Many people work hard to keep their car looking as new and beautiful as when they first bought it. However, a lot of car owners do not know how to properly wash their car.

While it is easy to pop along to a car wash and let the machine do all the work for you, these machines can also damage the vehicle. They can cause scratches and damage you don’t notice till after the job is done.

Instead, why not stick to the old fashioned sponge and bucket? With the right tools and advice, it is easy to keep it cleaner for longer.

Your car should be hand-washed at least once a week. The reason for this is that things like bird muck and brake dust can quickly contaminate car paintwork and cause more long term problems in a matter of days. Therefore, the quicker the dirt is removed from the car, the better.

You will need two or three buckets of water with appropriate car shampoos, sponges, brushes and mitts. Never wash a car in direct sunlight.

The first step is to wash the wheels and tyres with appropriate wheel and tyre cleaner using a brush. Use a hose to rinse the grit off.

Next, start working from the top of the car to the bottom, using clean water and car shampoo. You should have one bucket of water mixed with the shampoo and the other with clean water in it. Every time you use the soapy water and your sponge to wash each bit of the car, prior to putting the sponge back in the soapy water, dip it in the cold water and rinse it out to remove any muck. Rinse the car thoroughly with water on several occasions during the cleaning process, including right at the end. Don’t use soap that you use to wash dishes in the kitchen as this could damage the paintwork.

You should dry your car off using a microfiber towel to avoid leaving any water spots. This should be done as quickly as possible. Lastly, a spray wax will give your car’s bodywork that little extra protection.

If you do have a garage available at home it is always better to keep it in their over-night as this will protect it from the elements.

If you need more help with cleaning your car correctly, talk to the experts at Bartons Hyundai. They can assist with choosing the right tools and the right techniques to give your car that new look now.

Vehicular technology has come an awful long way over the years.

Twenty years ago, electric windows were seen as innovative and would only be present on the more expensive, higher specification cars. Nowadays, people expect their car to have electric windows fitted as standard both in the front and back.

Satellite navigation is also a new addition to the common car. In the last couple of years, such systems are the norm rather than the exception and are often incorporated into the dashboard rather than being stuck to your windscreen.

Car manufacturers are always looking for things they can offer either as a standard or an optional extra. Hyundai cars are no exception and strive to be at the forefront of vehicular technology.

Below are some of the new technology utilised by Hyundai in their cars.

Smart windows

 The amount of heat and light coming into a car through its numerous windows can be over-powering at times. Yes, there is a sun visor that can be used to block the sun’s glare or air-conditioning that can be switched on, however sometimes you need something a little more. Smart Windows are able to alter the volume of heat and light that comes in through the glass in the car’s windows, making for a much more pleasant journey.

Honeycomb tyres

The prospect of a tyre blowing out whilst on a motorway can be a nightmare. Hyundai fit non-pneumatic tires that prevent such incidents from happening. The tyres or wheels are honeycomb shaped and have a covering of rubber on the outside to reduce friction and damage.

Telematics

 This is a combination of informatics and telecommunication providing an infotainment system. GPS is incorporated into the communication terminal that connects to a number of electronic devices in the car. The Telematics system provides the driver with information such as how safe he or she is driving.

Driven State Monitoring (DSM)

 An infrared camera in the car monitors alterations in the driver’s facial muscles and movements in his or her eyes to establish the driver’s state, usually in regards to fatigue. If anything abnormal is detected, an alarm goes off, as well as strong vibrations transmitted to the seat to wake the driver.

Hologram HUD

A 3D hologram on the windscreen shows information that is considered to be convenient to the car’s driver.

Scratch Recovery Clear (SRC)

This is where the car bodywork has been painted with a special clear paint that provides a self-healing scratch cover so that scratches repair themselves over a period of time.

Solar cell sunroof

This, in conjunction with the air conditioning fan, will lower the air conditioning load during hot periods and should improve fuel efficiency cooling and the performance of the cooling system

Pre-crash headrest

Neck injuries to the driver can be prevented by using a pre-crash headrest. This system uses a camera or rear facing radar to detect the possibility of a collision from the rear. If this is likely to happen, the headrest automatically moves nearer to the back of the driver’s head to provide extra protection.

Want to see some of these new ideas for yourself? Visit Bartons Hyundai to see their new Hyundais today.

Buying your first car is an exhilarating experience. It’s also a purchase that requires proper planning, savings and responsibility. Saving for a car takes time, so you have to be disciplined. But before you start saving, you need to plan what kind of car you are going to get, how much you want to spend and when you want to buy the car by.

Buying a car can be expensive, so planning and saving will be crucial. However, there are a few ways to make that car budget of yours stretch. Here are a few tips to help you get more for your money:

Used Cars

Used cars are cheaper than brand new cars. So, this is where you should start looking first. You can get some great deals on second hand cars. In fact, you can save thousands of dollars, which will allow you to potentially get a better car than you were originally hoping for. Just make sure the used car comes with the right documents showing their upkeep, mileage, any previous accidents and other related items.

Demo Cars

Demo cars are also a great option for saving money. These are the cars that the dealership use for test drives, so they do have some mileage on them. They are not completely brand new, but are newer than the used car option and will often be looked after better.

Extra Fees

Just about all cars come with extra fees, which can include things like stamp duty, insurance and various inspections. Make sure you leave some room in your budget to pay for these fees. Also, make sure you ask ahead of time what the fees are.

Practicality

When buying your first car, it’s best to get a vehicle that’s practical. If you have to drive a long way every day, make sure you get a car that has great fuel efficiency. If you live in an area with rough terrain, then get a vehicle that can handle driving on tough ground. Think of what you need, rather than just what you want.

Living Expenses

If you are unable to pay for the car upfront, then you will have to get a loan. This means you will have monthly payments. So it’s a good idea to figure out how much you can afford to pay per month. Figure this out based on the maximum amount of expenses you have, not on what you may think you can cut out. That way when you have months where other living expenses are lower than expected, then you can afford to pay more on your car loan.

Dealer

Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer. Bartons Hyundai not only has a solid reputation, but they also offer award winning services, amazing cars and will strive to make your first car buying experience smooth, satisfying and memorable.