Did you purchase your new car not to long ago and want to service it? Here’s the complete and only vehicle maintenance checklist you’ll ever need to do that.
Is there anything more exciting than driving your first car home from the dealership? Even if you’ve purchased a used vehicle, it’s exciting because it’s new to you.
Once you get over the initial excitement, you’re going to want to start thinking about how you can make sure your vehicle lasts as long as possible. Proper vehicle maintenance can help your vehicle last longer, perform better and cost less over time.
The best time to perform maintenance on your vehicle is right after you purchase it. In most cases, you can’t be sure how the previous owner treated your car.
Did they get the oil changed regularly? Did they flush the fluids and rotate the tires? You probably don’t have the answers to these questions.
That’s why you should get certain maintenance don’t right away after buying your vehicle. In the article below, you’ll find a list of simple maintenance you should do after purchasing a vehicle. Read on to find out which maintenance tasks you should handle right away before they turn into bigger problems for your vehicle.
Go Get an Oil Change
Even if you’re buying your first car, you’re probably aware that you need to get regular oil changes once you enter the world of vehicle ownership.
However, that might not be the first thing on your mind when you first get your vehicle. It’s important to get an oil change right away, however, because you don’t know when the oil was last changed.
Getting an oil change right away resets the clock for when you’ll need your next oil change. If you get your first oil change right when you get your car, you can be sure that you won’t run into any issues that have to do with the previous owner not changing the oil for an extended time.
Get the Car’s Battery Checked Out
Have you ever experienced a situation in which you turned your key in the ignition and nothing happened? Whether you’re at home or traveling, it’s no fun to get stuck with a car that won’t start because of a dead battery.
If you just brought your used car home and haven’t replaced the battery yet, you don’t know if your battery is at risk of dying.
That’s why it’s a smart idea to go get your battery checked out right away. An automotive industry professional can tell you if the battery has a few years left in it, or if you need to replace it right away.
Take a Close Look at the Tires
You don’t want to mess around with the parts of your car that make contact with the road. Tires are important, but they’re also easy to replace.
That’s why it’s a good idea to include a tire check-up as part of the car maintenance you do when you first buy your vehicle. You’re going to want to make sure the tires have plenty of tread left.
If you drive on tires with worn-down tread, you run the risk of spinning out or sliding when you’re trying to take a sharp turn. Worn-down tires can also cause your car to hydroplane in wet weather. You can check out Ozzytyres.com.au if you’re looking for specific tires for your vehicle.
Consider Replacing the Air Filters
Your car has two filters that you need to monitor. The first type of filter to be aware of is the engine air filter. This filter keeps debris out of the engine so your car can run smoothly. You may want to either clean this filter or replace it entirely.
The second type of air filter to check out is the cabin air filter. This filter keeps the air clean inside your car, and it can get quite dirty if it isn’t cleaned or replaced regularly.
When you get your oil change, you can ask the mechanics to take a look at your engine and cabin air filters. They may tell you the filters need to be replaced, but it’s a simple process that won’t be too hard on your wallet.
Flush the Fluids
Your vehicle relies on a lot of fluids to keep the engine running smoothly. If you don’t know how often the previous owner flushed the transmission fluid and coolant, you should get these two fluids checked out.
When you’re getting your car checked out by a mechanic, you should also inquire about the brake fluid. Brake fluid can get too thick over time and overheat. This is very dangerous, as it could affect your brake’s ability to perform properly. Be sure to flush the brake fluid if necessary.
Regular Vehicle Maintenance Will Keep Your Car Running Longer
The tips listed above are meant to help you ensure your car is in good shape right after you buy it.
However, you should check each of these vehicle components regularly to ensure your car continues
to run well for the entire time you own it.
You will have to pay for these routine maintenance checks, but the cost is low compared to the cost of repairing your vehicle because you didn’t keep up with regular maintenance.
If you’re interested in learning more about vehicle maintenance and car ownership, be sure to stay up to date with all the latest articles going live on this website.