What Should You Do After Buying a Used Car?

Buying a vehicle is an exciting experience, but have you stopped to think what to do after buying a used car? There are certain basics that one ought to know when it comes to maintaining your car and keeping it in a good condition. A vehicle is a machine that needs constant maintenance in order to prolong its life span and really see your money’s worth. Below, we look at 3 of the most important parts of car to check that are not only what you should do when you buy a used car, but what you should do regularly to keep in in top shape.

3 Important Things to Check on Your Car Regularly

1. Engine Oil

Before you switch on your car ignition, it is very important to first of all check the level of engine oil in the engine. You can check the status of your oil with the dipstick, which is marked to show where the appropriate level of the oil should be. In order to clearly see the level of the oil, remove the dipstick and clean it off and then replace it before pulling it out for the second time. Upon pulling it out for the second time, check to make sure that the oil is within the limits and is not dark in colour or viscous. Dark engine oil always signifies over usage and it’s always important to replenish it with new oil.

Engine motor oil, also sold on BE FORWARD Auto Parts,

Engine oil should be changed based on the car manufacturer’s recommendations, and this information can normally be indicated in the car owner’s manual. Typically, this can be done between 3,000 to 10,000 miles. Another fluid that can be regularly checked is the coolant or anti-freeze, as the coolant plays a very important role of preventing the car from overheating. You can actually monitor the temperature gauge on the dashboard. In instances when you are experiencing overheating of the engine you should always stop driving your vehicle so it can cool down and consider changing the coolant. If that does not sort the problem then it’s advisable to check all tubing and pipes for leakages.

2. Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is also another fluid that one ought to pay attention to. This fluid is very important and it’s one of the safety features of the car, as without the fluid the hydraulic brake system cannot operate. Always ensure that this fluid is flushed out and replenished with new fluid as most people tend to forget about replacing it from time to time.

Checking brake fluid, which is also sold on BE FORWARD Auto Parts.

Washer fluid is also vital in that it keeps your field of vision clear when driving and this needs to be replenished from time to time. Apart from that, it really helps in off road trips as different types of weather come with different challenges in terms of rains, snow, dirt and mud. That brings also the issue of always ensuring that wiper blades are also in good condition.

Related Post: Top 5 Vehicles With Low Maintenance Costs

3. Tire Pressure, Sounds & Smells

Another issue that we normally forget to check every morning when rushing to work or some places is car tire pressure. Tire pressure is very important in that it affects not only your speed but also the fuel consumption of a vehicle increases with an inflated tire, as the engine always burns more fuel with inflated tires than at normal pressure.

Checking tire pressure. Tires are also sold on BE FORWARD Auto Parts.

Additionally, paying particular attention to how your vehicle sounds and feels is also very important as there is almost always something wrong whenever there is a change of sound. There are typically signs of a problems whenever a dashboard light comes on or you notice a leak or smoke. Strange or unusual smells can also alert you to potential issues and should be addressed as soon as possible.

When to Buy a Used Car

If you discover that your car, even despite maintenance and replacing parts, seems to be at the point of no return, you may need to consider buying a good quality used car to replace it. When is the best time to buy a used car? With BE FORWARD, anytime! If you’re after the best deals, check out BE FORWARD’s daily deals or regularly updated campaign page. You can also click or tap the button below to browse BE FORWARD’s entire stock list to find the best used car for you.

Browse Low-Cost Used Cars Now

This article is written by BE FORWARD Supporters ID 235466 Mutimba Musonda in Zambia from his experience. What is BE FORWARD Supporters? Click here to join!

2 thoughts on “What Should You Do After Buying a Used Car?”

  1. Hello,
    Can you tell me how to get my Smart car started when the keys light is coming on the dash board?
    Thank you,
    Hellen.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.