Car knowledge is the best weapon when you’re looking to buy a new car (especially for the first time), it’s simply not enough that you have the money and you know how to drive. Quite frankly, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once you drive that new car off the lot, a multitude of responsibilities will automatically come your way. Hence, being a car owner is so much more than that. Car knowledge is the key!
If your goal is to make the most out of your investment and make your vehicle run smoothly as well as less costly for the longest period of time, then you’d have to be willing to make an effort to constantly learn about your vehicle.
Here are some 5 effective tips so you could easily be one:
Read up!
Whether you prefer reading books, magazines, blogs, or articles, it doesn’t really matter. As long as you take the time and make the effort to read and learn more about your car, then you’re doing fine. Remember that the auto industry is constantly evolving. And it doesn’t mean that once your car is no longer ‘new’, there aren’t new developments about it. You have to keep up with the latest technology, maintenance, and improvements in your specific type of vehicle. And before we forget, never let the thick car manual intimidate you. In fact, reading this cover-to-cover must be your very first step toward car knowledge so, read up!
Build a relationship with your trusted mechanic.
We always say that in car ownership, it’s essential that you find a professional auto mechanic you can trust and rely on for a long period of time. And when you do, build a relationship with him. He (or she) is your partner in keeping your ride in good shape. So communicate with your mechanic constantly – not just in times when you need his services. Have a really good relationship with him to a point wherein you can get his/her advice even if there’s nothing to fix in your vehicle. Having someone like that have your back could really help you save thousands of dollars on repairs over your car’s lifetime. Building a relationship with your trusted mechanic is the best investment you can get as a car owner.
Join car clubs and forums.
When you’re a newbie and you’ve got no experience whatsoever in maintaining a car, it’s also best if you have mates who are more knowledgeable about automobiles. And in cases wherein you have no car enthusiast-friends, then joining car clubs and forums is the way to go. The good thing about this is that, nowadays, you can join clubs and forums that are specific to what brand and model of the car you have. So you basically share the same sentiments and concerns on maintenance, repairs, and modifications. Also, a big plus is that you can score great “in-club” deals and exchanges on some parts and accessories without ruining your budget. Also, in case of an emergency such as a car accident, your fellow club members will be the first ones you can reach out to.
Get your hands dirty.
Many die-hard car lovers will tell you that if you really want to learn that much about your car, you’d have to get your hands dirty. And that’s true. We’re not telling you to just go dig right in even if you have no idea what you’re about to do. What we’re trying to say is, don’t be afraid to experience even the simplest maintenance and repair jobs. Besides, HowStuffWorks, WikiHow, or YouTube is always there to give you a step-by-step guide so you can learn and try to DIY. Our advice is, to start from the most basic car jobs (like changing a tire or checking your oil) then gradually move your way up as you learn from books, videos, and your mechanic for basic to advance car knowledge.
Take time to evaluate your car’s performance and operating costs.
As the years pass and the mileage on your car increases, you’d have to make an effort and time to analyze and evaluate everything so you can adjust your ways accordingly. What we mean is, if for example, you really want to reduce driving expenditure (and feel like you’re failing at it), all you need to do is analyze your costs in the previous year or quarter at the least. The constant process of evaluation will enable you to stay focused on meeting your car maintenance goals regardless of the inevitable wear and tear. As you compare your car’s performance and operating costs from the previous period, you’ll know exactly where you’ve gone wrong and what you’ll have to do next.
Just by following all these tips, you can easily succeed in improving your knowledge, gaining experience, and being a more responsible car owner over time. Always bear in mind that just like taking care of any kind of prized possession, you must really be “in it” to win it. Besides, if you’re persistent and determined to be a knowledgeable car owner, you need not take our word for it. Instead, you’ll simply do everything you can to learn more.