First things to do after buying a new car (2026)

First things to do after buying a new car (2026)

Alcohol-free · No-headache · Family-safeSpray = strong scent-throwShips in 24 hrs from Pune
★ New Car Owner Reviews · First-Week Picks · Updated June 2026
The one step new-car owners always forget — and the one they wish they'd done on day one
★★★★★

"Got the Innova Hycross in March. Did ceramic coating, 3D mats, the dashcam — all the usual. Added SOSA Sea Breeze as an afterthought. Three months later it's the thing everyone asks about first."

Rajesh M.Bengaluru
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · New car setup
★★★★★

"My husband spent weeks researching paint protection for our new Tata Nexon. I added the Sandalwood spray to the cart. He now tells everyone about the Sandalwood, not the coating."

Priya S.Pune
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car gift
★★★★★

"New Swift delivery day. Dealer gave me that little pine tree freshener. Threw it out, put in SOSA Lemon. Crisp, clean, real. The factory plastic smell disappeared in two days."

Aditya K.Delhi
SOSA Lemon Spray · New car freshener
★★★★★

"Picked up the Creta EV in January. The Sea Breeze smells nothing like the synthetic fresheners I'd tried before. There's actual depth to it. Two months in and I still look forward to getting in the car."

Kavitha R.Chennai
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · EV cabin
★★★★★

"Did everything right — coating, mats, sunshade, dashcam. The Sandalwood spray was the last thing on the list and probably the best decision. Ships fast, smells like money."

Suresh V.Hyderabad
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car setup
★★★★★

"My new car smelled of plastic for two weeks. The SOSA Lemon cut right through it — fresh, citrusy, nothing like the petrol-station fresheners I used to use. A real scent, not a cover-up."

Ananya P.Mumbai
SOSA Lemon Spray · First-week setup
★★★★★

"Gifted my brother the new car checklist: good mats, Sea Breeze spray, a dashcam. He said the scent was the only one that lasted the full month in Nagpur summer heat. The glass bottle hasn't cracked either."

Riya J.Nagpur
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · Hot climate test
★★★★★

"New Maruti Brezza. Did the full first-month checklist from this blog. The Sandalwood spray was ₹479. The ceramic coating was ₹18,000. The spray gets more compliments. Priorities sorted."

Farhan A.Ahmedabad
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car priority
★★★★★

"Got the Innova Hycross in March. Did ceramic coating, 3D mats, the dashcam — all the usual. Added SOSA Sea Breeze as an afterthought. Three months later it's the thing everyone asks about first."

Rajesh M.Bengaluru
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · New car setup
★★★★★

"My husband spent weeks researching paint protection for our new Tata Nexon. I added the Sandalwood spray to the cart. He now tells everyone about the Sandalwood, not the coating."

Priya S.Pune
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car gift
★★★★★

"New Swift delivery day. Dealer gave me that little pine tree freshener. Threw it out, put in SOSA Lemon. Crisp, clean, real. The factory plastic smell disappeared in two days."

Aditya K.Delhi
SOSA Lemon Spray · New car freshener
★★★★★

"Picked up the Creta EV in January. The Sea Breeze smells nothing like the synthetic fresheners I'd tried before. There's actual depth to it. Two months in and I still look forward to getting in the car."

Kavitha R.Chennai
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · EV cabin
★★★★★

"Did everything right — coating, mats, sunshade, dashcam. The Sandalwood spray was the last thing on the list and probably the best decision. Ships fast, smells like money."

Suresh V.Hyderabad
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car setup
★★★★★

"My new car smelled of plastic for two weeks. The SOSA Lemon cut right through it — fresh, citrusy, nothing like the petrol-station fresheners I used to use. A real scent, not a cover-up."

Ananya P.Mumbai
SOSA Lemon Spray · First-week setup
★★★★★

"Gifted my brother the new car checklist: good mats, Sea Breeze spray, a dashcam. He said the scent was the only one that lasted the full month in Nagpur summer heat. The glass bottle hasn't cracked either."

