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In this post, you’ll find 10 helpful car care tips for new car owners.
- Car Care Tips
- 1. Check Fluids Regularly
- 2. Monitor Tire Pressure
- 3. Fix Known Issues
- 4. Familiarize Yourself With the Manual
- 5. Keep the Vehicle Clean
- 6. Protect Your Car from the Elements
- 7. Use Quality Replacement Parts
- 8. Follow the Rules of the Road
- 9. Schedule Regular Maintenance
- 10. Keep Records
- 11. Save For Your Car
There are only a few purchases you can make in your lifetime that are as exciting as getting your very first car.
New or used, it’s a purchase that can have you smiling from ear to ear every time you get into your vehicle.
For some people, it can feel like a dream finally come true.
However, after owning a car for just a few weeks or months, reality begins to set in.
The purchase is still exciting, sure, but you slowly begin to realize that car ownership isn’t all fun and games.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already experienced this.
So we won’t sugar coat it: owning a car is a huge responsibility that requires both your time and attention to ensure it’s working well and looking good.
In this post, we’ll share 11 quick but helpful car care tips that every new car owner will want to read.
Let’s get started!
Car Care Tips
1. Check Fluids Regularly
Just like you and I need water to survive, your car has its own special fluids that it needs to keep running. These include engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid.
Check your fluids regularly and top up or change them as needed. It’s recommended that you check them at least once a month.
2. Monitor Tire Pressure
[Quality] tires can be very expensive, so it’s always good to do what you can to make them last as long as possible.
Ensuring your tires contain the right amount of air pressure is one easy way to get them to last longer. It’s also important for safety and fuel efficiency.
So check your tire pressure monthly, including the spare, and adjust as necessary based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
3. Fix Known Issues
You might be tempted to turn up the volume to drown out the strange sound your car is making, but please don’t.
You should attend to your car’s known issues – even the small ones – ASAP (as soon as possible).
If you put known issues off, then they may snowball into larger and more expensive problems.
Instead, address them head-on by taking your car to a trusted professional and figuring out what’s wrong with it.
If you’re good with cars (or don’t mind trying something new) you can always buy parts online and do the work yourself. For example, you can find reputable performance exhausts that will allow your car to run better.
You may find that what you thought was a major issue is a pretty easy fix!
4. Familiarize Yourself With the Manual
Car care tip #4 is to familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s manual.
As boring as it seems, it’s a great way to get to know how your vehicle operates.
Of course, you don’t need to read every line but you should know that can always refer to this manual if you have questions or concerns about how your car is running.
It will offer you tips on proper vehicle maintenance as well as it will cover the safety features of your vehicle.
5. Keep the Vehicle Clean
Another car care tip for new drivers is to always keep your car clean inside and out.
It will not only look nicer this way, but it will hold up better over time. You don’t want to feel embarrassed about how your car looks on the inside when giving rides to others.
Therefore, take the time to review some ways you can spruce up the interior of your vehicle. You may also want to make sure you keep a trash bag in your vehicle which will help you keep it clean.
6. Protect Your Car from the Elements
If possible, park your car in a garage or under cover to protect it from weather-related damage. In harsh climates, consider additional protections like rust-proofing.
7. Use Quality Replacement Parts
When repairs are needed, opt for quality parts that meet or exceed the manufacturer’s specifications. This can help ensure your car runs well and maintains its value.
8. Follow the Rules of the Road
Most importantly, you want to be a good driver if you’re going to succeed at taking good care of your vehicle.
Always buckle up and follow the rules of the road. You’ll get better gas mileage when you drive slower and more cautiously and go the speed limit.
It’s especially vital you drive safely when you have other passengers in your car.
9. Schedule Regular Maintenance
You want to make sure you keep your car in good shape.
Therefore, you will want to ensure that you schedule regular maintenance.
It will be useful to find a good mechanic in the area who you trust to look over and maintain your vehicle. For example, you will want to be diligent about getting your tires rotated and getting your oil changed regularly.
10. Keep Records
Maintain a detailed record of all maintenance, repairs, and service checks. This documentation can be invaluable for troubleshooting issues and can increase your car’s resale value.
11. Save For Your Car
Car maintenance can take a lot from your pocket particularly if you aren’t budgeting for it.
If you can’t afford to make fixes right away, you may be tempted to put it off until later. But as we mentioned in tip #3, this can sometimes make the fix even more expensive in the future.
To prevent yourself from going broke from doing basic maintenance, we recommend putting aside a certain amount every day, week, or month for the sole purpose of maintaining your vehicle.
A fun idea is to have a special piggy bank dedicated to the upkeep of your car. A cute piggy bank can make saving feel less like a chore and will also prevent you from accessing the funds for other things.
Related: The 6 Hidden Costs Of Buying A Car