Whether you buy a brand-new vehicle or a new “used” vehicle, it’s usually a pretty hefty investment. Naturally, you’ll want to take good care of your new car, even more sore if you intend to use it as a taxi. Experts recommend that you start as you mean to finish – in other words, the best time to start taking care of your vehicle is as soon as possible after your purchase. To make things easier, here’s a checklist of things to do after buying a vehicle.
Make a Maintenance Log
It’s important to keep track of all your maintenance visits and repairs. This not only helps you to know when it’s time for another maintenance visit; it will also prove to any potential future buyers that you’ve taken excellent care of your vehicle. It’s also a good record to have in case you need to prove maintenance and upkeep for the purposes of a manufacturer’s warranty. You can buy premade maintenance logbooks anyplace they sell auto parts. You can also just make your own out of any small notebook that fits in your glove box. Try to find a notebook that includes pockets where you can store receipts for services that you get for your vehicle.
Register Your Vehicle
Make sure that your ownership is on file with the maker of the vehicle. This way, you’ll be notified if there are any recalls or other information that’s pertinent to the safe operation of the vehicle. You’ll also be notified when the car manufacturer comes out with new models of that particular make. This can be helpful in case you’d like to upgrade to a newer model in the future.
Personalize Your Vehicle
Most people spend hundreds of hours in their vehicle every month, but few take the time to personalize it. Why not make your vehicle feel more like it reflects your needs and personality by adding some special touches? Here are some ideas to consider:
Personalize the Scent
An easy way to personalize the scent in your vehicle is to use little tree air fresheners. These come in a wide range of attractive scents like leather, pine and lemon that can reflect your personal style.
Add Seat Covers
Seat covers come in different colors and patterns and they can really make your car’s interior much more interesting looking. You can also get heated seat covers that make your ride more comfortable in colder months. Finally, there are beaded seat covers that offer therapeutic benefits for drivers with chronic back pain.
Now that you have a new vehicle—or at least one that’s new to you—use this checklist to ensure you get the most out of owning your vehicle. The more you do to care for your vehicle, like using little tree air fresheners, the more you’ll be able to rely on it to take care of you!
