Are you planning to buy a sports car? If so, then you should know a few things before doing so. Some sports cars require a little more care than others, so it’s important not to skimp on the details when it comes to maintenance. Here are seven mistakes that you should avoid when owning a sports car.

1. Not checking out the owner’s manual

Do you read the owner’s manual whenever you get a new toy? Probably not. But in the case of a sports car, it could mean the difference between knowing your way around it or being clueless when you have to open the fuel filler door. According to Refined Marques, “the owner’s manual will essential information that will help you set up your sports car”

We know, it’s a pain to have to read through the whole thing. But you can at least thumb through it and read the essentials to get to know the car first. After all, if something goes wrong, you’ll likely be referencing the manual at some point.

2. Not knowing all of the vehicle’s features

While many sports cars in the market today, like the 2022 Subaru BRZ, have their center console buttons easily laid out, others do not. Sit inside a sports car like the Porsche 718 Boxster, and you’ll quickly realize that there are a number of buttons, switches, and infotainment menus to get used to.

In that case, it’s worth it to take a few minutes and get familiar with what the sports car of your dreams has to offer before you buy it. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re buying. Or if you already own the car, then getting familiar with the buttons will ensure that you won’t fiddle with them later on, especially while driving.

3. Not inflating the tires to their proper pressures

Whether or not you drive a sports car, monitoring your car’s tire pressures is important. Properly inflated tires could maximize your car’s gas mileage, but they can also improve its performance due to better contact with the ground. If you drive a sports car, this is definitely important to get the optimal performance out of it.

4. Neglecting regular oil changes

Remember when we mentioned reading the owner’s manual? Doing so will tell you when to change the car’s oil, which is important to keep a sports car running smoothly. In most cases, it’s good to change the car’s oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the car and the type of oil you use.

5. Not changing the air filter

Another important part of routine maintenance is changing the car’s air filter. The air filter cleans the air going into the engine in order to keep it running smoothly. The car’s owner’s manual will tell you how often it should be changed, and in most cases, you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. Neglecting to do so can potentially cause some harm to the engine later down the road.

6. Overheating the engine

Sports cars generally tend to run hotter than normal commuter cars. As such, it’s important to pay close attention to the car’s cooling system as overheating it can cause a lot of damage. Remember to change the car’s coolant when needed and never drive it if the temp gauge goes higher than usual.

7. Buying aftermarket replacement parts or modifications

Most sports cars can be finicky when it comes to not using OEM replacement parts. For example, even a Honda S2000, which is generally considered to be low maintenance, can run poorly if aftermarket replacement parts are used. In that case, you can only imagine what poor replacement parts can do to a more-expensive sports car!

Remember to use OEM replacement parts and refrain from modifying the car if you want it to last as long as possible. Of course, some light modifications can also do wonders to sports cars.

Sports car maintenance mistakes

If you’re planning to buy a sports car, or are the new owner of one, following these guidelines will ensure that it will run well for a long time. Just make sure to read the owner’s manual; it could save you from a lot of headaches later on.