You might be more worried about what’s going on with your car’s engine or the inside detailing than what it takes to maintain your original paint job. Yes, this may not seem like a major concern, but taking care of your car’s paint will allow you to avoid color rusting and fading in the future. In fact, just a few years of hitting the pavement can cause your car’s color to grow fainter and it takes even less time if you live in a climate that requires salt on the roads during wintery conditions.

One of the easiest ways to maintain color radiance is to wash your car. Although it might not seem like a difficult task, there are certain methods you should utilize while washing to get the most out of your car’s color.

• Use proper tools. You want to wash your car with safe yet effective tools. Start with a paint-safe washing mitt, a bucket, and cleaning supplies that are specifically designed for vehicle use. You want to find auto cleaning supplies that are pH balanced, non-detergent formulas so they won’t strip your wax. Also, lubrication in these supplies is vital, as this prevents scratching and maintains car shine.
• Rinse first! You should always rinse off your car before scrubbing it up. If you skip this step and go right to sudsing, dirt and other containments could scratch your car.
• Towel off! Yes, it might be tempting, but skipping the drying process can put your car in worse shape after the wash then it was before you started. In order to prevent water spots, which are essentially mineral deposits directly on your car’s paint, dry off with cotton cloths or sheepskin chamois. Beware of polyester and microfiber cloths, as they can scratch your paint.
• Finish off with waxing. You want to wax your car after a good wash and dry in order to protect your paint from harmful chemicals. Not only will wax protect your car against paint fading in the future, but it also makes it look shiny right away. But remember, wax your car when it is out of the line of direct sunlight.
• Take one step at a time. It’s important to remember that you should wash and rinse your car in sections, as doing the whole surface area at once will allow soap to dry before it’s rinsed off. Also, read your car’s manufacturing directions on all car care products prior to using them, as your paint might not interact well with certain substances.

Besides a frequent wash, you should also repair car chips and scratches. This will help prevent against rusting and paint discoloration in the future. Yes, it could be costly, but if you want your paint job to last this step is quite necessary.

As you can see, washing your car is the single most important and easiest way to keep your car’s paint job looking new and shiny. Remember, the more you take care of your car, the better it will look in the future.

Your car probably means a lot to you, right? You have most likely invested a great deal of cash (or financing) into your vehicle and try your best to keep it running as perfectly as possible. But ask yourself this: when is the last time you thought about your car’s mirrors? As important safety features, your car’s mirrors allow you as a driver to connect with the other vehicles on the road and maintain an accurate idea of where other automobiles are. Mirrors keep drivers and their passengers safe, keep the number of accidents lower than they could be, and allow you to confidently share the road with other drivers. This being said, you would probably agree that maintaining the integrity of your car’s mirrors is an important aspect of taking care of your car. The truth is, though, most people do not think about their car’s mirrors at all.

So, what can you do to fix this issue? To maintain the quality of your mirrors and ensure that when you need to see behind your vehicle you can do so easily and safely? Follow these tips and your mirrors will help you confidently drive from one location to the next:

• Make sure your mirrors are always clean. Though they may seem to be self-cleaning, thanks to rain and other forms of precipitation, you would probably be surprised by how much clearer they can be with just a spray of window cleaner and a quick wipe down. When your mirrors are dirty they can dull the image that you utilize to change lanes, merge into moving traffic, and back out of your driveway—which can lead to accidents. If you want to be sure a lane is clear before merging into it, or be certain that your neighbor’s mailbox is a safe distance away before hitting the gas to reverse out of your driveway, you should pay attention to the cleanliness of your mirrors.
• Check periodically to be sure that all of your mirrors are working properly. Regardless of if you have power mirrors or have to roll your window down and push, all side mirrors should be flexible to allow for comfortable use by any driver. Should they stick, fail to move at all, or move too much you should have them looked at by your trusted mechanic.
• Rearview mirrors are a must! Many drivers think that they do not need their rearview mirrors if their side mirrors are properly angled, but this just is not true. Of all of the mirrors in your car the rearview will most likely be the first to cause you trouble, as they often detach from the windshield, but you must make it a point to reattach the mirror as soon as possible. Your local auto repair shop should be able to do the trick.

Keeping your mirrors in shape is something that surely not everyone thinks about, but once you lose one or cannot utilize it properly you will definitely see a difference in how easily you can drive. Missing and malfunctioning mirrors can cause you to lose visibility on the road, so be sure that you maintain them!

Imagine that you are driving down the interstate and your tire goes flat. Do you know what to do to fix it? Do you even have the tools necessary to change the tire? Or consider this: you are at a park and your child falls and skins his or her leg. Do you have a bandage handy? Can you take care of the scrapes and cuts quickly to prevent them from getting infected or hurting the child any longer than necessary? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you most likely have your emergency maintenance routine down pat. But if your answer to either of these questions is no, then you should probably work in some additional maintenance measures to keep you and your family safe on the road.

Emergency equipment can vary depending upon the kind of vehicle you are driving, but if you follow these tips and adapt them to the needs of your individual car you will be well prepared for almost any issue that may arise.

• Always have spare change in your car. You never know when you will need to park at a meter, utilize a pay phone, or be forced onto a toll road. With a couple of dollars in quarters stowed away in one of the many nooks and crannies that cars have for such items you will be prepared for unforeseen circumstances that may crop up.
• Never neglect your spare tire! What good will it do if it is flat? When you check the air pressure of the rest of your tires be sure to pop open your trunk and check the spare. This may be easier said than done, as some cars make it easy to reach the spare and others make it more difficult, but when you are changing the tire on the side of the road you will be thankful that you took the few extra minutes necessary to ensure that your spare is road ready.
• Keep an emergency first aid kit in your vehicle at all times. Accidents happen, and whether you are on the road and your child gets a nosebleed or you are at the playground and your kid falls you will certainly run into a need for bandages, gauze, and antibiotic ointment. To make sure that you are prepared for any incident, invest in a first aid kit that comes with all of the supplies you will need to keep you and your passengers safe. These can be found in a variety of sizes at your local department store and will certainly prove useful.
• Keep a stash of plastic bags in the car. No one likes talking about car sickness, but the truth is that at least one of your passengers is bound to fall victim to it eventually. Be prepared for this ugly truth by keeping at least one or two bags nearby. These can also double as trash bags, so simply refill the stash as you use them and you will be good to go!

Following these tips will help you stay prepared for anything that life may throw at you—so don’t put off getting your emergency supplies any longer!