Dedication is what sets responsible car owners apart from the majority. No doubt, owning your own set of wheels is an exhilarating experience. Yet, it comes along with a huge responsibility. A misconception is that washing and grooming your vehicle is sufficient to keep them in optimal condition. However, it is not as simple. Responsible car owners go beyond their periodic car washes, to ensure that their vehicle is safer to drive and saving their wallet from the high maintenance costs and expensive breakdowns. This is what we mean by dedication.
1. Bird Droppings
When nature calls, there’s no one to blame, including the birds in our neighbourhood. Bird droppings on your beloved set of wheels are not only an eyesore; it is acidic in nature which will eat into your vehicle’s paintwork. In situations like this, the two alternatives left with you are either an expensive paint correction or full repainting of your vehicle.
Here are some ways you can save on these unnecessary costs:
2. Car Lights
Both your vehicle’s headlamps and rear lights are critical in contributing to your safety on the road. During the night where light is an important factor to aid our sight, your vehicle’s headlamps and rear lights will illuminate the road and make you visible for other commuters. It’s important to check that your lights are working to ensure that drivers and pedestrians can see you.
According to the Singapore Road Traffic Act, vehicles’ lights must be on between the hours of 7 pm to 7 am. In cases where you hope to change or modify your vehicle’s lights, it is crucial to ensure that the changes fall under the approved lighting to prevent blinding of other users on the road.
3. Periodic Servicing and Maintenance
Periodic servicing not only ensures that your vehicle is in functional condition but also saves you on possible repair and replacement costs. It is vital to keep check of important fluids such as engine oil and coolant to be changed at the recommended time intervals and to ensure the functionality of the brake pads and air filters. Additionally, ensure that all modifications for your vehicle meet the maintenance guidelines, so as to prevent any possible damages to the engine and chassis that might be affected in the process.
4. Rain-Repellent to Improve Visibility
Singapore is a humid country where we experience both rain and shine. As travelling on the road became a day-to-day routine for most of us, rain is inevitable while driving. A blurred vision caused by the rain makes it increasingly difficult to manoeuvre along the road, hence contributing to safety risk. Despite that, there are ways for us to deal with the rainy weather.
Rain-repellents can help to counter this problem as they contain a hydrophobic element that keeps the water beads away. By applying it on your windscreen, it helps to improve visibility during rainy days, especially during the monsoon season in Singapore. The same logic applies whereby applying rain-repellents on your headlamps and rear lights can help to keep your car lens clean. Certainly, you may opt for paint protection if you have a bigger budget. Not only it helps to withstand elements such as rain, dust and UV rays, but paint protection also keeps your vehicle looking shiny and reduces the need for periodic polishing.
5. Tracking of Maintenance and Service Receipts
It is always practical to monitor and record your vehicle-related receipts, this helps you and the respective workshops to keep track of the various maintenance, repairs and replacements activities performed on your vehicle. In cases where you are looking to sell your vehicle, do note that prospective buyers may request for these receipts to determine the value of your vehicle. Hence, these receipts serve as proof for proper maintenance and modifications, supporting and increasing the value of your vehicle.
6. Tyres
Tyres that are worn out, over-inflated or under-inflated could affect the performance of your vehicle, fuel economy and pose a risk on your safety. Being an integral component of your vehicle, it is crucial to ensure that your tyres are well-maintained to be able to function optimally.
Some key points to take note are:
