When it comes to vehicle ownership, smart upgrades can help maintain your car’s value while potentially saving money down the road. While car owners may be reluctant to spend a ton of money on upgrades, there are some that can be worthwhile.
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Auto expert Chris Pyle from JustAnswer shared his top recommendations for vehicle investments that actually pay off over time.
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Deep Interior Cleaning and Protection
A thorough interior cleaning followed by protective treatment tops Pyle’s list.
“I always clean my new-to-me car interior very well. If the seats are cloth and the floor is carpet, I apply Scotchgard to help with future stain prevention and removal,” Pyle said.
While this process takes time, it prevents costly damage. He shares that while this doesn’t make you money in the short term, it’ll increase your car’s value when it’s sold. “If you stain up your seats badly, they may have to be replaced or covered when sold,” he said.
He added that new or quality used seat covers aren’t cheap and could cost you upward of $500.
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Quality Floor Mats
Pyle recommended upgrading to better floor mats for both protection and convenience.
“I always upgrade to better floor mats, which I can then remove and simply wash out,” he explained. “This does not save you money, but it will make the car worth more when sold, and it makes routine cleanings faster.”
Window Tinting
Even if your car came with some tinting, Pyle suggested adding more for multiple benefits.
“I do not go super dark, but just enough to help dim the sun to reduce sun fading and to help keep the car cooler while driving and using the AC,” he said.
The benefit goes beyond comfort. “It will make your AC work not so hard. You can then turn the blower speed lower, so the AC has to cycle on less,” he explained. He added that it also provides some savings in fuel usage.
Fresh Fluids and Maintenance Log
For used vehicles with unknown maintenance history, Pyle said he takes a proactive approach.
If you buy a used car and don’t know (or believe) the history, you should start a logbook and change all fluids, Pyle advised. Though initially costly, this step can help prevent expensive problems.
“Staying on top of your maintenance will make the car last longer and [cause] less frequent breakdowns,” he said. “Car failures that are caused by improper fluid maintenance are very common. You could be saving thousands by doing this.”
Paint Protection
A final consideration is exterior care. “You could polish and wax the car,” Pyle said. “This is a few-hour process, and it’s not expensive.” He added that it protects the paint and also makes it look better in general.
He added one caution: “Be hesitant, though, auto car washes use harsh products to clean without contact, which will wash away your time spent waxing,” Pyle said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Car Expert: 5 Money-Saving Upgrades I Always Buy for My Vehicle
