Buying a brand-new car is a great achievement, and it’s understandable that you want to do everything possible to keep it in the best condition. While it can be expensive to maintain, it’s vital in ensuring you get the longest possible use out of your car. It’s not like you have purchased it second hand after all!
In this article, we are going to go over some car tips so that you can keep your new baby in tip-top shape for as long as possible. Sound interesting? Then keep on reading!
Read your owner’s manual
For many people, the owner’s manual is a book that gets thrown into the glove box, never to be seen again. However, it does have a lot of advice, including information about the best way to maintain your vehicle.
From fuel recommendations to when to get your maintenance check, there is stuff in there that you really should follow. If you can’t be bothered reading it all at once, at least make sure you flick through to the necessary sections. Trust us when we say, it’s certainly worth it.
Follow the break-in period advice
The break-in period for a vehicle is specific steps that you should follow while the car is still relatively new. This is to ensure that your vehicle has time to warm up, and you can identify any manufacturing issues.
As a general rule, it’s recommended that you keep revs under the 3000 rpm mark and change your oil after the first 50-100 miles. If you’re unsure about the process, talk with your dealer when you first purchase the car. They can advise you on what to do and inform you if they have already broken it in.
Attend your maintenance appointments
Obviously, one of the most important steps in ensuring your car is in good working order is to take it to regular maintenance appointments. If you don’t know much about how cars really work, you want to get them to take care of everything, rather than trying to do it yourself.
A regular service should include checking your fluids, leads, and testing the steering and suspension. They should also make sure all of your lights and air conditioning are in working order as well as the tires, battery, exhaust, belts, and filters, etc.
Find a reputable mechanic
As mentioned above, maintenance appointments are essential in keeping your vehicle in good working order. However, you must make sure you find a reputable mechanic so that everything is done correctly.
You would be surprised how many there are out there that will try and take advantage of you. On top of this, some mechanics might not be experienced enough with certain types of vehicles. For more advice, try talking to the place where you purchased the vehicle like this Chevy Dealer Utah. Sometimes they may even offer their own services.
Inflate your tires when needed
One thing that many car owners forget to do is to keep their tires inflated. It might sound trivial, but it plays an essential part in ensuring that they don’t get damaged. Overinflated tires are at high risk of a blowout, and underinflated can even decrease your efficiency leading to poor fuel economy.
You can find pumps at most gas stations, and they are relatively inexpensive to use. It really does make a big difference.
Find a great insurance plan
Insurance is one of the most important parts of owning a vehicle and can ensure that you are protected in a range of different situations.
If you do happen to be in a crash, you want to have insurance so that they can sort out the issue, and you don’t have to pay an extensive bill. You can read more about car insurance by clicking on the link.
Fill up at a reputable station
Just like finding a reputable mechanic, you need to find a reputable station to fill up your car when needed.
Some stations may not mix their fuel correctly, don’t change their pump filters, or may even water the products down. It’s better to pay for quality so that you aren’t putting your vehicle in harm’s way.
Keep your fluids topped up
As mentioned above, a mechanic will top up and check your fluids at a service appointment; however, it is still wise to check these yourself as you may need to replace them.
There are so many different fluids in a vehicle; it’s important to know what goes where. From windshield fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid, it can get a little confusing.
Clean it regularly
If you really want to keep your car as good as new, then keeping it clean is vital. You should make sure that both the exterior and interior are kept in reasonable condition at all times, especially if you want to show it off to others! Keeping everything clean also ensures you can identify any hazards in the vehicle, such as chips, cracks, and scratches.
Dust and dirt can also affect the cabin, and sometimes cause your CD player to stop working. All of these little things can even impact the value of your vehicle in the future. Follow these car washing tips and tricks to keep everything in tip-top shape.
Drive safely
Lastly, one of the best ways to keep your car in the best working order is to drive safely. By being careful on the roads, you aren’t putting your vehicle under any stress and are reducing the risk of accidents. Follow the road signs and the road laws and, most importantly, stay vigilant.
While for some, this may seem like a lot of hard work, at the end of the day, it’s all necessary to ensure not only the look and feel or your car remains intact, but also your safety. A well-maintained vehicle is vital in protecting yourself and others on the road. So makes you attend your mechanic appointments and fix any issues as soon as they arise.
ABOUT STEVEN NOVAK
Steven is a certified mechanic and technical writer. Steven is excited about off-road trucks, camping and car modifications.
Every year he visits SEMA, and other car shows. He knows everything about wheels. tires and is always ready to help our readers.
