Car Basics For New Car-Owners

Owning a car comes with a lot of responsibilities. You may not have the most recent model of a car, so it may take some extra work from you to keep up with the maintenance. Having an older car does not mean that all extra money will be spent making sure the car stays in good shape. It simply might require more commitment to get an oil change regularly, rotate tires and things like that. Some maintenance is easy and accessible, able to do right in the comfort of your own driveway or side street. Some repairs are specific to the car and may require fixing from the dealership. Though you are a new car owner, our guide will give you the proper knowledge to handle any car related problem you may come across.

Read The Owners Manual

This is a commonly missed step when someone purchases a car. They take a few glances at it and stow it away in the glove compartment to never be seen again. This is a rookie mistake. Take the time to look at your owners manual. There is a lot of useful information in there. It explains all your car’s features, how to access them, what kind of oil and other fluids to use, as well as recommended maintenance schedules for car service. If you bought a car that was very used and the owner’s manual is nowhere to be found, do a quick search on Google. You should be able to find it online.

Be Alert

Your car is now another one of your responsibilities. Try not to get in the habit of going in and out of your car without a second thought. Be alert. Listen for any unusual sounds or leaks. Keep an eye out for your car’s performance changes, if there are any. It could be anything like diminished braking, acceleration or steering capabilities. You want to make sure you handle any problems you have immediately so it does not become a bigger problem later on down the line. If you want to avoid costly repair bills, than it is best to stay alert for early signs of problems.

Check Tire Pressure

Keeping your tires properly inflated is crucial. If your tires are not inflated at the level they should be, they will wear out quicker. You will also waste gas and your car will be much harder to handle. It is recommended that you check your tire pressure once a month. You should especially be checking your tire pressure before a long trip that requires you to be on the road for long periods of time. Do not know at what level your tires should be? You can find that information inside your door jamb. It is typically placed on a placard that is placed there. If you cannot find it there, it may be printed inside the glove box or fuel-filler door. You also want to get a tire pressure guage and keep it in the car at all times.

Protect Your Car’s Paint Job

Your paint job is what makes your car shine and glisten in the sun or under the moon-lit sky. Keep up with it by getting your car washed and waxed regularly. It will protect your car from the elements while on the road and in your parking lot or garage. If you do not wash your car regularly things like corrosive salt, bug splatter, bird droppings and road grime can make your car’s paint job deteriorate over time.

Periodic Service Schedules Are Important

Things like getting your oil changed and other major services are important to follow on a schedule. You can find all of that information in your owner’s manual. It is important that you do not get ahead of yourself and start to service your car more often than your owner’s manual requires. No matter what your mechanic tries to tell you, do not service your car more often than that as it may be a waste of time and money.

Motor Clubs Are Helpful, So Join One

Motor clubs can assist you in times of trouble. These are clubs like AAA, and Better World. Life is unexpected. You never know what may happen while you are out on the road. These clubs will come in clutch every time. If you got a flat tire or your battery died on you, you can easily call them up and they will take care of the problem for you in record time usually. It is considered 24-hours roadside assistance, which sometimes may not come with your insurance. For a montlhy or yearly fee, this could be a real life saver.

Consider Updates Or Extensions

It’s never too soon to update or change something about your new car. You have invested in this new vehicle, so it’s important to get it exactly right for your needs. You should take a look at some of the available extensions or updates that could improve your car and make it just right for how you want the car to look, drive and feel. 

These could include window tinting, getting new tires for cold weather if this affects you, bluetooth or hands-free connectivity, reupholstering the seats in leather or cloth – or any other cool updates offered by your car manufacturer. Not only will these updates give you a better driving experience, but they will also add value to your car if you decide to sell it down the line. Why not go the extra mile and create the car of your dreams?