You may think since you’re at college, there isn’t much you can do to maintain your car. However, you’ll find you can do a lot of basic maintenance with a few inexpensive tools from Walmart, all in the comfort of your dorm parking lot.
Wash your car without water
First things first, you actually can do a quick wash/wax of your car without ever driving to a car wash. I use Meguiar’s Ultimate Waterless Wash and Wax, which will run you about $10. You have to use a microfiber cloth with this but don’t worry, you can get a 10-pack of these for around $5.
This is great for removing grime in concentrated areas or doing a quick general wash on your car. This won’t replace an actual car wash (you still need to do those), but it will save you money on gas to and from the car wash, as well as actual wash fees. Just follow the directions on the back of the bottle.
Replace windshield washer fluid
It’s also easy to refill your windshield washer fluid. You can get all-season windshield washer fluid for $3-4. All you need to do is pop your hood and unscrew the lid on the windshield washer fluid reservoir. It has a windshield symbol with a vertical dotted line representing the fluid.
A good rule of thumb is to add more about every two months. Add fluid until it almost reaches the top, putting the cap back on when you’ve finished.
Remove snow and ice
With winter in full swing, you’ll want to keep excess snow and ice off your car to prevent it from melting and then refreezing on locks or windshield wipers. Don’t worry about removing snow and ice as it’s falling, instead, do it slightly before things start to melt.
You can get a two in one ice scraper and snow brush for your car for about $7, which helps combat both hard ice and powdery snow.
While you’re scraping, try to have the car on and set to defrost- this will make your job a lot easier. You can also pour some isopropyl alcohol on the ice and scrap afterwards. Never use hot water, the temperature difference can cause some serious damages, such as cracking your windshield. Never use your ice scraper on the paint.
Air up tires regularly
You should maintain the amount of air in your tires, or your tire pressure. You can always check your tire pressure using a tire gauge, which you can get for around $4.
Your tires have a certain amount of air needed to keep them properly inflated, with the amount (measured in pounds per square inch, or PSI) usually found on the door jam of the driver’s side. If you can’t find it, your owner’s manual should tell you.
To check your tire pressure, unscrew the cap of the valve stem, which is a little stem sticking out from the wheel (to clear up any confusion: the tire is the rubber that makes contact with the road, while the wheel is the metal thing turning the tire).
Place the ball end of the tire gauge against the stem, making sure you have a seal. If you hear air leaking when the gauge connects with the stem, you don’t have a seal. You should hear a slight pop when they connect properly. This will push a measuring stick out the opposite end of the gauge, allowing you to get your reading.
If your pressure reads four PSI or lower than your recommended amount, you need to air up your tires. This is where you do need to go off campus, usually to a gas station. I always air up my tires at Kum and Go, because it’s free and close to campus.
Once arriving at the gas station, turn on the compressor (there’s usually a labeled button) and remove the cap of the valve stem. Similar to the gauge, connect the end of the compressor hose to the valve stem and create a seal. You should hear air going into the tire, not leaking out. Hold the hose on the valve for three to four seconds and then check your pressure, adjusting if necessary. Don’t forget the spare tire!
Overall, basic things such as these will help keep your car running smoothly and looking nice, as well as keep you safe. If you’re ever unsure about something, watch a reputable YouTube video or consult your owner’s manual. Good luck!
Categories: Life
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