How NOT to crash your car while taking delivery

A few months ago, a couple of videos surfaced online involving brand new vehicles crashing right after delivery. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of crashing your car right at the delivery.

A few months ago, a couple of videos surfaced online involving brand new vehicles crashing right after delivery. In fact, in both these instances, they did not even leave the dealership premises.

 1. VW Polo:

Video 1 

Video 2

2. Kia Carnival:

Video 1

Here are some tips to minimize the chances of crashing your car right at the delivery:

• Ask dealership personnel to move it out of the tricky parking spot. A person taking delivery will not be familiar with the new car or the layout of the premises, whereas it would probably be a daily occurrence for the showroom staff to move cars around the tight spaces of the dealership.

• Tell friend to drive if you still are a newbie driver. There's no shame in asking for help when you need it. When we got our Maruti 800 (first car in the house), Dad requested a colleague to drive our prized possession home.

• If you haven't driven an automatic transmission before, then be sure to learn in a friend's car or rent one in order to get familiar with it. Let's face it, with the pace of new technologies, we're all bound to encounter something unfamiliar to us. With the increasing popularity of automatics, it is likely that more and more people will be making the switch from a familiar MT to an unfamiliar AT in the coming years.

• A new car can be unfamiliar in many ways. Different seating position, hood line, dimensions and overhangs - it all takes some getting used to. Until you get used to it, ask someone to guide you in tight spaces and especially while parking. Thanks to reverse cameras and parking sensors this has become significantly easier, but it's always better to err on the side of caution and have a second set of eyes on the job.

• Even if it's considered to be good luck, avoid having your newbie family members drive. It's best to give them the chance in a familiar & safe surrounding, and after the initial excitement has worn off.

• Opt for home delivery! With Covid-19, it's not just safer for the car, but also for the people involved too. Some cars are delivered home on flatbeds as well, removing the stress of letting someone else drive your brand new car more than absolutely necessary.

• Get familiar with the features. It's a good idea to read the owners manual (available online these days), watch a few reviews on YouTube, and of course read the Team-BHP reviews. This will give you tips on navigating any new or unorthodox controls (Eg. e-parking brake), and familiarize yourself with the dashboard and instrumentation in advance.

• Focus. It's easy to get distracted in the melee and all the celebration, video shooting by family, balloons, music, clapping etc. Don't let the festivities distract you from focusing on taking your new car home as safely as possible.