Your driver’s license will give you independence and an entirely new way of traveling. No coursework can teach you how to maintain your car, whether you get your license as an adult or after you’ve completed driver education classes in high school.
The driving courses cover the traffic laws of the state and how to operate the vehicle, but not auto maintenance. This is a topic that a new driver should study. They can study independently. This article is a general overview of the topic, highlighting the most important aspects of maintaining your car. The article will begin with customizing your car, and then move onto insuring it and taking care of it.
Vehicle Accessories
A complete auto maintenance manual would not be complete without a section about using auto accessories to customize your vehicle. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket auto accessories are the two options available to vehicle owners. OEM parts are made by the same company who makes a vehicle, such as a truck, van, SUV or car. The OEM parts are made specifically for the model and make of the vehicle.
Aftermarket parts are different because an auto accessory manufacturer makes a part, which the customer then modifies to fit his vehicle. OEM truck covers, for example, are only made to fit a specific vehicle, like a Ford F-150. A truck bed cover from an aftermarket would fit any truck, but the customer would have to trim it to fit. The result is an imperfect fit, and the bed cover will not be watertight because of this.
You can purchase OEM parts at the service center of your local dealership, whether you buy a new vehicle or a used one. If the dealership does not have a service center in your area, they can order the parts for you. Some parts can be warrantied better if they are installed at a service center by a factory-trained technician.
New vehicles often offer trim packages and options that let the customer customize his or her vehicle before driving it home. You can add parts to a used vehicle, whether they are OEM or aftermarket. Installing the parts by a technician at a dealership service centre ensures you keep your vehicle warranty.
Car Maintenance
The next step in complete auto maintenance comes from daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance, plus manufacturer-recommended maintenance visits. This is based on how long the vehicle has been in service or the miles driven. Maintenance might be required after 20,000 miles, or a year of driving. Manufacturers now include up to three years’ worth of maintenance with the purchase of new vehicles.
Auto repair is not included in maintenance plans, but vehicle owners can bring their vehicles to a dealer service center for these repairs. The auto owner pays for this type of repair or their auto insurance covers it. We’ll discuss this in the next section.
A typical auto body shop, except for dealership service centres, only repairs exterior damage. A mechanic’s workshop is usually focused on the repair of mechanical and electrical parts. If a vehicle owner doesn’t have a nearby dealership, they will usually use two automotive shops to repair their vehicle.
Car Insurance
This would not be a complete guide to auto maintenance if it didn’t include auto insurance coverage. Every state in the U.S. requires that its drivers purchase auto insurance. Some states require personal injury protection coverage (PIP), but most only mandate liability insurance. The state’s laws will determine which coverage you need.
Find out what coverage and level of protection your state requires by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each state has different requirements for auto insurance. In Oklahoma, for example, drivers must carry bodily injury insurance in the amount $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident, and property damage coverage of $25,000 each accident. In Florida, drivers are only required to have a $10,000 bodily injury coverage.
But it’s not a good idea to buy only what your state requires. Most states don’t require coverage to cover the medical costs of drivers or vehicle damages. You will be responsible for all vehicle damages if you select only the minimum coverage. This could cost you thousands of dollars.
Get quotes from several auto insurance companies on full coverage. This is the term used for an auto insurance policy that covers all types of coverage. Full coverage is a policy that includes bodily injury, property damages, comprehensive, collision and roadside assistance in most states. However, some states include uninsured drivers and PIP. Full coverage may cost more, but it is worth it in the event that you are injured or damage your vehicle in an accident.
Consider the coverage that each type provides.
- In the event that you are at fault for an accident, bodily injury will pay for any medical expenses and/or funeral costs incurred by other injured parties.
- If you cause an accident, your personal property will pay for auto repairs on another person’s car.
- Uninsured motorist protection pays for your medical costs and property damage in the event that another person causes an accident and damages you or your property, but does not have insurance.
- The collision coverage pays for damage to your car caused by an accident involving only one vehicle, such as when you collide with a fence or a dog running in front of your car. Deer are notorious for not having insurance, and they often cause vehicle damage.
- Coverage for damage caused to your car by perils such as fire, vandalism or hurricane.
- The PIP pays for your medical expenses if you are involved in an accident involving one or more vehicles.
- The dispatches of roadside assistance help you anywhere your vehicle breaks down. You are covered when driving someone else’s car or a rental.
You are covered in every circumstance if you have full coverage. You can get health care coverage if you are injured, as well as repairs or replacements of your vehicle if it is stolen.
