Keep these in mind.

The truth is that buying a new car can feel like you've hiked and reached a tall summit. You've worked long, saved hard, and now you've reaped the rewards. It can feel like pure bliss, really. Like all your worries are gone as you drive to and from every place in your cool, air-conditioned ride.

That is, until reality sets in and you realize that owning a car actually feels like a constant work in progress. Yes, you need to pay for more than just gas once you have the keys. Here are some hard car maintenance truths you should know from Top Gear Philippines.

1. Maintenance is a regular ordeal (https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/tip-sheet/maintenance-schedule-milestones-a20-20170329)

   Getting your car fixed isn't a one-and-done deal. Cars wear down over time with regular use, so you need to check and maintain things like your car's fluid levels, brake pads, battery, and many more. You should be following a regular calendar for periodic maintenance based on your car's odometer. For example, a brand-new car should be checked after 1,000km, then 5,000km, then 10,000km, and so on. On top of that, you should also be checking little things regularly at home like the tire pressure and proper installation of floor mats.

2. There are other worries aside from visiting the mechanic. (https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/tip-sheet/car-ownership-101-the-basics-of-vehicle-insurance)

   So, you already know that you need to spend regularly on fuel to power your car and service fees for maintenance. Great. But there are other concerns related to maintenance that you need to worry about as well such as insurance. The hard part about paying for it is that you'll never know when you'll need it, but you need to keep paying for it. The plus side is that in case of an emergency, you'll be glad you have it.

3. It can get expensive. (https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/10-things-only-new-car-owners-will-truly-understand-a24-20160710)

   Paying your final installment isn't the end of your car-paying woes. As we mentioned, maintenance is an ongoing thing, and it can get pretty expensive as time goes on. Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) costs can hover between P3,000 and P12,000, which isn't exactly easy to fork out in one go.

The good news is that you don't have to bear the costs alone. Gone are the days when you had to force your car on the road in a questionable state while you saved up enough money for repairs. Citi's Personal Loan gives you that needed financial aid to help give you more mileage for your wheels.

You can get approved in as quickly as 24 hours, receive flexible payment terms from 1 to 5 years, with no collateral or guarantor needed. Plus, you can loan up to P2,000,000.

To find out more, visit: https://www.citibank.com.ph/gcb/loans/loans.htm. You can also check if you're eligible for a loan by taking up the loan eligibility quiz on the Citi Philippines website.

Giving your car proper maintenance and care will only help you become a better car owner and make your expenses all worth it.