Bonnet sparkling, rims shining, paintwork gleaming . . . you’ve got the keys to your new lease car and you’re ready to drive it.
But hang on just a second.
Before you go all guns blazing, you’ve got to break it in first. Just like a pair of new shoes.
After all, pretty much every vehicle is unique: from the nuances of the biting point to the sensitivity of the brakes, you never know just how different each car is until you get a new one.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help make the adjustment period that little bit easier, and this guide is going to show you how to do just that.
Let’s take a look.
Before you even think about going on any long spontaneous road trips (we all love them), it’s a good idea to park up in a safe place and get to grips with all the tech and features. Just think what would happen if it started raining and you didn’t know how to turn on your windscreen wipers.
Yep, a situation best avoided . . .
In the same way, not knowing how to de-mist the windows when they steam up could potentially cause a nasty accident, so get familiar with those pesky de-mister buttons (both front and back).
It’s also a good idea to take the opportunity to sync up your phone if you have Bluetooth, as well as work out that all-important sound system and/or infotainment screen. And we all know how good a friend Sat Nav can be, so make sure to programme any regular routes you take. Test it out first on a tried-and-tested route to make sure you’re confident before using it for anything more ambitious.
More and more manufacturers are making the switch to a push button brake or a foot-operated handbrake instead of a traditional lever handbrake, and this might be the case with your new lease car, in which case it could be worth heading to a quiet hill and taking the time to get to grips with it.
At the end of the day, all of these features are designed to make your motoring life safer and easier, so it’s best to make sure you know how they work.
Steering Wheel
Ideally, your steering wheel should be positioned around 12 inches or so from your chest, leaving ample room for the airbag to inflate in the event of an accident.
Seat
Slide your seat until your knees bend slightly when you depress the clutch. If your knees don’t bend at all or they bend too much, then you’ll need to do some adjusting. Make sure that your seat is raised enough to offer a clear view of the road ahead. The back-rest should be at a 90-degree angle to ensure you’re sitting in an upright position.
Headrest
Raise or lower the headrest until the top lines up with the top of your head. Also, check that it doesn’t obstruct your ability to turn your head and check your blind spots.
Mirrors
Obviously, we’d advise you not to drive off without first checking that your mirrors are positioned correctly.
Alter the angle and the positioning of the interior mirror until it offers a full and clear view of the road behind you.
In the same way, it might be a good idea to adjust your side mirrors so that you get a slight glimpse of the sides of your car, but also the horizon to the rear.
A new car means a completely new engine, and that almost always means new maintenance needs relating to engine oil, tyre pressure, specs, and so forth.
Don’t make the easy mistake of assuming that your new car is going to run in the same way as your old one. For example, if you’ve upgraded to a larger engine, you’re probably going to need to top up your engine oil much more regularly than you used to. Or if you’re now driving a car with larger wheels, your tyre pressure won’t be the same, so make sure you know what level they need to be at in order for them to deliver the best all-round performance.
All of this information can usually be found in your new vehicle owner’s handbook, so you’re best advised to sit down and have a good read through it. The material can be quite dense at times, but taking the time to learn about all of this now can help save you money in the future and avoid any unwelcome repair bills.
We all have our favourite songs and bands, but nobody likes navigating through a maze of options and buttons to get to them, do they? That being the case, why not take the time to pre-set your favourite radio stations in advance. That way, you’ll be able to listen to your best beats at the simple touch of a button. No hassle, no fuss. And if the car comes with Bluetooth connectivity, ask the provider to explain exactly how it works.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that you know where the petrol cap release button is located, as well as the bonnet catch. You don’t want to end up looking like a fool when having to change oil or when you have to pull into a petrol station.
Insurance
An unavoidable part of being on the road, it’s illegal to drive without at least some kind of insurance in place. The bare minimum that you need is third-party insurance, so be sure to have it beforehand or else you could be faced with a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 points on your license. Or if your case goes to court, you could even face the prospect of being disqualified from driving altogether.
Ouch!
Bottom line: don’t risk it, folks.
Last but not least, remember to store your documents securely once you have them!
But most importantly: enjoy the car and stay safe out there!