How to Maintain a New Car Properly?
3 Answers
New car maintenance includes the following aspects: 1. Tire maintenance. Tire care is very important because the car's tires and rims are the most prone to dirt. Before washing the tires, prepare a brush with a long handle. The brush should not be used on chrome-plated mirror surfaces to avoid leaving obvious scratches. If the tires are not too dirty, general cleaners can be used directly. If there is too much dirt on the tires, professional cleaners should be purchased for cleaning. 2. Car paint maintenance. The effect of glaze sealing usually lasts between 3 months to half a year, while coating lasts more than half a year. It is recommended to perform a second glaze sealing or coating after a certain period to reduce the frequency of car washing. Try to avoid waxing and polishing the vehicle, and promptly remove corrosive substances like bird droppings. The car should be parked in a place away from prolonged sunlight exposure, especially white cars. Avoid using dusters or dry cloths to wipe the car surface directly. It is recommended to rinse the dust off the car surface with water first, then wipe it clean with a clean absorbent cloth. Do not let the car air dry naturally after rinsing. 3. Car interior maintenance. Regularly visit a 4S shop for maintenance of carpets, shoe marks on the lower side of inner door panels, the dashboard, and the roof. Strictly follow the three-step process of dust removal, cleaning, and maintenance to thoroughly clean and maintain the dashboard, roof, seats, floor mats, and inner door panels. 4. Check the engine oil level. The oil level can be checked using the dipstick. If the oil level is between the F and L marks, it is within the normal range. If it is below L, it indicates that the specified type of engine oil should be added. The oil level after topping up should not exceed the F mark. 5. Check for leaks. If the brake fluid is near or below the lower limit, it may indicate a leak in the system or excessive wear of the brake pads. Promptly visit a repair shop for inspection.
New car maintenance is really like taking care of a newborn, requiring careful attention. Every time I get a new car, I pay special attention to the break-in period for the first few months, keeping the RPM absolutely below 3,000 and the speed under 100 km/h on highways. The first maintenance must be done on time, and never miss the free maintenance offered by the 4S dealership—they check details like chassis bolt tightness and tire pressure very thoroughly. I have a daily parking habit: I always avoid parking under trees or near barbecue stalls, as tree sap and cooking fumes are the most damaging to car paint. I never use laundry detergent for car washing; instead, I buy pH-neutral car wash soap and always wax the car after washing, without fail every three months. Here’s a little secret: I always keep a bottle of windshield washer fluid and a tire pressure gauge in the trunk. I check the washer fluid weekly and measure tire pressure monthly—this habit has kept my tires trouble-free for five years. I change the cabin air filter myself using online tutorials, saving quite a bit of money.
The most important thing about new car maintenance is not to be lazy, and never skimp on necessary expenses. I strictly follow the manual, servicing every 5,000 kilometers, using only full synthetic oil—especially crucial for turbocharged cars. I always keep an eye on the dashboard warning lights; if the engine temperature rises, I pull over immediately to check. I never use automatic car washes—those brushes can scratch the paint, which is heartbreaking. When washing the car myself, I pay extra attention to door seams and sunroof tracks, using a small brush to remove dirt and prevent squeaks. For interior cleaning, I avoid chemical sprays—using alcohol wipes for the dashboard and specialized leather conditioner for seats, keeping them looking new even after a year. In summer, I always use sunshades and choose breathable linen steering wheel covers to prevent leather cracks. During maintenance, I’ve also picked up a few tips from the mechanics, like regularly removing rust from brake discs and checking the spare tire’s air pressure in the trunk.
