Tips and Advice for new car owners
Whether it’s your first time owning a new car or it’s just been a while, there are some things to keep in mind just after buying a new car that could help you a lot down the road, particularly if you think you’d like to sell or trade it in at some point. You want to help your vehicle retain as much value as possible, though it’s important to be realistic about auto depreciation. Your new car will never again be worth as much as it is in the moment before you drive off the lot, but there’s a lot you can do to help it hold on to as much value as possible. Here are our top tips and advice for new car owners:Â
1. Read your owner’s manual. Yes, read the entire thing. If that sounds crazy, we counter with this: Maybe it’s crazy to own such a complex and valuable thing and not know how it works and how it’s meant to be taken care of. In the manual, you’ll find out valuable nuggets like how often your specific vehicle needs an oil change (hint: it’s not always 3,000 miles), how various features work, and of course the ever-lingering question of how to change your clock for daylight savings time. It’s all there — read it!
2. Speaking of scheduled maintenance, you need to be keeping a detailed record of your service appointments. That is, save and file all receipts from oil changes, tire rotation, check-ups, and repairs. If you can produce this at the time of a potential sale to show that you took care of your vehicle and maintained careful records, this is a huge boost for your credibility as a seller and proof that you didn’t neglect your vehicle.
3. Drive nice! Whether you’ve got a lead foot or a case of recurring road rage, resolve to create new habits with the acquisition of this new vehicle. Nothing adds unnecessary wear and tear to all systems like aggressive driving. When it comes time to sell, these habits will show in the condition of the vehicle, and it’ll cost you.
Questions about how to take the best possible care of a new vehicle? Feel free to ask our sales or service representatives for more tips!
