#driver essentials

Cars may be a hefty investment in Singapore, but keeping it in top notch condition shouldn’t have to cost you a bomb. Learn to protect your purchase with these simple and inexpensive ways to keep your vehicle looking good and running great for years to come.

Clean your car at least once a month

Anything from dirt, gravel, bug splats, harsh weather and air-borne pollutants can have a devastating effect on your vehicle over time. Show your car some love by having it professionally washed at least once a month, or give it a quick rinse at the end of the week to prevent any unwanted grime from damaging the exterior or seeping into the insides of your pristine ride.

Don’t eat in it

Small spills, ketchup stains and other messes can cause some parts of the interior to stain or even corrode. Keep the insides of your vehicle clean by having a rag or some wet-wipes handy. If you can, avoid eating in your car altogether. No matter how hungry you are, wait till you get home to unwrap that take-away. Your car will thank you for it.

Keep the kids clean

Children can get messy. If left to their own devices, they have a tendency to get themselves and everything around them covered in muck. If you’re determined to keep your vehicle spotless, don’t let them touch your ride. But if you absolutely have to (or have kids of your own), it’s always wise to have a change of clothes kept onboard for emergencies, or at the very least, a family-sized pack of wet wipes.

No drunk people either…

Nothing good ever happens with alcohol. Period. Save your car (and your friendship perhaps) and toss your tipsy amigo into a cab instead. What are friends for, right?

Knock your shoes off before getting in

This simple act goes a long way to keeping your automobile dirt and mud-free, especially if you’ve been out hiking or walking the dog at the park. Don’t treat your prized transport like a door mat! A quick stomp-around to remove any soil (or poop) from your soles makes cleaning up much easier in the long run.

Seriously, it like just takes two-seconds. Just do it.

Park in the shade

Don’t leave your ride baking under the blistering tropical sun. Harmful UV-rays can severely damage the vehicle’s surface, not to mention, turn it into a giant oven by the time you get back (with you as  roast). If you want to keep that paint job looking spanking new, park your car under a nice shady tree or plant it inside a multi-storey carpark.

Maintain proper tyre inflation

Under-inflated tyres can cause your breaking distance to be increased, steering to be heavy and forces your engine to work overtime to make up for the increased resistance. Make your ride a little less bumpy for you and your passengers and save yourself a trip to the mechanic by keeping them properly inflated to the recommended pressure at least once a month. If you feel that it’s time to get some air in those wheels, know that air pumps are readily available at all Caltex service stations. Be sure to keep them filled the next time you pop in to refuel.

Use Caltex with Techron®

Talking cars? Sounds like something straight out of ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ doesn’t it? But don’t dismiss the idea just yet. Think of all the secrets it could share that would improve the way you drive—not to mention how incredibly cool it would be to converse with your ride!

Here are four hypothetical quotes your car might say to you if it could talk. Check it out.

“Wash me!” A cleaner car makes for a cleaner ride! No time to wash your car by hand? Pop by to your nearest *Caltex service station carwash to have your vehicle rinsed and looking good as new in a matter of minutes.

Remember, rain and road debris can cause quite a bit of damage and rust over time. If you want to keep your vehicle looking fresh for a date (or an intergalactic battle), then don’t wait too long before getting it cleaned.

*only at these selected Caltex service stations:

Caltex Alexandra, Balestier, Beach Road, Bukit Batok, Changi, Clementi, Dunearn, East Coast, Jalan Bukit Merah, Jurong West, Lorong Chuan, Macpherson 465, Sembawang, Serangoon Avenue, Tampines, Upper Serangoon and Upper Thomson.

“Something’s not right…”

Just like people, cars need regular check-ups/tune-ups to ensure everything is in tip-top condition for driving. Think of the countless nightmare scenarios you could have avoided if your vehicle informed you every time it needed an oil change, or if it’s about to break down, not to mention the amount of money you could save from unnecessary maintenance repairs.

One thing’s for sure though, neglecting to do so will definitely shorten the lifespan of your engine and potentially cost you a lot more in the long haul.

“That’s just prime.”

If you’re looking to keep your vehicle running at its best, then using Caltex with Techron® as your primary fuel choice may just be the best thing for your car.

What does it do?

Caltex with Techron® helps keep your engine clean (and stay clean!) by reducing the friction damage on the engine and its parts, thanks to the new Clean & Glide Technology™ formula.

