brake fluid, which is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water, and after a long period of sitting it can be an unpleasant surprise.

A tempting idea is to spray the metal surfaces of the engine with a lubricant like WD-40, which displaces water. Of course, this can help with very long-term storage, but you should not protect brake discs in this way.

A much better idea is to apply special lubricant to door hinges, locks and latches, trunk and hood hinges.

Electrics

It is best to purchase a so-called battery charger, which plugs into an outlet and keeps the battery running. The coolest ones have a recovery mode: as soon as the battery charge decreases, smart, gentle charging is automatically turned on. As an alternative, you can completely disconnect the battery from the car and simply connect the terminal again when storage is complete. But the charge may still not be enough, so you will have to stock up on a booster.

However, modern cars have too many electronic systems that need power, so it's better to leave the battery connected (and smart charging if possible) than to later call the dealer for lock codes or restore reset user settings.

Wheels

More precisely, tires. Before storing, you should make sure that everything is in order with the tires and that they do not flatten from minor punctures. It is recommended to inflate the tires to the pressure recommended for heavy loads (this should be found in the instructions or on special plates on the body). This way, after storage, you can drive away normally and not have the adventure of pumping up flat tires.

Try to resist the temptation to simply increase the pressure even more than recommended. Keep yourself in control and keep your blood pressure within the recommended values.

If you decide to go completely all-in, then you can completely remove the wheels and store the car on special stands. Just make sure the stands are in the locations recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Oh, and inflate your tires to performance and store them on their sides. This is if they are on disks. If the tires do not have rims, they are stored standing up.