The car basics - that no one ever told you

Did you know you’re supposed to rotate your front and back wheels to ensure an even wear and tear? Or that you can replace your own wiper blades and change your brake fluid? Here’s some info that new drivers don’t know of, especially when it comes to enjoying/maintaining your car for all it’s worth.

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Did you know that every few months you’re supposed to rotate your front and back wheels to ensure even wear and tear? Or did you know that you can replace your own wiper blades and swap out your own brake fluid? There are many bits of information that new drivers don’t always know about, especially when it comes to enjoying and maintaining your car.

Let’s take things from the head to tail (light) so you can understand why it’s important to pay attention to these finer details. Cars, much like humans, require rest, hydration and great nutrients to keep cruising.

Rest Your Car

The notion that cars need to be warmed up before they are driven is false. It’s 2024 and technology prefers to save us time and fuel. 

Rotate your wheels

Many new drivers don’t know whether they’ve purchased a front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. It’s important to know this because it affects wear and tear with the tyres that take more force wearing out more quickly. If you want your tyres to last longer then rotate them every 8 000 - 13 000 kms. This is a great way to maintain tyres and make them last longer.

What are treads?

These are the rubber soles that outline the rim of a wheel. Over time, treads wear out and tyres need to be replaced. New drivers seldom know the right time to make the change. Here’s a way to use a coin to test your treads without spending a cent. Image Source: Tiresafety.com

Check what goes on under the bonnet

We often ask petrol attendants to check what’s happening under our bonnets but do we understand what they are looking for - and why? It’s more than just oil and water that should be checked  - and by the driver/owner of a vehicle, not just the petrol attendant. Monit long fluids last in your engine to ensure you can plan and budget for when you need to replenish them. Here’s a summary of all the under bonnet necessities you should keep tabs on. 

Replace your own windscreen wipers

There’s no need to wait for your service to give your car some TLC, especially during rainy seasons. Wipers will streak when they are dirty and they will be ineffective when if damaged, leaving you unsafe on the road. Try to clean the blades before you replace them entirely.

Cruise control

Driving isn’t only about getting from point A to point B. There are ways to enjoy your new car while still learning how to drive better. Did you know can change from 3rd to 5th gear, without going into 4th gear in between? This is only advised when you are on a long stretch of road (i.e freeway) and already have ample momentum. The benefit of this is that less petrol is used due to fewer gears being engaged. The same logic applies when changing down gears.

One last thing, the right lane (on any road) is for the fastest drivers. Try not to use it until you’re very confident (and safe) with your style of driving.

Here’s our full eBook Guide to Buying a New Car for more useful and in-depth information on how to maintain and enjoy your first vehicle, irrespective of whether it is brand new or pre-owned. Suzuki loves to share and inform- download our 101 car facts to help keep you informed.