Owning a car is a big responsibility for both new and seasoned drivers. In order to reduce stress further down the line, there are a few key things every driver should know. Luckily, these necessary basics are pretty easy to find out!
Learn the basics of maintenance. That means checking things the oil brake fluid, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid. Even better, learn to jump your car in case the battery dies and replace a tire. Everything you learn becomes a tool in case of emergency. Why not invest a little bit of time for less of a headache later on?
Find your car’s manual and read it. Read it again! Put it in a place where you can easily locate it again. Why? There is a lot of information specifically for your make, model, and year. Your manual will tell you which maintenance tasks should be prioritized, as well as how often those things should be addressed. Some critical ones to keep in mind are oil changes, wiper blade replacement, filter changes, fluid flushes, and when to get new tires. In addition, it will tell you what each light on the dash indicates.
Know where your personal identification is, who your insurance provider is, and where the documentation for insurance and registration is stored at. It’s simple enough to keep it in your car, and that will certainly do the job. But in the case of an emergency, the last thing you want to do is have to go digging through the glove box, center console, and through all the other cubbies and pockets your car has just to find it. Do yourself a favor, and keep it in one spot so that you can find it and reach it easily.
Put an emergency kit in your trunk. Jumper cables, a flashlight, spare tire, and a first aid kit are incredibly important. Consider also including some weather specific gear like sunscreen, a towel, blankets, umbrellas, etc. Safety first!
Find a reliable, go-to mechanic. Read reviews and shop around until you find one that will work with you, be direct about the reality of your vehicle’s state of repair, and has the expertise and equipment to take care of your car. Fortunately, know just the place to start! Come see us at Robert’s Collision & Repair. We would love the opportunity to show you what we can do. Once you’ve gone to Robert’s Collision and Repair, you won’t want to go anywhere else!