If you’re getting ready to purchase your first car, you might be wondering if there’s anything you need to prepare beforehand. While there’s plenty of paperwork that you’ll fill out, there are other essential things first-time car owners should know. Here are just a few of them.
How to Contact a Towing Service
No one wants to end up in a situation where they need a car towing service. Having to do that means you are in an extremely inconvenient situation. However, in situations where you find yourself with a vehicle that won’t move for one reason or the other, a tow truck is usually the most practical option. Depending on what’s happening with the car, you can either have it towed to a nearby garage, your home, or another convenient location.
The thing about emergencies is they happen when everyone least expects them, and being prepared always is the key to coming out of those situations smoothly. Knowing how and when to contact a car towing service is, therefore, one of the first things first-time car owners should know.
Before we get to the how part, you need to know which company you should call. Before calling a car towing company, you need to look at their location, prices, and their reviews if you can find any. If they can’t give you an exact cost, you can at least try to get them to give you an estimate based on the distance you are likely to travel.
Another thing you should consider is their method of towing. Most car towing services either use the hook or the flatbed method. Wherever possible, always ask for the flatbed method as it will less likely cause any damage to your car. After you have decided on the service you are using and where your car is going, remove all valuable documents from your car and ensure that the company gives you a receipt for the service.
When to Contact a Lawyer
Having an idea of when to contact a lawyer is one of the first things first-time car owners should know. Some car accidents can be life-altering and so serious that you will know that a lawyer needs to be called as soon as possible. On the other hand, it can sometimes seem as if legal counsel is not needed with smaller wrecks. While they might seem rather straightforward and uncomplicated, even smaller accidents can result in significant and long-term effects. Some of them might even lead to personal injury settlements.
One thing to keep at the back of your mind is that as soon as a car wreck occurs, the clock will start ticking. It’s a countdown until the first initial financial hit that will come your way due to the accident. It can be as a result of injuries or to cover the cost of car repairs. The thing is, you will soon find yourself buried under a pile of bills which will instantly turn into a financial problem, and those can be tricky to solve.
That’s the exact reason why it’s crucial to get in touch with an auto accident lawyer as soon as you can following a car wreck. This ensures that you get proper backup, evidence, and witness accounts that you will need in the future should things turn ugly. It also helps the lawyer to quickly build a strong defense for you. The sooner the lawyer starts working with you, the sooner you can quickly resolve things
Why Glass Repair Is Important
Chipped and cracked windshields and car windows tend to not only be a nuisance, but they can also put your road safety at risk. It is crucial to ensure that you deal with such issues as soon as they occur. A damaged glass will impact your visibility which will diminish your ability to see the road ahead clearly. Furthermore, a chip in your windshield can quickly transform from being a tiny crack to a full shatter as you drive. There is, understanding why glass repair is important is one the most important things first-time car owners should know
There are several perks to finding auto glass repair and getting new windshields. You may come across glass repair companies who will travel to your location at no extra costs and offer to do a pickup and delivery service at a relatively cheap cost. Some of them even provide courtesy cars that you can use as you are being repaired and maintained. Others even go further to install free wiper blades and extend their professional car window tinting services to you as well.
Before your car glass gets repaired, find out what method they will use. Nowadays, there are modern and effective ways to take care of cracks. For instance, they can inject a polymer-based substance that will ensure an invisible and strong repair. If you think the crack is too big, it’s better to opt for a replacement instead. This will ensure the structural integrity of the windshield or window and lower the risk of unexpected shattering.
Auto glass is very important for the structural support of your car as well as your safety and that of your passengers and this is among the top ten things first-time car owners should know. You can do your own research to ensure that the repair method being used will restore the glass’s structural integrity.
The Phone Number for Your Local Locksmith
As a car owner, knowing how to contact a locksmith is things first-time car owners should know. This will ensure that you can easily get the help you need in the case of breakages and key losses. Auto locksmiths are properly trained, skilled, and adequately equipped to deal with any car key problems.
Below are some reasons why having the phone number of your local locksmith can come in handy:
Help in dealing with car lockout incidences
Sometimes you can get locked out of your car because of a damaged central locking system, or you might even lock the car while the keys are inside. In such situations, it is crucial to quickly get in touch with a reliable car locksmith.
