Being a first-time car owner is exciting but comes with its fair share of questions. How do you protect your investment and keep your car running at peak performance for years to come? Continue reading to learn more.
A How-To Guide for the First-Time Car Owner
Find a Trusted Mechanic
If you haven’t done so already, the first thing you should do after buying a car is schedule service with a local mechanic. This step is vital to ensure everything in your car is in working order and runs as expected. Not only will this help you avoid surprises, it will also give you the opportunity to find a mechanic you can trust so that you’ll have someone to contact if any unexpected damages occur.
Explore Your Owner’s Manual
An owner’s manual is a great resource for many reasons.
First, it offers insight into how you can optimize your car to run at peak performance. Recommendations such as what kind of oil or fuel you should use can go a long way in keeping your engine healthy. It will also bring to light any certain temperaments your car may have when it comes to how it handles or drives.
An owner’s manual also comes in handy in the event of a crisis. If you’re stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and without access to AAA or reception, your owner’s manual will walk you through the steps of finding the spare and replacing the tire so you can get back on the road safely. Take a few minutes to explore your manual so that you can feel prepared in the event of a crisis.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
After speaking with your mechanic and considering the recommendations in your owners manual, you should create a routine maintenance schedule to ensure your car runs at peak performance for years to come. Some tasks to include in this schedule should be regular oil changes, tire rotation, filter replacement, fluid checks, brake pad replacement, and windshield wiper replacement.
To protect the exterior of your car, you’ll want to include regular car washes and waxing on your to-do list as well. This step will preserve the look and health of your paint job.
Look for a Pre-Owned Car Near Raleigh, NC
If you’re in the market to buy your first car, visit Matthews Motors Clayton. We have a wide variety of used cars for sale near Raleigh, NC. Give us a call to schedule a test drive today.