Car Maintenance for Beginners: What you Should Know

Car Maintenance for Beginners

If you have recently passed your driving test, you are to be congratulated, as you enter a new period of your life; independent travel is something older drivers tend to take for granted, but having a car at your disposal 24/7 is a big deal! It does come at a cost and one aspect you can’t overlook is servicing, which needs to be carried out at specific mileage intervals throughout the car’s life. Car Maintenance for Beginners: What you Should Know-

The Owner’s Manual

As you would expect, this neat handbook contains all the info an owner would need, plus it has a section in the rear for servicing info, where the garage would put their rubber stamp. The very first thing to do when you buy a car is sit down and read the owner’s manual from cover to cover; the average car is made up of 30,000 components and is quite complex, many use an onboard computer to manage the various systems. 

Follow the Law

Of course, every vehicle on the road in Thailand should be taxed and insured; for the best car insurance deals, go to https://rabbitcare.com/, the leading online auto insurer with affordable packages. When you pay your road tax at the Land Transport Office, a portion of the cost is for ‘Por Or Bor’, which covers medical costs to the driver and any passenger in the event of an accident. It should be noted that driving a car with an expired road tax sticker puts you and passengers at risk, as you have no basic medical cover.

Warranty Issues

A new car would come with a warranty, yet it is easy to void that guarantee without even knowing it. The first few services must be carried out by an authorised dealership, otherwise the warranty might be cancelled, so do check if you are buying a vehicle that is still under warranty. If your car is badly damaged and you wish to sell it, click here.

Roadworthiness

As the vehicle owner, it is your responsibility to ensure it is in good order and when a car reaches a certain age, it must be inspected on an annual basis by a qualified mechanic. When you book the car in for a service, the following tasks are carried out.

  • Engine oil & filter change, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Air filter cleaned or replaced.
  • Belts checked for wear and correct tension.
  • Gearbox oil checked.
  • Brake pads inspected.
  • Coolant, brake and power steering fluid level check and top up where necessary.

Modern cars are managed by mini-computers and there is a plug for the mechanic’s laptop, which tells him everything about the vehicle and with trouble-shooting, any issue can be identified. If you need to apply for a Thai drivers licence, here is some useful information.

As the new vehicle owner, whether used or otherwise, you take on the maintenance liability and you should always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to servicing. Keep the service history up to date, as a full service history (FSH) is a major selling point when you decide to upgrade.