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15 Reasons to Read Your Owner's Manual

I saw a T-shirt that read "Real Men Don't Need Instructions". Although it was meant to be funny, more often than not, both men and women drive off in their new vehicle without even glancing at their owner's manual.

Believe me, I understand that reading your owner's manual can be as much fun as sitting through four hours of Atlanta traffic trying to go 3 miles. (Aaaaahhhhh!!) But today's luxury vehicles are more and more sophisticated. Therefore it is becoming all the more important that we take the time to familiarize ourselves with all the intricacies of our luxury vehicle.

Here are 15 reasons Braxton Automotive gives you to read your owners manual:

  1. You need to know what all of the vehicles button do. Newer vehicles have an abundance of buttons. Knowing what each button is for is crucial in operating your vehicle.
  2. You need to know what the dash warning lights mean. While some are easy to figure out - a picture is worth a thousand words - others can be rather tricky. These warning indicators are crucial informants and need to be taken seriously.
  3. You need to know how to open the fuel door. Don't pull up to the gas pump on empty only to realize then, that you cannot get the fuel door open. We've all forgotten what side of our vehicle thee tank was on, that was embarrassing enough.
  4. You need to know how to set your vehicles settings. Your vehicle's computer is capable of setting the clock, alarm, temperature, lights, etc. Most of these settings are customizable. Reading your owner's manual will teach you all the tips and tricks to setting everything just the way you want it, the way it should be.
  5. You need to know where the spare tire is. It's bad enough getting a flat. What's worse is not knowing where the spare is, or how to get to it! Pull out your manual and find your spare before you hit the road.
  6. You need to know how to use the radio. You almost need an IT degree to work the radio these days. It's no longer as simple as pushing the button and turning the knob (what's a knob?). Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax while you read the radio section, it's probably the biggest section in the book!
  7. You need to know why your car is "limping". Later model cars have a "limp" mode in case of a cooling or system failure. This will cause the vehicle to travel at low speeds. You'll need to know if your vehicle has a "limp" mode and what to do if it engages.
  8. You need to know what type of fluids your vehicle requires. Not only do you need to know when to change the fluids, but you also need to know what type of fluids your vehicle needs.
  9. You need to know how the oil change reminder works. Most new luxury vehicles have a system that reminds you when you are due for your next oil change. You'll want to know all of the details about it.
  10. You need to know how to reset the oil change reminder. After you get your oil changed, technicians reset your light. As much as we like to think that they are perfect, sometimes they forget. Save yourself a trip and learn how to reset it yourself. All of the information is right there in your owner's manual.
  11. You need to know how to set the trip computer. Some vehicles have the option of one trip setting or two. You'll need to know how to set both and you might find out that the computer can store other information as well.
  12. You need to know what TPMS is. TPMS is your vehicles tire pressure monitoring system. Your owner's manual explains exactly what this is and how it affects you, your vehicle and your tires.
  13. You need to know what your vehicle's interval services are. By reading your owner's manual, you can educate yourself on what services your vehicle is due for and when.
  14. You need to know how to open the hood. It may sound easy, but automakers are hiding the hood-release in some pretty strange places. Know where it is before you need it.
  15. You need to know all the awesome features your salesman didn't show you. Can you roll your windows down with the key fob? Can your vehicle parallel park on it's on? There are many neat little tricks your vehicle can do that you might not ever know if you don't read your owner's manual.

I hope this goes to show that in today's highly complex world of luxury vehicles, real men - and women - do need instructions!