Isn’t it exciting having your own company car? If it’s your first time doing so, you may be both excited and worried at the same time. After all, it’s a piece of property your company owns, and you’ll have to give it back if you leave the job. In the meantime, it’s your vehicle to keep as an employee, and therefore, it’s your responsibility to handle it. Here are some tips to care for your new company car.
Keep Up the Color
It would be embarrassing to receive a new and beautiful company car only to show up at work in a banged-up lemon. One of the standout features of any car is the paint job. Regardless of how great your seats and music system are, it’s the exterior’s color and shine that people will first notice. Therefore, if you start to see scratches or stains, find auto paint protection companies who can handle it for you.
One of the ways to keep up with the color is to avoid dents and scratches. Be careful where you park to avoid bird poop, as that can stain car paint. Be careful that you don’t park too close to other cars to avoid unintentional scratches. You should also try to park your company car in your garage instead of on the street. You may be tempted to change the color of your company car. However, you should seek permission before doing that. After all, your company owns the car, so you need to seek their permission before making any major alterations. Otherwise, if you need to get the paint repaired, you should plan on sticking to the original color of the car.
Lubricate It
Your engine needs proper lubrication to function. That’s why you need a regular change of car oil. Some people do it on their own. However, it’s always best to get a professional oil change service. Your local service can do this for you quickly, and you don’t have to worry about getting your hands dirty. Rest assured, these professionals are using the right type of oil for your company vehicle. After all, some people make the mistake of only topping off the remaining dirty oil with clean oil. That can affect the way your car runs. You don’t want your company vehicle breaking down on the way to work or sputtering unexpectedly. Use a regular oil change professional to assist you.
Protect Your View
Do you notice cracks in your windshield, side, or rearview mirrors? If so, get those tended to right away. Even the slightest crack in your windshield is an obstruction to your line of view. You can easily get into a car accident because you can’t see properly due to a cracked spot in your windshield. A cracked windshield can easily shatter from a small collision or bump in the road. If your windshield glass shatters, it could cut and injure you or anyone else in the car. Therefore, don’t hesitate to get auto glass replacement services if you see cracks or broken glass fragments.
Prepare for an Emergency
A road emergency can happen anytime. Your car can break down on the way to or from work. If driving the vehicle for a business trip, you may be in an unfamiliar area. Imagine driving at night on a dark or empty road in a rural area and breaking down without a gas station in sight. If that happens, you must call emergency towing services. To avoid panicking, it’s best to have a number or an app installed if you need to call them. Therefore, you should sign up for services such as AAA or see if your company can provide one for you. There are apps you can install on your phone for fast assistance. Thanks to emergency towing services, you can have 24/7 assistance regardless of where you are to tow you and your vehicle to safety.
As you’re waiting for an emergency pickup, understand how to handle the situation as you wait for them. Once you realize your vehicle is breaking down, do what you can to pull to the side to get out of the main traffic. You should also turn on your warning light so other drivers know you’re in trouble and waiting for assistance. Once you call for emergency pickup, sit inside your car and wait patiently. If there is a spot nearby, like a cafe or coffee shop, you can also go there to relax with a drink or snack until the emergency service is nearby. When something happens regarding your company car, you should also let your place of employment know.
Another way to prepare for an emergency is to take your vehicle in for servicing before long road trips. If you plan to take your car on extensive company trips, regular servicing can check everything is working fine. That way, you can prevent an unexpected breakdown in the middle of nowhere. A full auto body service will check your brakes and suspension and do diagnostic tests. They can check your tires for issues with tread. They’ll change your oil and ensure your company vehicle is ready for your next business trip.
Use Protection
You can further protect your car with an auto wrapping service. Auto wrapping isn’t just for commercial vehicles meant to showcase company branding. You may see this type of wrapping that advertises delivery services, particularly for food or moving trucks. Some businesses temporarily use wrapping to promote their grand opening. Your company car may also have a wrapping design with the company name and logo. However, if it doesn’t have it, you may use a plain auto wrap to protect the color. The layer also protects the auto panel from deep scratches and stains. It can help maintain the value, which is helpful if you’ll be driving it for a long time. You can always remove the auto wrap before turning the car in. The existing paint job won’t be affected when professionals remove the wrap layer, therefore you have a great amount of flexibility in protecting it.
