Vehicle maintenance is separated into two areas; maintaining appearance and maintaining operations. Maintaining appearance is in response to damage from the sun and other extreme weather, protection from road elements and protection from passenger damage, which are reduced by using car covers, window shades, cup holder coasters, steering wheel covers, clear protectant vinyl wrap, seat covers, head rest covers, floor mats, window tint and armoral protectant wipes for leather, dash and tires. Maintaining operations is related to routine and long term scheduled maintenance and preservation of use.
Maintaining Appearance
Interior – Maintaining the appearance of a used luxury vehicle can be categorized by interior and exterior. Interior maintenance practices and products include using window shades, cup holder coasters, steering wheel covers, seat covers, headrest covers, floor mats, window tint, Armoral protectant and trim kits, paint and trim vinyl wrap.
WINDOW SHADES
Window shades help protect your vehicle from the sun’s harmful UV rays and increased heat, which contributes to fading, discoloration and cracking due to brittleness of a vehicle’s interior areas. This exposure to the sun over years can add up and become noticeable.
When owning a used luxury vehicle as we recommend buying at the bottom of its depreciation curve, the vehicle may already be 5 or 10 years old and have a lot of sun exposure. Hopefully the previous owner took good care of the vehicle; we recommend preventative maintenance of using sunshade to help slow down the aging wear down process. Most luxury vehicle use superior materials that maintain their quality over time but materials are not indestructible but they can be timeless if properly protected and taken care of.
There are 3 types of sunshades, front, side and rear.
FRONT
The front sunshade is the most popular because it provides the most amount of coverage for the interior areas, and it is the most convenient for the driver to place in and out of position from the driver seat. The front windshield is the largest window in the vehicle, so blocking the sun exposure from this source is the most effective. Since it is located in the front of the vehicle and gets a lot of looks from the public, we suggest getting a sunshade with a logo on it in order to stand out and show attention to detail by matching it to your vehicle in some way. Please visit our affiliate partner to explore a variety of styles and prices.
SIDE
Side window shades or curtains are also popular but are more versatile because they are not only used to provide protection for the vehicle when it is parked but they also reduce glare for the passengers while in the vehicle and provide privacy when desired. Side window curtains are standard features in some ultra-luxury vehicles like Maybach and Rolls Royce. You can add luxury style sunshades that slide open and close for privacy or you can add a more standard option that helps protect against the sun. Please visit our affiliate partner to explore a variety of styles and prices.
REAR
Rear window sunshades are the most overlooked because some rear windshields are small, difficult to access and sun exposure shines mostly on the unused rear deck area behind the backseat, which isn’t a high priority for protecting. In certain situations, rear sunshades might be very useful, if a vehicle is always parked outside and exposed to extreme heat or if during a long the drive the sun is glaring through the back windshield, especially with kids in the backseat. If you expect to be in either of these situations then it might be a good idea to consider having all around sun protection coverage and invest in a rear sunshade. Please visit our affiliate partner to explore a variety of styles and prices.
REVIEWS
DIY: Car Modz 32.4K subscribers Cover Craft UVS100 Sunshade Review 100,971 views •Sep 10, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6K-rn6kOxo
SwishLife Garage 4.19K subscribers WeatherTech Sun Shade Unboxing/Review 14,965 views •Aug 8, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b09FvT7xN74
DIY: Car Modz 32.4K subscribers Product Review: Custom Fit Interior Sunshade 11,793 views •Nov 28, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fl8J-EEJLc
Club Regalia 1.6K subscribers Junction Produce VIP Curtains Installation !! + Practical or just fancy?? 54,536 views •May 1, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqQpyX0beAU
HEADREST PILLOWS/COVERS
Another way to maintain a vehicle’s interior is by protecting the headrest from stains and wear over years of use. If your headrests are cloth or leather they will absorb stains from passengers resting their heads. Under constant use, they can even begin to fade, wear away and acquire small rips and tears. This can lead to a vehicles interior looking unsightly, unsanitary and older than it really is.
An easy solution to slow down headrest wear and tear is to attach headrest pillows or headrest covers to your seats. This helps take most of the direct contact from the passenger off of the headrest, so that they can be preserved while passengers still get the same amount of comfort if not more.
