A new car is a big investment. Whether you lease or buy, keeping the interior, exterior and engine in tip top condition is essential for the life of the car and can reduce the need for repairs and expensive charge backs when the vehicle is turned back in at the end of a lease. Here are 10 essential tips for keeping your new car looking and feeling new.

Gas is stored in underground tanks that can contain dirty and debris. Gas should be filtered at the pump to remove the debris. Ask if the gas if filtered and if they have a policy for replacing the filters. If they don’t have a filter change policy, try another station. If a station doesn’t filter their gas you are vulnerable to dirty gasoline that can clog filter and rob performance. Over time using dirty gas can lead to potentially costly fuel system repairs. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

If the tanker truck is at your favorite station, come back at another time. When gas is added to the underground storage tanks it can stir up debris. Debris in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

Getting stuck in the mud or snow is never fun, but you can make the problem worse by damaging your transmission or some other expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you're really stuck, stop. Repeatedly throwing your car from forward to reverse, as well as spinning tires at high speeds creates heat that is hard on transmissions, clutches, and differentials. If you are really stuck call a tow truck, it may be cheaper in the long run. It's always a good idea to carry a small fold-up shovel and a traction aid in your trunk, like sand, gravel, or cat litter.

We all have more than one key – but having all your keys on the same chain could damage your car’s ignition. The weight of a dozen or so keys plus the repeated bouncing as you drive can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition resulting in premature ignition switch failure. Have one light key chain just for your car key and another keychain for all your other keys. Note: Heavy or long key chains can mark or scratch your new car’s interior surfaces.

Heat from the sun combined with the accompanying UV rays can be damaging to your car’s finish and interior as well. Park in the shade where possible. If parking under a tree or under cover results in bird droppings, remove the droppings as soon as possible to minimize damage to your car’s exterior finish. Where shade isn’t available use a windshield shield to avoid excessive heat build-up in your car’s interior.

Vacuum and use damp sponge to clean your interior every time you wash your car. Dirt particles are abrasive, and spilled liquids, such as soda, can be corrosive. Use a cleaner enhanced with enzymes to clean up spills and to effectively remove spots and eliminate odors. When vacuuming your interior use a powerful vacuum at a car wash or service station. Small cordless vacuums are usually to weak to do a good job. Always follow the manufacturers directions for interior maintenance, although vinyl surfaces can typically be cleaned with a sponge with a solution of mild detergent and water. New leather surfaces require special care and cleaning to ensure a long life and avoid surface damage.

Don't forget the dash and gauges. Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently clean away dust so as not to scratch the plastic surfaces. Add a Refresh you car air freshener to keep the interior smelling fresh and clean.

The seals around your door and windows need attention to keep them pliable and effective against the elements. Using a soft cloth, wipe a rubber protectant such as Armor-All or silicone on the weather-stripping. Oil based products such as WD-40 can damage rubber and should not be used. Cleaning your door seals will also lessen the chance of the door sticking to the rubber in cold weather, a common cause of damage to the rubber seals.

The hard plastic edges on the bottom of a car seat (baby seats) combined with the food bits and liquids that accumulate can be hard on your car’s upholstery. Place a sheet of heavy weight plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage. Be sure to re-secure the seat to the manufacturer’s directions.

Got a rock chip, crack, or ding in your windshield - get it fixed right away! The sooner a chip or crack can be repaired the less likely the windshield will need replacement. Auto glass installers, oil change stores and repair shops offer chip repair for much less than the cost of replacing the windshield. The cost of the repair may be covered by your auto insurance.

Don’t wait for the light on the dashboard to come on to check your tires. As a rule of thumb, check your tires every other time you fill up. Proper inflation of your tires, improves ride, gas mileage and the life of your tires. Getting a pressure gauge and keeping the tires inflated to the recommendation in owner’s manual will help you get the maximum mileage out of your new car’s tires. The best time to check your tires is when they are cold or have been driven for less than a mile.