Driving a New Car – Building Confidence

Buying a new car can be exciting, and you may have been looking for the right car for yourself for a while before committing to the purchase, but it is vital that you get to know your new vehicle well before taking it out on any trips.

These points are ideal for those who may not feel that confident moving to a new car.

If you have been searching for a particular car, then you probably know the specifications you are after and may have a good understanding of the vehicle’s mechanics. Even so, it is important to understand all the different aspects of the car as it may be quite different from your last one, especially if you are moving from a typical fuelled car to an electric or hybrid.

Online Sales:

With the growth of online car sales, many people do not go to a local dealership or car sales to speak to a salesperson and take test drives before committing to purchase. Even though there is always a money-back guarantee of at least 7 days, it is a lot of fuss to be left with a car that fails to meet your satisfaction if you need to return. If you are considering doing this, you should check your local car dealers and test drive a similar model.  Many dealerships will transport cars from other sites across the country, so it is worth asking to see if they have a particular model available in different areas. The costs will be competitive with online sales, as every dealership is looking for a sale.

Finding Your Perfect Car:

Once you have decided on the perfect car for your needs and have organised delivery or collection, having another person with you is wise, especially for the first few drives. This way, you can have more confidence that there are more eyes on the dashboard, which can help you get more familiar with the new model. Most new cars will still have a handbook located in the dashboard with the service log, but some are online, so it is vital to read or download and read so you understand all the specifications, service intervals and what any warning lights mean if they appear on your dashboard.

Driver Checks:

The driving position is one of the first things to get right, so you must get comfortable in the driving seat. Some cars may have electric seats to adjust driving seat positions.  After you have set your seat position, adjust your rearview and wing mirrors.

Spend some time in the new car’s cabin to get used to and understand the gadgets and switches, especially the ones that you may need to adjust while driving, like the temperature controls, air conditioning, and fog lights. Most new models have sensors for lights and wipers, but if you don’t have these, you need to know where they are located so you can use them quickly.  Also, be familiar with where the hazard warning lights are.

Car control is vital, so getting to know your pedals is important, even more so if you are moving from an automatic to a manual car or the other way around; many manual car drivers struggle with automatic controls initially.

Manoeuvres:

It is important to practice manoeuvres with the new car as it may be slightly bigger or smaller than the last one, so spatial awareness is key. You need to be able to reverse and park confidently, so it is wise to practice these in quiet spaces away from other traffic, such as a large supermarket car park. This can help you understand the dimensions of the car and help prevent any needless bumps or scrapes from the start.

The First Trips:

Start with trips that are known to you locally, and perhaps take a few trips in the dark so you can get used to your lights and dashboard being illuminated. This will make you more confident that you know exactly where your switches are and that you can use them safely while driving without having to take your eyes off the road.

Understand how to refuel your new car, especially if you’re moving from petrol to diesel and vice versa.  If you’re driving an EV become familiar with how to charge it both at home and when at a charging point.

Lastly:

Lastly, it is important to take your time getting to know your new car. Initially, take smaller local trips, as we have advised. Take trips in as many different weather conditions as possible and in the twilight and evening so you will get used to the changing light conditions and see if you need to adjust headlights manually. We offer a bespoke confidence driving course, for drivers who need help getting used to a new car.