Since today is Father’s Day, I thought I would dedicate this entry to my father, Paul.
Growing up, I watched my dad restore and judge Corvettes. It was his influence that made me a stickler about taking care of my car. He still asks me, “How’s your chariot doing?” I always have people say to me that I keep my car very clean, well-maintained and that it still smells brand new. My Chevy Malibu is now 2 1/2 years old.
Years ago, my car – a Pontiac Grand Am – was literally my second home. I wound drive all over the Twin Cities going to liquor accounts, school or the TV station. The metro is very connected – you can get to the far end in 30 – 40 minutes if needed. I always needed it to be in tip-top shape with how much driving I did.
Now that I live in SoCal, it is very spread out and I try to stay close to home as often as I can, the most I probably drive is on Saturday’s or Sunday’s. I love to drive, I feel so free but I also try not to rack up miles.
When car shopping in SoCal:
- Purchase a fuel economy car, not a gas guzzler. It’s all about quality and affordability. You may be tempted to get that brand new sports car but in reality, if you are going to be stuck in traffic on the 405 most of the time or drive a lot, that’s the last thing you want to be driving. My 2014 Chevy Malibu that has a fuel economy of 37 highway/27 city (BTW can I just say that the new lines on the 2016 are just plain ugly?! I like mine so much better!). There are also a ton of electric charging stations throughout SoCal if you want to go that route.
- Another very popular fuel efficient car is the Toyota Prius (58 city/53 highway). You’ll see these all over Los Angeles, especially Santa Monica, or what I like to call “Prius Land.” I am not a fan of them because they are not spacious enough. With my long legs, I need room!
- Leasing vs Owning. I own my car because there is no way that I could stick within a certain mileage each year by leasing. I plan on owning mine for at least 10 years. I found this great article on U.S. News & World Report about buying vs leasing a vehicle.
- Car insurance. I have Amica and in my opinion, it is the best coverage and I love their customer service center. When my dad and I were researching for the right car insurance, we found that Farmer’s Insurance, Geico and AllState are too overpriced. There’s a difference between having great coverage vs overpriced coverage. I also have a Good Driver discount through Amica and I would like to keep it that way! With the constant car accidents in SoCal, you want to make sure your baby is well protected!
When taking care of your car:
- Gas. The best gas to purchase in SoCal is Chevron or Shell. This is what my dealership told me. It is because these two brands protect the fuel system and intake valves from corrosion with their nitrogen enriched gas.
- Don’t trash it. Why have old fast food bags, papers or other items just lying around when the vehicle should smell clean and be invitable for you and your guests?
- Oil changes. I’m very routine on these at about 3,000 miles. I take my Malibu into the dealership when it is at 10% even before the “Change Oil” light comes on, the standard for synthetic oil. A happy engine = a happy car.
- Air Filter. For me, these usually get changed every other time I get my oil changed. Changing your air filter also increases gas mileage and engine life.
- Coolant. If the liquid is below the minimum line, fill it with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.
- Power Steering Fluid. The level should be between the minimum and maximum lines.
- Brake Fluid. If it’s low, fill it and then get the system checked for a leak.
- Windshield Washer Fluid. I always have a gallon of the fluid in my storage unit in case my car runs low. When I lived in Minneapolis with the salt and snow, I would go through it like crazy. In SoCal, it’s barely.
- Bulbs/Turn Signal Lights. I usually check to make sure they still have life about once a month. When you are parked, just turn on the signal and hop out of the car to make sure they are shining brightly. If not, take it in to get serviced!
- Tires. I always check the pressure not only with my car’s digital system but also with a tire gauge to make sure they are all balanced out well. I also make sure they get rotated to ensure even tire wear every time I get my oil changed. You should also get new ones on an average at 50,000 miles when they start to wear down.
- Tip: If you get a nail stuck in one and it’s on the tread, you can take it into a tire shop and get it patched. If the nail is on the smooth part of the tire, you are out of luck and will have to purchase a new one. Speaking from experience…
- Waxing. I try and do this at least once a year. This not only will protect your car from pollution and the sun but also increase the longevity of the paint. I usually like to take it to a nearby auto care specialist but you can also use a quick wax product like Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Wax.
- Detailing. I also try and get my car detailed once a year. Sometimes there are deep scratches that I cannot get out on my own and I need a professional’s help. If they are minor, I can lightly buff them out. I always have on hand a small tube of Dupli-Color Scratch Fix available in my car’s color. According to the website, they are the only brand with colors tested and approved by vehicle manufacturers for a perfect match to the original factory finish when restoring that scratch or chip. You can find your vehicle’s touch-up color online!
- Routine car washes. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I thought, I will never have to wash my car as often like I did back home in Minneapolis, especially during the winter season. Boy was I wrong! The constant wind and dirt that piles up from driving makes me drive to the car wash once a week!
In case of an emergency…
- Trunk necessities. I always have jumper cables, Fix-A-Flat and a tire pressure gauge in case something happens and I need a quick fix. Again, go and get your car looked at by a professional in case it is something major! I also have blanket, flashlight and water in case I get stranded somewhere.
- AAA. I’ve had AAA since I was a teen and they have definitely come in handy when I need my car towed somewhere. The renewal fee is about $79 a year and it’s also great for discount rates for restaurants, hotels, theme parks and more!
- Car emergency fund. You never know what can go wrong with a car! With my past cars, I’ve had multiple brake pads changed, a new alternator, a new serpentine belt – the list goes on. Knock on wood nothing major has happened to mine yet, but I am prepared just in case! Here’s a great Emergency Fund Calculator from Money Under 30 to see how much you should set aside.
Thank you dad for everything you taught me about taking care of my baby!
Love,
