5 Vehicle Products You Didn't Know You Need

Did you know it’s recommended to get your car detailed at least twice a year? And to wash your car 1-2 times a month? All of this depends on your car type and wear, but this is the average recommendation. The best way to detail your car is to have it done professionally, but we know that’s not always possible so here are 7 tips to detailing your car. 1. Do wash the car before you detail It’s best to get all those bugs, bird poop, dust, and pollen off your car before you detail it. If not your products won’t work like they’re supposed to. 2. Do use good quality products Pay the money for the good products if you’re going to detail your car yourself. You want to care for your car, so don’t choose cheap products that might damage the car. 3. Do wax your car when you’re finished This is an easy step to want to skip, but the wax seals all the hard work you put into detailing. It will help protect your car longer as well! 4. Do protect your own body Most car detailing products can be harsh on your skin and sometimes clothes, so be sure to wear the protection you need for your body. 5. Don't allow your car to air-dry Air drying leaves so many spots on your car and defeats the purpose of detailing. This can also mean you left residue on your car, so be sure to go over the whole car with a high-quality drying towel. 6. Don't use household products Using products that aren’t meant for your car can damage the paint job so skip the dish soap. 7. Don't use a sponge or bristle brush Instead, use high-quality microfiber cleaning cloths and mitts. You won’t have to worry about them scratching the car or not cleaning well. 8. Don't forget the inside Your inside needs detailed too! Hydrate your leather, clean your cloth seats and floor, then detail the rest.

Winter is here, but is your car ready? Prepping your car for winter is a great way to help your car live its full life span. Here are 7 simple tips to prepare your car for winter. Wash it We all know this is something we should do more often, but doesn’t always get done. It’s important to get it done before the winter because build up on your car from salt and snow will happen in several states. Washing your car before winter can really help your car's exterior. Check your tires and breaks Make sure your tires have tread and your breaks function properly so if the roads are icy your car can function as it should. Some would even recommend having winter tires put on your car, but this isn’t always necessary in all parts of the USA. Get your oil changed Your car needs lots of juice to function well in cold weather, so an oil change is a must. Make sure your oil is up to date and check your manual to see if your car needs a lighter oil to run better in the winter. Check the battery and tire pressure When you’re getting your oil changed be sure to ask them to test the battery and check your tires. Being stranded in the cold because of an old battery or flat tire  is a nightmare, so get it checked before the cold hits. Fill fluids This is another simple thing to have done when you have your oil changed. Just ask them to top them off, especially your wiper fluid. Replace the wiper blades Most people don’t realize you should change your wipers based on the weather, so check out https://www.monkenauto.com/blogs/4263/best-wiper-blades-for-your-vehicle for details. This can help if you’re driving in winter weather! Prepare an emergency kit This might sound silly, but you can’t prepare for every situation to keep your car from having issues, so it’s smart to have a car emergency kit. Put all you could need in a bag and toss it in the trunk with a blanket.

Are you shopping for a new vehicle, but have never been on a test drive? Test driving is exciting, but it is easy to forget good questions when deciding if it is the vehicle for you. Here are ten questions to ask yourself and the salesperson during a test drive. 10 questions to ask yourself or to check out during a test drive: Always start by observing your space as the driver. Do you have enough legroom? Is the seat easy to adjust? Does the steering wheel adjust? Check out the cooling system to make sure it is easy to use. If you want separate controls, heated seats, or cooling seats check for those too. As you begin to drive, see how well you can see your surroundings with your mirrors. Do not forget to check the back seat if you typically drive your kids or animals in the vehicle. Think about the sounds of the vehicle. Is it too loud? Do any sounds annoy you? Any sounds of concern? If you like the radio on then try it out. See if you think you will be able to figure out the infotainment system or if it is too much. Pull into a parking lot while you are testing it to see how parking goes. Is it easy to park? If not, do you think it’s something you could get used to? Leave the driver's seat on your preferred settings and move to the seat behind it. See how the space is in each seat as if you were a passenger. Think about what you typically haul around. Will it fit in the trunk? Ex. stroller, car seat, wagon, sports gear, etc. Ask yourself how this vehicle compares to your current vehicle. What do you like or dislike compared to your current vehicle? If you love the vehicle, be sure to ask the salesperson questions like the vehicle's warranty, specials, the longevity of the vehicle, opinions on the different versions, etc.