Essential Car Maintenance for First-Time Car Owner

Owning a car is already a necessity these days, especially if you live in a location where public transportation is simply not an option. But even so, it adds comfort, convenience, and safety. Buying a car for the first time is a very memorable event. It’s great to have your own car...until it’s not. Until you find yourself standing beside your vehicle that has broken down in the middle of nowhere during the wee hours of the morning.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are maintenance steps that you can do in order to keep your car in optimum condition even after miles of service.

Acquaint Yourself With Your Owner’s Manual

The first thing that you need to do as a car owner is to get acquainted with your owner’s manual. It will contain all the valuable information about your cars like its specs and wiring diagrams.

More importantly, though, you need to take note of its maintenance schedule section. This will tell you the intervals of maintenance chores such as tire rotation, oil changes, and more.

Pay Attention to Light Indicators

One of the best things about the latest car models is their comprehensive warning systems. There’s a light indicator for almost anything right now like the check engine light, electrical fault light, brake warning light, the list goes on. So take advantage of them and pay attention.

Inspect Your Car on a Daily Basis

Learning how to perform a regular inspection is an essential skill as a car owner. There are a lot of references online on how to do so, but again, the owner’s manual is enough to detail the parts and components that you need to inspect and when. To further assist you, here are some of those elements:

The Oil

Oil is a critical part of your engine. It keeps it well-lubricated and ensures that everything is running as smoothly as possible. Hence, it is essential to learn when to change your oil and what type of oil your car needs.

The Battery

There are two basic tasks that you need to learn as a car owner. First, you need to know how to disconnect battery terminals. Doing so is important for battery replacement, or when you’re planning to park your car for an extended period of time.

Another basic task you should learn is how to clean the terminals. Just because your battery is labeled as “maintenance-free” doesn’t mean that it will be immune to corrosion and mineral build-up.

Tires

Your life depends on your tires. It is what separates your car from the road after all. Hence, it is exceedingly critical to inspect your tires regularly, make sure that it’s properly inflated to the right pressure, and its treads are not worn enough to be in need of a replacement.

It’s also smart to keep a spare just in case you experience a flat, and while you’re at it, why don’t you learn how to replace a tire as well?

Air and Cabin Filters

Another important part of your engine is the air filter. It ensures that your engine is well-ventilated and keeps it free from debris. Here’s a quick tip: check your filters whenever you need to change your oil.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

Performing regular maintenance checks and tasks can prevent vehicular issues later on, but it’s still smart to put together an emergency kit. It must contain the basic tools that you’ll need to replace your tires, jumpstart your battery, and more. Don’t forget to write down all the numbers that you can call in case you need roadside assistance, as well as a first-aid kit for unexpected accidents.

Keep Your Car Clean

First-time car owners and car enthusiasts can be pretty particular in the cleanliness of their cars. Their cars are usually constantly buffed and polished to perfection. However, we’re not just referring to your car’s exterior alone. Keep your car clean from the inside as well. We recommend having disinfecting wipes at hand not just for cleaning up any spills and grime, but to sanitize your hands as well—something very relevant right now as we are experiencing a global pandemic.

Choose a Good Car Insurer

Let’s be honest. Accidents can still happen despite your safe and defensive driving. So it’s best to have your car insured for these events. There are a lot of insurance providers out there. Look into multiple plans and compare which one provides the best coverage for its premium.

Drive with Care Everyday

Finally, drive with care. Don’t use your phone while driving. Don’t do anything else. Focus on the road and don’t get easily distracted. Respect for traffic signs. Avoid losing your cool. Prioritize the life of your passengers and of pedestrians. And please, don’t drive while intoxicated with anything that can hinder your reflexes, whether that be alcohol or prescription medicine.

The road is hazardous enough as it is, but we can all make it safer together if everyone would just care to drive a little bit safer each day.

By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we’re confident that you’ll be able to minimize accidents and roadside issues. Stay safe!