By Mason Gaspar
Media Editor
Sixteen-year-olds across the US search for their first car, the perfect first car. But once you get that car, what happens then? How do you keep it as fresh as possible? Well, from someone who has had multiple cars in almost three years of driving, here are some tips to keep your car running on all cylinders.
Let’s talk about why this is even important. Most people think, “Oh, what a waste of time and money it is to wash, maintain and check up on your car.” This is completely wrong; washing your car keeps the paint from deteriorating over time. Senior Johnny Kamariotis said, “It is always important to keep your car clean and maintained to ensure the longevity and safety of the vehicle. Some important factors to keep your car well maintained is checking the oil color and level.” Leaving dirt and mud on your car and letting it sit in the sun without treating it can lead to scratching, sunbleach, chipping and peeling.
You might say, “Well, what if I don’t care how it looks?” Well, you should, because issues like these can cause lasting damage, and eventually you could have an entire hole in your car. Also, checking your fluids every week or two can help you understand your car better and help you stay on top of your fluid levels, such as oil, windshield wiper fluid and coolant. These are basic fluids everyone should know how to measure and refill.
How do you do this though? Well, I’m going to take you through the basic cleaning process and maintenance of your car. First, make sure the weather conditions are in your favor—no rain, then good to wash. You will need two buckets, a hose with a shower nozzle (power washer if you have one) and a microfiber car sponge. In one bucket put car wash soap with water, and in the other bucket put only water.
Next, give your car a good rinse of water to take off the layer of dirt. Then take your sponge and scrub back and forth in straight lines so that you don’t scratch your paint with any dirt on the car. Also, frequently dip into your bucket of water to get off all the dirt that is on your sponge, and then dip back into the soapy water. Then give the car one last rinse to get off all the soap and then dry off the car completely with a microfiber towel. Lastly, vacuum the inside of your car; leaving dust and dirt causes smells and odors to stay in your car. It’s never too late to start maintaining a healthy car now.
