Top Tips For First-Time Car Owners

Aug 18, 2020 10:28 AM EDT | Staff Reporter

Top Tips For First-Time Car Owners


(Photo : Top Tips For First-Time Car Owners)

Many young people grow up dreaming of the day they can buy their very first car, and it's always exciting to experience the thrills and freedoms of having a vehicle to call your own. Suddenly, you're no longer constrained to the limits of public transportation and you no longer need to rely on friends or family to drive you around; you're free to go your own way.

However, while owning one's own car can be quite exciting, it might also feel like quite a big responsibility, and it is! You might have saved up long and hard for your vehicle or perhaps were lucky enough to get some help from mom and dad. Either way, a car is usually a pretty big investment, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some simple tips for first-time car owners to bear in mind. From remembering the importance of routine maintenance checks on your vehicle to finding the right car insurance in case any accidents occur, these tips should help you feel more confident and assured with your new car, minimizing the risk of any unwanted problems occurring.

Read The Manual 

One of the things we usually do when buying a new device or appliance is read through the manual to learn all about how it works, how to set it up, and what to do if any issues occur. The same logic applies for cars, and whether you're buying a brand new vehicle or find yourself behind the wheel of one of the 40 million+ used cars sold in America each year, reading the manual is important.

All cars, new and old, should come with an owner's manual. It's not exactly a thrilling book to read through, but it can teach you so much about your vehicle, and every car has its own unique quirks, dashboard layouts, and other features for drivers to be aware of, so a quick read of the manual can help you out in a big way.

Keep Up With Maintenance 

Routine maintenance is such an important part of owning and operating your car efficiently, as well as minimizing the risks of long-term problems and costly issues developing later on. Simple things like changing your oil or replacing your air filter might seem mundane and basic, and they absolutely are, but these basic tasks can make a real difference to your vehicle's health.

If you choose to ignore these tasks or simply fail to remember the importance of regular maintenance, you're the only one who will suffer in the long run. Poorly-inflated tires that aren't checked regularly, for instance, may lead to you spending way more on gas, feeling less in control of your vehicle, and having to replace the tires sooner than you usually would.

Clean It

This one should be obvious, and many new car owners, even those who have bought a relatively old and worn-down vehicle, like to take pride in their cars and keep them clean, at least for the first few months. However, washing your car regularly on a long-term basis is also an essential part of keeping it healthy, and reducing the risk of other issues developing.

Not only is it more enjoyable to sit behind the wheel of a clean, fresh car, it's also safer. If you leave mud and dirt around your tire rims, problems can start to develop, or if you let dust and marks build up on your mirrors and windows, your visibility might start to suffer, potentially increasing your risk of an accident.

Choose Insurance Carefully 

When you get your first car, you might be so eager to get behind the wheel and start driving that you fail to spend sufficient time shopping around for the best possible insurance plan. A lot of new drivers simply order the first insurance they find, but this can be a big mistake. 

It's absolutely in your best interests to shop around, compare your options, and get quotes from multiple providers in order to not only find the most affordable plan to meet your needs, but also one that covers everything you want to be covered. There are plenty of car insurance comparison sites that let you get hundreds of quotes in a matter of minutes, making the whole process super simple.

Drive Carefully 

One of the things every new car owner quickly learns is that paying for gas can be a real hassle. You might be shocked to see just how often you have to head for the local gas station and load up the tank all over again, watching as those dollar bills are drained from your bank account each and every time. 

Unfortunately, every car needs some source of energy, so this is just something that car owners have to accept. However, there are ways you can cut down on fuel consumption, starting with careful driving. Being more gentle on the pedals, braking ahead of time, accelerating more gradually, and avoiding high-speed driving will all help you make the most of every drop of gas.

Stay Focused

In this day and age, when everyone seems to be glued to their phone screens 24/7, it can be easy to let yourself get distracted behind the wheel. This is especially true of younger drivers who are used to spending a lot of time on their devices, chatting with friends on social media, uploading photos and videos to their accounts, and calling their contacts all day long.

However, distracted driving leads to thousands of deaths and injuries each year, so it's absolutely vital to put down the phone when you get behind the wheel and keep all of your focus on the road. This is particularly true when you're just starting out as a new driver, as you'll need to build up your confidence and experience levels over time.

Conclusion

Owning your first car is a big milestone, and it can feel like quite a thrill, but if you don't show your vehicle proper care, overspend on gas and insurance, or fail to drive in a safe and proper manner, the whole situation can turn into quite a disaster. Be sure to follow these top tips to have the best experience with your new vehicle.

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