September 2023

It’s no surprise that replacing your current car will be inevitable. So you must take care of your car to avoid doing it too soon. Luckily, here are a few tips for extending your car’s life expectancy and what to avoid. Before you know it, proper car care will reward you with an extended period of ownership. Saying goodbye to your treasured vehicle doesn’t have to come so soon.

Protect Your Car From the Sun

Over time, sun exposure can cause the exterior paint to wear down and fade. You can protect your car from harmful UV rays by parking in shaded places, such as a garage. However, if you don’t have access to a garage or storage unit, a car tarp will do the trick. By keeping your car out of the sun, you’ll safeguard its paint and interior.

Regularly Check Your Oil and Coolant

Around every 5,000 miles or so, you must get your car’s oil changed. Having clean, debris-free oil will allow your car to run and operate efficiently by keeping parts lubricated. Additionally, you shouldn’t forget to get your coolant checked. Low levels can quickly cause problems for your car in the future, so monitor your coolant and oil level for optimal car functionality.

Listen for Unusual Noises

As you drive around listening to music, you may listen to the news or podcasts to keep you entertained, especially during long stretches of road. However, you should turn your entertainment off from time to time to check if your vehicle is making any odd noises. Grinding, whirring, squeaking, or whining noises could show signs of worn-down parts or broken pieces. Catch these early to avoid expensive repairs.

Check and Rotate Your Tires

Over time, your wheels will start to lose their tread and not have the ability to grip the road. On top of getting your tires checked regularly, you should also have them rotated so that they wear evenly. Tire pressure is another vital aspect, as it will keep your car balanced, and you’ll be less likely to have issues with alignment. Also, replace your tires when the tread wears down, as that’s also a modification that’ll increase your car’s value.

Keep Your Owner’s Manual Close

There are plenty of situations where you’ll have to access your owner’s manual. These include conditions like a light going off on your dashboard, sudden power loss to your vehicle, or your infotainment system acting odd. Getting to know your owner’s manual will keep you educated on your car’s needs and how to identify minor issues. It’s an essential tip for extending your car’s life expectancy and keeping it running longer.

Having a car means knowing how to take care of it. So ensure that you know your vehicle well and maintain a regular schedule for upkeep, replacements, and repairs.

There are multiple luxury vehicles and elite cars globally that offer a wide variety of appearances and performance values. These cars have the world’s spotlight upon them, yet they are not the most significant rarities in the automotive world. Throughout history, some vehicles have proven extremely rare and difficult to find, and to this day, they still hold the rare value that made them notorious. For your attention, we have listed the rarest five luxury cars to find in the world.

The 5 Rarest Luxury Cars

Ferrari 250 GT

The Ferrari S.p.A. brand produced Ferrari 250 GT luxurious car around 1963. It was notorious for its V12 engine, which was ahead of its time and overtook the reputation of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rosa. Sports cars became more popular during the mid-20^th century and were implemented into racecar driving for better performance.

Aston Martin DBR1

Aston Martin is known for producing beautifully crafted cars with outstanding performance to match, and the DBR1 follows that trend. The aesthetic is an old-school-style racing car, but that’s not what makes it rare. The vehicle is based on the DB3S, the model that came before it, and was implemented into racing when the rules of the sport changed from prohibiting cars that were not street legal from racing.

This vehicle was faster and higher performing, with a straight-six engine and rear-wheel drive. When it came time to drive in the 24 Hours Le Mans, it was one of only three vehicles left driving by the end. In the same year, this car won the World’s Sportscar Championship, giving it extremely high praise and a historical reputation. It’s a rare luxury car to find, with only five in existence.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rosa

The Ferarri 250 Testa Rosa, or Ferrari 250 TR, shares the spotlight with DBR1 in having two title wins in the same year during the 1950s. This car was sold to the public for about $40 million. Its high sales price comes from its title winnings and low production of 33 total models; this vintage Ferrari will look great and impress many people on a scenic drive around the Miami area.

