Four Things All New Car Owners Need To Know

Here at The Driving Force, we want to provide our students with as much information as possible to make their driving adventures safe. Once you’ve finally passed your test, with the help of a great driving instructor in Coventry, you’ll finally be on the road to getting your very own car. This is always an exciting time in any driver’s life, so we’ve compiled a list of things that new car owners need to know to ensure their cars are kept in perfect condition for their driving.

Changing Tyres

You should always have a spare tyre available just in case something goes wrong when you are driving. Learn how to change the tyre, which can be done by consulting a mechanic or using any of the numerous tutorial videos that are floating around the web. You should also understand the signs of wear and tear that typically develop in tyres that need changing. Check for the tread starting to get shallower than it should be and keep an eye out for cracks and other signs of damage on the tyres.

How To Jump-Start The Car

The battery in your car is not infallible and it is often going to be hard to tell when it is struggling to give you the juice that you need to drive. If the battery fails, you should always have a pair of jumper cables handy, allowing you to receive get help from a fellow driver so that you can get up and running again. Of course, you must also look to replace your battery should it die on you, as the boost from a jump-start won’t last forever.

Checking Tyre Pressure

It is important that you ensure the pressure in your tyres is maintained at the proper levels, so check regularly. An under-inflated tyre will lead to more wear and tear, plus sluggish handling. Over-inflation may cause the tyre to become more sensitive and less able to handle bumps in the road or other issues. Check your vehicle manual to see what the ideal pressure for your tyres should be and make sure to maintain it. Use a tyre gauge to check the pressure, ideally once every couple of weeks just to be sure.

Check Your Oil

Your dipstick is going to prove handy for checking your oil, so make sure you always have it handy for when it is needed. Your oil is there to lubricate the engine and make the car run smoothly, so if you’re running low you’re going to find the car becomes less efficient and you will often note a burning smell as well. To check the oil, take the car for a quick spin to warm it up and then use your dipstick. There should be markings on the stick that indicate the level where the oil should be at. If yours is below that level, give it a refill so that your engine stays fully-lubricated. Make sure you have a clean cloth handy to wipe the dipstick as well, allowing you to take an accurate reading.