Our initial opinion of headrest pillows and headrest covers was that they are not stylish and only used by old people who were overly concerned about cleanliness. But we have finally gotten on the headrest pillow/cover band wagon for a couple of reasons. If you are driving a used vehicle then your interior is already old and has experienced a lot of use. Since you don’t have the advantage of having brand new interior then it would be worth it to take a small step to protect an already aging interior. The other reason is that recently several high luxury vehicles like Maybach have included headrest pillows in their interior, so these additions have a cool factor, especially if you can find an option that matches your current interior or has a custom logo on it, you can really add a cool luxury feature to your vehicle, give your passengers a little more comfort and protect the upholstery all at the same time.
Please visit our affiliate partner to explore a variety of headrest pillows and headrest covers.
SEAT COVERS
Another way to maintain a used luxury vehicles interior that is closely related to the headrest pillows/covers section above is installing seat covers. This is another item that doesn’t seem cool to include in some vehicles that are focused on impressing but there have been advances with these types of products and there are some inconspicuous options that are not bulky, awkward and ill fitted.
We think this is an option more suitable for drivers that have young kids, drivers with pets, drivers who regularly transport items or for Uber and Lyft drivers who constantly have passengers in and out of their vehicle. These situations can accelerate the damage to a vehicles interior, even the highest grade leather will experience damage with constant years of wear. Seats, similar to carpets have high traffic areas
and tend to wear out in specific areas faster than others. The bottom area near the edges where passengers tend to slide in and out and the areas near the seams are more susceptible to incurring damage over time. As mentioned above, exposure to direct sun and hot temperatures can also contribute to the failing integrity of the upholstery.
Adding seat covers allows you to protect the seats from being damaged, and if they are already showing minor wear and tear then seat covers can help slow down any further damage and provide a good option for updating and refreshing the interior.
The condition of seats is easily noticeable to everyone upon entering the vehicle most people glance down and look before they sit and a worn out, shabby seating area is not only an eyesore but can also make people feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Especially if someone drives Uber or Lyft and uses their vehicle for business purposes, having an inviting interior space is important to have appearance standards and help add to the ambiance of a passenger having a pleasant experience.
We focus on style and some seat covers are not stylish, look cheap and feel distractingly uncomfortable. However we do feel that there are some good options available that look good, improve the vehicles styling and have a custom, snug, tight fit that feels in-place and comfortable. Please visit our affiliate partner to explore prices and a variety of types of seat covers that complement and fit your vehicle.
FLOOR MATS
Another way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s interior is by adding floor mats. After years of use a vehicle’s floor mats can become stained and worn, to the point that even a vacuum and shampoo can’t bring them back to their original freshness. Sometimes the high traffic areas on floor mats lose their fluff and begin balding and become matted, which is an eyesore, even when they are clean they still look old.
If any of your floor mats end up in this condition then you should consider replacing them with a new fresh set. Not only will the new floor mats continue to protect your floors from absorbing any stains and wear but you can choose something updated and stylish that compliments your vehicle. There are floor mats that come in different colors and with custom logos, this shows attention to detail and makes the vehicle’s interior appear new and high end with this small inexpensive change.
It has become standard for high end luxury vehicles to have custom floor mats that have the logo, make or model name and the edition of the vehicle displayed on the floor mats to show attention to detail on even the unrecognized accessory.
CUP HOLDER COASTERS
Another, less obvious way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s interior is by adding coasters to the vehicle’s cup holder areas. This is overlooked but can help protect the cup holder’s functionality. In new vehicles, cup holders open and close very smoothly but over time with years of use they can become temperamental and hard to open and close. This stickiness in the open and close mechanism can be from several reasons, damage from passengers, damage to small parts from hot and cold temperatures and damage to small parts from liquids seeping into intricate areas.
A cold drink will typically sweat condensation from the sides of a cup, drip down and seep into the inner workings of a cup holder causing rust and damage over long periods of time. Heat from hot drinks can also contribute to warping small parts over long periods of time.
In order to help prevent some of this unseen damage, cup holder coasters are a small addition that can absorb temperature and moisture and help keep the cup holders functioning smoothly for many years. We are always focused on style and aesthetics so we would suggest considering coasters that are not only functional but also have a style aspect to them. Some coasters come with vehicles logos on them and others come with cool decorative designs and LED lights.