Replace Parts As Needed
Depending on the age of your vehicle and how much mileage you put on it, at some point, you may need some replacement automotive parts. When it comes to such replacements, you should focus on safety issues. For example, don’t hesitate to make windshield replacements if it’s cracked. If your seat belts or airbags don’t function, you definitely need those replaced, as those are a deal breaker in protecting you during a collision. Plus, there are many areas where it’s illegal to drive without a seat belt. A car may also need a new engine, especially after certain collisions or if the wrong type of oil is consistently used. For some models, you can use new replacements, whereas vintage cars may need aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are often cheaper than new ones and are a helpful resource if a vintage model is no longer being produced.
Find a Repair Professional
The minute you get the keys to your company car, you should have a place you can go for local auto repair. You may be able to use the auto shop where you take your regular car. However, if your company vehicle is your first time having a car in your possession, search for an auto shop. If you don’t know where to start, check your inner circle of drivers. You likely know somebody else who does drive a car and can refer you to a good repair professional.
Even if you don’t need a repair anytime soon, take your vehicle in for servicing. You may need auto detail work to keep your car looking and feeling good. Your local auto detailing shop will vacuum and clean your car interior. They’ll wipe down your interior panels. Professionals will wash the car and apply waxing if needed.
Check Your Tires
Professional tire services are essential to drive your vehicle properly. Regardless of whatever work you have done in the car, it won’t operate without functional tires. One of the main aspects of such maintenance is checking the tread. The trend is responsible for providing proper traction on the road. Once it wears down on your tires, they won’t be able to grip the road surface. It can make for a slippery and unsafe ride. You won’t be able to brake properly, as the lack of tread can cause the car to skid.
You can manually check the tread by using the Lincoln Penny method. Insert the penny head-first into the tire tread. The more the head disappears, the more tread you have. You know the tread is too low when most of the head is still visible.
Regular rotation is the way to have even tread levels. Otherwise, if there’s uneven tread on the four tires, it’ll cause lopsided driving when you’re on the road. That can result in the car feeling like it’s vibrating or moving from side to side, which can disorientate you. You should rotate your tires after a certain amount of miles. It’s easier to take your car in for tire rotation at your auto shop or tire store. They can easily elevate your car and rotate them as needed. The crew can also quickly replace tires that become too worn down.
Remain Vigilant
It’s important to remain vigilant when driving any car, especially one that belongs to your job. In other words, don’t become too comfortable leaving your car just anywhere. Be as vigilant regarding car thieves when in a company vehicle as in any other one. Remember, a car thief is willing to steal any car they can possibly sell or use to do illegal work. Protect yourself and your vehicle by being mindful of your surroundings. Be careful where you park. It may be a good idea to avoid using your company car when you’re not actually working.
Follow Driving Rules
You still have to abide by driving rules when you’re in a company vehicle. That means adhering to the speeding limit and not going over it. Getting parking tickets or speeding tickets attached to your company car may not be a good look. When driving, make sure you’re always paying attention with both hands on the wheel. Use your seat belt so you don’t get a fine and can always protect yourself from an accident. Always slow down in particular zones like school zones, work zones, and residential areas. Drive carefully during inclement weather and leave earlier for work if you need to on those days.
Good driving involves other behaviors, such as preventing distractions. While many drivers enjoy listening to music to pass the time, especially during the long commute, don’t blast it so loud that it becomes too distracting. After all, if you get too lost in a song, you may not notice the obstruction ahead or someone unexpectedly crossing the street. Plus, you don’t want the music so loud that you can hear things going on outside of your vehicle. In other words, your auditory senses work in cohesion with your visual senses to make you a more aware driver.
Don’t Allow Other Drivers to Use It
Your company car is your responsibility for you to drive. Therefore, you shouldn’t allow other people to drive your car. While it’s acceptable to give someone a ride in the passenger seat, it doesn’t mean you should let that person drive. After all, if something happens to your car when out of your possession, you’re still liable for it.
Whether you have your own car or receive a vehicle through your job, you must use it responsibly. That’s why you should know how to care for it if it breaks down during an emergency or needs regular maintenance. After all, if using this car for work, you’ll likely be using it daily and may take it on long company trips. You can expect to put a lot of mileage on a commercial vehicle, so protect your safety and the vehicle structure by following these care steps today.