Buying a new car is exciting. To most people, finding a new car and getting behind the wheel is a dream come true. However, there are a couple of things you need to do before you get on the road and there’s plenty of information that can help you through the process. Here, we share five of the essential things you need to do.
1. Register the Car
It’s against the law to drive an unregistered car. Before you hit the road, your dealer should be able to help you with a temporary registration, which will last for 30 days for trips within the registered city. After this, then you need to register your car permanently.
2. Understand the Car
Take the time to understand your new car. This is even important if you already own a car because newer models always have something better than the old ones. Most new cars are now equipped with improved safety features, such as cornering stability, a reversing camera, and more.
Try to understand these peculiarities. In addition, you can go to YouTube, where one can find good videos that explain the role of each function.
3. Get a Car Insurance
Car insurance protects you from damage and loss. Get comprehensive car insurance and always read the fine print before you sign on the dotted lines, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and what the benefits are. Be sure to ask your dealer to explain the terms of your insurance policy.
There are several options for you to choose from. If you’re unsure, www.state.co.nz/car-insurance has great information on the options at your disposal and how they compare.
4. Keep Track of Next Oil Change
Next, you will want to keep an eye out for when it comes to the time for the next oil change so that you can be sure that the car is maintained properly. Studying the owner’s manual can also help you keep track of the maintenance that is needed and when.
It might be a good idea to get your maintenance logged so you could never forget, as well as track all maintenance that is done on your vehicle. This accounting is useful for your own peace of mind, but also invaluable if you are ever looking to sell your car.
5. Avoid Short Trips Initially
Avoid very short trips, like a couple of kilometers, in the initial 800 – 1000 km, as your car needs time to warm up. Rather, go for a long trip to enable the lubricant to properly flow right through the engine.
Drive at about 80km steadily for a couple of hours to let the lubricant to get to the ideal level for the engine to perform at peak
6. Schedule Out a Maintenance Plan
Most people, when buying a new car, do not think about the cost of service and maintenance. Make a maintenance plan and simply have a technician always ready to take care of all the services that your car will eventually need.
A good way of ensuring that you drive safely and maintain high-level performance is routinely servicing your new car.
7. Don’t Let the Gas fall too Low
For starters, fuel consumption meters are not always accurate. It is a bad idea to wait until your gas tank is nearly empty before filling up. Don’t let the gas drop below a quarter of the tank.
Secondly, you can ruin your car by letting it run so low on gas and repairs can cost more than the cost of refueling the tank in the first place. Experts advise that you the fuel meter as an estimate.
The gas in a car also acts as a cooling agent for both the engine and motor in a car’s electric fuel pump. When operating at very low levels, it allows the pump to suck in air, thereby creating create heat. This increase in heat then leads to a decrease in engine performance, as well as in fuel economy.
Conclusion
Your car can keep performing at an optimal level if you carry out the necessary maintenance when they are due. It can be tough to afford a new car without a car loan, unless you’re making a lot of money. It pays to take the time to get to know your new car and how to maximize its use and prepare for different situations on and off the road.