Riya J.Nagpur
SOSA Sea Breeze Spray · Hot climate test
★★★★★

"New Maruti Brezza. Did the full first-month checklist from this blog. The Sandalwood spray was ₹479. The ceramic coating was ₹18,000. The spray gets more compliments. Priorities sorted."

Farhan A.Ahmedabad
SOSA Sandalwood Spray · New car priority
Ships in 24 hrs from Pune Spray (strong throw) or Hanging (mild) — same bottle Alcohol-free, built for 45–70°C Indian cabins Clean-label: phthalate-free, IFRA-aligned

Founder Diaries · Car Experience Guides
By Sonal Sahani · ISIPCA Versailles 14 min read Updated June 2026
The delivery day is a blur. There is the showroom smell - a cold mix of upholstery plastic and dealer cologne - and then the moment you pull the door shut for the first time and it closes with that clean, solid thud. You sit there for a second, both hands on the wheel, engine off, just breathing it in. This car is yours now. And then immediately - what do I actually do next? The salesperson handed you a folder and said something about the RC. The insurance certificate is somewhere in the glovebox. Someone mentioned ceramic coating. You need to figure out the dashcam. And underneath all of it, a small voice asking: how do I make sure this stays as good as it feels right now? This guide is the answer to all of that - in the order that actually matters.
Quick answers — new car first steps 2026
This week: Verify all paperwork and photograph engine/chassis numbers. Initiate insurance endorsement. Begin the running-in period gently (under 2,500 rpm, under 100 kmph for the first 1,000 km). Install a sunshade and quality floor mats. Set up Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Fit a dashcam.

This month: Decide on ceramic coating or paint protection film while the paint is factory-fresh (minimal prep work needed). Add seat covers if you want to preserve the factory upholstery. Ventilate the cabin freely in the first two to four weeks to let off-gassing settle. Then - once the cabin is genuinely neutral - choose a scent that makes it feel like yours.
1 Day 1 Paperwork + insurance 2 Days 1-30 Running-in period 3 Week 1 Mats · sunshade dashcam 4 Weeks 2-4 Ceramic coating decision 5 Week 3+ Cabin scent (post off-gas) RC smart card Physical RC typically arrives by Speed Post within 30 days of registration. Track via Parivahan portal.
New car first-month timeline - what to do when, from delivery day to settled cabin.
The one-paragraph answer
What should I actually do first after buying a new car in India?
Day one: verify all paperwork, photograph engine and chassis numbers, and call your insurer to initiate the name endorsement on the policy. First 1,000 km: run the engine in gently - keep revs below 2,500 rpm for petrol (around 2,000 rpm for diesel), stay under 100 kmph, and avoid full-throttle acceleration. First week: install a quality sunshade, custom-fit floor mats, and a dashcam. Pair your phone with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. First month: decide on ceramic coating while the factory clear coat is still pristine - it is the most cost-effective window. Once off-gassing has settled (around weeks two to four), make the cabin genuinely yours with a scent you chose - not the one the dealer threw in.
The checklist has six pillars: paperwork, running-in, paint protection, interior protection, tech setup, and cabin experience. Do them roughly in that order. Each one compounds the next.
SOSA Sea Breeze — ₹509
A clean, airy freshener built for Indian cabin heat. The kind of scent that makes a new car feel settled and chosen.
Shop Sea Breeze →

Step 1 — paperwork and insurance: what to check the day you drive away

The folder the dealer hands you contains more than formality. Take twenty minutes on delivery day - before the excitement takes over - to verify a few things that are much harder to fix later.

What to check and keep: your original invoice, Form 21 (the sale certificate from the manufacturer), Form 22 (road-worthiness certificate from the manufacturer), the temporary registration certificate (also called a TR or temp RC), and the insurance policy document. Confirm that the engine number and chassis number printed on your invoice exactly match the numbers physically stamped on the car - the engine bay and the B-pillar or firewall respectively. Photograph both numbers with your phone.