How does it help my car?

Not only does Caltex with Techron® enhance engine protection, with less frictional forces moving against your engine, it maximises your engine’s power and performance to its full potential, promising a smoother and faster ride.

What does this mean for me and my ride?

Caltex with Techron® is proven to help your engine burn fuel more efficiently, making long journeys more economical for you. And with the addition of the new Clean & Glide Technology™, you stand to save more on fuel and maintenance cost—not to mention earn more rewards from your Plus! Rewards Programme!

“Keep calm and roll out”

It pays to drive smoothly and efficiently. And while it can be fun to unleash your need for speed, those fast starts and sudden stops can take a toll on your vehicle and even land you in serious trouble with the law—or worst.

If you want a better relationship with your ride, keep your eyes on the road, drive within the speed limits and do your best to avoid exerting your poor poor car.

Simply spend $50 on Caltex with Techron® fuel with your Plus! Card and stand a chance to win a private Gold Class screening of Transformers: The Last Knight with you and 23 of your friends!

You could also drive away with exclusive rewards and prizes with our Sure-Win Scratch & Win card!

Promotion ends 30 June 2017.

Finally! After months of countless loops round the driving circuit at the top speed of 40km/h, you’ve finally obtained your driving licence and are ready to hit the Singapore highway! But not so fast young Padawan – you’re still very much inexperienced in the ways of the road.

Before you take off on your maiden cruise, remember these six common mistakes new drivers often make in hopes you won’t follow suit.

1. Failing to follow parking rules

Getting slapped with a hefty fine for a parking violation is like a rite of passage for new drivers. The parking rules in Singapore are very clear, with multiple signs and road markings indicating where you can and can’t station your vehicle.

Though you could try your luck in the hopes that no one catches you, it’s best to be well-informed about the dos and don’ts. Besides, parking attendants are everywhere these days. If you’re willing to risk a $50 fine to save on a $1.20 coupon, knock yourself out (literally).

2. Deciding to test your skills

Dangerous and illegal manoeuvres put everyone at risk. Speeding, drifting, doing doughnuts, or any of the crazy moves from the Fast and Furious movies (all of which you obviously can’t pull off) could easily land you with a heavy fine or worse, a spot behind bars.

Leave the crazy stunts to the professionals, go easy on the accelerator and drive safe!

3. Not wearing a seat belt

For new drivers, the habit of wearing a seat belt can take some getting used to. Of course, the alternative would be to reduce your chances of survival by half... But hey! At least you won’t have to deal with that annoying strap throughout your journey! Right? This goes for the passengers on board as well so make sure everyone’s buckled up before heading off.

4. Skimping out on maintenance

Road accidents occurring as a result of poor vehicle maintenance is a perennial problem. Remember, if you’re waiting till your brakes have worn and the engine starts making strange rattling noises, it may be too late.

Make a conscious effort to keep your car in tip-top condition. Schedule regular maintenance visits to an auto mechanic to ensure there aren’t any serious issues with your car that could leave you stranded.

Opting for cleaner fuel like Caltex with Techron® with its Clean & Glide Technology™ also helps to improve your car’s overall performance, cleans and protects the inside of your engine and prevents costly breakdowns from happening.

5. Being distracted

In our technologically-intense world, we’re so distracted by endless notifications on social media apps, Whatsapp alerts, and Tinder matches that we barely pay any attention to what’s in front of us – let alone when we get behind the wheel!

The next time you’re tempted send a text or Snapchat your own lip-sync routine mid-drive, don’t. Not only is it an offence to use your mobile device while your vehicle is in motion, these actions ultimately compromise your level of awareness and concentration, endangering both yourself and others around you.

6. Too many passengers

You’re not the only one excited about being able to drive. Young drivers who’ve just gotten their licenses are more than eager to be the ‘chauffeur’ for the day, and often overload their vehicle with more passengers than available seatbelts. But not only is this a considerable strain on your vehicle, it’s also dangerous and illegal.

Clean dashboards matter more than people realize.

A magnetic car mount that charges your phone keeps navigation visible, cables controlled, and hands free while driving. No fumbling, no loose wires, no distractions — just a setup that works the way it should.

For daily commuters, small upgrades like this remove friction from every drive.