First-Time Car Buyer? Follow These Tips!

For first-time car buyers, the process for getting a new car can be daunting, especially when it comes time to part with your hard-earned money. However, getting to where you sign an agreement to purchase a car, or another agreement to get a loan for it, is only the start. Once you get the car home, the real business of properly caring for it begins.

Put Your Car on a Maintenance Schedule

You must put your car on a regular maintenance schedule now. That’s especially difficult for those who are disorganized, or who procrastinate, but, it must be done. Consult your owner’s manual for what portions of your car need routine maintenance, at what intervals, and what must be done. That’s everything from checking the tire’s air pressure (your dashboard or a tire gauge), filling the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, checking transmission and radiator fluid levels, changing the oil and filter, checking engine belts, air filters, and transmission fluid changes.

Know Your Owner’s Manual

Besides telling what needs to be serviced, and how often (see above), it has other useful information. What kind of oil your car will take, and won’t. What kind of gasoline your car needs. What the different warning lights mean, and what you need to do when you see one. Your owner’s manual will also explain how formerly simple, but now complicated, things work, like your radio. There will even be instructions for how to use your spare tire.

Plan for Emergencies

Know how to deal with emergencies ahead of time, like a dead battery, flat tire, overheated engine, coolant leak, etc. Even if your plan is just calling a road service, make sure your insurance policy includes that, or at least know who to call. It’s also a good idea of how to know what to do after an accident. Keep your auto insurance card in your wallet.

Would you like to know more about basic care? Our certified shop mechanics can help. Or, if you want to arrange a test drive of a new car, just contact us at Marianna Toyota! You can reach us by phone by calling 850-562-3511 or visiting our Marianna dealership at 2961 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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