First or fifth time, I feel like buying a car is always exciting, a little overwhelming, and a little stressful. Today Peter Minkoff is guest posting on the blog and sharing some simply fabulous tips for first time car buyers!
Getting a car for the first time is an awesome thing: it gives you freedom, access to new destinations and makes your daily life so much easier. However, being a first-time car owner comes with a nasty surprise—all that maintenance you need to do and all those car things to keep in mind. As a woman, you might feel a little lost in the world of vehicles, but with these tips, you’ll become the most responsible car owner there is:
Read the owner’s manual
Before you dive into any other detail, make sure to grab your owner’s manual and look through it. This booklet has everything you need to know about your car’s maintenance schedule, oil changes, flushing of the fluids and replacing the filters. You’ll also learn how to read the dashboard signals, what issues to pay attention to and how to keep your car looking good and fashionable.
Schedule regular tire and fluids checks
It’s imperative for you to know how to inspect your car for issues, especially before any long trips. Firstly, check the state of your tires, which is an easy task that requires minimal effort. Make sure your car is sitting comfortably on the tires, the tread is deep and there are no cracks on the sidewalls or foreign objects wedged inside the tire. Fluids are also something every woman can check herself. Check the levels of windshield fluid, engine oil and coolant; if you notice the levels are low, simply top them off.
Protecting your car’s paint
Your car’s paint is not there just to give your vehicle some color and life. It’s actually a great protective layer that keeps the metal underneath safe from corrosion and damage. Therefore, your paint deserves good care—much more than simply washing. To properly maintain your car’s paint job, engage in thorough washing with water and soap, and don’t be scared to go into all the nooks and crannies, especially in wintertime, when there’s a lot of salt on the road that can stick to your car. To get the nasty water stains off the car, grab a special water spot remover for water spots, scale and stubborn stains. And the best thing about this product is that it can be used around the household: on windows, glass shower partitions and all other tough surfaces. Cover the paint with a special protective coating that saves the car from dirt build-up, oxidation, sun damage and dirty rain for extra protection.
Create an emergency kit
Every driver needs to have several emergency items in the car. Women seem to be more diligent in supplying the car with an emergency kit and keeping it up-to-date. It’s necessary to have a valid first aid kit in your car to handle any medical trauma before the medics arrive. Aside from that, it’s also crucial to have some tools in the car that will help you in a pinch. A pair of working jumping cables is a must, and you can also refresh your memory on how to use them. There’s a great possibility that you’ll need a screwdriver, pliers and wire cutters in your driving career, so throw them in your trunk as well.
In case your car gives up in the middle of the night, a flashlight will also come in handy so you can read the manual and see what you’re doing. If something is loose, duct tape will be there to keep things together until you drive yourself to a mechanic. And lastly, a blanket, water and snacks can save your life if you get stranded.
Build a trusting relationship with your mechanic
There are some mechanics willing to scam women drivers by inventing issues and overcharging for parts. The safest thing to do is choose a properly-certified mechanic shop to prevent this behavior. If possible, find a female mechanic who will be more sympathetic. In many cases, if you stay loyal to one shop, you can end up with great service and various discounts.
Just because you’re a woman, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to know anything about your car. If you study these tips and follow them, you’ll gain a lot of experience quickly and go from a new car owner to a seasoned driver in no time.
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