air filter Archives - Pretty Handy Girl

We’ve sold a few cars in our lives. Each time we were able to get top dollar for our used vehicles. Today I have 12 Tips to Maintain the Value of Your Car. (Plus an update on this van at the end of this article!)

You’ve all heard the saying that a new car depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot. Although, this is somewhat true, you can prevent your car’s value from depreciating too much and too quickly by following these tips:

1. Keep it Clean – Leaving dirt and debris on your vehicle can cause small scratches. Worse yet, bird poop and splatters can actually damage the paint. A regular cleaning is going to keep your car in tip top shape. I understand finding the time to wash your car can be challenging. And, those inexpensive drive thru car washes don’t get your car completely clean, especially on the inside. No worries, that’s where a mobile car wash can help. They come to your home or place of business and clean your car while you work or chase the kids.

2. No Salt – If you live at the beach or in a harsh winter area, salt can break down your car’s paint and cause metal to rust much faster. It’s important to keep your car protected with frequent car washes and wax your vehicle’s exterior.

3. Change Your Oil Regularly – Help your car’s engine run smoothly for a long time by keeping up with your oil changes. Depending on the age of your vehicle, oil changes are recommended every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Be sure to keep your receipts to show potential buyers that your car was well cared for.

4. Check Fluids – Make sure to check your car’s fluid levels at least once a month. You can check the fluids yourself or ask a mechanic to check for you. Top off engine oil, windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and brake fluid if they are low. As an easy reminder, ask your mechanic to check and top off fluids at every oil change.

5. Maintenance – There is a list of required services to be perform in your vehicle’s owners manual. Keep an eye on your mileage and get those routine services performed on time. Don’t have the manual? Call the dealer and ask them for the maintenance schedule. Always keep your receipts as a reminder of what you’ve done and to show potential buyers that you took great care of the vehicle.

6. Floor Liners – One of the best things you can do for your car’s interior is to put in floor liners. We bought WeatherTech (affiliate link) floor mats the week after we bought the new minivan. They catch all kinds of spills, dirt and crumbs while protecting the carpets.

7. Keep Tires Properly Inflated – For safety and better gas mileage keep your tires inflated properly. This will also help your tires last longer.

8. Change the Air Filters – Keep the car smelling great and help your HVAC system run more efficiently by changing your air filter with every 1-2 oil changes. This is an easy DIY job, learn how to change your air filters here.

9. Fix Dents and Scratches – Keep an eye on your car’s body. If you get a dent or scratch that goes through to the metal, fix it ASAP before rust can form. It might be as simple as getting touch up paint from the dealer. Or you might need the help from a professional auto body shop.

10. Don’t Trash It – Keep a trash bag in your car to collect any garbage. Kids are especially prone to leaving half eaten food in the car. Train them to dispose of all waste. A simple trash bag that clips to the back of your seat (affiliate link) has worked well for us.

11. Park it Inside – This is a tough one if you don’t have a garage. Or like me, your garage serves a purpose other than storing your automobiles. If parking your vehicle inside isn’t an option, try not to park under trees (birds and falling limbs can do damage to your car.) And be sure to refer back to tip number 1.

12. Drive It – A car needs to be driven at least once a week to keep the engine and parts in good working order. This will also prevent tires from getting flat spots.

Follow as many of these tips to maintain the value of your car and receive top dollar when it comes time to sell your vehicle!

Update: After 10 years I sold my minivan on Facebook Marketplace and got over Kelly Blue Book value and had 15 people contacting me immediately to purchase the vehicle. The meticulous records, WeatherTech liners, and lack of any accidents made our van a prized vehicle when it went on the market. I urge you to maintain. your vehicle and reap the rewards the day you sell it. Happy driving.

I’m sure you already know how important it is to change your air filters in your home. As a Filtrete Ambassador, I’m happy to remind you why you should replace your Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Reduction MPR 1900 filters on a regular basis:

Helps improve air quality in your home
Allergen reduction from air passing through the filter
Clean filters allow better air flow and less stress on your heating and cooling system
Capture airborne microscopic particles that can carry bacteria and viruses
Regularly maintenance and filter changes can help maintain your system

If you’re like me it’s hard to remember when it’s time to change your air filters. I have a solution!

Two tips to help you remember to change your air filters regularly.

1. Write the date you changed the filter on the new filter. That way you can peak at the filter to see if you need to change them soon.

2. Sign up for a reminder email. You can sign up for the Filtete Clean Advantage Club to get reminder emails when it’s time to change your air and/or water filters. It’s easy and they’ll email you at your preferred intervals to help you remember to change your filters.

Simply enter your filter size, the date you need your first reminder (or the date of your last filter change). Then choose how often you replace your filters (or should I say how often you should replace your filters.)

Don’t forget to add your email address and click submit.

Now sit back and don’t worry about remembering to change your air filters ever again! When it’s time, you’ll get an email from Filtrete!

Now you can spend time trying to remember other important things, like what time is Flip or Flop on? Anyone else watching this show? Is is just me or does it bother you that Christina doesn’t ever get her hands dirty. Must be a Handy Girl pet peeve. 😉

Follow Filtrete via social media on Facebook or Twitter for more tips and tricks to help create a healthier home.

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Filtrete Brand. I have the honor of being an ambassador for them and have been sharing information from Filtrete Brand. I was given key messages to share, but all the words and thoughts are my own and additional products used in the project were selected by me. I have been compensated for my time and for this post. I continue to work with certain brands like the Filtrete Brand that I believe in, because of their quality and because I feel they have helpful messages for my readers. I will always disclose to you if you are reading a sponsored post. #HealthierHome #Ad

Other tips in the 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes series: