Routine maintenance and general good care are critical to giving your car a very long and useful life. The owner's manual and vehicle maintenance guide say it all. You just have to take them out of the glove box and follow along.
Drive your car with care and treat your new car with respect. Take your time and see how it handles on the road. Avoid aggressive acceleration or slamming on the brakes. This only causes unneeded wear on your transmission, engine, brakes and suspension. It also wastes a lot of gas.
Allow your car to warm up--just a few minutes before you drive off down the road. Don't put your foot on the accelerator during this time, rather, let the car idle. This will also allow time for the oil to reach the cylinders. Your car will appreciate these few minutes to "wake up."
Check the oil and fluid checks and changes regularly. Read what your owner's manual recommends for regular oil changes and do it. You are just asking for maintenance problems if you drive with dirty oil or just ignore that it is past time for an oil change. Don't forget to change the oil filter and to check all those other fluids such as your transmission fluid, brake fluid and even the wiper fluids. A few extra dollars for fluids will more than make up for the hundreds of dollars you will otherwise end up paying in major repairs.
Pay attention to what your owner's manual recommends about routine maintenance. There are all kinds of belts, hoses, brake lines, points and plugs that keep your car running and stopping as it should. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for these and it will save you money and countless headaches dealing with maintenance problems.
Be aware of extreme weather situations. Extreme heat and extreme cold both can cause hardships for your car. Always be prepared for the cold winter months with the manufacturer's recommended antifreeze. Don't forget to take care of the outside and underneath as well if you live where there is ice and snow, as the roads are covered in salt and de-icers. These need to be washed away as weather permits to prevent damage to your car's finish.
Don't get caught with a dead battery. Your owner's manual will let you know about how long to expect your battery to last. Be aware when this time is approaching and replace it a few months early. Purchase the most powerful battery recommended for your car. You'll wish you had when you are stuck on the side of the road with a dead battery.
Use the appropriate fuel for your car. If your owner's manual recommends the mid-grade fuel, NEVER put diesel in your car. If it says put in "mid-grade," then do so. Don't let the fuel level get so far down that you fear running out of gas. This could effect how the engine injects the fuel to run and will eventually cause engine problems.
