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The moment we purchase a new vehicle, we’re smitten with excitement, and with respect for our purchase. We even have a tendency to give our new vehicular companions an almost human personality and character in that we adopt them into the family, so to speak.

Over time, that feeling inevitably fades, and we begin to put our love and respect for our mechanical chariots on the backburner. We neglect minor repairs to save some cash, sometimes we put off oil changes for another thousand kilometers, and our driving habits spool up to a point where we take for granted old habits that we used to practice every day.

But there’s hope. New year, new you – so why not invest your New Year’s resolution in respecting your vehicle again? (We all know you were never serious about that gym pass anyways).

Rust-Proof

Either a drying or non-drying application is applied to the car creating a moisture-resisting barrier that lifts off any residual moisture, preventing water, ice and the effects of road salt to further damage the vehicle. Rates of corrosion differ from region to region and are affected by local climate and use of ice-melting chemicals on roadways, atmospheric pollution, and design of rust traps under your car that collect water and road grime.

Tune-Up

A good regular tune-up is like saying thank you to your vehicle – or similar to giving your dog a big meaty bone a few times per year. It’s an option, but it makes you feel good and helps your vehicle to run smoothly. It’s also a good opportunity to have someone inspect various points of interest and make adjustments to your vehicle, top up or replace vital engine fluids, check the quality of your brakes and tire tread, etc.

A tune-up is a great way to both prepare your vehicle for the remainder of the winter, or get it ready for the spring season. They’re relatively inexpensive, can be performed by your friendly neighborhood dealership, or you can undertake a basic-level inspection at home by tightening wheel lugs, topping up the windshield washer fluid, and taking a look under the chassis for anything that looks as if it’s become loose. Tune up’s are also great as preventative measures to unearth any potential mechanical problems before they happen down the road, helping you to repair a small issue rather than a large one.

Repairs

This is the big one. That bump you’ve been hearing and feeling whenever you drive over a manhole cover, or the squeal in the brakes you’ve noticed when in stop-and-go traffic; how about the hum and steering wheel shudder you’ve been weary of for the last few months when cruising down the highway?

All of these instances could spell trouble for your vehicle. Fixing them immediately is best practice, but sometimes repairs get away from us, especially when the vehicle still functions at a capacity that allows us to get to and from work easily. Making your news years resolution to either undergo the repair ASAP or to save up for a potentially costly brake job or clutch replacement is also a good resolution to make.

Detailing

A good refreshing cleanse is arguably the best way to restore that feeling of driving your vehicle for the first time again. Nothing says restart like a deep clean by way of shampooing or treating your vinyl and leather accents, cleaning out any garbage and debris that’s accumulated over the winter, and buffing those windows. If you’re wanting to go all-out, this can even mean investing in a paint pen to touch up stone chips and rust spots on the hood.

Cleaning out your car makes for less clutter, less shuffling about for that loose change in your cup holders, and fewer travel mugs rolling around in the passenger seat foot wells. Detailing your vehicle yourself, or having it done professionally restores your love for your vehicle and helps you pay it the respect it deserves.

Adjust Driving Habits

Finally – and this is more of a year-long promise to keep yourself – consider adjusting your driving habits to get more life out of your car. Fixing up those neglected minor repairs, getting your oil changed and cleaning out the garbage from the back seats are a few things that contribute to overall reliability and value, but adjusting your driving habits means sustained reliability over time. Try to be easier on your new brakes. Ease up on that lead foot off the line. Change your winter and summer tires in an appropriate amount of time to lessen the wear-and-tear on treads, etc. All of these things keep your vehicle out of the service bay and ensure that your handy motorized companion will be there when you need it the most.