Do you drive a used car?

Of course you do. Everybody drives a used car. The moment you drive it, it is used. There’s a scuff on the tire. A fingerprint on the door handle.

We all drive used cars, but… we want those cars to look as new as possible for as long as possible. Well, there are way to do just that – clever little secrets that extend the life of your car. Not just so that it keeps driving once it looks like it’s been through a WWF match with a T-Rex, but so that it stays young.

Remember that new car smell? That shiny sheen across everything (except maybe the cloth seats)? Remember how it felt to drive your brand new car?

My how those cars do age. But they don’t have to. A car might grow old, might become used, but it doesn’t have to feel old, used or abused. It doesn’t have to look old. It doesn’t have to moan and groan and make it quite clear to us that it’s seen better days.

Everything ages. Yes, I’m talking to you. You know exactly what I mean. I’m talking about gravity. I’m talking about wear and tear. I’m talking about the relentless march of the sands of time. You can’t escape it. Your children can’t escape it. Nor your pets. Nor your house. Not even your car…sooner or later a new car becomes a used car.

But you can get a make-over. You can use high-quality creams to keep your skin young. You can maintain your house.

And you can keep your car looking…fabulous!

Every woman seeks beauty secrets to keep her skin soft and supple, to stave off the effects of gravity and time. Cars deserve the same attention, so we would like to share with you a few clever little tricks to keep you in a shiny, youthful car longer. Indeed, these tips will also be quite profitable in the long run, because when you go to sell your car online later on, it will sell for a higher price.

So sit back, suck up that new car smell and see which of these tips you’ll put to use today.

SKIN CARE FOR YOUR CAR

You know those fancy skin creams some people use on their face to reduce cracking, wrinkles and other signs of age? Like Oil of Olay? Your car needs its own Oil of Olay. It’s called ArmorAll. Spread it on thick over the dashboard and any other plastic type surface inside your car – any surface that will be exposed to the blistering rays of the sun. ArmorAll is that anti-aging cream that will protect the plastic skin of your car from fading and cracking.

TAKIN’ OUT THE TRASH

Clean out all garbage every time you get home. Yes, every time. It’s great that drivers are becoming more environmentally conscious and not throwing their trash out the windows anymore, but you still have to remember to clean out that car once and awhile. But every once in a while is not enough, not if you want to hold onto that new car smell. The longer trash sits in your car, the staler the air gets. It accumulates over time in minuscule, imperceptible increments. So develop a good habit while the car is fresh and new. Keep it neat and tidy every day.

THAT NEW CAR SMELL

Cars can start smelling stale in the winter. Did you know that? Perhaps we open the windows less and close the doors quicker. But soak a small rag in Febreze and put it under the seat. You’ll have a new car smell for months.

Or if you are not into Febreze, place car air fresheners in hidden areas: new car smell, no tacky trees. The more the merrier. And don’t forget to replace them every couple of months.

THE KEY IS IN THE DETAILS

Every 2 years get a full detail. You know, scrubbing every tiny little crevice with a toothbrush, using the right cleaning products for every kind of ick, guck and poof there might be. The trick is finding a good detailer. This can be a bit expensive, so a cheaper alternative is to do it yourself. Pick a day that’s not too sunny, put on a few tunes, and rejuvenate that baby!

WASH ME PLEASE

If you are not able to find a good detailer in your area, and you are too lazy/busy/efficient/uninterested to do it yourself, the least you can do is wash the inside of your car’s windows twice a year. Not only will your car retain that new car look, but you will be able to see better, drive safer and maybe even avoid a potential collision that will make your used car not look so new anymore.

And don’t be shy to hire a student as a cheap alternative to a detailer. Not quite as good a job, but nowhere near as costly. Plus you’ll be helping someone who probably needs a job (have you seen the job market these days?)

PERFORM REGULAR MAINTENANCE

One of the easiest ways to keep your used car looking new is through regular maintenance. The most critical basic maintenance items for your car to reach 100,000 kilometres are doing such things as changing your oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 kilometres, having a coolant flush every two years and getting the automatic transmission serviced at 30,000 or three years.

If nothing else, make sure to get an annual check-up for your car.

This is just a short sampling of the many used car beauty tips and tactics you can employ to keep you vehicle looking, smelling and running like new. There are plenty more in this collection of used car beauty secrets, a free download for anyone who wants it. Download a copy for yourself. Share with a friend. Blog about it. Share it on FaceBook or Twitter. Spread the word…there is hope yet for aging cars!