Seven Easy Habits That Will Help You Care for Your Car

I have never cared much about car care. As long as my little Oldsmobile would run and got me where I wanted to go, I was happy. But as the Oldsmobile and I have gotten older, I've come to realize that a little organization can make avoiding mechanical problems easy. Also, keeping the car clean and organized makes for a much more comfortable car. So here are seven habits that will help you keep your car running more smoothly and comfortably without too much fuss.

Do a walk around inspection of your car before each trip. Yes, it looks dorky, and yes, it is inconvenient when it is thirty-five degrees out and pouring down rain. But it will help you catch things like burned out bulbs, vandalism, and especially, flat (or threateningly to go flat) tires before they become a problem on the road.

Keep an eye on your mileage each day. Look at your gages when you first turn your car on, and as you are driving. This will help you catch almost empty gas tanks, overdue services, and whether the car is running too hot.

On that note, schedule regular maintenance. If you are not mechanically inclined, find a service provider that keeps good records, keeps up on what services are do, and provides an overall inspection each time you come in for service.

Clean the clutter out of your car daily. Flying objects are dangerous if you hit the brakes too hard. Also, clutter seems to attract clutter. If you leave those library books in the back seat too long, by some mystical force, within a few days you will have a festering pile of sweaters, trash, and the occasional French fry.

Carry an all purpose wipe packet, and take a few minutes each evening to wipe down the dash board, and hard surfaces. Do not wipe the windshield with these types of wipes as many of them leave streaks and a film on glass that can be blinding when driving. A plain old damp cloth is a better idea for the front windshield.

Check your glove compartment paperwork weekly. Make sure you have all the proper paperwork (it is amazing how these things seem to wander off of their own accord. Keep a maintence journal and a receipt envelope in the glove compartment.

If you have On Star or AAA, which are definite must haves if you can work it, keep your information in your glove compartment, too. Regularly make sure any equipment involved has been updated, and that your membership is current.

These are just a few simple habits that will make your life so much easier. Auto problems are so inconvenient and expensive and many of them can be easily avoided.