Buying a new car is a serious investment. Besides the fact that you will still be paying for your new car in the next couple of years, taking care of your precious investment will help retain the resale value of your car.

It is important that you pay attention to essential new car maintenance tips. These will make sure that your car is maintained in the best possible condition, allowing you to drive in complete peace of mind.

Tip 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Owner’s Handbook

We know that this sounds boring. After all, who would want to read a 300-page manual?

Most car buyers make the mistake of not even bothering with the owner’s manual. This is a huge mistake.

Car makers spend millions of dollars researching and testing each and every new car that rolls off the factory. The owner’s manual is an essential guide that will help you to gain a better understanding of the features of your new car.

Reading the owner’s manual is highly recommended. In fact, you can save thousands of dollars in car repair if you take the time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle manual.

For instance, reading the manual will help you familiarize with the warning lights on the instrument console.

The warning lights are there for a reason: they were designed to ‘light up’ or remind you of certain actions that you need to do.

One of the most important warning indicators is the ‘check engine light.’ It is usually amber or red in color, and is indicated by an image of an engine located in the instrument panel. When this warning light turns ON, it means that there is something wrong with your engine. It could either be a bad electrical problem, a faulty engine sensor, or a combination of both.

If you were not paying attention, then your new car might inadvertently stall in the middle of the road–or you could cause permanent damage to various engine components, which will cost you a lot of money to repair. Sometimes, this kind of negligence is not covered in the vehicle warranty.

It is normal for the ‘check engine light’ to turn ON when you are starting the car. It should turn itself OFF within a few seconds of engaging the starter button. But if it remains ON, or turns ON when you are driving, it is best to seek assistance immediately.

Familiarizing yourself with the vehicle manual is the best way for you to fully enjoy your new car. It provides a wealth of valuable information that teaches you the basics of new car maintenance. Since you will be spending a lot of years with your new car, it is best that you know your car from the inside and out.

Want to experience the comfort, safety, and reliability of a new car? Request a free online car quote and find an easy, affordable, and hassle free way to drive home your new car.