Best New Car Care Tips
How long do you plan to keep your new car? Three years, perhaps four? Maybe much longer, up to 10 years or longer if you hand your car down to your son or daughter.
Today's cars are built better and last longer than cars from a generation ago.
Still, if you want to keep your car for the long haul, then there are some essential steps you should take to ensure that it is properly cared for now and for as long as you own your car.
Be kind, at first -- All new cars have a break in period.
Manufacturers may identify this in your owner's manual.
If not, figure that your car should be "babied" for the first 1,000 miles.
This means avoiding towing anything until after the break-in period has ended.
Be easy on the brakes and shift with care.
Don't run it at high speeds for prolonged miles -- save that road trip until after your car has been broken in.
Wash it and wax it -- How often should you wash your car? That depends on several things including how often you drive it, whether it is garaged and your local weather conditions.
Wash it more frequently if pollen, dirt, debris, bird poop or other "stuff" accumulates on the exterior.
Wash it following a major snowfall and whenever road salt is used to keep roads clear.
Salt is corrosive and can eat through steel as well as your car's coat.
Wax it quarterly or more often if your car loses its shine.
Under the hood -- Get in the habit of lifting the hood of your car on a regular basis to check fluids, belts, hoses and other connections.
A good rule of thumb is this one -- when you fill up your car check fluid levels, inspect belts and hoses, and brush off your battery.
Change your oil and oil filter per the manufacturer's intervals and not what your oil change garage recommends.
Tune ups, brake inspections, exhaust system checks, fluid flushings and other main checks should be adhered to per your owner's manual.
Get the right insurance -- Auto insurance doesn't have anything to do with car care directly until you have an accident.
If your car gets hit, then you'll want it repaired promptly and properly.
A good insurance plan will allow you to replace OEM parts with quality parts, enabling you to rely on quality car parts instead of suspect replacement parts.
Most cars built today should run 150,000 to 200,000 miles before major work needs to be done.
However, if you neglect your car you could be faced with a hefty repair bill, or forced to buy a new car several years before you're ready to do so.
Today's cars are built better and last longer than cars from a generation ago.
Still, if you want to keep your car for the long haul, then there are some essential steps you should take to ensure that it is properly cared for now and for as long as you own your car.
Be kind, at first -- All new cars have a break in period.
Manufacturers may identify this in your owner's manual.
If not, figure that your car should be "babied" for the first 1,000 miles.
This means avoiding towing anything until after the break-in period has ended.
Be easy on the brakes and shift with care.
Don't run it at high speeds for prolonged miles -- save that road trip until after your car has been broken in.
Wash it and wax it -- How often should you wash your car? That depends on several things including how often you drive it, whether it is garaged and your local weather conditions.
Wash it more frequently if pollen, dirt, debris, bird poop or other "stuff" accumulates on the exterior.
Wash it following a major snowfall and whenever road salt is used to keep roads clear.
Salt is corrosive and can eat through steel as well as your car's coat.
Wax it quarterly or more often if your car loses its shine.
Under the hood -- Get in the habit of lifting the hood of your car on a regular basis to check fluids, belts, hoses and other connections.
A good rule of thumb is this one -- when you fill up your car check fluid levels, inspect belts and hoses, and brush off your battery.
Change your oil and oil filter per the manufacturer's intervals and not what your oil change garage recommends.
Tune ups, brake inspections, exhaust system checks, fluid flushings and other main checks should be adhered to per your owner's manual.
Get the right insurance -- Auto insurance doesn't have anything to do with car care directly until you have an accident.
If your car gets hit, then you'll want it repaired promptly and properly.
A good insurance plan will allow you to replace OEM parts with quality parts, enabling you to rely on quality car parts instead of suspect replacement parts.
Most cars built today should run 150,000 to 200,000 miles before major work needs to be done.
However, if you neglect your car you could be faced with a hefty repair bill, or forced to buy a new car several years before you're ready to do so.