So, you’ve got yourself a brand-new car – congrats! This is a big time in your life and should be something that you celebrate. Your beautiful new baby is going to take you to some great places and so many memories are going to be created with it. However, there are plenty of things that you need to keep in mind now that you have a beautiful new car.
And one of those things is how you’re going to maintain that new sparkle and the amazing condition it’s in right now. Because as you should know, so many cars look horrible after a bit of wear and tear on the road. A couple of drink spills here, a couple of bumps there. These little mistakes are going to cost you tons in the long-run if you don’t keep up with your car.
Keep reading down below, where we’ve come up with the top tips you’ve got to think about if you want to maintain your brand-new car’s condition.
1. Check the Engine Oil Regularly
The first step towards maintaining your car and keeping it in tip-top shape is checking the engine oil on a regular basis. If your car is in good condition already, then it’s fine to do this every month or so. However, if you have noticed any leaks lately, then it’s best to go ahead and check it more regularly or have it checked out by a professional.
When you’re checking the engine, make sure that the car is parked on level ground. This is going to give you a more accurate reading from the dipstick. Make sure not to overfill on the engine oil and to have any leaks fixed ASAP. These leaks can spell disaster down the road if you don’t have them fixed.
2. Check Your Tire’s Air Pressure
At least once a month, you’ve got to check the air pressure in your tires. This should also be done before any long trips that you’re going to take in your beautiful car. Make sure to check the inflation of each car, including that spare that you have in the back. It’s best to conduct this test whenever the tires are cold, so it’s best to do before you start driving. When trying to figure out the recommended tire pressure, just check your car’s manual and it will show you how much pressure should be inside. This is going to save you any potential frustration down the road if your car tire were to blow out on a long trip to the beach this summer.
3. Give It Regular Washes Every Week
If you can, it’s best to wash your car every week. This might seem excessive, but you would be surprised at how much of a negative effect all of that nasty gunk can have on your car’s exterior without getting it washed off. Make sure to thoroughly wash off the body and the undercarriage to get rid of any extra debris that might be under there. After you finishing the wash, use a high-quality wax to protect your car’s exterior further from any damage while on the road.
4. Check Up on The Air Filter
Next up on the list is the air filter, which might be a part of the car that you don’t think would need to be checked. However, it’s super important to do this on a regular basis. Remove the air-filter element and hold it up in front of a bright light. When you hold it up, if you can’t see the light from behind the filter, then it needs to be replaced with a clean filter. If you can see the light, then that filter is fine to stay in for a while. However, you should always follow the recommendations that come with your car’s manual for how often you should replace these filters.
5. Inspect the Exhaust System
If you’re someone who wants to get under your car and inspect what’s going on under there yourself, then this item is for you. Check under your car for any rusted parts of the exhaust system that will need to be replaced. In addition to that, you should tighten any loose caps that may be hanging around. Always make sure to do this when your car is up on ramps.
If you’re not wanting to get under your car and do these checks yourself, you can always get the auto shop to conduct them when they change your oil. This is probably the best idea for most of you out there, so be sure to ask during your next check-up.
6. Look at The Brakes for Any Problem Areas
If you’re like most people out there, then it would be make more sense to have professionals at the auto shop check your brakes. However, if you’re going to do your own work on the brakes, then make sure to pay attention because this is tricky business. You will need to remove all of the wheels on your car to check out the brake system. Make sure to remove any of those worn pads and linings that may be there. If there are any other parts that look funky, have them replaced, as well.
It’s recommended that you either check your brakes or have them checked twice every year.
7. Check All the Fluids
If you have bought a newer car, then the automatic transmission is most likely sealed. However, if you have an older car, then that transmission is not going to be sealed. Check out the transmission dipstick on a regular basis when your engine is running. Also make sure that you check out the other various fluids in your car, like the brake-fluid reservoir. This is going to ensure that your car is working properly and at the optimum level when you are driving down the road.
8. Clean That Radiator Out
If you were not to clean your radiator out on a regular basis or have it cleaned out on a regular basis, you could be putting your car at risk of overheating while you’re out on the road. To stop this from happening, you can clean out any of the debris that may be blocking your car’s radiator. Be sure to use a soft brush when removing these debris. Once you have done this, you can wash the outside of the radiator with detergent. Make sure that you do this on a regular basis to keep your car safe and sound.
All of these tips are going to ensure you that your car is running properly for many years to come, and now it can be customized as you wish it to be. Why would you want your new car to break down in a couple of years because you didn’t take proper care of it?
