New car rituals

[JuanGandini]

So... I've been patiently waiting for a new M135i lease car to arrive and it's now due on Wednesday this week. Previously I've only ever inherited old sheds from family members or paid a small amount for a 10+ year old hatchback from a friend so this is a whole new experience for me.

The 14 year old Golf is off to a new home this week and I've set aside some time to acclimatise myself to the new steed. I presume there'll be some tinkering with electronic gubbins such as Bluetooth whatnot and DAB thingymajigs but the main thing I'm looking forward to is getting out on the open road to enjoy the sound of my first straight six and the experience or RWD for the first time.

I'm sure that there are many serial new car 'buyers' (in all senses of the word - lease, PCP etc.) amongst the PH massive. So what are your new car rituals to get acclimatised with a new toy? And actually, this applies to new or second hand cars thinking about it!

[mike-r]

Usually an oil change but I guess that'd be pretty redundant on a new car.

Quickly get out in it before summer's over.

[TommoAE86]

Cleaning it... I spend every weekend for the first month cleaning it... then if I bond with it I'll continue, if I don't then it will be a once the month clean :/

[benters]

I like to give the new toy a good clean inside and out, but if its brand new then no issue for you. Get out there and enjoy it. . .

[iva cosworth]

Drive with a huge grin for a couple of weeks....
I've had 4 new cars or vans in my time.

[Chozza]

I have a simple three step process for anything new ( including interesting hire cars that turn up)

Step1 .. Quick safety check ..tyres lights etc.

Step2. Check how to open fuel cap

Step3. 100-200 mile Berkshire,Hampshire,Oxfordshire hoon route

Step 2 was added after nearly running out on first day

[aspirated]

New car detail...wax/seal the wheels and paintwork, makes cleaning it later on so much easier, Rain X on the windows/mirrors/lights, set the bluetooth up, and appreciate the new car smell before it disappears

Enjoy in good health, please don't crash it

[okie592]

New car protection detail you will be shocked how bad your paint will be, then a hoon

[BritishRacinGrin]

Never had a new car (maybe I never will!) but I think if I did, I'd want to take a load of photos before I drove it. If you're one of those perculiar polishing types, you might want to wax it and / or apply a selection of fancy potions and stuff to make it look extra new.
Flick through the handbook whilst on the bog to find out about any features which might be new, how to use this and that, and also to find out if it stipulates any break-in procedure or anything.

[benters]

and there was I thinking cleaning a new car was only for a nerd like me. . . it seems I am amongst fellow nerds !

[stumpage]

Remove dealer sticker from rear window.
Remove dealer tax disc holder and replace with small plain one.

Get in and drive it.

[BritishRacinGrin]

Checking tyre pressures might be an idea too.

[valiant]

Spend the first evening reading every page of the owners manual including the pages for equipment not fitted to your car.

[benters]

valiant said:

Spend the first evening reading every page of the owners manual including the pages for equipment not fitted to your car.

classic advice, well said that man

[JuanGandini]

benters said:

valiant said:

Spend the first evening reading every page of the owners manual including the pages for equipment not fitted to your car.

classic advice, well said that man

Haha! I'll therefore be paying great attention to info about the options I didn't tick: adaptive suspension, professional nav, extended Bluetooth, adaptive headlights, voodoo radio telepathy, voice controlled steering and emergency invisibility.

I think I need to pay some attention to the route I'm going to take her on her first outing. Need to choose wisely to avoid traffic and make the most of the experience!

[GrizzlyBear]

A good wash and a few coats of polish.

stumpage said:

Remove dealer sticker from rear window.
Remove dealer tax disc holder and replace with small plain one.

Exactly, I paid for the car, why am I advertising the dealer. When the dealer pays me to put their name on the car, I will consider leaving the sticker on.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Tuesday 11th March 13:09

[Garvin]

Check exterior carefully for damage.
Check interior carefully for damage.
Check everything is included as ordered - options, accessories, spare wheel or can of gunk, jack etc.
Check everything works as it should do.
Tune radio to favourite stations.
Plug iPod into multimedia system.
Enter home location into SatNav.
Pair mobile phone with hands free Bluetooth system.
Adjust seat, steering wheel and mirrors into comfortable driving position.
Check tyre pressures, oil and coolant.
Drive it checking for any problems.
Wash it.
Polish it.
Wax it (two coats).
Note : Wash, polish and wax applies to the alloy wheels as well.
Give it stick for the next few thousand miles!

[TurboBlue]

I always buy a new road atlas with each car purchase; when the map is worn out, so is the car.

[dondan]

GrizzlyBear said:

Exactly, I paid for the car, why am I advertising the dealer. When the dealer pays me to put their name on the car, I will consider leaving the sticker on.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Tuesday 11th March 13:09

Why a few coats of polish?

[daydotz]

stumpage said:

Remove dealer sticker from rear window.
Remove dealer tax disc holder and replace with small plain one.

Get in and drive it.

Rookie mistake ask them not to put them on