11 Useful Tips for First Time Car Owners

Buying your first car is always an exciting experience!

After many years of relying on friends and family to give you a lift and suffering in the confines of public transport, you are finally in a position where the world is now your oyster and you can drive wherever you want to.

But before you hit the open road with Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to be wild’ blaring out of the stereo, there are a few things you should be mindful of, when it comes to the responsibility of owing your own motor.

Whether you bought your car with Grays, through a private sale or any other dealerships, here are 11 useful tips for first time car owners.

 

Useful Tips

 

1. Find the best insurance option for you

Having car insurance is essential – and in most countries around the world, mandatory.

It can also be very expensive too. So, it is worth taking the time to compare quotes from as many car insurance providers as you can. As different providers will quote markedly different prices to insure the same combination of car make, model and driver, you can save yourself a tidy sum of money just by doing your due diligence, and knowing, say, the advantages of AIG car insurance over other providers.

Online you’ll also find several comparison websites that can speed up this process for you – which will save you contacting each insurer individually. Be mindful too that car insurance isn’t something you should just ‘set and forget’. Every year, before renewing a premium, it is worth checking out what deals are out there, as again you could save a bit of money.

 

2. Familiarise yourself with the owner’s manual

Ok, so it may not be the most exciting of reads, but it is well worth familiarising yourself with the owner’s car manual.

Contained within the manual is a wealth of information about your car, including the its suggested maintenance schedule, tire pressure and fuel grade. All of which should come in handy throughout the lifespan of your ownership of the vehicle.

3. Put your phone away

When driving, it is not the time to check out your socials or keep up with the latest news stories on Google. So put the phone away and fully focus on the road.

Heard it all before?

Well before you skip to the next point consider these facts:

• Every 30 minutes someone is injured as a result of a collision that results from distracted driving
• Drivers who use their phone are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are fully focused on the road.
• If you are caught using your phone whilst driving you will be hit with an expensive fine and penalty points for distracted driving.
• Whilst reading this, there is a good chance that someone is about to die, or has just died, because of distracted driving

 

4. Get the car regularly serviced

Ever heard of the phrase ‘a stitch in time saves nine?’. Well, the same adage can be applied to car maintenance. While it may seem like a good idea to miss the occasional service just to save some money, there is a strong chance that this might end up doing it more harm than good.

Through regular servicing your mechanic will be able to able to perform maintenance on the car that will prolong its lifespan, and its overall value. Your mechanic will also be able to spot any potential issues of parts that might need replacing, which otherwise might go undetected. If you need a further incentive to get your car regularly serviced, just remember. Tow trucks are an expense nobody wants!

5. Petrol

With petrol prices rising to levels never before reached, we are all starting to feel the squeeze at the bowser. However, while it might be tempting to choose a cheaper option, it is important to keep filling your vehicle with the octane fuel type recommended by your car manual. Putting the wrong fuel in your car can have disastrous consequences for it, which in turn can do some very expensive damage.

So, in this respect, it is definitely worth being safe and not sorry.

 

6. Regularly check your tyre pressure

All vehicles have an ideal pressure level (you will be able to find yours in the owner’s car manual). It is important to regularly check your tyre pressure to ensure they are at the optimum level of inflation, as this will not only prolong their lifespan, but also increase your petrol mileage. Buying your own tyre pressure pump is a great idea to make the job easier.

Try and do this at least once a month. Although if you live in a cold climate, once a fortnight is a good idea during the winter period.

7. Wash the car often

You might think people who wash their car regularly are just doing so to keep up its appearance. While it does feel good to drive a shiny, bright and polished vehicle, there is also a very good reason to wash it regularly too. Regular washes protect your car from damage, as dirt and debris erode the paint sealer, which protects the body of your car from afflictions like corrosion and rust.

So, as a rule of thumb, the cleaner you keep its exterior, the more it will be preserved.

 

8. Buy a dash cam

It is always a good idea to buy a dash cam. Should you be involved in an accident, footage from your dash cam could provide proof of innocence when it comes to insurance claims. Which in turn could help you secure a pay-out. Otherwise, it is just your word against the other drivers.

9. Drive sensibly

You might not be aware of this, but your driving habits could have a bit impact on how often you need to refill your petrol tank. If you are a driver that tends to drive fast, speed up quickly, and brake sharply, you will end up burning more fuel than if you were cruising along at a much steadier pace. You are also less likely to be pulled over by the police or even be involved in an accident too.

10. Keep a record of your receipts

As soon as you have bought your car, consider starting a folder which records all the costs associated with it during the period of your ownership.

This includes everything from regular maintenance to any substantial repairs that needed to be done on it. While this may sound like a fairly dull thing to do, there is a very good reason for doing it. Later down the line, when it comes to selling, or trading in the car, you will be able to give empirical evidence that your vehicle has been well maintained. Which in turn should yield you a much higher return.

 

11. Be careful where you park

This might sound a bit odd, but it is worth paying attention to where you park the car.

Many of the dents and dings your car experiences, often happens from other vehicles that get too close to it whilst reversing or driving. You may find it a good idea not to park on the main road if you could possibly avoid it.

Also, whilst in a crowded parking lot, such as those at supermarkets, you might consider parking at the very furthest point from the entrance. This way, as well as your car being less likely to be hit by another car, or an overstocked shopping trolley, you will also get more steps in too!

 

Final Thought

So, there you have it! Our recommendations of 11 useful tips for first time car owners.

Owning your first car is something everyone remembers for the rest of your life. If you take heed of these tips, you will go a long way to ensuring the memories of your first car are ones you will always cherish.