No Products in the Cart
Home > Resources
Very rare things in life are one-and-done investments. Most of the major purchases we make in life, in order to maintain their value, must receive timely maintenance. The clearest example of this is automobiles.
And how can it be otherwise?
Cars usually won’t sit there in your garage as an exhibition piece. Cars take us everywhere. They move us around and pretty much and make us feel at home even when we’re on the road. A car is a moving piece of personal space.
Our cars are always subject to both external and internal wear. Being exposed to the environment, interior wear from the users, and the machinery running can cause damage and erosion. That is why we must remember it is of utmost importance to keep your car in the best conditions by performing constant maintenance.
We already made a big investment in purchasing a car, and it has become an indispensable part of our lives. We obviously want it to last as long as possible. Even if we eventually decide to part ways with our four-wheeled buddy, the value of a car that has been maintained in the best condition will be way higher than an old piece of moving rust.
But hey, we know that is not your case.
You’re not a ruthless monster that makes your car work tirelessly without some dose of care every now and then…
That’s why you’re here, right? You might just not know where to start. So, if you’re looking to know about car maintenance schedule and car maintenance cost, you’ve landed in the right place.
Let’s begin with…
The list is a little extensive, but don’t be intimidated. Most of the items in this checklist don’t have to be performed as often, so we’ll go a little bit more into details about the more routine ones a little later in the article. But the fact they don’t have to be performed as often does not make them less not important.
Our vehicles have plenty of interior and exterior elements that work together in order to keep the entire car “running smoothly”. Think about that as engines of a big machine. If one of the little engines does not work, it will affect the performance of the bigger one.
At the end of the day, that little engine will stop the entire machine from working completely. Attention to detail, that’s what us car owners need to keep as a personal motto in order to keep our beloved motorized baby performing like the first day.
So, here are some of the things you must check on periodically, but not AS OFTEN:
Â
Â
Alright, so I left the “not so often” checkups at first because they tend to be left out. Remember that minimizing the little details will end up being a nightmare in the long run. Now it’s time to jump in and get to those chores that are recommended to perform more often and, mostly, can be done at home with no problem.
Â
Â
Protective gloves:
Before anything, your security is a priority.
You might be handling highly abrasive cleaning supplies, acidic residues, and substances, etc. A good pair of rubber gloves will be a great first layer of protection to keep your hands off from dangerous chemicals and high temperatures.
Rubber is also a current isolator so it will minimize risks with electric components.
Microfiber towels:
For both, interior and exterior work, it’ is very important to have a gentle yet resistant fiber to work with. Having a lint-free cloth is especially important. If little fibers get to any of the fluid systems, you will be in serious trouble.
Also, for exterior work, microfiber towels offer you a scratch-free solution for any detailing job.
Our pick is the Shine Armor’s Professional Grade Microfiber Towels.
A pack with 10 towels that has 2 different naps on each side for different types of work. The price for good-sized professional-grade towels tend to be pretty high, but this pack is not only high-quality, it is also affordable.
A one-and-done scratch remover:
Scratches, swirl marks, and chips are always a pain in the back. There are multiple solutions to fix them out there, most of them being very expensive and involving several steps.
Our one-and-done solution is Shine Armor’s Revive Scratch Repair.
People are increasingly moving to Shine Armor’s Revive Scratch Repair as soon as they get to see how this game-changer solves scratches and swirls faster than any other.
It looks as if your car went back in time after applying this product...
REVIVE SCRATCH REPAIR will easily get rid of the damage without any need to sand or polish. Simply apply, scrub and wipe off and your car will look like brand new again.
It’s very simple and easy to apply. Just apply a drop of the gel and scrub off with a micro-fiber towel. Wipe it off and you’re good to go. There’s really no other product out there that can get rid of damages with such ease.
A Hydraulic Floor Jack
Among all the “change a tire” paraphernalia, this is the one item that you can actually use for several different things.
I don’t mean the other items are not useful, they are a must in case of emergencies, but in the given case that there can be other stuff to check out underneath the car, a floor jack will be required.
A protector for your windshield and windows.
Your windshield and windows are the only visibility you have to the outside when you’re in your vehicle. Keeping them clean clear and protected is a must for obvious security reasons. To make your car not only totally transparent and pristine, but also adding an extra layer of protection, our pick is Shine Armor’s Nano Glass Hydrophobic Window Coating.
Here at Shine Armor, security is a priority. We’re not only about the looks but also the functionality.
We developed a long-lasting formula to ensure that your windows and windshield look crystal clear and improves your visibility in different weather conditions.
Nano Glass Hydrophobic Window Coating has a surface that is highly hydrophobic and extremely long-lasting.
One single application provides 3 years of protection! This product also enhances visibility in heavy rain or snow.
So now you know what to do and what to buy, but you might still be concerned about something very important:
THE MONEY.
How Much Should I Budget for Car Maintenance?
Before anything, please always keep in mind that maintenance is an investment. The tricky part about budgeting for car maintenance is that it is not really that consistent.
Some stuff you must check on monthly, every three months, six months, a year…
It also depends on the size of the vehicle, brand, and model, the specialists that you visit, etc. Giving a rough estimate, set apart about 75 dollars a month as a budget for car maintenance costs.
Some months it will be more, some it will be less, but remember to set it apart so you don’t feel pressured when it’s time to get your vehicle “dolled-up”.
We truly hope you found this information useful and you’re ready to keep your car in the conditions it deserves.
Bibliography & Sources:
Bell, Matt., 2011. Avoiding A Common, Costly Budget Mistake. Spending Smart.
Bridgestone Co., 2019. A Schedule of preventative tasks.
Firestone Complete Autocare., 2018. How to clean battery terminals.