How to maintain a new car
How to Maintain a New Car
When one buys a new car, there are many features to be enjoyed: its smell, the smooth ride, the shiny look and so forth. As a result, the buyer may want to drive it often and show it off to his or her friends. Unfortunately, the features of the new car do not last, the quality progressively declines and the car becomes a good old friend! If the car is not maintained appropriately during the initial days of buying it, its good features disappear even faster and it may look old within months- something that will definitely not please the owner. Many things should be observed and done to keep the car new. The most important aspect of maintenance of the car lies in the car’s manual. In the manual, the user will find the car manufacturer’s prescribed maintenance program. However, this is based on “normal driving” on clean, smooth roads. One needs to go further since many roads are dusty, bumpy or potholed.
The owner needs to be patient in first days of using the car or the break-in time. This is particularly the period within which the car covers the first 1600 km. Even as the car buyer uses the manufacturer’s manual, there is need to keep driving at speeds below 88 kmph or 55 mph. Alternatively, the owner may use the speed recommended by the manufacturer. Additionally, it is important to avoid weighty loads such towing or overloading the roof rack. During the break-in time, one should avoid leaving the car idle for considerable periods. This is important for the car’s long life since idling prevents circulation of oil in various engine parts, thus developing mechanical problems. Most importantly, one has to employ low to medium level of acceleration, maintaining the engine’s rpm under 3,000 during the initial hours of using the car. Since the engine is the heart of the car, there is need to do everything possible to ensure that it remains in good condition and that it does not develop a problem that warrants costly repair. Although today’s cars do not have controls that need a lot of maintenance, the owner has to maintain regular checkups of parts that need maintenance.
One important thing that will keep a new car in good condition is checking of oil and oil filters. Most car manufacturers recommend that the two features be changed for each 7,500 miles covered or within a six-month period of driving under “normal conditions”. Therefore, it is advisable to change the oil and oil filters within shorter durations such as three months or 3,000 miles of distance covered. If this is done, there will be no need to worry about the life of the engine. Many other things are important to maintain the car in its “new” condition. The car user should avoid rapid wear and tear by ensuring that the car is accelerated slowly and also refrain from leaving it idle when the engine is on. When the engine does not operate at its optimum temperature, incomplete combustion of fuel occurs, which leads to deposition of soot around cylinders and other parts, as well as contamination of the existing fuel. A new car owner can do many things to keep the car new, but the listed points are very useful for the first few months that the car is used.