AAA Reminds Motorists There is More to Vehicle Maintenance Than What is Under the Hood

As part of AAA Car Care Month, the motor club offers tips for vehicle upkeep

that improve appearance and resale value

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 13 When many motorists think of vehicle maintenance, the first things that comes to mind are oil changes and other engine upkeep. However, the steps to maintaining a vehicle, and its resale value, extend beyond what is under the hood.

"Motorists can extend the life of their vehicle's interior and exterior the same way they take care of its mechanical parts -- through proper maintenance," said John Nielsen, director of AAA Approved Auto Repair and Auto Buying Services. "Forms of vehicle upkeep that are frequently thought of as cosmetic care can reduce wear and tear and help maintain a higher resale value."

  AAA recommends motorists perform the following maintenance tasks:

  Vehicle Interior

  --  Vacuum regularly and lightly shampoo the carpets as needed. Dirt
      remaining in the carpet greatly accelerates wear, but be careful not
      to soak carpets with too much moisture.
  --  Use floor mats to protect carpet. Carpeted floor mats will collect
      dust and dirt and are best for dry climates, while protective vinyl
      floor mats are recommended in wet and snowy areas.
  --  Wipe down dusty or soiled surfaces with a damp cloth. Follow with a
      UV-protective coating on vinyl and rubber surfaces. A solution with a
      matte or semi-gloss finish is preferred on the dashboard to reduce
      reflections in the windshield. Be careful not to apply petroleum-based
      products to plastic surfaces; especially clear ones. If the interior
      has leather, use products designed for cleaning and maintaining this
      material.
  --  Clean stains from seats and other interior surfaces promptly to
      prevent them from becoming set. Use a cleaner recommended by your
      vehicle's manufacturer to prevent fabric, vinyl or leather damage.
      Test any non-approved product in an inconspicuous spot before use to
      make sure it is safe.
  --  In hot and sunny climates, consider having the windows tinted to cut
      down on infrared rays that cause heat buildup and ultraviolet rays
      that fade and damage interior materials. Over-darkening windshields
      and front seat windows can compromise visibility and is frequently
      illegal, so use appropriate materials.

  --  Use protective flooring and seat covers when transporting pets or
      items with sharp edges that could gouge upholstery or carpeting.

  Vehicle Exterior

  --  Wash the vehicle approximately every two weeks and wax it twice a
      year. More frequent washing and waxing could be advisable depending on
      climate and driving conditions. A good coat of wax looks great,
      protects the finish from contaminants it comes in contact with, and
      contains filtering chemicals that help reduce paint fading from the
      ultraviolet rays in sunlight.
  --  When washing the vehicle, be sure to rinse out the wheel wells and
      accessible areas of the undercarriage. This is especially important
      where salt is used on roads in the winter as it will help prevent
      rust.
  --  Use care when removing bugs and tar to avoid damaging the clear coat
      or paint. Auto parts stores, such as NAPA Auto Parts, carry specialty
      products that can ease removal without causing damage. AAA members
      qualify for discounts at all NAPA locations by showing their
      membership card.
  --  Clean glass inside and out to ensure good vision. Use a product that
      does not leave streaks or cause glare.
  --  Have small windshield chips repaired to prevent them from becoming
      cracks that require complete windshield replacement. Most such repairs
      can be made easily by an auto glass technician coming to the vehicle's
      location.

  --  Consider headlight restoration if the headlight lenses have developed
      a frosted yellow surface. This repair process restores a clear finish
      to the lens, which improves both vehicle appearance and nighttime
      vision. Do-it-yourselfers can purchase restoration kits at auto parts
      stores for approximately $20. Commercial services will typically do
      the job for between $50 and $100.

Another easy way to improve the resale value of a vehicle is by saving all of its maintenance records. Motorists can be as organized as keeping them in a file or just stuffing them the glove box. Either way, being able to produce a record of proper maintenance and repairs during ownership of the vehicle can add hundreds of dollars to a vehicle's sales price. Also, most repairs come with some form of warranty, and documentation of the repair will be needed to support any warranty claim that might arise.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.