Key Replacement
It can be frustrating to lose your car keys, especially if you don’t have a spare set. This means you won’t be able to use your car to go anywhere, and if you don’t have another one, you will be stuck. However, such situations can get resolved quickly if you can contact an auto locksmith. They will be able to get you a new set of keys in no time at all.
Deal with ignition related issues
There are times when your car keys might break off and leave a piece stuck in the ignition. This can be quite difficult to deal with. Even if you have an extra set, you won’t be able to use it. A car locksmith can help you remove that stuck piece and even get you a replacement if you don’t have a spare key.
General maintenance services
When you use your keys daily, they will undergo the normal wear and tear processes after some time. You shouldn’t leave them until they are no longer functional for you to address such issues. You can always get in touch with your locksmith so they can help you maintain your car keys in good shape.
How to Pass Large Vehicles Safely
You should always be extra careful and patient when passing bucket trucks and when they pass you. It takes longer to pass a large vehicle, and you will require more space. This is especially true if you are driving on a two-way road. You need to ensure that the road ahead is clear for a long distance before you start passing a large vehicle. After you pass it, check that it is clear before you go back to your lane. This is one of the most important things first-time car owners should know
When it comes to a large vehicle passing you, keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel. Be aware that the wind gust from a large passing truck can push your car to the side.
Where to Find Certain Engine Components
Knowing where to get engine parts is at the top of the list of things first-time car owners should know. Even if you might not buy on your own, you will need to have a general idea of how much they cost. This will help you estimate the price of repairs. Fortunately, nowadays, the internet is packed full of online stores. A simple google search will tell you where to find bulkhead connectors, spark plugs, engine rings, carburetor, etc. Just keep in mind if you intend to check out the reviews of the store you plan to buy from.
How to Park in a Garage
Learning the garage parking techniques is things first-time car owners should know. The most difficult part of parking in a garage is estimating how much space is available on either side. Learning to adjust this space will take a significant amount of experience.
When parking in a garage, the first thing you want to do is ensure that you always consider Your mirrors. For many drivers, it seems easier to park in a narrow space that doesn’t have walls and an overhead garage door than it does to park in a garage. This is mainly because there is no need to account for side mirrors when parking in a parking lot. However, you will need to account for them in a garage, which is an enclosed space.
Before you start attempting to park in a garage, you might want to do some trial runs outside. Just ensure that you are using a space that has the same size and dimensions as your garage. You can do this by marking your own mock parking space. Be sure to leave enough space as you turn into the mock garage. This method can help you gain more experience and be familiar with how you should approach your garage.
If you keep failing to park properly, it might be time to do some watch practice. Watching someone else park can help you wrap your head around the whole thing and figure it out quicker. You can look at how your neighbor does it when they come back from work. Also, you can just ask someone close to you to demonstrate it for you.
When to Contact a Mechanic
Knowing when to contact a mechanic is one of the most important things first-time car owners should know. Mechanics are professionals who completed years of theory and practicals for them to be able to hold their qualifications. Even though most of them start with a personal interest in cars and engines, they need to eventually go through some training. If you find yourself with a car problem you can’t solve, it’s advisable to call a mechanic as soon as possible. Just keep in mind that even if you know some things about cars, you should leave the mechanic’s technical talk and trust that they know what they are doing. Trying to help a mechanic diagnose a problem is like telling a master welder how to do their job.
Your Car’s Towing Capabilities
Every car has a towing capacity. Knowing the towing capacity of your car is one of the key things first-time car owners should know. This refers to the amount of weight that a car can pull. Exceeding that amount can exert unnecessary stress on your car’s engine and can put your safety and that of your loved ones at risk. The best way to find out your car’s towing capability is to check your car’s weight and that of the trailer. The trailer weight should not be heavier than the car itself. If you are a golf lover, you should therefore consider this before you visit the golf cart dealers and get yourself one. Make sure the weight of the utility trailer and the golf cart does not exceed your car’s weight.
Now that you know a few of these essential tips, you should be ready to hit the road with your first car. Drive safe!
