If youve recently experienced that new car smell for the first time, you are probably going to be wondering how to make it last. Unfortunately that new car smell is just as fleeting as your first love, it will soon be but a memory. Other aspects of your new car however, such as how it looks and how it performs, can easily be preserved with just a little bit of care.
And while that little bit of care should only take you a few minutes/dollars at a time, it could easily save you thousands in the long run, when your car remains reliable for longer. Although there are a number of different ways to keep a new car new for longer, here are the six tips that I have personally found to be highly effective.
1. Take it Easy for the First Thousand Miles
If youve had your new car for a while now, its probably too late for this advice, but if your car is fresh off the forecourt, go easy on the thing. Most experts agree that a cars engine is by far at its most fragile during the first thousand miles, therefore dont do anything that could put it under serious pressure. Switch it off rather than staying idle when you are in traffic and try to not to go over fifty miles an hour.
2. Stick to High Quality Petrol
Many drivers think they are incredibly clever when they save money by purchasing low quality petrol but over time, doing so can wreak havoc on a cars engine. Discount petrol chains can offer such low prices because the petrol that they sell is dated. Why is this a problem? Because dated fuel tends to contain quite a bit of sludge and as you can imagine, sludge is the last thing that you want to be putting into your engine.
3. Check Your Car Whenever You Fill Up
As well as treating your car to only the best quality petrol, you should try to get into the habit of spending two minutes checking out your car every time you fill up.
And while that little bit of care should only take you a few minutes/dollars at a time, it could easily save you thousands in the long run, when your car remains reliable for longer. Although there are a number of different ways to keep a new car new for longer, here are the six tips that I have personally found to be highly effective.
1. Take it Easy for the First Thousand Miles
If youve had your new car for a while now, its probably too late for this advice, but if your car is fresh off the forecourt, go easy on the thing. Most experts agree that a cars engine is by far at its most fragile during the first thousand miles, therefore dont do anything that could put it under serious pressure. Switch it off rather than staying idle when you are in traffic and try to not to go over fifty miles an hour.
2. Stick to High Quality Petrol
Many drivers think they are incredibly clever when they save money by purchasing low quality petrol but over time, doing so can wreak havoc on a cars engine. Discount petrol chains can offer such low prices because the petrol that they sell is dated. Why is this a problem? Because dated fuel tends to contain quite a bit of sludge and as you can imagine, sludge is the last thing that you want to be putting into your engine.
3. Check Your Car Whenever You Fill Up
As well as treating your car to only the best quality petrol, you should try to get into the habit of spending two minutes checking out your car every time you fill up.
- Check your tire pressure.
- Take a quick glance at the engine.
- Rub a damp cloth over the battery.
- Check the water level.
If you happen to notice a small problem before it becomes a big one, these simple steps alone could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
4. Always Wash Your Car During Winter
If you live in an area where the Winters are not exactly sunny, chances are you dont bother to wash your car during that time of year. After all, whats the point in washing a car if its just going to get covered in mud on the way home? Skipping the car wash for a few months is actually a very bad idea however. When you get your car washed, any hard debris that has accumulated is washed off before it can do any damage. Therefore regardless of the weather, make sure you get your car washed at least once a fortnight.
5. Never Put Off Replacing Your Tires
Everyone knows that performing regular tire checks and replacing them whenever necessary is important for both fuel consumption and general road safety. Many people seem to forget however that its also important for the overall health of your car. Driving with bad tires can cause serious damage to your engine, your suspension, and your transmission. Therefore, never put off getting them changed.
6. Stick to Your Cars Maintenance Schedule
When it comes to performing maintenance on your car, there are two steps to doing it right.
4. Always Wash Your Car During Winter
If you live in an area where the Winters are not exactly sunny, chances are you dont bother to wash your car during that time of year. After all, whats the point in washing a car if its just going to get covered in mud on the way home? Skipping the car wash for a few months is actually a very bad idea however. When you get your car washed, any hard debris that has accumulated is washed off before it can do any damage. Therefore regardless of the weather, make sure you get your car washed at least once a fortnight.
5. Never Put Off Replacing Your Tires
Everyone knows that performing regular tire checks and replacing them whenever necessary is important for both fuel consumption and general road safety. Many people seem to forget however that its also important for the overall health of your car. Driving with bad tires can cause serious damage to your engine, your suspension, and your transmission. Therefore, never put off getting them changed.
6. Stick to Your Cars Maintenance Schedule
When it comes to performing maintenance on your car, there are two steps to doing it right.
- The first step is to stick to the schedule. When you buy a new car, it generally comes complete with a little booklet telling you what should be checked at each mileage milestone. Dont ignore it.
The second step is to find a great mechanic and go to him every time. Not only will doing so ensure that you are never overcharged, it also means that you know your car is getting a proper work over every time you hand it in.
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