Minor Repairs
You ask: How do you handle minor repairs? As mentioned above, the best place to go for complete auto maintenance is your local dealership. Toyota is the best place to go for mechanics if you need Toyota repairs. You can still learn how to maintain your car if you don’t have a Toyota dealership nearby. Take a course at a vocational school near you or online.
Ensure that self-maintenance will not invalidate your warranty. Verify that taking your vehicle to an auto body shop in your area will not affect the warranty. If the repair is minor, like a minor dent, any auto body shop will be able to fix it.
Theft Protection
Installing theft-deterrent technology can lower your premiums, even if you have comprehensive coverage. Installing a car alarm, The Club steering wheel lock and auto anti-theft GPS tracking is a great way to maintain your vehicle. These technologies alert you and others in your immediate vicinity when a vehicle thief approaches. Install these devices by your local mechanic to maximize the impact on your insurance rates.
Truck Maintenance
A complete auto maintenance manual would not cover all aspects of car care without a section about trucks. Why? Trucks are different from sedans, sport cars, SUVs and vans in that they have a variety of fuel options, including diesel engines. Diesel engines require different maintenance than vehicles that use gasoline.
In recent years, many automakers began manufacturing electric trucks like the F-150 Lightning. If you are looking for local truck repair in a place without a dealer service center, make sure that the mechanics can work on any truck engine. They should be able to service both heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles.
Even larger trucks like semi trucks and chassis cab trucks require regular auto maintenance. Mechanics who service these commercial vehicles are usually not able to service other vehicles. You can ask the dealer where you bought the truck for recommendations of mechanics.
How To Maintain Your Vehicle Properly
Automakers prevent us from providing a complete universal auto maintenance guide. Some parts are manufactured by each automaker, while others are purchased from other manufacturers. It’s for this reason that you may find a Chevy motor in a car from another manufacturer.
Each automaker has its own ideal schedule based on typical wear and tears of the standard parts in each vehicle. A Lexus engine that uses 0w-20 lubricant needs to be changed every 10,000 miles, or every 12 months, depending on which comes first. A Lexus with engines that use 5w-20 oil will need to have its oil changed more frequently – every six months, or 5,000 km, whichever is first.
In the owner’s manual, you will find the recommended maintenance schedule. The best result for your car is to follow it diligently. Learn how to perform essential weekly maintenance such as checking the oil level in your vehicle and adding new oil when it runs out. Check the PSI before every road trip, and at least once a week. But, inspect your vehicle visually before you drive it, even for a few blocks to the corner shop.
Accident Lawyers
Car accident attorneys can assist you in obtaining funds for repairs to your vehicle if it is damaged by an accident. These lawyers are usually personal injury attorneys who maintain a subspecialty on auto accidents or trucking accidents. Accidents involving semi-trucks or commercial vehicles are governed by different laws than accidents involving private vehicles. Contact a trucking accident attorney if you are involved in an incident involving a semi or commercial truck.
Personal injury attorneys handle all other types of accidents. Attorneys in this category can also be specialized. Specializations include bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Personal injury lawyers will contact the insurance company for the person who caused the accident, and process the paperwork required to get you a settlement. If necessary, they will also file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. This usually happens when the person at fault does not have insurance or has too little, or their insurance company pays out to their maximum policy limit but not your medical and property damages. The statute of limitations is a state law that limits the time a person has to file a lawsuit after being injured.
The majority of drivers carry only the minimum amount of insurance. However, it is not enough to cover a serious accident. Even a minor injury that results in a weekend hospital stay can cost more than a person’s minimum insurance payout. The $8,000 only covers room and board. It does not cover x-rays or the reading of x-rays. It is not uncommon to find a personal injury lawyer that you can trust.
Learn How to Care for Your Automobile
Congratulations on earning your driver’s license! While you now have the freedom to travel independently, responsible vehicle ownership extends beyond simply knowing the rules of the road. Regular auto maintenance is essential to keeping your car running smoothly and safely. By understanding basic upkeep, such as checking fluid levels, monitoring tire pressure, and recognizing warning signs, you can prevent costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns.
In addition to learning minor maintenance tasks, finding a reliable mechanic or dealership service center is equally important. Certified professionals can handle more complex repairs, routine inspections, and manufacturer-recommended maintenance. Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule, whether for oil changes, brake checks, or tire rotations, will help extend the lifespan of your vehicle and keep it operating at peak efficiency.
Taking good care of your car not only saves you money in the long run but also ensures a safer driving experience for you and others on the road. A well-maintained vehicle is more fuel-efficient, performs better in various driving conditions, and retains its resale value. By staying proactive and informed about your car’s needs, you’ll enjoy the benefits of smooth, hassle-free driving for years to come.