Grand Prix Performance - Costa Mesa, CA

Owning a car is a big investment. It requires regular maintenance to keep its value and to ensure your safety. To make sure you have a winning hand when it comes to caring for your vehicle, here are 21 of the best – and easiest – tips:

1. Examine your paint for new scratches frequently. 

Making sure your headlights are in proper working order should be a top priority before any road trip—whether you are going on an afternoon drive or heading off for vacation.

“Lights play a major role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

Many Americans spend more time in their cars than in most rooms of their homes, yet they neglect their wheels when it comes to regular "housekeeping." When it gets really messy, organizing your car can seem as daunting as keeping a closet in order. So we asked California Closet's organizational expert Ginny Snook Scott how to sort out, size up, store and contain your car cargo in five easy steps. Then we added some ideas for finding the necessary gear to clear out the clutter.

Step one: Sort and clean up

Take everything out of the car, including car seats, music and miscellaneous items stored in the glovebox and door pockets. Don't forget the trunk and cargo area! Chances are you'll find all kinds of trash to toss. Organize the rest of the items into three piles: stuff you use all the time, things you use occasionally and items you might need in an emergency. Whatever doesn't fall into these categories should be stored in your home or garage.

Step two: Analyze

Ask yourself, "How do I use my car?" Are you a salesperson who travels with a trunk load of samples, a parent with two toddlers in car seats or a realtor squiring prospective clients from property to property? Do you make a lot of short trips or are long journeys the norm? What are you always struggling to find? (Pen and paper? Change for the toll? Tissues? Your cell phone?) The answers to these questions should determine your priorities.

Step three: Prioritize

Depending upon your needs, go through your three piles and prioritize the most important items in each group. What do you need to keep close at hand and what can be relegated to the second row or back of the car? Pay attention to duplicates. For example, it's a good idea to keep drinking water in the car, but not a bunch of half-empty bottles. When you bring three new CDs into the car, take three that you're tired of back to your house. And just like seasonal clothes in a closet, many items such as ice scrapers and tire chains can be packed away in summer.

Step four: Contain your needs

Loose objects in the car lead to disorganization and mess. In the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they can also damage your car or, worse, injure your occupants. Automotive accessory shops offer a variety of cargo containers and organizers for every part of the car, from leakproof litter bags, CD storage and trunk organizers to drink coolers, folding hangers and kids' entertainment centers. 

Step five: Store

Store items you use regularly in places where you can reach them. Can't find a place to store that big box of facial tissue? Try a "tissue cup," a paper cup that fits into a cupholder and dispenses tissues one at a time. Of course, keep insurance information, maps, directions and other documents together in the glovebox. And be creative about storing lesser-used and seasonal items — there are often nooks and crannies around the spare tire or in the rear walls of the car that can hold a small first-aid kit, roadside flares or jumper cables. Your owner's manual (now that you can find it) can be helpful in pointing out hooks and cubbies that might have been overlooked.

Finally, don't put anything on the floor — even trash — unless it's designed to sit there. Once you start messing up the floor, you'll find it too easy to keep adding to it, and soon your car will be cluttered again!

Even with four identical tires on your car, various factors will cause each of them to wear differently. Tire rotation helps equalize wear by allowing each tire to serve in as many wheel positions as possible. Evenly worn treads keep tires performing the same on all four corners and:

• Increase dry road performance with more balanced handling and traction.

• Make for quicker tire response times when braking.

• Allow you to replace tires in sets rather than individually or in pairs. (That means all your tires will include the latest technology and performance advancements that manufacturers are continually bringing to market: You won’t be forced to match yesterday’s product or performance.)

  A general rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles—even if there are no visible signs of wear. If you own a front-wheel drive vehicle or do mostly city driving, more frequent rotation is advisable.

