10 Things Every New Car Owner Should Know

19 Apr 2025

Buying a new car is an exciting moment- you get to enjoy the latest in automotive technology, in pristine condition. It’s also a big investment - and one you’ll naturally want to protect. From ‘running in’ your car to essential vehicle maintenance and checks, here are our top new car tips and advice. These are our ten essential new car tips to help your brand-new ride stay functioning as optimally as the day it was purchased.

1. What Should You Do First When Starting a Car?

Starting your new car correctly is key to safely and smoothly driving away. These steps safeguard against stalling, lurching forward, or damaging the gearbox.

• Keep your foot pressed down on the brake pedal.
• Make sure the gear stick is in neutral if it has a manual gearbox, or in park for automatics.
• Turn the key in the ignition or press the start button.
• Wait a moment for the warning lights on the dashboard to turn off.
• In cold weather, allow a few seconds for the engine to warm up slightly before beginning to drive.
• After this point, it is safe to put the vehicle into gear and prepare to pull away.

This process ensures all the vehicle’s systems are fully operational in preparation for you to hit the road.

2. How Many Kilometres Does it Take to Break in a Car?

Breaking in, or running in, a new car involves driving it gently for a period of time. This allows engine components a chance to wear in and adjust to regular use, and so function smoothly and optimally. It’s best to check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, but most recommend a breaking-in period of 1,000-1,500km. During this time:

• Avoid high RPMs- aim to keep revs under 3,500 RPMs.
• Avoid rapid accelerations and braking, instead gradually increasing and decreasing speed.
• Vary driving speed if possible, rather than maintaining constant speed for long periods.
• Avoid heavy loads and rough terrain, as both place increased strain on the engine.

By following these guidelines, you can give your engine’s components a chance to settle, safeguarding their longevity for years to come.

3. How Long Should You Run In a New Car?

Fully breaking in your new car extends beyond the recommended initial running-in period of 1,000-1,500km, up to around 3,000km. After this point, your engine’s moving parts will be properly worn in and smoothly seated together, but until then you should:

• Drive smoothly and gently, avoiding sharp braking and aggressive acceleration.
• Avoid heavy loads, allowing suspension and transmission to adjust naturally.
• Always follow manufacturer recommendations for oil and fuel grades.

Observing these gives your car’s new engine the best opportunity to achieve optimal performance and smooth function, standing it in excellent stead to serve you efficiently now and in the future.

4. What Happens If You Don’t Run in a New Car?

Skipping the breaking-in period with your new car can lead to unnecessary and premature wear-and-tear, and reduced fuel efficiency. By driving too aggressively before your car’s engine is properly run in, you risk:

• Compromising the fit of engine parts, causing increased wear and reducing their durability.
• Improperly seated components like piston rings resulting in increased oil consumption.
• Reduced overall engine efficiency leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced performance.
• Preventable mechanical issues arising long-term, such as reduced power or rough idling.

These problems are costly and inconvenient, and can all be easily avoided by observing a proper breaking-in period. Simply by driving gently for the first 3,000km, you can safeguard the performance and efficiency of your new car long-term. It is well worth your time to do so!

5. Keep a Good Vehicle Maintenance Schedule from the Very Start

From the day you purchase your new car, you should have an idea of its forthcoming service schedule and things to monitor:

• New cars typically need servicing after the first 10,000-15,000km, or after the first year of driving, whichever comes first.
• Most manufacturers recommend your car’s oil and oil filters be changed every six months. Sticking to their prescribed service schedule is essential for maintaining your car’s warranty.
• Follow recommended service intervals for tyre rotations, brake inspections, and transmission fluid checks to keep driving safely and keep your warranty valid.

Establishing a regular service schedule in accordance with your car’s manufacturer’s recommendations is the best way to ensure your car is functioning at its best.

6. Perform Frequent Checks Between Services

Regularly checking things like fluid levels and tyre pressure between services is the best way to spot issues early and prevent more serious problems arising:

• Check oil levels and clarity to see if it needs topping up or if your car needs an oil change before your next service is due. Proper oil levels are essential for reducing wear on the engine and ensuring smooth performance.
• Check coolant levels to prevent excessive heat build-up from damaging components.
• Check brake fluid levels to ensure responsive braking.
• Check tyre pressure, and top up with air if needed to maintain fuel efficiency and responsive handling.

Simply by being vigilant about fluid levels and tyre pressure, you can avoid unnecessary wear-and-tear, and avoid costly repairs further down the line.

7. Understand Your Dashboard Warning Lights

Modern cars have a variety of dashboard warning lights that can communicate a wide range of issues to you. Familiarising yourself with these allows you to swiftly take appropriate action should any of them switch on:

• The check engine light indicates problems with the engine or emissions.
• The oil pressure warning light is a sign of low oil pressure, and you should stop driving immediately.
• The battery light indicates low charge and a possible charging issue.
• The tyre pressure light is a warning of low pressure in at least one of the tyres, suggesting a puncture.

Understanding the meaning of each of these warning lights allows you to promptly take appropriate action to resolve the problem, protecting yourself, your car, and other drivers.

8. Protect Your Car’s Interior and Exterior

Rainwater, dampness, and grime can all damage your car, both inside and out. A little extra effort can keep it at its best and help it retain its value. 

• Wash it regularly, as dirt, salt, and mud can all damage paintwork and make it look shabby.
• Apply a wax or ceramic coating for added protection against the elements.
• Use floor covers and seat covers to protect the soft fabrics of the interior.
• Fully dry the interior should rainwater get in through open windows or doors, to prevent any dampness or mold.

Keeping your car looking pristine not only helps prolong the joy of owning a new car- it also ensures you can command a premium should you choose to resell it later.

9. Learn How to Jump-Start Your Car

Knowing how to jump-start your car is considered essential knowledge for every driver. Even new cars can suffer battery drains from adverse weather conditions or the lights being left on. Store a portable jump starter or jump leads in your car for emergencies and familiarise yourself with their safe usage. 

The dealership where you purchased your new car, or your mechanic will be able to show you where the positive terminals and negative terminals are on your engine. The red and black cables should be connected in succession to positive and negative terminals before the assisting car is started. Once your car is running, the cables should be removed in reverse order, negative then positive, i.e. black then red. Incorrectly attached cables can cause a large spark, battery damage, and even an explosion, so safe usage is essential.

10. Prepare an Emergency Kit to Keep in Your Car

Emergencies happen, even in new vehicles, and it’s best to be prepared for all eventualities.  Your emergency kit should include:

• A good first-aid kit
• Torch and batteries
• Jumper cables
• Tyre repair kit and pressure gauge
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food and snacks
• Warm clothes and a blanket

Armed with these supplies, you should be well-equipped to handle any emergency situation.

The excitement of owning a new car should be celebrated and enjoyed, but don’t overlook a proper breaking-in period or regular care and maintenance. By following these new car tips, you can be sure of maximising the performance, reliability, and longevity of your investment.

Gulf Oil has spent over a century fine-tuning and optimising automobile engines. For expert advice on getting the very best out of your new car, contact us today, and one of our experienced mechanics will be happy to help.