Common Misconceptions of New Car Owners
Posted on September 30, 2016 You’ve made a choice that provides a higher level of freedom and excitement — you bought a car!! Better yet, you bought a Honda, so you can be confident in its reliability and performance for years to come. As new car owners, all you have to do is put gas in the tank and drive, right? Well, not exactly. New car owners, particularly first-time car owners, don’t realize there’s more responsibility that comes with their purchase. Most avoidable problems due to lack of maintenance on Hondas occur because the owner simply wasn’t aware of their car’s needs.
Here are just a few common misconceptions among new car owners:
“Maintenance is only oil changes.”
That’s false. While changing the engine oil and filter regularly and on time is critical for a long engine life, there’s more to it than just oil changes. Whenever you fuel up your car you should be checking your tire pressures, or at least once a month. At that time, you should also check and top up your fluids, including washer fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid.“My tires are full, so they’re fine.”
That’s not always true. New car owners may not realize that their tires need to be rotated and inspected. Tires should be rotated every 8,000 miles or so for even treadwear. At that time, they should be checked for signs of abnormal wear that could indicate suspension or steering problems. A wheel alignment issue is possible also.“Isn’t that covered by warranty?”
Maintenance is up to the vehicle owner. Oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid maintenance, wheel alignments, and other requirements per your maintenance manual are part of your responsibility as a new car owner. You should also be aware that problems that arise as a result of lack of maintenance could be your responsibility. That’s even while you’re Honda is under warranty. Get to know your new car. You should attend a new car clinic or ask questions if you aren’t sure about your Honda’s maintenance and your part in its long-term operation. Remember that proper maintenance according to Honda’s guide is designed to make your Honda last as long as possible. If you have a question about your Honda’s maintenance or need to schedule an appointment, call one of our service professionals at Jay Wolfe Honda. We’d be happy to walk you through your maintenance requirements and keep your Honda running trouble-free!