Your permanent RC smart card will arrive by Speed Post, typically within 30 days of registration at the RTO. You can track its status on the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in). Keep the temporary RC document safely until the smart card arrives - you will need it for any police checks in the interim.

Insurance endorsement — the 14-day window
Under Section 157 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the existing third-party cover on a new car automatically protects the registered owner from the date of purchase. However, if you are buying a car where the insurance was issued in the dealer's or manufacturer's name, contact your insurer within 14 days to initiate the name endorsement onto your policy. Most insurers will begin the process with the Parivahan application receipt - you do not need the physical RC smart card to start. The final policy endorsement will reflect your name once the RC is updated. Keep email confirmation of your endorsement request.

Also register the car on the manufacturer's app or portal if one exists (Maruti's Suzuki Connect, Tata's iRA, Hyundai's BlueLink, etc.) - this activates your warranty tracking, service reminders, and in some cases remote diagnostics. Do this within the first week while the details are fresh.

Step 2 — the running-in period: how you drive the first 1,000 km matters

This is the step most new car owners either ignore entirely or follow too anxiously. The truth is somewhere practical in the middle.

All mechanical components - the engine, gearbox, brakes, tyres, and suspension - need a period of gradual bedding-in to reach their designed tolerances. The factory sets tight clearances; driving gently in the first few hundred kilometres allows these surfaces to wear into each other smoothly, which directly affects long-term performance, efficiency, and engine longevity. How you treat the car now shapes how it drives at 80,000 km.

01
First 1,000 km — engine
Keep revs low and speed moderate
For petrol cars, stay below 2,500 rpm for the first 1,000 km. For diesel, keep revs closer to 2,000 rpm. Stay under 100 kmph. This does not mean crawling - it means driving normally but avoiding full-throttle bursts, highway overtaking sprints, and sustained high-speed cruising. After 1,000 km, gradually push to 2,800 rpm over the next 500-700 km before driving the car as you normally would.
Tip: vary your speed rather than holding one constant rpm for long stretches - consistent variation in load is better for the engine than steady-state cruising.
02
First 1,000 km — brakes and tyres
Avoid hard braking and heavy loads
New brake pads and discs need to bed in together over several hundred kilometres of progressive braking. Avoid sudden, hard stops wherever possible in the first 500 km. Similarly, new tyres have a thin release layer from the mould that takes around 500 km to fully wear off - grip improves noticeably after this. Avoid carrying maximum load or towing during the running-in period.
Tip: do not use engine braking (downshifting to slow) aggressively during running-in - it places sudden thermal load on new components before they have fully settled.
03
First service
Book the first service at the manufacturer's recommended interval
Most Indian manufacturers schedule the first free service between 1,000-1,500 km or within 30 days, whichever is earlier. This service involves an oil change (which carries away initial metal particles from bedding-in components), filter checks, and a full vehicle inspection. Book it proactively - do not wait for a dashboard reminder. Keep all service records from day one; they matter for warranty claims and resale value.
Note: the first service is typically free. All subsequent services have a cost. Always insist on the manufacturer-authorised service centre for the warranty period.

Step 3 — ceramic coating and paint protection: the timing window you should not miss

Your car's paint will never be in better condition than it is right now. No swirl marks from washing, no minor scratches from parking, no oxidation from UV exposure. This is the best possible moment to protect it - and the most cost-effective.

The two main options are ceramic coating (SiO2-based, professionally applied, chemically bonds to the clear coat) and paint protection film (PPF, a self-healing urethane film that physically covers the paint). They serve different purposes: ceramic coating adds hydrophobic protection, UV resistance, and gloss enhancement; PPF adds physical impact protection against stone chips and scratches.

