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The answers to most of your vehicle questions are right in your car owner’s manual. It’s as simple as that. The owner’s manual is an instructional booklet that is specific to your vehicle. It has all the measurements, statistics, volumes, and even hidden features laid out for you to enjoy. We guarantee that even if you’ve had your car for years, you’re going to find something interesting in the manual! After you get comfortable in your new vehicle, take some time to read through your owner’s manual and become acquainted.

Here are our top 5 important things to look for in your owner’s manual

1. Maintenance Schedule
   1. When you catch problems early on, they are cheaper and easier to fix. Meaning your vehicle will last longer, have a higher resale value, and better overall performance. So, look in your car’s owner’s manual to learn the proper maintenance schedule (oil changes, for instance), how often you need to service your vehicle, and the expected lifespan for the car’s replacement parts. They usually break down your maintenance by time and mileage to make it easy to track!
2. How to Check and Refill Fluids
   1. If you don’t know where the windshield wiper fluid, coolant, or motor oil is located under the hood, save yourself time and trouble by simply checking the owner’s manual. They probably have a step-by-step guide for changing it yourself if you’re so inclined.
3. Dashboard Warning Lights
   1. Dashboard warning lights are not the same for all vehicles, so when a strange one lights up, reach for your owner’s manual to see whether this is an urgent matter or not. If you see a dashboard warning light that you don’t recognize, look in the manual immediately, as it could save you from a dangerous situation and an expensive repair bill.
   2. Pro tip: when you first turn your car on, all your dashboard indicators will light up so you can see if any bulbs are burnt out!
4. Ideal Tire Pressure
   1. Instead of just reading the tire pressure on the sidewall of your tire, consult the owner’s manual for the proper tire PSI. The PSI printed on your tire is normally the maximum allowed pressure but may not be your manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. No matter what, never inflate the tires above the maximum, and try to keep them inflated to your car manufacturer’s recommendation for best performance.
5. Instructions... for everything!
   1. As you flip through your owner’s manual, you’ll find the instructions for how to use all the features and gizmos in your vehicle. This will allow you to avoid the frustration that comes with learning a new navigation system, safety feature, or even trying to pair your Bluetooth, by simply reading the owner’s manual before you start using things in and around your vehicle.

There are so many things you can read about in your owner's manual; however, these are just the main highlights that we suggest every vehicle owner should be acquainted with. As you go through your manual, feel free to mark pages for future reference using post-it notes. Take the time to read and get familiar with what your manual has to offer --it can greatly enhance your driving experience and probably even extend the life of your car.