Porsche 917

The exciting design of the Porsche 917 has drawn plenty of attention during its time on the track. This supercar comes with a flat engine, which itself is uncommon; only 59 cars were ever produced which makes Porsche 917 one of the rarest luxury cars in the world.

Jaguar XK120-C

This exceptionally luxurious vehicle had only 53 models built, 43 of which were sold to private owners. During its time, this car had an excellent top speed of about 125 mph and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 8 to 10 seconds. Its high performance and elite vintage look granted this vehicle a spot among the rarest luxury cars in the world.

These elite cars were known for their high racing performance and limited availability. Their unique abilities make them rare, valuable, and unforgettable.

On today’s roads, the average driver can run into hazardous road conditions that would destroy a car’s paint within seconds.  A paint protection film (PPF) or also known as clear-bra, is an invisible-like skin for your vehicle, giving it the defence shield it needs to guard and preserve its overall look and value.

But this film goes beyond just general protection against scratches or other unexpected debris you find during your everyday commute. Its multi-layer technology creates a hydrophobic barrier that defends against sand, gravel, minor door dings, and harmful UV rays. Leaving your vehicle fully protected from daily driving.

A PPF is an Investment for Your Car

We have all heard the saying that the second you drive your car off the dealership lot, you have already lost 15% of its value. Utilizing a paint protection film on your vehicle can leave its paint in remarkable condition, even after years of enjoyment. But a PPF is a serious investment. With a price tag of a few thousand for an entire body wrap, the upfront cost can be an initial turnoff to most new car buyers. Don’t let this discourage you. With a minimum of a 5-10 year lifespan, once the film is removed, your vehicle will look just as good as the first day you drove out of the showroom.

The Battle of Paint Protection Methods

Today’s technology in paint protection services comes down to PPF application vs. a ceramic coating when determining what should use to protect your vehicle. Other products, like waxes, can cause irreversible damage due to product build-up and discoloration.

A ceramic costing service does come with various benefits for any car owner, from a 10-year-old used vehicle or one with a few thousand miles. Due to its low-cost nature, the entry point for most is enticing, especially if they are new to the world of paint protection. With its polymer-based layer creating an invisible paint-like texture, your vehicle is left with a single layer of protection against scratches, gravel, and other debris. When considering a ceramic coating, the product’s longevity can become a concern, with a typical application that can only last up to 1 year.

In comparison, a paint protection film not only lasts 10 times the length of a ceramic coating but also adds several layers of extra protection. With self-healing properties, a film can repeatedly take damage before needing to be removed and replaced with a new product. Thus, reducing your overall maintenance cost of keeping your car in a road-worthy appearance.

5 Ways A Paint Protective Film Can Be Applied to Your Car

1. Partial Front: When a PPF is applied in this configuration, areas that would be highly susceptible to damage are now covered.  Coverage spans over the entire front bumper, headlights, mirrors, and a portion of the hood.
2. Full Front: A popular package that protects the entire front of the vehicle, including a complete hood application, front fenders, door handles, and side skirts. With the added protection, your car will be able to handle the everyday wear these damaged prone areas are exposed to.
3. Full Exterior or Body: A full 360-degree shield for your vehicle, covering every inch of your car’s exposed painted exterior.
4. Partial: Our needs change, and a PPF is just as adaptive as you are. Whether you need just your front bumper or headlights, a film can be customized to fit your exact specifications and your car’s unique design.
5. Interior: Accidents can happen anywhere. Especially on your brand-new interior. Having a PPF installed on your high-traffic touchscreens, center consoles, and other stylish components can protect them from our sometimes chaotic lives.

Is a PPF Installation DIY-er Friendly, or should it be Left to the Pros?

If you are considering a paint protection film for your vehicle, you might be curious about how intensive the process is. Maybe you are a do-it-yourselfer looking for the next project to tackle.

Beyond the actual film and all materials required for application, there are several other things required to assure PPF quality when finished. Most professionals use a wide range of cleaners and clay bars to remove contaminates, leaving the paint 100% free of debris, an essential step in the installation process.

