Buying a new car can be an exciting investment. It can also be one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime.
With the rising costs of fuel, Hybrid vehicles can help cut the costs of this substantially, making them a wise choice.
Of course, there are many other things you can do to help keep your car in great condition without the need for constant maintenance. Low emission cars, for example, are extremely reliable when bought new, and The Reader’s Digest also offers 75 tips for keeping your car in great shape if you are looking for that extra little bit of help.
Use it constantly
Although it may sound like a contradiction, new cars respond very well to constant and light use. Try to use the vehicle at low speeds and short distances during the “break-in” period. This will help all of the electrics, pump mechanics and steering mechanisms to become accustomed to use in a variety of situations such as wet roads, speed bumps and warm temperatures. The best way to ruin a new car is to use it sporadically for very long trips.
Use light acceleration
Accelerating lightly when pulling away may be very important for all new cars. No part of the car is suddenly put under a large amount of strain. This helps both the internal combustion system and the tyres and axles from avoiding any unnecessary shock.
Accelerating lightly will also help you get more mileage out of the car as fuel is not wasted. It takes a lot of power to accelerate quickly from a motionless stance, so this is best avoided.
Keep speeds low and constant
When driving your new car it is important to keep your speeds constant and fairly low. Alternating speeds will pump fluctuating amounts of fuel into your engine and can lead to damaged fuel injection pipes.
Keeping speeds constant will see a regular amount of petrol fed into the car’s engine. As a result, less fuel will be used, more money will be saved and your new car will be under less strain.
Use a garage for parking
It sounds obvious, but parking new cars in a garage can help to combat the potential effects of extremes of heat and cold. Metals expand and contract during lengthy exposures to hot and cold temperatures, so parking your car inside can help to keep its temperature more constant.
Indoor parking also limits the exposure your car has to the elements, thus reducing the chance of developing rust or other associated problems.