There’s a reason why the majority of the population does not own a luxury, exotic, or classic car. They are expensive. Once you invest your cash into such an automobile, you have to do whatever is needed to keep your investment safe, secure, and enjoyable for as long as possible.
When you own an expensive or rare car, one of your goals should be to keep it in such excellent condition that you wouldn’t be embarrassed if you ever decide to put it up for sale. To keep the car fabulous and mechanically sound, there are several maintenance tips you should adhere to.
1. Read the Car’s Manual
Here is the first thing you need to look at when you buy your car, though it is often overlooked. Many car owners, especially those with many years of driving experience, feel like they know all the fundamentals of running a car. No one knows a car better than the people who built it.
Make no mistake—manuals are boring. They are, however, a necessary evil. So dedicate an evening or a weekend afternoon to read through your vehicle’s manual carefully. You’ll discover that there’s plenty of invaluable maintenance tips in there. If you are buying a classic car, you may not get a physical manual with it. The good thing is that thanks to the Internet, there are electronic copies of car manuals that you can download for your reading.
2. Meticulously Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Recommendations
One of the things you’ll run into in the car’s manual is a maintenance schedule. This schedule details the servicing actions you need to carry out after a certain period or when you hit a given mileage milestone. If your car is in good condition and has been running well for years, it can be tempting to ignore maintenance schedules even if for just a couple of weeks or months.
Remember, though, that the reason your car is doing well today is because of the maintenance and service you’ve done in the past. Also, sure signs of gradual wear and tear aren’t always immediately visible in part because they are hidden from view (such as the inside of the engine block). Ergo, when in doubt, follow the car maker’s maintenance recommendation.
If you’re unsure of what to do with your luxury, vintage, classic, or exotic car, you can hire a professional auto mechanic to check your car in your garage, or you can bring your vehicle to a reputable auto shop. This way, you’ll avoid repairing your car without the necessary tools and background, which could only worsen your vehicle’s condition.
3. Don’t Push the Car Too Hard
Your luxury car is a priceless possession, most especially if it has a sentimental value. So, it’s important to take good care of it by not pushing it to the limits. Be gentle to preserve its life, ensuring that the components won’t malfunction and the engine won’t fail.
Whereas your expensive luxury car can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a remarkably short duration, that doesn’t mean you should drive it like a maniac. Regularly putting the pedal to the metal does have a direct impact on the longevity and maintainability of the car.
The abrupt braking and the speeding on bumpy terrain will age your car much faster than it otherwise would. We haven’t even looked at the higher risk of an accident that could cause damage that is too costly to repair. If you are a speed demon, you can let out some steam by taking your car to a dedicated racing track once in a while.
4. Use a Reputable Auto Shipper for your Classic Car
You probably got your car from an online public car auction and you want to ensure its good condition when transporting it from one point to another. Whether you just bought your luxury car, you’re moving, or you want to sell your vehicle, using a reputable auto shipper is crucial to ensure your car’s safety.
At some point in your life, you will want to permanently move to a different country, state, city, or neighborhood. For long-distance moves, you often don’t have too many options on how to relocate your stuff. Hiring a professional mover who will pack, transport, and unpack your household items in your new home is ideal. But when it comes to your car, you can choose to drive it to your new home, or you could contract an auto shipper to do so instead.
There are two types of auto transport, including open transport and enclosed transport. The latter is highly recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, and vintage cars to ensure their best condition, protecting them from harsh environmental elements and preserving their value. Also, the number of vehicles in enclosed auto transport is less, reducing the risk of car damage.
For expensive cars, it’s far better to entrust it to a seasoned luxury auto shipper such as Executive Auto Shippers (for more info, see https://executiveautoshippers.com/services/enclosed-exotic-transfer/). With experience handling numerous similar shipments, auto shippers have the depth of knowledge to put in place safeguards against anything that could potentially go wrong during transportation.
Few things are more exciting than driving a luxury, exotic, or classic car. There’s an elegance that’s impossible to replicate with ordinary automobiles. Nevertheless, such a vehicle is only as good as the quality of maintenance you give it. The above tips will set you off in the right direction.