Paint protection comparison · India 2026
Ceramic coating vs PPF vs Teflon — what actually makes sense?
Option Typical India cost Lasts Best for
Ceramic coating (basic) ₹8,000-₹25,000 depending on car size 2-3 years Hydrophobic protection, UV resistance, easier washing
Ceramic coating (professional grade) ₹25,000-₹60,000 (SUV/luxury) 4-7 years Premium finish, showroom gloss, long-term paint preservation
Paint protection film (PPF) ₹30,000-₹1,20,000 (full body) 7-10 years Physical chip/scratch protection on high-wear areas
Teflon (PTFE) coating ₹3,000-₹6,000 3-6 months Temporary gloss, minimal real protection

The dealer will almost certainly offer you an in-house coating package on delivery day. These are not always bad, but they are rarely the best option - shop around and choose an installer whose work you can see evidence of. The coating product matters less than the quality of the application. Ask to see examples of their work on cars of a similar colour to yours.

Why timing matters
Applying coating on a factory-fresh car means minimal paint correction work before application.
On an older car, a detailer may need to spend several hours removing swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation before the coating can go on - this correction work adds significantly to the cost. On a new car straight from delivery, the paint is already perfect, so you save on prep. Do not delay this decision past the first few weeks if you intend to do it at all.

Step 4 — interior protection: the practical additions that make a real difference

The cabin is where you spend every minute in the car. These additions protect the factory finish and make daily use more comfortable - most should go in during the first week.

04
Flooring
3D or 5D custom-fit mats — the single most used accessory
India's roads bring in dust, mud, monsoon water, and construction grit in quantities the factory carpet was not designed to survive on its own. Custom-fit 3D or 5D mats - moulded to your exact model's floor plan - are among the most practical first additions. They protect the original carpet (which matters for resale), are easy to remove and clean, and look considerably better than generic rubber mats. Brands like AutoForm, Galio, and 3D Kagu offer model-specific options. Install them before you drive in the monsoon, ideally before the first week is out.
Tip: also consider a boot liner if you carry groceries, luggage, or sporting equipment regularly - the boot carpet is even harder to clean than the main floor.
05
Heat protection
A windshield sunshade — non-negotiable for Indian summers
A parked car in Indian summer sun - even under partial shade - can reach 60-70°C inside within minutes. This level of heat degrades your dashboard faster than almost anything else: UV-induced cracking, fading of plastics, and accelerated wear of electronic components. A reflective accordion sunshade costs a few hundred rupees and meaningfully reduces cabin temperature when parked. Buy one the same week you take delivery and use it every time you park. See also our guide to how to protect your new car interior in India for a full breakdown.
Note: the sunshade also slows off-gassing from new interior materials by keeping surface temperatures lower - a useful side benefit in the first month.
06
Upholstery
Seat covers — if you want to preserve the factory fabric
Whether or not to add seat covers is partly a personal choice and partly a practical one. If your car has fabric seats and you have children, pets, or a long daily commute with food and coffee, good seat covers protect an investment that is difficult to restore once stained or worn. If your car has leatherette or genuine leather, you may prefer to preserve the OEM feel - in which case a quality seat-surface conditioner applied early is more appropriate than covers. If you do add covers, choose leatherette or fabric options in neutral tones; custom-fit covers look and wear far better than universal ones.
Interior detailing note: even a new car benefits from one professional interior detail within the first three months - it removes any residual factory dust and gives you a clean baseline to maintain going forward.

Step 5 — phone and dashcam setup: the tech that pays off immediately

Neither of these is optional if you drive in Indian urban traffic with any regularity. Set both up in the first week.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: if your infotainment system supports either, pair your phone before you leave the showroom if possible - it takes five minutes and immediately gives you legal, safe navigation and hands-free calling. If your car does not have built-in connectivity, a wired or wireless Android Auto/CarPlay adapter (available for most head units with a USB port) is one of the most useful aftermarket additions you can make. A good phone mount with wireless charging at eye level - not blocking sightlines - is the alternative if adapters are not compatible with your unit.

Dashcam: a front-facing dashcam is not legally required in India, but it is one of the most practically valuable things you can add to any car. In the event of a collision, parking incident, or police interaction, footage is evidence. Look for a model with: front and rear channels, wide-angle lens (at least 140 degrees), good night vision, loop recording (it overwrites old footage automatically), and parking mode if you park in unsecured areas. Fit it as close to the rearview mirror as possible to avoid blocking your sightline. Hard-wire it to the fuse box if you want parking mode to work without draining the battery.

