| When one buys a new car, there are many | | | | employ low to medium level of acceleration, |
| features to be enjoyed: its smell, the smooth | | | | maintaining the engine’s rpm under 3,000 |
| ride, the shiny look and so forth. As a result, the | | | | during the initial hours of using the car. Since the |
| buyer may want to drive it often and show it off | | | | engine is the heart of the car, there is need to do |
| to his or her friends. Unfortunately, the features | | | | everything possible to ensure that it remains in |
| of the new car do not last, the quality | | | | good condition and that it does not develop a |
| progressively declines and the car becomes a | | | | problem that warrants costly repair. Although |
| good old friend! If the car is not maintained | | | | today’s cars do not have controls that need |
| appropriately during the initial days of buying it, its | | | | a lot of maintenance, the owner has to maintain |
| good features disappear even faster and it may | | | | regular checkups of parts that need |
| look old within months- something that will | | | | maintenance. |
| definitely not please the owner. Many things should | | | | One important thing that will keep a new car in |
| be observed and done to keep the car new. The | | | | good condition is checking of oil and oil filters. Most |
| most important aspect of maintenance of the car | | | | car manufacturers recommend that the two |
| lies in the car’s manual. In the manual, the | | | | features be changed for each 7,500 miles |
| user will find the car manufacturer’s | | | | covered or within a six-month period of driving |
| prescribed maintenance program. However, this is | | | | under “normal conditions”. Therefore, it is |
| based on “normal driving” on clean, | | | | advisable to change the oil and oil filters within |
| smooth roads. One needs to go further since | | | | shorter durations such as three months or 3,000 |
| many roads are dusty, bumpy or potholed. | | | | miles of distance covered. If this is done, there will |
| The owner needs to be patient in first days of | | | | be no need to worry about the life of the engine. |
| using the car or the break-in time. This is | | | | Many other things are important to maintain the |
| particularly the period within which the car covers | | | | car in its “new” condition. The car user |
| the first 1600 km. Even as the car buyer uses | | | | should avoid rapid wear and tear by ensuring that |
| the manufacturer’s manual, there is need to | | | | the car is accelerated slowly and also refrain from |
| keep driving at speeds below 88 kmph or 55 | | | | leaving it idle when the engine is on. When the |
| mph. Alternatively, the owner may use the speed | | | | engine does not operate at its optimum |
| recommended by the manufacturer. Additionally, | | | | temperature, incomplete combustion of fuel |
| it is important to avoid weighty loads such towing | | | | occurs, which leads to deposition of soot around |
| or overloading the roof rack. During the break-in | | | | cylinders and other parts, as well as contamination |
| time, one should avoid leaving the car idle for | | | | of the existing fuel. A new car owner can do |
| considerable periods. This is important for the | | | | many things to keep the car new, but the listed |
| car’s long life since idling prevents circulation | | | | points are very useful for the first few months |
| of oil in various engine parts, thus developing | | | | that the car is used. |
| mechanical problems. Most importantly, one has to | | | | |