As a first-time car owner, I was so excited with the whole reality of owning my first car, yet I was also anxious with the idea of bringing home something that signifies a milestone in my life. My excitement overpowers my anxiousness, yet I knew I should have learned more about owning a car before actually purchasing one.
Aside from learning the importance of car registration and licensing, I also need to learn how to maintain it and keep it from encountering mechanical troubles and issues. As a first-time car owner, here are a few things that I wish I knew before purchasing my vehicle:
- There’s more to having a car than just driving it.
More than cruising around and going anywhere, owning a car means being responsible enough to learn road signs and etiquette. Regardless if I am a car enthusiast or one that simply wants to have the luxury of owning a car, I need to have an idea of how to interact with fellow car owners and drivers to avoid accidents and road mishaps.
- Knowing how to drive does not equate to knowing how to park.
Driving a long, straight road is a breeze; however, anxiousness arises when I have to park my vehicle. I have to consider various factors to make sure that I park my car correctly. I have it in my mindset that I should park without inconveniencing other parked vehicles or drivers while at the same time keeping my car out of harm’s way.
- There is a rabbit hole for car accessories and tools.
There are numerous options for car accessories and tools. It is easy to get swayed with the promotional materials. Aside from researching these car accessories, I also spoke with other drivers and asked them about their first-hand experience with these accessories.
An item that stood out from their recommendation is car shades. There may be times when I have to park my vehicle in an unshaded area, and having this auto accessory is helpful to protect my vehicle from the harmful rays of the sun.
- It is better to prevent issues from happening than to address them when they are already existing.
I should have known that before purchasing my car, I also needed to allocate emergency funds in case I encountered troubles and issues.
Apart from purchasing accessories and tools, maintaining a good relationship with my mechanic is also important. I find it comforting to have someone to call on whenever I have questions about my car. My mechanic gives me good advice on doing preventive maintenance checks to avoid car troubles from worsening. When the need arises, I am keeping my options open to these sustainable options for car part replacements.
- The topic on car improvement is unending.
What I can do with my car is limitless as long as it does not disrupt the system in place for the car to function. I can customise my car and make it my own style, but I have to be cautious about safety and maintenance.
If you are about to buy your car, you should keep in mind your primary goals and values. Be guided by these goals so you should not be distracted by the different trends and options available. Your goal should include optimising your car’s usage to keep it from depreciating faster.
