Congratulations on getting a great deal on your new used vehicle! Car ownership has many benefits, but it also has its fair share of drawbacks. Even worse, no one hands you a manual that tells you exactly what you should do as soon as you bring your new used vehicle home.
Luckily, that all changes today. We’ll assume you’ve done all the basics, like registering your car with the DMV, getting insurance, and making sure the title has been transferred.
The 5 things we’ll talk about here will not only keep your car looking newer for longer, but they can potentially save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on repairs each year.
We want you to keep that money in your pocket, so let’s get started.
1: Treat Your Windows With RainX Before It Rains
Even better, RainX also prevents bugs from sticking and also helps keep your window from freezing over in winter conditions. It’s 100% worth using, and you’ll thank yourself when it rains or snows.
We highly recommend the Original Glass Treatment + Anti Fog kit. For less than the cost of lunch, it’ll keep your windows clear and keep them from fogging up to make sure you can always see the road. It’s just one more thing to keep you and your family safe.
2: Get Vehicle Breakdown Coverage Before Something Breaks
You just dropped thousands of dollars on your used car. Do you really want to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars more if your car breaks down because the last owner didn’t take good care of it?
The fact is, most used vehicles come with poor service histories. You can’t know for sure how your car was treated by its previous owner. Even the most reliable and well cared for vehicles can have mechanical breakdowns.
…and unfortunately, breakdowns can be expensive, as you can see below.
If your used car is more than 5 years old, we recommend that you get vehicle breakdown coverage. Vehicle breakdown coverage pays for repairs to your car when it breaks down so you don’t have to.
Why is this so important?
With many used cars, especially those getting up there in miles, big parts start to fail. Whether that’s your suspension, your air conditioning, your transmission, or something else, the repair bills climb as your mileage climbs.
For example, a YourMechanic study found that the average used car with 75,000 miles on it costs over 200% more to repair each year than it would at 25,000 miles.
Once your vehicle is over 100,000 miles, it costs over 300% more to repair each year.
Luckily, vehicle breakdown coverage protects you against the increased cost of repairs. It’s just like insurance.
When your car breaks down, you pay a deductible of $100, and your vehicle breakdown coverage pays the rest. That includes all of the repairs you see above, and thousands more.
We recommend you start by getting a free quote here, and then shopping around with other trusted providers like:
- Endurance
- Ally Auto
- Toco
Plus, as an added bonus for getting a free quote with us, we’ll send you a free vehicle history report (a $49 value) that can help you identify any potential issues with your car before you move on to step.
3: Have Your Vehicle Inspected
Trust, but verify. Live by this mantra and your life will be easier, we promise.
Nowhere is this more true then when you make a big purchase, including a car. Ideally, your vehicle should have been inspected by an indepedent mechanic before purchasing. However, it’s always worth it to get a second opinion after you’ve purchased the car.
We reccomend that you bring your car to a trust mechanic for a detailed inspection. If you can, take it to the dealer for a more in-depth look from mechanics who are experienced in maintaining your make of car.
Even if the used car you bought has low mileage, you defintely want to replace your fluids and filters. It also makes sense to have the mechanic check your brakes, tires, and suspension as well. If you take your car to the dealer and request a comprehensive inspection, they will check these areas for you.
For older used cars, or cars that have been driven in hard conditions, this is doubly important. Buying a beater can be great for your wallet, but you should always invest in a proper tune up. Depending on what kind of shape your car is in, the mechanic may reccomend replacing many of your car’s wear and tear parts, including belts, pumps, wires, and the like.
Although you may be thinking “what the hell, I just bought a car, shouldn’t this be done already?” it’s better to be safe and pay a little bit upfront instead of paying a lot later, when something breaks down.
4: Unfog Your Weak Headlights!
Over time your car’s headlights haze or fog over due to sand, grit, and other debris absolutely destroying the headlight over the years. The longer your used car has been on the road, the worse this can get. This is especially true for vehicles that are more than 10 years old.
Defogging your car’s headlights makes both your car and your headlights look better. Defogging also help you see better at night! It’s always the small details that make your car look extra clean. See below.
Unfogging your headlights can make a BIG difference.
Check the before and after below (courtsey of Joel Miller):
Look how much newer that could make your car look! A few minutes of work and your headlights can look this good.
We recommend your use the CERAKOTE Ceramic Headlight Restoration kit because A) it’s nowhere near as expensive as other kits for the results you get B) it doesn’t require power tools or sanding down your headlights.
Check it out below.
5: Get A Sun Shield Or Risk Damaging Your Car’s Interior
UV radiation can damage more than just your skin. It can destroy the interior of your car, especially if you don’t park your car in a covered garage.
Over time, UV radition, and the intense heat it generates will:
- Leave your dashboard looking faded, until it eventually begins to crack.
- Damage your seats, especially leather. UV radiation and the heat it generates can cause leather to dry out and crack on your seats and steering wheel.
- Rot out the rubber strips that seal your car from the elements.
- Damage interior electrical components, which can lead to repairs that can cost thousands.
- Cause damage to your car’s airbags and other safety systems.
Even if you don’t live in a hothouse like Florida, UV radiation and as little as 1-2 hours of the direct summer sun can heat the interior of your car up to nearly 192 degrees! That’s hot enough to grill a freaking hamburger. Now just imagine what that does to the delicate surfaces of your car.
Blocking out the dangerous UV rays should be your first line of defense as far as keeping the interior in good condition is concerned. Getting your car a sun shield is the first line of defense against turning the surfaces of your vehicle into literal cooking surfaces.
A good sunshield can reduce your car’s interior temperature by 50 degrees or more. That means no more frying your hands on the steering wheel when you get in your vehicle after a long day of work.
We highly recommend the MCBUTY Car Windshield Sunshade. We’re located in sunny (and HOT) St. Pete, Florida where the average summer temperature is about 94 degrees. Our employees swear by them, and boy oh boy do they help keep your car cool, and your interior looking CRISP.
It’s better to get one of these as soon as possible. Sun damage sneaks up on your car quicker than you’d think. If you plan on keeping your car for awhile, you’ll thank yourself for the investment.
Protect My Car is a vehicle service contract provider, also referred to as extended car warranty provider, with multiple coverage plans for new and used vehicles with low to higher mileage to help meet your needs and budget. Protect My Car customers work directly with the company for customer service, claims administration and contract financing. No middleman or the need for third-party approval. All Protect My Car Plans include best-in-class claims and customer support, 24/7 roadside assistance, free oil changes and tire rotations and the exclusive PMC Rewards Plan, providing daily deals, giveaways, coupons, and thousands of ways to save money every day. Protect My Car has a 30-day money-back guarantee.