Today will be the first day with your new car. Sure, it’s new to you, but it nevertheless is a middle aged car and you’ll need to treat it with special care. Imagine, for a minute, that you and your car, like you and your body, are together forever. You can’t trade in your body for a new one. What if you had to keep your car ’till death do you part? Wouldn’t that be a serious commitment!

The age and mileage on your car are immaterial like your body; you’re only as old as you feel. So someone might look at your car and say, “Beautiful car is that an ’88 model or ’98? How many miles are on it?

You might answer: “I don’t know. What difference does it make? If you take care of them they all look great. “

Picture twins, for example. One never has smoked nor boozed, has taken care of himself, exercised and avoided stress the other smoked a couple of packs a day, enjoyed an occasional binge, ate all the wrong food and well, you know the couch potato type.

You wouldn’t have to be a doctor to spot which twin was which, who feels better than whom and who will outlive the other. If they had identical cars, you could bet on which twin drove the better looking, better running vehicle? Keeping one’s car looking young and acting healthy, so to speak, is a matter of good use and care habits.

Here is the Car Care Council’s list of ideas that can help you and your car live a long and happy life together:

4 Drive sensibly – Don’t abuse the car on rough roads, by burning rubber, etc.

4 Feed it the right stuff – Use quality fuel, oil and other fluids.

4 Give it regular maintenance – Have wheel alignment, oil changes and other necessary services performed.

4 Take care of minor problems so they don’t snowball and accumulate.

4 Pay attention to ominous symptoms and noises when you first notice them.

4 Keep your car clean, inside and out. Pop cans make poor decorations.

4 Fix dents and scratches as soon as possible. They quickly turn into rust.

4 Set a few dollars aside monthly so you’re able to pay for needed repairs.

When having your car repaired, invest in the best parts you can afford. There is a difference among good, better and best parts. Be car care aware, sensitive to unusual sensations or other indications that service or repairs may be necessary.

For more information visit www.carcare.org.