On dashcam footage and insurance claims in India
Dashcam footage is increasingly accepted by Indian motor insurers and courts as supporting evidence in disputed claims, though it does not automatically determine liability. Some insurers offer small premium discounts for dashcam-equipped vehicles - check with yours. Keep a 32 GB or 64 GB Class 10 microSD card in the dashcam; the heat inside an Indian car cabin is tough on storage cards, so replace it every 12-18 months even if it seems functional.

Step 6 — making it feel like yours: the cabin scent question

This one tends to sit at the bottom of people's lists, which is why I'm putting it here - not because it is the least important step, but because the timing matters more than people realise.

New car smell is real and it is chemistry. The plastics, adhesives, vinyl, foam, and sealants in your car's interior all off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the first few weeks after manufacture. Research suggests around 80% of VOCs are released in the first three months, with levels dropping significantly after the first 30 days. The safest approach in that window is to ventilate freely - open windows, run AC on fresh-air mode, avoid parking sealed in the sun for hours - and not to introduce a fragrance on top of that chemical mix.

But once that phase is past - and it passes faster with good ventilation - what your car smells like is entirely within your control. This is the step most people never take deliberately. They accept whatever the dealer gave them (a pine tree, a synthetic vanilla disc), or they leave the cabin to absorb whatever it collects from commutes, takeaway bags, and monsoon damp. None of that is a choice. A scent you actually selected is.

SS
ISIPCA
Versailles
A note from Sonal, founder & perfumer

I trained as a perfumer at ISIPCA in Versailles - the school that has trained many of the world's working perfumers. One thing you learn early is that scent is inseparable from memory and identity. A space that has a considered scent feels owned. A space that doesn't - or that smells of whatever was cheapest at the filling station - feels temporary, even if it isn't.

When I built SOSA's car range, I built it for Indian conditions specifically: cabins that reach 70°C in a parked Pune summer, sealed AC environments, the particular chemistry of Indian dust and humidity. A synthetic freshener made for a European car in a temperate climate is not the same thing. Our materials are naturally-derived - not a single synthetic note pretending to be a flower, not the same molecule you find in floor cleaner. There is actual depth to them, because real materials have depth.

For a new car, I'd suggest waiting at least two to three weeks before adding any fragrance. Let the off-gassing settle. Then choose something that will become your car's signature - not a cover-up, but a character. Sea Breeze (₹509) for something clean and airy. Sandalwood (₹479) for warmth and quiet presence. Lemon (₹449) if you want the freshest possible start. All three are built to last in the heat.

The practical note on fragrance and new cars: a car freshener masks odour - it does not remove sources. If you have an odour problem, address the source first. But for a clean new car where you simply want to introduce a considered scent, there is nothing complicated about it. Hang or spray it after the off-gassing window, position it away from the AC vents in the initial days so it diffuses gradually, and see how it settles into the cabin over a week. Read our full guide on how to keep your new car smelling great in India for more on this.

The day you drive away, the car is a machine. The day it has a scent you chose, it is yours.
Sonal Sahani · SOSA Home & Body
Step 6 — cabin experience
Sea Breeze (₹509), Sandalwood (₹479), Lemon (₹449). Alcohol-free, built for Indian cabin heat. Ships in 24 hrs from Pune.
Shop the range →

How this guide was put together

Editorial methodology
The running-in advice in this guide draws on published manufacturer guidance (Kia Seltos owner's manual, Team-BHP's verified run-in guide, TotalEnergies India recommendations) and general automotive engineering consensus on component bedding-in. Ceramic coating cost ranges were cross-referenced against multiple Indian detailing sources (Motor Headz, AutozCrave) for 2026 pricing. Insurance and RC timelines draw on published IRDAI guidelines and the Parivahan Sewa portal. VOC off-gassing data draws on published research cited in consumer sources (Consumer Reports, CarXplorer, Million Marker). SOSA brand claims (formula, pricing, shipping) are first-party verified. We do not make medical or therapeutic claims. If you have sensitivities to fragrances or VOCs, consult your doctor.

