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Buying a car can be a complicated process, and the work doesn’t stop after you’ve brought it home. It’s important that you know how to care for your new car during the first few months so that it will last as long as possible. Here are some of the most important ways you can take care of your new Kansas City GMC. Breaking in Your Vehicle Traditionally, car manufacturers recommended a “break-in period” for any new vehicle. This involved following a schedule which put the vehicle through its paces and helped settle and seal all the different parts of the car, particularly the engine. With advancements in car manufacturing, the same rigid break-in schedule isn’t needed as much as it used to be. However, this is still a delicate time for your new vehicle, and it’s important to treat it gently for a few thousand miles while everything is settling into place. Avoid Hard Stops and Starts Most precautions recommended by car manufacturers are intended to take some of the strain off your new engine, which may need a little time before it can operate at peak performance. One of the most important ways to protect your engine is to avoid accelerating and decelerating too rapidly. Drive Slowly You should also do your best to keep your car at lower speeds for the first 1000-2000 miles. In the past, it was recommended that you keep your car below 55 mph during the break-in period. Some manufacturers suggested even lower speeds. Now, you can generally get away with a short jaunt at a higher speed, but it’s still something to be avoided when possible. Keep your RPMs down and stay off the highways where you might be tempted to see what your new car can do. Vary Your Speed Although it’s important not to put too much strain on your engine with high speeds, it is important that you vary your speed and shift gears regularly as you drive your new car. You shouldn’t even coast at the same low speed for long periods of time. Changing up the pace lets your engine get thoroughly broken in and helps completely seal all the moving pieces. Keep Your Weight Light Your break-in period isn’t the time to load up your new car for a family road trip or haul a heavy trailer. Just like high speeds, heavy weights can put too much strain on your new engine. Keep your new vehicle’s workload relatively light for the first several thousand miles. Remember, the gentler you are with your engine in the beginning, the longer it will last you. Change Your Oil Many new vehicles don’t need their oil changed as frequently as older vehicles, which typically needed a change about every 3,000 miles. Nowadays, you may even be able to get away with waiting 5,000-10,000 miles. However, it’s still important to change your oil several times during the break-in period. This is because during this time, small particles are getting rubbed off your engine and into your oil, dirtying it much faster than usual. Once the engine is broken in, these particles will not collect so quickly. Most car manufacturers recommend changing your oil once at the beginning and once at the end of your vehicle’s break-in period. Follow Your Maintenance Schedule Finally, once your new Kansas City GMC is completely broken in, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual. This details all the services you need at specific intervals, and is designed to keep your vehicle in good working order. Following this schedule will help your vehicle run more efficiently and experience fewer unexpected breakdowns.
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