One of the best things about owning a muscle car is the feeling of power behind your wheels. In addition, it is a fantastic feeling to get in behind the steering wheel of a muscle car daily and hit the open road. Thus, if you’re a classic car enthusiast, you no doubt love your car. However, it’s also likely that you take extra care to ensure that your vehicle is always in showroom condition.
According to GoodCarBadCar stats, 98,668 muscle cars were sold between January and October 2022, including Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevrolet Camaro. At the same time, 6,375 more muscle cars were sold in 2022 Q3 compared to 2021 Q3. These facts clearly show the ongoing love for muscle cars in the US.
However, you don’t want to enjoy your ride; you also want to ensure it’s kept in tip-top shape. And that’s where DIY maintenance comes into play. You can do a lot of basic repairs and preventative measures yourself without having to pay someone else for their expertise. This article guides you through 7 simple ways to keep your car looking as good as new without spending a dime on professional help.
1. Wash and Wax on a Regular Schedule
The first step to maintaining your car’s shiny, smooth paint job is washing it regularly. To keep your car looking new, wash it at least once a week with high-quality car wash soap and warm water. After thoroughly rinsing the car, use a clean towel to dry all surfaces, including windows, door jambs, and undercarriage.
Once you have dried off the vehicle completely, apply car wax or polish according to the instructions on their labels. The idea is to protect the paint from UV rays and help prevent water spots that can form when rain hits freshly applied waxes/polishes.
2. Use High-Quality Car Care Products
According to the Markets and Markets report, the car care products market is expected to grow from USD 4.2 billion in 2021 to USD 5.5 billion in 2027. This rise is due to
- the rising demand for premium cars.
- the growing used car market.
- the growing popularity of detailing and car wash centers around the US.
The above stats reflect that there are many options for car care products, but many don’t live up to the hype. It is why it’s important to use high-quality products that will be effective on your vehicle.
Cheap, inferior products can often leave residue behind or cause other damage. They might also not be eco-friendly, which means using them makes you feel guilty about polluting the environment with unnecessary waste.
The best way to choose a good car care product is by researching reviews from others who have used them. Then, compare those reviews with your own needs and wants for your vehicle. You should also look at how easy or difficult it is for someone and yourself when using these types of products so that there are no surprises later on down the road.
3. Give Your Tires TLC
Your tires are the only things touching the road, so you want them to be tip-top. NHTSA reports that a total number of 664 fatalities were recorded in the US because of tire-related road accidents. Hence, it is important to ensure that you regularly check your tires.
A good place to start is by checking the pressure regularly. It would be best if you did this every month or so, but it is recommended to do it once a week during hot weather. Check your tire pressure with an accurate gauge. If you have a flat tire, it’s not just your car going nowhere.
Once you know your correct pressure, keep an eye on it and ensure no sudden changes indicate damage or wear. Make sure there are no cracks along either side of the treads, uneven wear, or debris lodged inside them, and most importantly, don’t forget about proper alignment. All these things will help keep your car in great shape for years, even if made from metal instead of vinyl.
4. Change Your Oil and Filter Every 3,000 Miles
You should change two things every 3,000 miles, the oil and the filter. The oil is a lubricant for your engine. It keeps your pistons from becoming stuck in their cylinders during combustion, which would cause severe damage to your engine.
The second thing you need to do is replace the filter every 3,000 miles. The filter catches any debris that may have entered through an opening in your car while driving around town or on a long highway trip.
Unfortunately, when dirt gets caught in this little box full of mesh fibers, it will eventually clog up those holes so nothing can get through. If this happens too often, performance suffers and eventually causes serious damage to your car’s innards.
5. Clean the Battery Terminals Regularly
With all of the equipment installed in your car, there are a lot of points where the current can short out and cause damage. One example is the battery terminals. If they’re not cleaned regularly, you may notice corrosion or rust. To clean them off:
- Remove the cables from their respective terminals using an adjustable wrench or pliers.
- Use baking soda mixed with water to scrub away any corrosion after removal.
- Rinse with water, then dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth before reconnecting your cables.
6. Perform General Maintenance as Outlined in Your Owner’s Manual
Your owner’s manual should outline all the general maintenance tasks you need to perform on your vehicle. These include oil changes, tire rotation, spark plugs, air filters, and transmission fluids. You will also want to check and change the brake fluid by the manufacturer’s recommendations.
It is not a difficult job for any DIY enthusiast and can be done at home or a local garage for about $150-$250, depending upon the type of car being serviced. By performing these basic tasks yourself, you will save hundreds of dollars over paying someone else to do it for you.
7. Use Fluid Film to Keep Rust Away from Components Underneath the Car
If you want to keep the rust from components underneath the car, use a fluid film rust inhibitor. This product contains no harmful chemicals and is safe for all metals. You can use it on the undercarriage, wheels, exhaust system, and more.
The fluid film will give your car a long-lasting barrier against moisture and salt that causes corrosion. If you live in an area where it rains often or if you drive on salted roads during winter months, then this product is essential for your trunk compartment.
Simple Maintenance Will Keep Your Car Looking Sharp.
As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to take care of the vehicle. It is not only for safety reasons but also for longevity. Proper maintenance is very important if you want your car to last for years.
You may not realize it, but even if you have a brand-new vehicle, there are some things you can do to make it look like it’s just rolled off the lot. There are many ways in which you can keep your vehicle in good condition through simple DIY tasks. The above tips are simple and don’t require any special equipment or knowledge, just follow these instructions and watch your car look as good as new.
