Car Care 101

Getting around Milford, MA is great when you have a well-functioning vehicle, but unfortunately, car problems often arise when you least expect it. Do what you can to stay aware of how your car is doing and prevent any serious problems by practicing these basic but important car care tips. Plus, we’ve got ideas for keeping your car clean, and apps to help with navigating when you’re traveling. We’re happy to provide free parking here at The Groves at Milford for members of our apartment community. We think these tips will help you keep your wheels rolling — in style!

Cleaning

Cleaning the inside of your car isn’t always fun and easy, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve deep cleaned. But there are a few ways you can easily get rid of stains, animal hair, dust, or other stubborn marks and messes.

We love the suggestions in BuzzFeed’s article, “23 Ways to Make Your Car Cleaner Than It’s Ever Been,” especially the idea to use a squeegee for removing pet hair, a Magic Eraser for getting rid of sticky substances from vinyl and leather, and a foam paintbrush to get the dust between air vents or other nooks and crannies.

Service

Check, change, and refill fluids regularly. Whether you do this on your own or at a shop, this is vital to the health of your car. Things to check include your car’s oil, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and air conditioning coolant. Check out tips for checking these 7 fluids for details about how to do so.

It’s also important to periodically check your tires. The condition of your tires should never go under your radar. Check the tire pressure and tire tread to prolong the life of your tires and to significantly lower your risk of accidents on the road.

Apps

• GasBuddy — Taking the guesswork out of where to find the best price for gas is what this app delivers. GasBuddy posts local gas prices so you can see at a glance the best place to fill up. It shows what grades are available including diesel. Available for iOS, Android, and Blackberry.

• Waze — Check out this community-driven navigation map that is more than just navigation. Members provide real-time updates to the maps to indicate traffic jams, road construction, and even gas prices, and it’s not just for major freeways, highways, and arterial streets; even side streets can be included. In the case of heavy traffic and long delays, Waze will reroute you in the most efficient manner. Available for iOS and Android

What other tips, hacks, or apps do you have for keeping your car clean and running efficiently? Share with the rest of us by leaving a comment so we can all benefit. Thanks for being a part of our apartment community!