If you plan to service and make repairs to your car, invest in a fender cover. It drapes over your fender, providing a safe place to rest your tools without causing scratches. It will also prevent your belt buckle from marring your paint as you lean into the engine compartment to work.

Beware the wet thumb

If you top off your tires at a service station, check to see if there's moisture coming from the air pump. Simply depress the pin inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail. If your thumb gets wet, advise the station manager that his tanks need to be drained and go to a different station. Moisture…

Give your car a new skin

New self-adhering urethane films have been developed to protect the most vulnerable painted areas on your car from stone chips and other minor abrasions.You can wash and wax these surfaces, just as you would the rest of the paint job. While it's best to have these films professionally installed, you can peel…

Maintain proper inflation

Under-inflated tires are a tire salesman's best friend. They create excessive heat and stress that can lead to tire failure. If you want to get every last mile out of your tires, get yourself a tire pressure gauge and use it at least once a month (more in hot weather) to keep your tires inflated to…

Don't try to carry too much

Never exceed your car's roof load specifications or weight limits.You can find them in your vehicle owner's manual. Check the weight limit of your roof rack as well. Typically the range is from 150 to 200 pounds (68 to 90 kg). That's the equivalent of eighteen 8-foot 2 x…

 Here's what to do to ensure the maximum in protection: Liquid and spray waxes are tempting to use— they make the car shiny with less work than rubbing in paste wax.  Apply a thin, even coat of wax to the car's surfaces with a damp sponge. To avoid fine scratches, use a clean, soft cotton or microfiber cloth.  Apply an extra coat of wax to the nose and hood. 

Inspect wheel-well splash guards

These guards, however flimsy on many of today's cars, help keep water and winter's salty slush from splashing up into the engine compartment, where it can damage sensitive electrical components. Unfortunately, these guards tear off easily— sometimes without the driver knowing it. Check for damage to these guards when you wash your car. Re-secure…

Secure loads to avoid dents and scratches

The beginning of the end for the finish on many cars and trucks—and for wagon and hatchback interiors for that matter—is an improperly stowed load. Invest in the appropriate racks for bicycles, cargo, and luggage. A good trick to keep tall objects from sliding around in a pick-up truck bed is…

Fill with washer fluid only

Don't add water to the windshield washer reservoir. It won't clean as well as washer fluid, and it may freeze in cold weather and damage the system. Don't try to run your windshield washer system once you suspect there's no more fluid in the tank, or you may damage the washer…

Avoid light fixture problems

When changing a bad bulb, clean dirty or corroded sockets with fine steel wool or a small wire brush. Wipe the socket clean of debris before installing the new light bulb.

Fix small windshield chips