Owning Your First Car
Getting your first car or being a first-time car owner is a big moment in anyone’s life. Suzuki Gaborone is here to assist you in making that big decision.
It is a great achievement, but can also be quite daunting. This checklist gives you everything you need to know about owning your first car. From budgeting for fuel and insurance excess to what to look out for if you believe your car isn’t performing as it should – don’t worry, Suzuki Gaborone have you covered!
THE REAL COSTS:
Many first-time car buyers only focus on the price of the vehicle and get quite a shock when they find out there are many other costs involved.
Some of the costs you’ll encounter when buying your first car:
INSURANCE
It is important to shop around for insurance. Don’t just choose the first insurance company you find. Try choosing insurance that offers good value for money and includes emergency cover such as roadside assistance in the case of a breakdown.
TRACKING
Your car should never leave the Suzuki dealership without a tracking unit. Unfortunately, hijacking and car theft is a reality and ensuring your tracking unit is working properly could help authorities find your vehicle in the unfortunate event that it is stolen.
FUEL
When drawing up a budget for purchasing your car, you need to keep fuel prices in mind. A car that consumes less fuel not only saves you money but also saves the environment. You will need a flexible fuel budget as petrol prices increase and decrease regularly. Always have your car serviced regularly to maintain your car’s fuel efficiency.
Whether you’ve decided to go with diesel or petrol for your first car, it’s important that you fill up with the right fuel. The correct kind of fuel will be your engine’s best friend, while the wrong kind can be its worst enemy and cause a lot of damage.
READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL
No car is the same despite having some similarities with other cars. Make sure to read the owner’s manual before hitting the road on your own, or you might press a button or flip a switch you regret. The manual should always remain in your car.
KEEPING TO THE SERVICE SCHEDULE
Car maintenance and care go beyond ensuring that your tyre pressure is right and taking your new baby for a valet. Daily use of your car means that you need to stick to the servicing schedule provided by your Suzuki dealership. Sticking to the service schedule could be the difference between a small repair job or having to fork out thousands for a more serious issue.
Servicing your car on a regular basis has many benefits, one such benefit is prolonging the life of your engine. Do you need to have your Suzuki serviced? We’ve got you covered, simply leave us your details and we’ll call you back.
YOUR FIRST ACCIDENT
We all know that accidents happen, no matter how experienced you are on the road. Staying calm in your first minor accident or ‘bumper bash’ is important. Therefore collecting the details of the other driver and taking photos of all the damage caused is the most important step to take.
YOUR CAR NEEDS TO GO IN FOR REPAIRS
Apart from getting involved in an accident, minor or major, your car can show signs of underlying issues. Hopefully, with a brand new car, you won’t experience any issues in the first year.
However, second-hand cars, depending on how old they are and how they were treated by previous owners may encounter more issues than a new car.
Other than the warning lights you would see on your dashboard, you need to look out for strange smells or sounds. This could be squealing brakes and leaking of any fluid like oil or coolant. You might notice transmission issues such as trouble shifting gears or a burning smell. Keep an eye, ear, and nose out for any of these signs.
Owning a new car doesn’t have to be daunting. With proper care, you and your new baby will see many years together. Been thinking of what car to choose as your first? How about the Suzuki Dzire as a good first choice.