Owning your first car provides exceptional freedom. You now have complete control over the care and maintenance of your vehicle. So what do you do from here?
Protect your investment and extend the life and performance of your car by considering the following steps.
3 Tips for the First-Time Car Owner
Schedule your first inspection
If your car is “new to you” but has some miles on it, an inspection is a great first step. An objective set of eyes will provide valuable insight, and doing so could enlighten you to any surprises that you may not have been aware of when you purchased the car. It can also provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about how the engine runs or handles.
Learn the ins and outs of your specific car
Where is the spare tire stored and how do you access it? How many air filters does this car have? How often should you change the oil? Which grade of gas will help the engine run most efficiently?
Knowing the answers to these questions and more will help to ensure you aren’t using your car in a way that could be causing unintended damage. Your owner’s manual is an invaluable resource and should be stored in a place where you can easily access it for reference. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the content of your manual so you’ll know where to find the information when you need it. Also, you may be pleasantly surprised to find some new features and tech that you weren’t aware of.
Create a general maintenance schedule
The best way to extend the life of your car is to create and follow a general maintenance schedule. Your owner’s manual will provide recommendations of when you should change the oil, replace the filters, and other important deadlines. You can also ask a trusted technician during an annual inspection if he recommends any maintenance to be completed in the next year so you can prepare accordingly.
In addition to the items listed above, other tasks to include in your maintenance schedule should include washing and waxing your car, changing, rotating, and aligning your tires, and changing or refilling fluids.
Find Your First Car in Madison, WI
If you’re still in the market for your first car, visit Zimbrick Automotive in Madison, Wisconsin. We have a wide variety of new cars for sale and used cars for sale, and our team is eager to help you find the perfect car to match your lifestyle. Give us a call to learn more or drop by our dealership today.
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