Car Insurance

5 Tips On Driving New Cars

01-06-2016

If you're thinking about investing in a car that is totally brand new, there are a few things you should be aware of first. Not only do you have to make decisions about the type of car you want, you also need to know what you can expect from a new car.

Driving a brand new car is very different from getting behind the wheel of a used one. As well as that new car smell, the amazing feel of a car that has only been driven by you and the immaculate look of your car, your car also needs breaking in.

While advances in manufacturing and engineering mean that you don't need to be as careful with brand new cars as you had to be even five years ago, they do require extra care for the first few thousand miles.

Here is what you should remember:

1. Handling will feel different at first

It is important to remember that when you first start driving your car, the handling will feel very different from when you have broken it in a bit. This is partly due to the fact that your tyres will be coated with a thin oil-like substance, which is a result of the new rubber and the release agent used on the tyre mould.

The coating can take some time to wear off completely. In the meantime, the grip of your tyres may not be what you are used to, especially in wet weather, so extra care is needed. You'll also find that the car feels different just because it is a totally different car. As with any car, you simply need to get used to driving it, at which point you'll know exactly how it handles.

2. Start off easy

You should avoid putting your new car through its paces too heavily to start with - no matter how tempting it might be. This is because you need to allow all of the components to bed-in, which will ensure the optimal driving experience and avoid anything going wrong.

Slow, leisurely driving is the best option for a while. This is especially important for your breaks, which need to bed-in to ensure the best possible performance. Starting off easy also ensures you get used to your car before really giving it a workout, which can avoid accidents.

3. Avoid putting the pedals to the metal

Another part of easing your car into driving is to avoid harsh acceleration and heavy braking. Stick to lower speeds and get to grips with your brakes before you put your new car in a situation that might require faster speeds and the possibility of heavy braking.

This will keep the engine running smoothly and help make sure you don't have an accident or injure yourself while driving. It also means you aren't labouring your engine, which isn't a good idea if your car is fresh off the production line.

4. Check your oil regularly

While you need to check your oil regularly no matter what car you drive or how long you've had it, you should do this once a week if your car is brand new. As your car is new, you won't know how much oil it goes through, so checking the levels and refilling as and when will help avoid damage caused by low oil levels.

You may find that the first 6,000 miles or so result in higher oil consumption. This should slow down a bit as you go on driving, especially if you've followed the steps on easing your car into driving. It is also important that you check the coolant levels of your engine, which can experience similar consumption.

5. Watch your engine speed

As well as keeping your driving speed reasonably low when you start travelling in your new car, you should also keep an eye on your engine speed. Diesel engines shouldn't exceed 3,000 rpm for the first 1,000 miles, but they should reach this level regularly.

Petrol engines also shouldn't go over 3,000 rpm but only for the initial 500 miles. After this point, you can take the engine up to 4,000 rpm, making sure that you regularly reach limits while driving.

Don’t forget about the dangerous foods that you should not be eating when driving, especially if it’s a new car!