Monday Maintenance Tip: You've purchased your dream car, now what?

You finally did it. You found your dream car, and after negotiating and paperwork, you're ready to take it for a joy ride. But before you speed off the dealership lot, be sure to keep some things in mind. Taking care of your car and following a few simple rules during the break-in period can significantly help your car in the long run.

The break-in period is the amount of driving time it takes a car's piston rings to settle into place, ensuring there will be a tight seal that won't leak oil. Most cars typically have a break-in period suggestion between 600 to 1,200 miles.

Here are some things to remember after your car purchase:

Read the owner's manual. There's a lot of good stuff in there. It is important to know your car's break-in time, suggested speed, maintenance schedule and more.

Drive slowly. Be sure to keep your speed under about 50 mph or to the speed recommended by your manufacturer. Varying your speed and avoiding hard and sudden accelerations will improve your vehicle's piston ring seating.

Avoid heavy loads. Don't take the family on a cross-country trek the week you get your new car. Keep the weight off your roof rack and hitch, so the drive train is not stressed.

Check and change your oil. During your first few drives, metallic residue is produced by your new engine. We suggest getting an oil change at the end of your break-in period to get rid of this residue and give your car a nice clean start. 

We know that it's hard to resist the rev of a new engine, but by having patience and keeping your foot off the acceleration, you can keep your car running at it's best long after the new car smell fades away.