The "total cost of ownership" refers to all expenses relating to owning your car. It's not just the purchase price and taxes, it's also the insurance, fuel, tires, maintenance and repairs. Add it all up and then subtract the amount that you get for your car when you sell it.
Most people know that they need to be diligent with their maintenance schedule if they're going to avoid expensive major repairs. Following a maintenance schedule is easy because you have an owner's manual as a guide. But people sometimes fail to realize that they need to wash their car regularly and wax it.
There are several reasons why you should care for your car's paint finish. It takes some time and effort, but it can be well worth it.
When dirt and debris build up on your car, especially in nooks and crannies, it attracts and retains moisture, which can lead to rust. It's not just about dirt. It's also leaves and other plant life that can make its way into different places, even under the hood. Cars that are frequently parked outside are particularly vulnerable to the elements.
There's a psychological factor at work as well. When your car is clean you like it more, respect it more and pay more attention to its mechanical condition. In contrast, a dirty car isn't as respected by its owner and is less likely to be taken to the shop at the first sign of trouble.
There's no hard and fast rule as to how often you should wash your car or wax it. It all depends on the conditions. If you work from home, garage your car and only drive on sunny days your schedule will be far different from an owner whose car sits outside and drives it every day in all weather conditions.
For the average owner I can recommend washing it as often as is practically possible and wax it twice per year.
One thing people often don't know is that it's not enough to simply wash your car. A lot of things can stick to your paint that aren't easily removed by simple washing. Many waxes have a cleaning element that helps to remove the extra debris. Not surprisingly, it's called "cleaner wax" and it's readily available from many sources.
Another tip is to consider using some kind of machine like an orbital buffer or a dual action buffer. For most people, a high speed buffer should be avoided. They require more training to use, especially if wool pads are used. Too much heat can result in "burning the paint," a condition that's not easy to fix.
If you do a good job of caring for your car's finish, you'll be far more likely to sell it easily for a good price. In more than one occasion I've been able to sell a car without advertising it because it was commonly known that I take great care of my cars.
Most people know that they need to be diligent with their maintenance schedule if they're going to avoid expensive major repairs. Following a maintenance schedule is easy because you have an owner's manual as a guide. But people sometimes fail to realize that they need to wash their car regularly and wax it.
There are several reasons why you should care for your car's paint finish. It takes some time and effort, but it can be well worth it.
When dirt and debris build up on your car, especially in nooks and crannies, it attracts and retains moisture, which can lead to rust. It's not just about dirt. It's also leaves and other plant life that can make its way into different places, even under the hood. Cars that are frequently parked outside are particularly vulnerable to the elements.
There's a psychological factor at work as well. When your car is clean you like it more, respect it more and pay more attention to its mechanical condition. In contrast, a dirty car isn't as respected by its owner and is less likely to be taken to the shop at the first sign of trouble.
There's no hard and fast rule as to how often you should wash your car or wax it. It all depends on the conditions. If you work from home, garage your car and only drive on sunny days your schedule will be far different from an owner whose car sits outside and drives it every day in all weather conditions.
For the average owner I can recommend washing it as often as is practically possible and wax it twice per year.
One thing people often don't know is that it's not enough to simply wash your car. A lot of things can stick to your paint that aren't easily removed by simple washing. Many waxes have a cleaning element that helps to remove the extra debris. Not surprisingly, it's called "cleaner wax" and it's readily available from many sources.
Another tip is to consider using some kind of machine like an orbital buffer or a dual action buffer. For most people, a high speed buffer should be avoided. They require more training to use, especially if wool pads are used. Too much heat can result in "burning the paint," a condition that's not easy to fix.
If you do a good job of caring for your car's finish, you'll be far more likely to sell it easily for a good price. In more than one occasion I've been able to sell a car without advertising it because it was commonly known that I take great care of my cars.
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