Coasters are very small features that are positioned out of plain sight but when they are noticed, they show a lot of attention to detail and can complement a vehicle’s interior very well. Please visit our affiliate partner to see prices and explore a variety of styles of cup holder coasters that complement your vehicle.
STEERING WHEEL COVER
Another way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s interior is by protecting the steering wheel with a steering wheel cover. We discussed steering wheel covers in our other article HOW TO MODERNIZE A USED LUXURY VEHICLE’S INTERIOR please check that article out for good ideas for updating and modernizing an interior. Here, we will touch on some of the same topics but more from a maintenance perspective.
A steering wheel experiences wear from two sources, constant handling and use from the driver, and exposure to the sun. A steering wheel is especially susceptible to wear because a driver constantly uses it, the constant gripping and turning transfers small amounts of dirt and oils, which contribute to the minor deterioration that rubs away the surface slowly over long periods of time. A steering is also in direct sunlight, which allows for fading and cracking of the steering wheel material. Even though luxury vehicles are made with quality materials, like wood and leather instead of plastic; they are still susceptible to deterioration over long periods of time.
As mentioned in our other article about steering wheel covers, the damage and deterioration from this type of exposure can lead to not only the steering wheel becoming unpleasant to look at but also uncomfortable to handle. The appearance of a worn out steering wheel makes the overall impression of the interior feel old and outdated.
There are several ways to help prevent the gradual wear and tear of a steering wheel. Car covers, and sunshades help to reduce sun exposure and high temperatures that slowly damage the nice finish of a steering wheel. If there is already some damage or if the steering wheel is simply outdated then steering wheel covers come in a variety of cool styles that not only protect the steering wheel but can also do an amazing job updating and modernizing an old outdated look.
There are affordable options in leather, alcantara suede and carbon fiber. Please visit our affiliate partner to see prices and explore a variety of styles of steering wheel covers that complement your vehicle.
ARMORALL PROTECTANT
Another way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s interior is with basic care. Most goods and product that we buy experience some type of wear over time. They are not made to last forever without some type of attention and maintenance. It is up to the owner not to defer this required maintenance allowing the vehicle to fall into disrepair.
Vehicle interior upholstery has suggested scheduled maintenance over the materials lifetime, in order to keep it in good condition. Routine maintenance includes cleaning the upholstery and applying protectant solutions, like armorall on weekly or monthly basis.
There are protectant solutions for most surfaces found in vehicles, including leather, plastic, cloth, suede and wood. The protectant solutions help in several ways, they bring out the shine and original appearance of the surfaces. They help protect the surfaces from fading and stains. And they help remove dirt and dissipate odors.
Interior protectant wipes and sprays are affordable and quick and easy to use and the effects are immediate. We suggest using this low cost method of maintaining your used vehicle’s interior as one of many ways to fight against gradual wear and tear. Please visit our affiliate partner to see prices and explore a variety of surface protectants for your vehicle’s interior.
WINDOW TINT
Another subtle way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s interior is by installing window tint. An overall concern in the goal of keeping interior in good condition is blocking out harmful sun rays and high heat. This creates conditions that make upholstery more susceptible to deteriorating over long periods of time.
Window tint is a good choice to help prevent sun damage to a vehicle’s interior because after installing it, it is permanently in place and constantly doing its job to block out the sun. Window tint helps by performing two major functions, it blocks out harmful UV sun rays that cause discoloration, fading and breakdown of protectant sealants. And it lowers interior heat, which stresses and warps materials, making them brittle causing cracking and tearing.
Installing window tint should be done by a professional for proper application that last and does not result in unsightly bubbling. Pre-Cut window tint does exist, which makes installation easier but is only available for certain make and model vehicles, please check our affiliate partner for pre-cut window tint kits. Window tint has other benefits like keeping the interior cool, which is more comfortable for passengers on hot days. It provides additional privacy, and it is an aesthetic custom feature that shows attention to detail and improves the styling and look of a vehicle. Please check out our article on customizing used luxury vehicles.
Exterior Maintaining the appearance of a used luxury vehicles exterior involve practices and procedures that include car covers, clear vinyl wrap, armorall protectant and proper washing/detailing products. As mentioned above with maintaining the interior of used luxury vehicles; the exterior also needs routine care and attention in order to slow down the aging effects and wear and tear on a vehicles exterior.
