Purchasing a brand new 2018 Subaru Outback or another foreign car might have been a long, thought out process for you. A new vehicle will be used often and you'll pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege. You may have made a great choice when determining which vehicle was best for your family's needs, but you also need to start thinking about maintenance and regular care of the SUV or sedan you've just bought. These suggestions should keep your vehicle operational and in fine condition.

Read Your Manual

Your manual might be stored away in the glove box, but you should flip through it and check it out before you start driving. Your new car might have different guidelines regarding oil, fuel, and other issues. Even if you've had an older model made by the same manufacturer in the past, it's worth investigating whether your new vehicle has different features or maintenance and driving tips laid out in the new manual.

Join Owner Forums

Sometimes it's most helpful to surround yourself with people who own the vehicle you now own. You can mirror their maintenance actions and read through questions that others have that you share. Online forums and groups for the vehicle manufacturer are worth visiting periodically.

One especially helpful reason to get involved in these forums is that you may become aware of a common repair issue with your vehicle long before you experience it personally. For instance, if you notice that people are having the same problem with heat sensors or other issues at a certain mileage, you can prepare for that and start watching for anything out of the ordinary before you reach that mileage yourself.

Locate Parts

Depending on your car's country of origin and where it was built, it can be harder to order parts than it would be if it was a domestic model. Before something stops working, it's wise to start locating various parts vendors that will help you later. In fact, being able to rapidly get parts for repairs can decrease the wear and tear on other components. Your mechanic will have their own sources, but you might be able to locate a quicker, more affordable supplier. Keep a list of possible suppliers in the glove compartment for when they're needed.

Your new SUV or sedan will last if you treat it well. By interacting with other owners, being knowledgeable about the manual and guidelines, and locating parts so you can get them quickly, you can be confident that you'll have your new car running like new for a long time to come.