Congratulations! You finally decided to buy the used car you’ve been looking for. Now that you have it in your hands, we want you to be a responsible car owner. We know buying a car is an exciting process. However, sometimes we’re just so wrapped up in the excitement that we don’t spend time taking a look at important details. There’s a high amount of sacrifice that is poured into the process of buying a car. Especially if you’re on a budget and need to get value for your money. This is why taking care of your used car can be overwhelming if you don’t have the correct information.
You don’t need to be an expert in mechanics and car maintenance. We think it’s important to just make sure you know the basics for your car. You know, oil changes, tire pressure, air filters, among other things. We’ve gathered a short list of 5 basic things that you should know about your used car. We hope it can help you be on top of everything and keep your car in a perfect condition.
Year, Make, and Model of your Used Car
As unbelievable as it sounds, there are many people who don’t know or often forget this information. Making a mistake on the year or the model of your used car can be very dangerous. This can ultimately affect the parts and accessories that are used to repair or maintain your car. Also, fluids that are used to maintain your vehicle can change from one year to another. Hence, this is critical information that you need to know in order to keep your car running smoothly and properly.
VIN Number
Your car’s Vehicle Identification Number or VIN is the most important information you’ll need to know. Don’t worry, we know it is a long number and it could be a hard task to memorize it. So you don’t need to know it by heart. However, you do need to know where to find it. This number is like your car’s fingerprint. It basically contains all the information and history of your used car. You can easily find the VIN number on the corner of the driver’s side dashboard.
Further Reading
- How to Choose the Right Used Hyundai for Sale
- Used Ford Car for Sale: How to Choose the Right One
- Quick and Helpful Maintenance Hacks for Used Cars
Maintenance Schedule
This is the best way to keep your car running smoothly for a longer period of time. And of course, this will make all the time and money worth it. Maintenance is also something that can vary from one model to another in any used car. Usually, every car has a maintenance manual and schedule that comes with the owner’s manual. Following it is helpful in order to maintain the used car with optimal performance. You should know when to make oil changes and to rotate tires, amongst other things.
Tire Pressure
The majority of car owners ignore the importance of keeping tires with the proper tire pressure. You shouldn’t wait until you see the light on the dashboard or until it’s time to go fill up the gas tank. Checking your tire pressure must be a regular task on your list. Ignoring this task will most probably lead to a flat tire, a blow out, or tires that just wear out faster. Replacing tires can be very expensive, but you can avoid this by maintaining them in good condition.
When filling your tires with air, make sure you don’t overfill them either. Every car model has a specific amount of air required for its tires. You can find this information in the owner’s manual or in the driver’s side of the car. Keep this in mind when checking pressure and filling tires with air.
Dashboard and Engine Light
This is also something some car owners decide to ignore. We know, sometimes life is a little bit hectic and there’s no time. However, it is crucial that you keep an eye on anything on your dashboard that lights up indicating something. These lights are not the same for every car, so you should also check the owner’s manual to see what they mean. Usually, when it’s something that needs to be addressed urgently, the lights will turn red. When the lights turn yellow it mostly means that you should check on it soon. This is why it’s so important to keep up with the maintenance schedule.
Ultimately, knowing about these 5 basic parts of your used car will be very helpful for any car owner. This will help you maintain your car in optimal condition and performance. It will also help you avoid any unwanted or unscheduled maintenance expenses.
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