If you want to tell the world that you’ve made it, tool around town in a luxury car. With their sleek style, whisper-quiet engines, and numerous amenities, luxury cars make driving a pleasure. However, if you want to maintain that level of style and comfort, you need to put in the time, money, and upkeep required to maintain it. Here’s how to keep your luxury car running and you ensconced in its comfortable confines.
Stick to a Service Schedule
Make a friend of your dealerships’ service department or find a mechanic who specializes in your car’s make and model. You need a service representative who knows both the inner and outer workings of your automobile, who you can work with to ensure that your car is kept in fresh-from-the-factory shape. The two biggest things to look after are your tires and your fluids, especially your oil. Tires take the brunt of whatever the road throws at you, so keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re inflated to the proper pressure and that the treads are the proper depth (you can pick up a tire pressure and tire tread depth gauge for these tasks). Change your oil every 6,000 miles or so (check your owner’s manual for specifics) with a high-performance synthetic oil. Be sure to schedule regular checkups to catch little problems before they become big ones.
Keep It Extra Clean
You’re probably already way ahead of us on this one, right? Avoid drive-in car washes, where you can risk scratches and worse because of abrasive brushes and corrosive cleaning solutions. Bring it into a detailing shop where they’ll use cleaners specifically made to preserve your luxury car’s shine while keeping hard-to-reach spots and mechanical parts clean of grit and grime. Have the interior vacuumed, wiped down, and polished, then shampoo the carpet. Make the cleaners’ job easier and retain your car’s value by avoiding eating, drinking, and smoking in your car, as well as tracking in dirt and mud.
Keep It Covered
If you don’t have the means of covering up your luxury car when it’s not in use, reconsider buying one. While your car is outside, environmental factors like sunlight, precipitation, animals, and surrounding plants can ruin the finish or, in the case of pests, invade and destroy the engine. A lockable garage is best, of course, but ensure it’s clean and tidy before storing your car there. Canopies and carports are fine, for the most part, but if your car’s sides are exposed, it is still at risk. Buying a car cover can be a good idea, but ensure that the material is breathable. Otherwise, the cover can retain moisture, leading to rust and corrosion.
Reconsider Your Next Trip
If you’re still wondering how to keep your luxury car running, remember that the less you drive it, the better shape it will be in. If you can take public transportation or ride your bike to run an errand, do so. It’s easier on the environment and your car. Above all else, avoid parking lots, where you’ll risk dings and dents from other drivers.
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