Mistakes to avoid in the first month

Common new car owner mistakes
Revving hard immediately to "loosen up the engine." This is the opposite of what bedding-in requires. The engine needs gradual, varied load across the first 1,000 km. Hard revving before components have settled increases wear, not performance.
Accepting the dealer's coating package without researching alternatives. Dealer-offered coatings are convenient but not always the best value or the best quality. An independent detailer with verified work history may give you a significantly better result for a comparable price. Always compare.
Adding a strong freshener the day of delivery to cover the new car smell. The new car smell is off-gassing VOCs. Adding a fragrance on top does not reduce them - it just masks them. Ventilate for at least two to three weeks first, then introduce a scent. Your nose - and your passengers - will thank you.
Skipping the first free service because "nothing feels wrong." The first service exists specifically to flush the metal particles that accumulate during engine bedding-in. Missing it affects long-term engine health, and skipping manufacturer-recommended services can affect your warranty coverage. Book it proactively at 1,000-1,500 km or 30 days.
SOSA car fresheners — for new car cabins
Choose your cabin scent — from ₹449. Alcohol-free, naturally-derived, built for Indian heat.
Scent Character Best for Price
Lemon (No Headache) Fresh citrus, light and bright New cabin, summer, very first scent ₹449
Sea Breeze (No Headache) Clean aquatic freshness Daily commute, passengers, all seasons ₹509
Icy Mint Sharp cooling mint Summer driving, long drives ₹489
Lavender Soft herbal calm Kids in car, sensitive noses ₹479
Jasmine (Mogra) Light Indian floral Family car, women-driven cabins ₹449
Vetiver (Khus) Woody, earthy, grounded Client cars, masculine cabins ₹509
Sandalwood Warm, creamy, premium woody Luxury feel, winter, long-term signature ₹479
Oud (Assam Oudh) Deep woody-amber, complex Premium cabin, evening, strong statement ₹509

