Receiving our license and getting on the road for the first time is one of the most exciting things we all do in our lives, but it can also be an overwhelming time. Driving itself has a fairly steep learning curve, and learning how to properly maintain your vehicle adds a lot more to a young driver’s plate. Young and inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident and are less likely to properly maintain their vehicles. At Pit Shop Auto Repair, we understand all things automotive maintenance and wanted to talk today about what new drivers should know about their cars.

Regular Maintenance Will Prolong the Life of Your Vehicle

Taking good care of your vehicle not only keeps it looking nice, but will also keep your vehicle on the road longer. Performing things like oil changes, tire rotations, fluid checks, and all general maintenance will greatly extend the life of your vehicle. Whether this means you’ll be driving it longer, or its next owner will, performing regular maintenance on a vehicle will be much appreciated.

Driving the Speed Limit is Better for Fuel Efficiency

There are a good number of new drivers that think they should fly everywhere they go, but doing so isn’t only dangerous, it’s also costly. Driving at excessive speeds forces an engine to work hard, which decreases fuel efficiency. Driving at the posted speed limit isn’t just the law; it’s also good for your wallet, not to mention the safest thing to do on the road.

Go Easy on the Brakes

Lots of new drivers tend to slam hard on their brakes, and while this may be understandable, it should be avoided if possible. Pressing hard on your brakes causes your brakes to grind into your wheels and will eat through your brake pads. Once the pads are worn, you’ll have direct metal contact, which will do some very serious damage. If you have a habit of pressing hard on the brakes, you should make a conscious effort to lighten up the lead in your foot.

Make Sure You Have All Proper Paperwork on You at All Times

This may seem like a no-brainer to some, but it never hurts to throw in an extra reminder. When driving, you should always have all the required paperwork in your vehicle at all times. This includes your driver’s license, insurance, and registration for the vehicle. Should you get stopped by an officer of the law, you’ll want all of those things or you could face a fine.

Have Your Vehicle Maintained by a Professional Auto-Maintenance Specialist in Lombard, IL

Want to take the weight of worrying about your vehicle’s maintenance off your shoulders? Trying to learn how to properly take care of your vehicle takes a lot of time and effort. Most people are much better off having their vehicle serviced by a professional with experience. At Pit Shop Auto Repair, we’ve been providing Lombard, IL, with our auto repair and maintenance services for years. If you’re interested in regular maintenance or need some repair services, stop by our garage today.