Photo Credit: Michal Kulesza

Taking good care of your Audi ensures it will be around for a while. Along with improving performance and appearance, proper maintenance also increases the value if you decide to sell or trade in your car. It’s been said that the value of a car could be increased by $2,000 or more just by sprucing it up and and making minor repairs.

Wondering if maintaining and caring for your Audi is going to break the bank? The truth is that car care doesn’t have to be expensive. You can do much of it yourself to save money. In the long run, taking care of your car will pay off because you’ll have a car that runs well and looks good all the time. And when your car looks good, you look good driving it.

Get the Right Car Care Products

You can wash your car with just a hose, soap, and some rags, but this approach won’t produce the best results and can even do damage to your vehicle. To keep your car in great condition, get the right products. These can include:

• The California car duster
• High-quality cleaning and polishing solutions
• Gentle towels and/or a silicone squeegee
• A detailing kit
• A portable vacuum

Once your car is clean, protect it with an Audi car cover. It isn’t just for collectibles or vehicles permanently parked in the driveway. A quality car cover keeps out harsh UV rays, moisture, dust, and more while also preventing harm to the paint job. Ultraviolet rays can cause the exterior paint and interior upholstery to fade. Covering your car will also protect it from potential weather damage during the fall and winter months. Heavy winds can blow small branches, pebbles, sand, or dirt onto your car.

Clean Frequently

Make care less daunting by staying on top of cleaning. The more you do it, the more the job remains quick and easy. Empty out trash daily and treat stains immediately. Use storage bins to keep the interior organized and have everyone take in items that belong inside the home.

Never underestimate the power of a clean car. It just feels good and puts you in a better state of mind while you’re driving. You may consider investing in a car detailing kit and detail your car every few months. If that’s too much work for you, check out Groupon for all kinds of specials on car detailing in your area.

Do Simple Maintenance Jobs Yourself

Even the most unhandy person can do simple tasks, such as install new windshield wipers every 6 months to a year, refill certain fluids, change spark plugs, and replace the air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles. You can even learn how to change the oil, replace brake pads, and flush the radiator.

One last piece of advice: If you don’t feel comfortable taking on any of these DIY car care or maintenance projects, you can still find affordable services by doing a simple Google search or getting referrals from other Audi car owners. The last thing you want to do is take on a project yourself and end up doing more damage than good.