Frequently asked questions

What paperwork should I check after buying a new car in India?
After taking delivery, verify that you have the original invoice, insurance policy document, Form 21 (sale certificate from manufacturer), Form 22 (road-worthiness certificate), and the temporary registration certificate. Your permanent RC smart card typically arrives by post within 30 days of registration. Cross-check that the engine number and chassis number on your invoice match what is stamped on the car itself. Keep digital copies of everything.
How long is the running-in period for a new car in India?
Most manufacturers recommend a running-in period of 1,000 km, during which you should avoid exceeding 100 kmph and keep engine revs below 2,500 rpm for petrol cars (around 2,000 rpm for diesel). Avoid full-throttle acceleration, hard braking, and carrying very heavy loads. After the first 1,000 km you can gradually push the car harder over the following 500-700 km. This allows engine components, brakes, and tyres to bed in properly.
Should I get ceramic coating immediately after buying a new car?
Getting ceramic coating within the first month is widely recommended because the factory clear coat is still in pristine condition - no swirl marks, no oxidation - so you need minimal paint correction before application, which reduces the overall cost. Professional ceramic coating in India typically costs ₹8,000-₹15,000 for a hatchback, ₹12,000-₹25,000 for a sedan, and ₹18,000-₹35,000 for an SUV depending on the product and detailer. Research the installer carefully - the quality of application matters more than the product brand.
What interior protection should I add to a new car?
The three essentials for Indian conditions are: 3D or 5D custom-fit floor mats (to protect the carpet from dust, mud, and monsoon water), a quality sunshade for the windshield (a parked car in Indian summer sun can reach 70°C inside, which damages the dashboard and shortens the life of electronics), and seat covers if you want to preserve the factory upholstery. Add a boot liner if you carry luggage or groceries frequently.
Do I need a dashcam in a new car in India?
A dashcam is not legally mandatory in India but is one of the most practically useful additions you can make - particularly given traffic conditions and the frequency of disputed accident claims. Look for a model with front and rear recording, night vision, a wide-angle lens, and a loop recording function. Fit it within the first week if possible, before any incident could leave you without documentation.
How do I set up my phone in my new car?
If your car has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, pair your phone before you drive away from the dealership - it takes five minutes and makes navigation and hands-free calling legal and safe. If it doesn't have a built-in infotainment system, a dashboard phone mount with wireless charging is one of the most useful additions. Use a USB-C hub in the armrest console to keep cables tidy.
What is the new car smell and is it safe?
New car smell comes primarily from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from plastics, adhesives, vinyl, foam, and other interior materials. Research suggests that around 80% of VOCs are released in the first three months, with levels dropping significantly after the first 30 days. The safest approach is to ventilate the cabin well - open windows and run the AC on fresh-air mode - especially in the first few weeks. Once off-gassing has reduced, it is a good time to introduce a quality cabin fragrance. If you have respiratory sensitivities, consult your doctor.
When should I add a car freshener to a new car?
Wait until the factory off-gassing has noticeably faded - usually two to four weeks after delivery. Ventilate freely in that window. Once the cabin is genuinely neutral, adding a considered scent is the step that makes the car feel like yours rather than like a showroom sample. A light fresh scent like Sea Breeze (₹509) or Lemon (₹449) works well as a first choice; Sandalwood (₹479) suits those who want something warmer and more signature.
What are the first things to do in the first week after buying a new car?
In the first week: verify all paperwork and document engine and chassis numbers, initiate the insurance transfer or endorsement with your insurer, begin the running-in period gently, install a sunshade and quality floor mats, set up Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and fit a dashcam. Within the first month: decide on ceramic coating or PPF while the paint is fresh, add seat covers if desired, and once off-gassing has settled, introduce a quality cabin scent. See our complete new car accessories checklist India for the full list.
What is the difference between ceramic coating and Teflon coating for a new car?
Teflon (PTFE) coating is an older, cheaper process - typically ₹3,000-₹6,000 - that offers a few months of mild protection and a temporary gloss. Ceramic coating (SiO2-based) bonds chemically to the clear coat, offers genuine hydrophobic protection, UV resistance, and scratch resistance, and can last two to five years depending on the product grade. For a new car, ceramic coating is the better long-term investment if you intend to keep the car for several years.
Step 6 of your new car checklist
The cabin scent — from ₹449. Naturally-derived, alcohol-free, built for Indian heat.
Once your new car has had two to three weeks to off-gas, choose a scent that is yours rather than the dealer's. SOSA's 12ml glass-bottle fresheners are available as Spray (strong throw) or Hanging (mild, ambient) — same bottle. Ships in 24 hrs from Pune. Phthalate-free and IFRA-aligned.
★ Sea Breeze — Spray ₹509 See all 8 scents →
Continue the read
More from SOSA's cabin experience guides
Editorial standards & sources
This article was written by Sonal Sahani, founder and ISIPCA Versailles-trained perfumer, SOSA Home & Body. Factual claims were web-verified before publication. Sources consulted: Team-BHP run-in guide (team-bhp.com); TotalEnergies Indonesia new car run-in advice; Kia Seltos India owner's manual (vehicle break-in section); Motor Headz ceramic coating cost India 2026 (motorheadz.in); AutozCrave ceramic coating price India 2025 (autozcrave.com); SMC Insurance RC and insurance transfer guide (smcinsurance.com); Bajaj General Insurance RC smart card guide (bajajgeneralinsurance.com); Consumer Reports break-in period article; CarXplorer new car smell VOC explainer; Million Marker VOC blog. Pricing for SOSA products is first-party verified. Ceramic coating and detailing cost ranges reflect publicly available 2026 Indian market data and are indicative — actual costs vary by car size, city, and installer. No medical or therapeutic claims are made. If you have respiratory sensitivities, consult your doctor before using any car freshener product.
Zurück zum Blog