Naturally, since a vehicle’s exterior is external and exposed to the outside elements, it is even more susceptible to harsh weather and wear and tear. Not only is the sun and normal dirt a concern but also small rocks that hit the vehicle while driving, which causes chips, dents and scratches.
CLEAR PROTECTANT VINYL WRAP
One option to help maintain a used luxury vehicle’s exterior is by applying a clear vinyl wrap to body parts of the exterior that are prone to being damaged by small rocks while driving. This typically includes the front bumper, the hood and sometimes the rear bumper.
The protectant vinyl wrap is clear and allows the existing surface to show through it. The clear protectant vinyl wrap is functional to help protect and maintain the original surface from damage that vehicles normally experience during normal driving.
Since this type of wrap is not visually noticeable than the application does not have to be to professional standards because some of the minor flaws will not show as obviously as a decorative vinyl wrap. So you can save on installation cost and not sacrifice aesthetics if you’re willing to do the work yourself. Typically vinyl wrap material is only a fraction of the cost that it is to install.
CAR COVERS
Another way to maintain a used luxury vehicle’s exterior is by using a car cover. Car covers are obviously useful for parking a vehicle outside but also help protect vehicles that are parked indoors. For outside parking a car cover protects against harsh weather like sun, rain and heat.
If you park you vehicle outside on a regular basis, investing in a car cover can be one of the best investments because it helps protect against several elements, weather exposure, dust and dirt, and privacy from vandalism.
A car cover does not perfectly protect a vehicle 100% from any harmful elements but it does significantly reduce the harm from those elements by simply putting the cover on the vehicle when parked. A very unsightly condition of some vehicles that are parked in the sun is peeling paint, usually on a vehicles roof, trunk and hood. These harmful results are significantly slowed down with the use of a car cover.
Please visit our affiliate partner to see prices and explore different types of custom logo option and sizes of car covers that fit your vehicle. Also check out our other article about custom car covers to learn about cool custom options to express your style even with a maintenance item, such as a car cover.
ARMORALL PROTECTANT
Another way to maintain a used vehicle’s exterior is by routinely applying surface protectant to exposed areas. As mentioned above in the interior armorall protectant section, materials wear over long periods of time and need maintenance to help keep them in good condition.
Body panels that have been finished with paint need wax to be routinely applied to help protect the brilliant finish, and repeal harmful UV sun rays. Plastic trim pieces need armorall protectant to be applied to help keep their finish and not fade from harmful sun exposure. Tires are exposed to sun exposure and heat from so many rotations and can use help from protectant solutions to slow down cracking from stress.
We suggest that you apply these solutions whenever you wash your vehicle, either included in the car wash or apply on your own afterwards. It is an inexpensive practice that will go a long way towards maintaining the look of your vehicle’s exterior.
Maintaining Operation
TYPE OF USE
There are a couple of factors that determine how a vehicle will age over time; the type of weather it is exposed to and the amount of driving that it endures. A vehicle that is located in the Mid-West, exposed to snow and salt treatment, used as a family’s primary vehicle for 10 years will experience a lot of wear and tear unless it is given a lot of attention.
When you purchase a vehicle the amount of maintenance it will require for operations depends on the type of use it will experience.
Daily Driver – A daily driver vehicle is driven for both work and personal purposes. It will experience the most amount of exposure to the elements, the most mileage, sun exposure, dirt accumulation and damage from misuse. You should expect to devote more attention to a vehicle with this type of use and plan in advance to address any common maintenance issues.
Weekend Warrior – A weekend warrior vehicle is driven primarily for personal purposes. The driver buys it for enjoyment but does not want to put unnecessary miles or wear and tear on it because it is meant to be shown off to impress himself and others. Maintenance routines still have to be performed just not as often. Also the driver should have a routine for proper storage that helps prevent dirt accumulation and sun damage.
Special Events – A special events vehicle is driven only on special occasions like car shows and festivals. It is somewhat of a collector car and gets little to no actual mileage on it. Most of the attention for maintaining it is about proper storage techniques.
The basic difference in maintaining a used luxury vehicle, compared to a standard used vehicle is that the materials are of higher quality and built to last longer, maintaining their condition and manufactured integrity longer than standard materials. While this is true, all products experience some sort of deterioration even if slower than others. No matter what type of vehicle you have, if you are interested in maintaining it you should determine a proper maintenance routine for cleaning and applying protectant to its surfaces.
