How long does the average American keep the same vehicle? According to recent surveys, car owners tend to keep their vehicles for 8 to 11 years. Needless to say, the exact length is fully dependent on the type of vehicle and the type of use drivers have. But one thing is for sure: The longer you keep your car, the lesser value it will have in the end. This can make it tough to resell. More importantly, some car owners do not resell their cars and prefer to drive them until it is fully beyond repair. 

So, with this in mind, it is important to appreciate the real value of your car investment. Whether you buy a brand-new car or a second-hand vehicle, your investment will last, on average, a decade. It’s a long time, and that’s where having a proper maintenance routine can be game-changing. 

The importance of your maintenance routine

Owning a car is a long-term investment in the United States. As such, regardless of how much you first paid for your car, insurance, repair works, and general wear and tear will increase its costs over time.

So, having a strict maintenance routine will ensure you can keep your vehicle running smoothly during the whole duration of ownership. From regular oil changes to brake inspections, your maintenance tasks are diverse. It’s time to add car wash to the list too. 

How cars get dirty

It doesn’t matter where and how you drive. Every vehicle is bound to get dirty over time. This is especially true for drivers in areas with a lot of rain, snow, or along the waterside, as their vehicles are more exposed to high humidity environments. This humidity can pair with the dust particles naturally present in the air, such as traffic pollution, for example. 

Additionally, environmental contaminants, such as bird droppings, tree sap, and gravels, can also create minor buildups on the car surface. 

Off-roaders, of course, are more likely to accumulate dirt and mud as part of tracking adventures. 

How dirt can damage your car body

What is wrong with a dirty car? You may be thinking that it doesn’t look attractive anymore. But there is more than what meets the eye. Dirt can create a sponge for humidity, gathering small pockets of excess moisture against the car body paint. 

In the long term, this can lead to paint peeling, exposing the metal body. Paint acts as a protective layer. Without it, the metal structure is exposed to external elements and can develop rust.

Protecting your car paint

Regular car wash will help remove the accumulated dirt and protect your car paint. It is worth considering additional protective measures, such as a paint protection film. This can make a huge difference for vehicles that are typically exposed to harsh environments, such as off-roaders, cars in coastal cities, and cars in snowy winter states. It is important to remember that the protective film doesn’t replace regular washing. But it can ensure your paint is resistant to its environment. 

In conclusion, protecting your car paint needs to become a priority for car owners. In the long term, pristine car paint can help resell the vehicle at the best possible price after driving the same car for almost 10 years.