Taking delivery of your new car

The day has finally arrived for you take ownership of your new car. You’ve hunted, haggled and closed the deal.

The car is yours. The keys have been handed over. The last thing you need to do before you drive away from the dealership is sign a document saying you’re happy with the vehicle.

Here’s what you do before you put your name anywhere.

• A visual inspection of the paintwork -- no scratches, no swirls, no patchy patches.
   
• Ensure the panels are all aligned and blemish-free.
   
• Inspect the windshield and window glass for cracks or chips.
   
• Check all the lights – interior and exterior.
   
• Check all the controls work – like windscreen wipers, demisters, radio, air-con etc.
   
• Check under the bonnet and ensure all fluids are topped up.

If you come across any problems, note them on the document. These are issues that can be resolved under warranty.

If there are any major issues with the car, you don’t have to sign the at all. The car will stay with the dealer to be looked at, and the process will be repeated once the dealer deems the problems solved.

If the car is problem-free, your transaction is done and it is time to drive off into the sunset. Congratulations!

‘Run in’ your new car

There are a lot of ideas out there about running in new engines. The hundreds of components that make up a car need time to settle and ‘running in’ is believed to be the best way to do this.

Sometimes the running in process will be described in your owner’s manual, but the basic idea is to put your new car through its paces with varying loads in different driving conditions (for example, stop-start city driving and freeway driving), using all gears at changing speeds.

Just don’t abuse the engine for the first 1,500km or so. 

That means:

• Don’t over-rev the engine.
   
• Try to keep engine speed somewhere between 2000 rpm and 4000 rpm.
   
• Don’t keep a constant speed, though, accelerate and decelerate often.
   
• Don’t idle for more than a few minutes at a time.
   
• Please, don’t tow a trailer.