Buying your first car is an exciting time. While most Australians acquire their first car around the age of 18, as a coming of age ritual, some people don’t start driving until they turn 30 or 40. No matter your age, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of your very own vehicle for the first time. Going for your first spin is a treat as well. But, if you’re not careful with it, that pristine machine can become dirty, faded, scratched and prone to breakdowns. So let’s spend some time to consider car care and how you can protect your first ride from wear and tear.
Regular Servicing and Maintenance
Car engines are made up of lots of complex moving parts, all which work together in unison to propel you forward through the world. That’s why it’s important to get a regular car service in Airport West. When a mechanic services your car, they top up all the important fluids like oil, brake fluid, wiper fluid and steering fluid. They’ll also check your brakes, tyres, engine and other important aspects of the vehicle. Then they will let you know if more comprehensive repairs are required, and how much they’ll cost. As a rule of thumb, you should service your car once every six months or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Doing this will ensure that your car stays in tip-top condition – you’ll avoid breakdowns which can be both costly to repair and a major pain to deal with.
Get Small Dents and Scratches Repaired
Most cars will eventually suffer from a minor scratch or a small dent. Even if you’re the most careful driver on the road, you can’t guarantee that everyone else is. If your car is unlucky enough to cop a small ding, you may be tempted to just leave it – after all, it’s not worth the insurance claim or the cost of the panel beaters, right? Wrong! A small dent, especially one that results in the paint coming off the body, can let in rust. Once rust makes its way into the body of your car it can cause immense damage, that can get far beyond repair. So, if any metal is exposed from a dent, please ensure that you get it fixed quickly. You can generally repair minor scratches yourself with DIY kits available at most auto stores, but a qualified panel beater needs to check out and fix any dents or dings in the body.
Check Your Driving Habits
Many people don’t realise that the way they drive can wear out their car quickly. It’s important to always accelerate smoothly and slowly, rather than putting the pedal to the metal. Sudden acceleration makes your engine rev faster and harder and puts undue pressure on everything under the hood. Similarly, braking suddenly will wear out your brakes and also increases your risk of skidding, slipping and sliding and having an accident. Begin to brake slowly as soon as you realise you need to slow down for a red light, stop sign, give way sign or if the car in front of you is braking.
A Cruising Conclusion
It is possible to reduce the wear and tear on your new car. Make sure that you book it in for regular servicing and maintenance. Ensure that you repair any dents, dings or scratches before rust can set into the body. Finally, check that your driving habits aren’t placing unnecessary pressure on the engine or your brakes. Happy driving and stay safe behind the wheel!