  What’s the correct rotation pattern of your tires? For rear and four-wheel-drive vehicles, a rearward cross pattern—or, alternatively, an X-pattern—is used. Front wheel drive vehicles use a forward cross or X-pattern. It’s always best to consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

  After a rotation, be sure your mechanic has checked:

  • Individual tire pressure. The tire’s new location may affect how much pressure it now requires.

  • Vehicle alignment. This is important if irregular tire wear was evident. 

    Regular tire rotations are an important step in getting the maximum mileage out of your tire investment—so keep those wheels moving! 

It may not be the ultimate battle of man vs. machine, but it’s still a match–up worth considering: In the challenge to keep your baby free of dirt and grime, who’s got the right stuff you or the carwash? Here’s how the bucket and sponge compare to the drive–through.

DRIVE–THROUGH CARWASHES

They’re cheap and easy but does that make them worth it? Some say that today’s technology makes the drive–through completely safe on your car’s exterior and superior to hand washing. Others argue that the high impact of the cloths or brushes promotes surface scratches. Touchless or semi–touchless cloth or brush methods help prevent this. So do foam and high–pressure spray techniques. But the chemical agents used in them are typically harsh and can dull paint luster with continued use.

• The upside:

  If pressed for time, it’s the way to go. Can be cheaper, too. (The whole bevy of professional cleaning products add up at the register. Fast.)

• The downside:

  There’s potential for greater exterior wear over time.

  HAND WASHES

  For many car enthusiasts, a good old-fashioned hand wash is the only way to go. Despite the convenience of the carwash, a do-it-yourself wash gives you ultimate control over what touches your vehicle. And, if the right cleaning agents and tools are used, it can be a lot gentler on your car’s surface. What are the wrong ones? Think dishwashing and other harsh detergents, rough sponges and brushes. The right ones? Think professional car shampoos and micro fiber cloths.

▪ The upside:

You have complete control and pride of ownership. Your car benefits from a “softer touch.

▪ The downside:

It’s time-consuming and sometimes back-breaking. Soap and chemical run-offs aren’t environmentally friendly.

Whichever you choose, maintenance is important, whether you change your oil or wash your car. Accumulated dirt eventually works its way into the paint, leaving tiny scratches and dulling the surface. Not a good thing for you high-mileage enthusiasts. Regular washings keep your car looking its best for the longest possible time—and help retain its value. Lather up! 

These days, every little bit you can save at the pump helps especially if you’re planning a long haul. So how can you get the most bang for your gas buck?

1. Keep up with preventative maintenance.

It’s a simple fact: Well–maintained rides are more fuel efficient. Be sure to:

• Use the correct oil for your vehicle and style of driving. Heavy (high viscosity) oil will cause your car’s engine to work harder. Use the lightest grade of oil for your climate and season. Consult your owner’s manual to find out what grade is best suited for you.

• Maintain tire pressure and inspect tires. Every other fill, inspect your tires for under–inflation and excessive tread wear. Be sure to check manufacturer’s specifications/owner’s manual for proper inflation and rotation schedules. Also, consider low–profile tires. Larger tires can greatly reduce fuel efficiency.

• Make sure your coolant is mixed properly. Improperly mixed engine coolant can cause your engine to run hot and hamper fuel economy.

• Replace dirty filters. Dirty or clogged air and fuel filters can cause your car to work harder. A new and properly functioning air or fuel filter will provide better gas mileage.

Did you know that cooling system failure is the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on the highway? That’s why it is important to maintain the right level of fluids in your radiator. In fact, the same holds true for ALL the fluids in your vehicle. Here is why:

• Engine coolant: Also called antifreeze or radiator fluid, coolant is circulated through your radiator to maintain proper engine temperature. If you do not maintain the right level, your engine can overheat. Coolant helps lubricate your water pump and prevents corrosion in your engine and radiator.

• Brake fluid: The brake system uses fluid to transmit the pressure you apply to the brake pedal to each of the brakes at the wheels. If that fluid is low, so is brake responsiveness.

