Feb 18, 2016

Keeping your car in good condition is one of the best ways to keep its resale value up. Some people seem to live out of their cars, with food wrappers, drink containers, and extra clothes and shoes stashed throughout the interior. But others keep their cars in the same condition as when they drove them off the lot. With a few simple tips, you can keep your Ford in top-notch condition as well.

Seat Protectors

Getting in and out of your car multiple times a day can cause wear and tear on the cloth seats. If your car has a leather interior, you could scratch the seats with something sticking out of your back pocket or even the metal accents on your jeans. Protect the interior by purchasing a couple of seat protectors. These inexpensive items are easy to remove and wash, and they also keep dirt and debris from getting ground into the fabric of the seats.

Glass Care

One of the easiest ways to keep your Ford looking good is keeping both sides of the windows clean. Avoid using Windex or other similar glass cleaner, since these products contain ammonia that can alter the color of the tint on the windows over time. Choose a product that is designed for use on automotive glass. You may also want to finish the job with a surface protectant spray, which can repel dirt and water from the windows.

Washing and Waxing

Keeping the exterior of your car clean is important in maintaining its pristine appearance. Dirt and salt from the roads can kick up onto the exterior of your vehicle. Not only does this make the car look dirty, but it can also cause damage to the paint. Apply a vehicle wax regularly after washing and drying the car to help protect it from the sun, rain, snow, and other elements. You can also purchase an insect removal product, which wipes away dead bugs on the front of the car. Finish up with a surface protectant on the plastic, vinyl, and rubber surfaces.

Keep it Covered

If you have a garage or carport at your home, keep your car parked inside when you aren’t driving. Another option is a custom vehicle cover, which you can use to keep sunlight, rain, and snow from damaging the paint job.

Make a Schedule

When you purchase your new Ford, set up a schedule for when you will get it washed, have the oil changed, and take care of other maintenance services. Even when you have the best of intentions, it gets tough to remember the last time you waxed the exterior or touched up the paint. You could even set up an alert on your phone that reminds you when it is time to take care of a maintenance task.

Doing just a few simple tasks each month or even once per quarter will help keep your Ford vehicle in pristine condition. Whether you plan to sell or trade it in down the road or just want to take care of your investment, it is worth the minimal time and effort.

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