Once you are finally ready to start applying the film to your car, it can quickly become an overwhelming process, due to the countless “small details”, only professionals are aware of, after encountering these previously. One air bubble that pops up the next day can ruin your entire previous day’s work… So start from the small parts – PPFing light, bumper, or door sills. If you need a full-body PPF it’s better to go to detailing shops, which have the proper materials stock, required space conditions, and most important, long-time experience.

Your Car Paint Protection Film Wrap Up

With a professional film installation, your car will be able to defend itself from road grime and debris, leaving your paint like new. With its multi-layer technology, your vehicle’s value will maintain its level throughout the years.  Allowing you to enjoy a brand new-looking car for the next decade. A PPF install is precisely what any car enthusiast needs, a product that keeps the vehicles they love exactly how they love them.

This article is brought to you by INKAS Design, Canada based Paint Protection Film manufacturer and PPF application school.

Myth: Independent Shops Are Inferior

Many people are wary of independent car repair shops because the prices, services, and quality can vary from shop to shop. In comparison, dealer repair shops have standards that they all follow, and you can expect consistent services. Consistency doesn’t always mean quality, though. Many people simply fear independent repair shops because they haven’t looked into them. Before choosing any repair shop, you should certainly investigate your local independent shops to see if you can receive better services or prices. While many people are wary of independent shops, many more have developed a strong, personal relationship with their local shops that they can’t make with dealerships.

Myth: Replica Wheels Are a Scam

Car dealers and manufacturers often perpetuate one of the most common myths and misconceptions about car repair. To prevent competition, car manufacturers often discourage customers from turning to third-party sellers, saying that they’re less reliable. This is most certainly not the case. Replica wheels can be as safe as OEM wheels. Replica wheels from a reliable source are just as high-quality, safe, and reliable as any wheels from your car’s manufacturer. But they come at a much more affordable price. Without any competition, manufacturers often charge outrageous prices for replacement rims, so it’s no wonder why they want to delegitimize third-party wheels.

Myth: All Cars Have the Same Needs

With all the different models of cars available on the market, you shouldn’t assume that the same maintenance rules apply to every vehicle. To get an idea of your car’s needs, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s manual that came with your car. This manual will detail the recommended maintenance needs of your particular vehicle and help dictate when you should have professional mechanics look at your automobile.

Taking care of your first car is bound to come with many surprises if you are not used to the different pieces that fail frequently. Whether we’re talking about new or old machines, knowing some of the most common car parts that need replacing is helpful to know for keeping your car in top form. These parts to keep an eye on are routine for every vehicle; however, it gets a bit more complex when driving an older vehicle.

Air Filters

The air filters are responsible for keeping the air in your car free of pollutants and certain allergens. This filter gets dirty over time and traps more of these particles the longer you drive. It is a regular occurrence to replace this part every ninety days. Despite the range, you’ll notice stronger smells and a hotter engine as some signs that it needs to be replaced in case you prefer noticeable signs to go by.

Brake Pads

Every time you brake in your car, the brake pads are pushed against the rotor disc. This process continually wears down the brake pads and makes them less reliable overall. There are some easy tips for maintaining your brake system’s longevity, but your brake pads last for about 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Getting them changed keeps you safe and ensures they don’t fail you during important moments.

Battery

Like a flashlight or TV remote, the battery to your car needs to be replaced eventually. As the main source of power for several functions in your car, including the startup process, this is not a part for which you want to neglect any duties. Batteries are a common part to replace, but it does not need to be done frequently. In fact, your typical car battery is good for around four to five years. When you begin closing in on that range, it is best to keep a close eye on it to make sure no surprises pop up and your car dies suddenly in the middle of the road.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand every element of your automobile. However, by understanding some of the most common car parts that need replacing, you can grasp what to look out for in the future. Regular mechanic checkups are also key to give you the chance to replace other pieces that get damaged naturally throughout the life of your vehicle.