Believe it or not, many people buy a new car based on the warranty coverage. Considering people are keeping their cars for longer, a solid car manufacturers warranty that provides bumper-to-bumper service and repairs for 5- to even 10-years of car ownership can really be the deciding factor when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Getting a good car warranty is important, but also understanding how you can take full advantage of that warranty can really maximize the performance and life of your car.

Here is are a few tips to ensure you get the possible use out of your car warranty…

1. Don’t wait on adjustments

Thankfully, during the first year of ownership, your bumper-to-bumper warranty will almost cover everything. So don’t ignore those bumps and squeaks. If you suspect your car isn’t working right, call your service department sooner when the warranty will fix it, rather than later when they’ll no longer honor adjustments for free.

2. Corrosion

Has a tiny rock chip caused a slight rust spot on the body of your vehicle. Don’t wait for corrosion to become a huge problem. Most new vehicles offer safety from corrosion within the first few years of vehicle ownership. So take advantage of it. Yes, even in the wheel wells. Be proactive when you see chips and rust spots. Take it to the garage for a patch before the corrosion warranty expires.

3. Know the exclusions

While your bumper-to-bumper warranty might sound like it’ll cover everything, there’s actually a lot of things it doesn’t cover. So read your warranty fully so you understand what it does and doesn’t cover (exclusions) and also how long the coverage period is. In many cases time frames for coverage differs on certain types of wear and tear (i.e., tires, belts, batteries, hoses, pads, rotors, electronics, etc.).

4. Get an inspection

Is your warranty expiring in the near future? Now’s the ideal time to take your vehicle to a garage you trust for a full vehicle inspection. Dealers are hoping that you let your warranty expire before serious issues start to occur so the service station at your dealership isn’t likely to find and fix minor problems in the short term. However, while the repairs are free, it’s wise to get a mechanic you trust to inspect your car for issues, prior to the expiration of your warranty so you can make a claim.