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Today most cars come with a good service back up including warranty and extended warranty too. The workshops too have become very well equipped with a paint shop and other facilities.
The driving conditions too have improved, especially on the highways, across the country. Maintaining your new car is now that much easier.
However, a New Car can be made to look new for a maximum period of time if the following cautions are taken regularly :
Checking on the Engine Oil and Coolant Level
Maintaining the desired engine oil and coolant level will ensure that the Engine is sufficiently lubricated and the gears and other components are able to work as per the efficiency defined.
Most cars have a Display system of the Engine Oil level in their consol that will guide the driver on when the same is to be changed. The service guidelines of the Auto OEM too define the service intervals at which the Engine Oil and Coolants need to be changed.
Follow these to the T. This will keep your new car functioning prim and proper.
Checking the Tyre Pressure
Each car tyre has inflation pressure defined by the Auto OEM. Most Air Filling stations too have charts defining the Air Pressure for each Tyre. Always inflate the tyres as per the above guidelines.
Underinflated tyres will give a poorer fuel efficiency and overinflated tyres might give a slightly higher fuel efficiency by will make your drive wobbly.
It is recommended that the Tyre Pressure is checked at least once a week. Ideally, the Tyre Pressure should be checked when the Tyres are cold (just as the vehicle is being taken for a drive). And please inspect the tyres for abnormal or uneven wear, cuts, and any sidewall bulges too.
Regularly Wash the Car
It is recommended to wash the car once a week. Start with washing the body, pressure hose the insides of the fender walls/mud flaps, and undercarriage - to remove the dirt and sand particles.
You could clay your car too. This removes bonded surface contamination, that does not get removed by normal washing. This simple task of claying will remove the contamination. Your car can now be prepared for polishing.
Waxing and polishing too can be done frequently.
Protect your car
During parking, especially, do not expose your car, wherever possible, to extreme conditions like hot sun, rains, windy and dusty conditions, and cold conditions. These can affect the paint and visuals of your car directly.
Air Filter
Air Filters filter out the thicker sand particles and polluted gases, as the air is sucked in by the Engine. Always keep the Air Filter Clean. Auto OEMs have defined the parameters for a Clean Air Filter; and service intervals for changing the Air Filter.
Maintain the Air Filter as per the above. This will keep the Air Fuel Mixture at optimum mixing level and also keep the Engine performance good.
Checking the Constant-Velocity-Joint Boots
Front-wheel-drive and a few four-wheel-drive vehicles come with bellows that resemble rubber boots. These are Constant Velocity Boots and are placed on the drive axles. These need constant checking.
If there is dirt, it can contaminate the CV joint. Fixing the contaminated joint boot can be an expensive offer.
Inspecting the Exhaust System.
Make an under-car inspection to check for rusted parts, that could need replacing.
The loose clamps too might need clamping. And while driving, listen for changes, if any that are noticed. In case of damages, it is suggested to replace the entire exhaust system rather than go in for part by part replacement.
Inspect the Brakes
Brakes should be checked for efficiency, every six months, even if they seem in good working conditions. Replace excessively worn pads or linings. Badly scored rotors and drums should be machined or replaced regularly.
More the driving distance covered, more frequently, the brakes should be checked.
Checking the Fluids/ Radiator/ Battery
Always check the engine oil/brake fluid. Maintain the same as per the Auto OEM defined standards.
Modern cars often come with a very advanced level of systems for checking the fluids. It may not be very easily possible; and even dangerous, for checking the same for a non-proficient car user, It is suggested to check the same, through proficient hands, at the Authorized Service Stations, where there is standard equipment for the same.
The Radiator should be prevented from overheating by regularly brushing off the dirt and debris and also washing off the outside with a detergent solution.
Keeping your car in good shape helps keep you and your passengers safe. Please ensure replacement of defective parts with only genuine parts available with authorized dealers only.