• Power steering fluid: Your power steering uses a system of belts and pumps to keep the fluid within under pressure. That pressure is what helps you steer the vehicle. When fluid is low, the pressure decreases making steering more difficult.

• Transmission fluid: Whether your car has an automatic or manual transmission, it uses a system of gears to transmit engine power to the wheels. Transmission fluid lubricates those gears and keeps the system running properly.

  As a rule of thumb:

  • Every oil change, or every 3,000 miles, check the engine coolant, brake, power steering, and transmission fluids.

  • Every two years, or every 30,000, completely change your engine coolant and brake fluid.

    You’ve heard the expression, “a well-oiled machine.” Well, maintaining your car’s fluids at their proper level is critical to “greasing its parts” and keeping things running smoothly. Stay hydrated! 

The timing belt is one of your engines most critical components. Waiting for it to wear out or break can result in serious engine damage. What exactly does it do? How will you know when it’s time to replace it? Read on…

WHAT DO TIMING BELTS DO?

The timing belt connects the crankshaft (which controls the engine pistons) to the camshaft (which opens and closes valves). This precision component has teeth that, when in rotation, are perfectly “mated” with matching sprockets. The uniformity of the teeth and their spacing is what keeps valve operation and piston position perfectly synchronized. On some engines, the belt also drives other components, including the oil and water pumps, and balance shafts.

WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE A TIMING BELT?

Belt replacement varies by vehicle make and mileage. Check your owner’s manual for suggested maintenance. Here are some warning signs that your timing belt might need to be replaced:

• ▪  Rough idling

• ▪  Chattering and other strange engine noises

• ▪  Difficulty starting the engine

  Even if your car is “symptom free,” it’s still a good idea to check the timing belt regularly. This is especially vital for your higher-mileage vehicle.

  OTHER CONSIDERATIONS DURING TIMING BELT CHANGES

  Changing the timing belt is an involved process. It requires a number of parts to be removed, including: the radiator hose, water pump, and alternator. When you change your belt, you should also consider replacing any other worn-out parts such as other belts, hoses, and clamps.

  Remember, when it comes to maintaining your car’s engine, timing plays a key role when it comes to sustaining high-mileage and high-performance. 

A good waxing does more than make your car gleam in the sunshine: It also protects it from the elements. So how do you make your finish look its best—and last its longest?

You don’t have to wax every time you wash your car- a couple of times a year should suffice. If the finish begins to look a bit dull, or if water is no longer beading on the surface, then it’s likely that a new wax job is in order.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A freshly washed vehicle. Wax adheres better to a clean surface. And leaving surface dirt on before waxing means you’ll work the particulates into the finish, causing scratches.

• A non-abrasive wax and sponge.

• Cheesecloth, micro fiber cloths, or cloth diapers for buffing. Avoid using old towels. Their stitching and detailing is done with polyester fibers that will scratch the surface.

• A shaded work area. Hot sun can bake the wax into the paint and damage the finish.

• About 30 minutes a little patience, and a lot of elbow grease.

  HOW TO APPLY

  • Use your sponge as the applicator, applying small amounts at a time and working it in well. Avoid using heavy globs. Larger amounts of wax don’t absorb any better. You’ll only be wasting your product.

  • Work in small areas of 2-3 square feet at a time. This ensures each section is coated evenly, and prevents the wax from hardening in one spot while you’re still working on another.

  • Use up and down strokes instead of a circular motion. This prevents swirls.

  • Read the product label for the manufacturer’s recommended drying time. When dry, buff the surface with your clean cloths. If the residue doesn’t buff easily, you either used too much wax or need a fresh cloth.

    WAXING TIPS

  • If you used too much wax, let your car sit in the sun for about 10 minutes. This will melt the wax and allow you to rework the surface. Use this same tip if you have streaks.

  • Shake out your cloths as you use them to prevent wax buildup.

  • Wax your car every 3-4 months. No product will last for up to a year, as many of them claim—unless you do minimal amounts of driving and garage-keep your car.