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So you finally got the Car/Truck/SUV that you have always wanted? Now you want to do everything you can to make sure it keeps in the best possible. Here are a few tips to make sure that your beautiful new vehicle stays beautiful.

Tanker at the pump?
If you see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. When the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the new gas can stir up dirt. Dirt in your gas can clog up fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly repairs.

Long-term storage
If you are not going to use your car for more than a month:

* Fill the gas tank to help prevent water from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to spread the additive to engine parts.

* Wash and wax the car to protect the finish.

* Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A polyethylene drop cloth will do.

* Take off the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.

* Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.

* Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Park in the shade
A garage is always the best place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days.

Floor mats, Floor mats, Floor mats!
Use floor mats to protect carpeting. The best type for controlling salt, slush, and mud in winter are rubber mats. They stay in place, don’t allow the water to seep through, and are easy to wash clean. Carpet-style mats are helpful and best for summer. Shake, vacuum, or wash as needed and be sure to replace them as they wear through. Find a local dealer to fit your vehicle with the correct floormat.

Preserve door and window seals
Wipe a rubber protectant or silicone on door and window weatherstripping to keep it in good condition. Don’t use an oilbased product, such as WD-40, because the oil will damage the rubber. Regular cleaning and treatment of your car’s weatherstripping will also lessen the likelihood of your door sticking to its rubber seal in cold weather, a common cause of damage to the rubber.

Keep leather new
Leather cars seats are durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance. After a few years, however, the seats can become soiled. Use a leather cleaner to remove dirt and stains like simple green with a soft plastic scrub brush. Then apply a leather protectant formulated for pigmented or top-coated grain leather. Protectants will resist stains and make the upholstery easier to clean in the future. Choose a protectant that includes conditioners to keep your leather supple.

Baby seats
All manner of food bits and liquids can accumulate under a baby seat, where they can permanently stain the seats. Place a sheet of heavy plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage, and re-secure the seat according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Rotate your tires
Rotating your tires helps to distribute tire wear evenly and ensures that you’ll get the maximum road life out of them. The first rotation is especially important.Your owner’s manual should specify both rotation period and pattern. If not, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 7,500 miles — your tire dealer should know the correct pattern of tire rotation.

Have wheel alignment checked
Have your car’s wheel alignment checked every 30,000 miles, or as recommended in your owner’s manual. Also have it checked after buying new tires and when you replace a rack-and-pinion steering unit or other steering parts. Improper tire alignment will shorten the life of your tires as well as cause poor handling. If your steering is stiffer than normal or the vehicle pulls to one side, you probably have an alignment problem.

Change oil frequently
Frequent oil changes flush damaging dirt and metal particles out of the engine, prolonging its life. Most owner’s manuals recommend a more frequent interval for “severe conditions.” To maximize the life of your engine, follow the severe intervals recommendations, especially if drive regularly in stop-and-go traffic.

Filters
There are several filters the main ones are oil, fuel, transmission, and air, important to preserving your car engine, and they should be changed according to the schedule in your owner’s manual or as follows:

* Change the oil filter at least at every other oil change — every change is even better because the old filter contains nearly a quart of dirty oil that will remain with the new, clean oil. If you change your oil yourself, wipe the filter threads with an anti-seize lubricant, available at auto supply stores.

* Check the air filter every two months and replace it when dirty or as part of a tune-up. Air filters are generally easier to get to than oil filters.You find them under the big metal lid in a carbureted engine or in a rectangular box in a fuel injected engine — check your owner’s manual for the exact location. Extend the life of air filters by blowing them clean with compressed air.

* Despite claims by makers that some newer fuel filters never need changing, it’s smart to have it done once a year. A clogged fuel filter will cause poor engine performance (hesitation and starting difficulties) and is an early warning that there may be corrosion in your gas tank.

* Change your transmission fluid filter after the first 5,000 miles of driving and every 25,000 miles or two year thereafter.

Consult your local car service center for proper maintenance.

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