The availability of new cars in the market is on track for improvement by the end of the year, but current prices are still high. From January to March 2021, a new car costs an average of $40,070. This increased to $40,827 from April to June, showing an increase of five percent over the same period in 2020.
The high prices make new car owners more protective of their new possession. When your car is new, you want it to remain pristine for as long as possible. A nano-ceramic coating product that is of the professional grade will make this possible. It will protect the car paint’s gloss for over a decade against corrosion, oxidation, UV rays, weathering, and scratches, among other things. Did you know that bird droppings contain enough acid to damage your car’s finish?
Free Brand-New Car Maintenance
Beyond the look of your car, regular maintenance is a must. Certain auto brands are offering various levels of free car maintenance for certain brand-new 2021 models. Some car dealerships also offer this to their customers.
Jaguar offers the best free scheduled maintenance covering five years, equivalent to 60,000 miles’ usage.
Kia’s K900 and Cadenza sedans offer three years of free scheduled maintenance equivalent to 37,500 miles. BMW, Mini, and Hyundai offer three years of free scheduled maintenance but only up to 36,000 miles. For Hyundai, this does not include the Nexo. Volvo offers three years of free scheduled maintenance but only for 30,000 miles. Jeep offers three years but with only three free scheduled maintenance.
Toyota includes two years of free scheduled maintenance equivalent to 25,000 miles. Subaru includes two years of free scheduled maintenance but only up to 24,000 miles and only in certain states where it is less competitive. Volkswagen includes two years of free scheduled maintenance but only up to 20,000 miles. Ram offers two years with only three visits for free scheduled maintenance, and only in Texas.
Lexus includes two free visits for scheduled maintenance in the first year, equivalent to 10,000 miles. Porsche includes a fee scheduled maintenance in the first year, equivalent to 10,000 miles. The Stelvio SUV and Giulia sedan of Alfa Romeo include scheduled maintenance in their first year with no specified miles.
Ford and Lincoln give buyers reward points that differ according to the model, and these can be used in exchange for maintenance services. For instance, the Lincoln Black Label with premium trim gets points that can be exchanged for four visits for scheduled maintenance in four years, equivalent to 50,000 miles. On the other hand, the reward points for a gasoline-powered Ford vehicle can be exchanged for only three visits within 40,000 miles.
Some Models Have Easier Maintenance and Repair
It will be easier for buyers to choose car models that are easier to maintain in the first place. According to automotive experts, these are usually the models that are high in performance reliability and also have enough available parts in the market. Because they are easy to maintain, it will not be difficult to find a technician with enough skills to repair them when necessary.
Among these cars are the 2020 models of the Chevrolet Equinox, Mini Cooper, Toyota Corolla, and any Kia or Hyundai model. The Korean brands have extensive warranties from five to 10 years and covering 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
Sierra and Silverado trucks from GMC and Chevrolet and their SUVs like the Yukon, Suburban, and Tahoe have roomy compartments for their engines, giving generous access to parts for servicing. Jeep’s Wrangler and Gladiator have a huge fan base and are popular among off-road drivers because they can easily fix it even if it breaks down miles away from the nearest town. Accessories and parts are also generally available.
Mazda’s Miata MX-5 remains simple and, therefore, easy to maintain and repair among sports cars. Because it is low, there is no difficulty reaching into the far corners of the engine. Like the other vehicles on the list, there are many forums online where the owner can look for answers to any maintenance or repair questions.
Owner’s Responsibilities
As a vehicle owner, you have basic maintenance tasks to do between professional maintenance visits. First of all, upon acquiring your check the vehicle manual for the schedule of maintenance. This will tell you how much pressure is need on the tires, how much time is needed between changing the engine oil, oil filter, and air filter, and what fluids you need to check and how. These include the brake fluid, radiator coolant, and transmission fluid, among others.
Get to know the feel of your car while driving, especially its brakes. Any change in how it feels or sounds means you need to have it checked by a professional. It is also vital to check the batteries often and brush the terminals with baking soda dissolved in water to remove any corrosion. Also, check and replace your wipers as needed to ensure good visibility in any weather. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you on the road.
