Tips For New Car Owners

Buying a car is an exciting and significant milestone in your life and it is important to be prepared. If you are a first time car owner, there are some important things that you need to know in order to maximize your safety and minimize costs. Make sure you do a lot of research before deciding on a car so that you get the best one for your needs. Check out the Wrench blog for advice on choosing the right car for you. Once you have found the perfect car and brought it home, you want to make sure that you are prepared to be the best driver on the road. Follow these Wrench tips for new car owners to ensure that you are well informed and prepared for anything.

• Know your insurance options. Do some research before you decide on insurance because different companies will give you different quotes based on a variety of factors. There are tools online that can help you compare car insurance companies so that you do not find yourself stuck in a sub-par plan.
• Read your owner’s manual. The owner’s manual has a lot of important information regarding safety features, tire pressure levels, and your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Staying up to date on your owner’s manual is one of the best things you can do for your car in the long run. The Wrench blog has lots of other great articles regarding car maintenance and how to know when it is time to get your car serviced, so be sure to keep an eye on your car as you start to put miles on it.
• Stay up-to-date on your maintenance schedule. This is especially important if you are a new used car owner because the car will already have some miles on it. Follow the maintenance plan in the owner’s manual when it comes time to get your oil changed, fluids refilled, or brakes replaced. Doing so can save you a lot of time and money down the road, so it is best not to skimp out on repairs.
• Get your car washed. This may seem like a silly piece of advice, but it is one of the best things you can do to ensure your car lives a long and happy life. Washing your car regularly helps prevent dirt and rust from building up on the exterior and underside of your car, which could lead to costly repairs.
• Drive safely and efficiently! This one definitely seems obvious, but it is still important to note. Not only do you want to be the safest driver on the road, having good driving habits can also protect your car. Accelerating and braking quickly adds unwanted stress to the car and minimizes fuel efficiency. Not only are you saving money, but you also reduce your risk of being pulled over!
• Find a great mechanic. At Wrench, we build life-long relationships with our customers so we can help them with any of their service needs. If you are buying a used car, be sure to schedule a pre-purchase inspection with a Wrench mobile technician, who can tell you if you are getting a fair price on the vehicle and whether there is any internal damage. For more information on Wrench used car inspections, click here. Having a reliable mechanic will also come in handy when scheduling regular tune-ups and service checks because the mechanic will understand your car and what needs to be done.
• Have an emergency kit on hand. This is a great way to ensure that you stay prepared for any situation you may face. Some important items to keep in the car at all times are (obviously) the spare tire, a whistle, blanket, flashlight, granola bars, car jack, bottle of water, and a portable phone charger.
• Keep track of your tire pressure. Underinflated tires put unnecessary pressure on your car, minimize fuel efficiency, and wear the tires faster. This is an easy maintenance task you can perform and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Always have your car documents handy. Make sure your car’s registration certificate and proof of  insurance are in the car at all times because you will be required to show them if you get pulled over, get in an accident, etc. Save all of your car’s service receipts for future reference as well as the title certificate (at home where it cannot get lost or stolen). It is also important to make sure your car has tags that are up-to-date, as this is something that a police officer will not hesitate to give you a ticket for even if you get pulled over for something else.

There are lots of things to be thinking about as a new car owner, and it may be easy to get overwhelmed, but you have to remind yourself that owning a car is a big responsibility. You are in complete control of a large piece of machinery and you do not want to jeopardize your safety or the safety of anyone else on the road. Wrench is here to take as much of the new car owner's stress away so you can enjoy the freedom of driving wherever you want, whenever you want. If you have any other questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.