Dear Suzi Traveler, Congratulations for Buying a Vehicle !
Next steps:
TOLLS
All highways in Santiago are toll routes and you can get fines by driving them without a tag.
You can get a daily pass here : https://www.pasediario.cl/ or at a copec gas station or at a servipag paying station. The daily pass is great because it also covers some toll routes outside of santiago. The daily pass also works in some tolls outside of Santiago, when you get to a peaje(payment stop before a toll route) try to go through the tag lane and see if the gate opens automatically.
Another and easier option is to get a TAG (toll road device), you can get it at any "Costanera Norte" office You will need your RUT and contract you received at the notary when buying the car.
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Don’t forget to bring back the tag after selling the car or to buy a daily pass before coming back to santiago.
show them RUT and contract for owning the car.
International Insurance:
online via HDI seguros https://www.hdi.cl/hdi-seguros-home/seguros/seguros-de-auto/rci/ (if the link doesn't work, just google " SEGURO HDI RCI"
Name of insurance is RCI - responsabilidad civil internacional
https://www.zenitseguros.cl/seguros/viajes/seguro-argentina/
COLOMBIA INSURANCE - must go in person to Seguros La Previsora https://goo.gl/maps/n2bRvtvtTLMExZzw6
How to maintain your vehicle while traveling and avoid mecanical problems:
Daily morning routine : check your oil and coolant levels when engine is cold. optional: look at steering fluid levels, break oil level (never add break oil if missing, change pads)
Every 5,000 kms : stop by a garage for a check up and maybe an oil change (+air ,oil , gasoline filters) Look at the coolant - if color is not strong (either green or red depending on what you had there before) or if rusty, consider flushing and changing the coolant, we recommend prestone or manufacturer original coolant which last long. if coolant level goes down consider changing the radiator and checking for a leak.
every 10,000 or once during your trip : consider these optional maintenance items : transmission, differentials, transfer case fluid change, cardan greasing, PCV valve cleaning.
Your car is getting close to 100,000kms ? consider changing spark plugs and maybe coils, cleaning of throttle body. 140,000kms - Clutch change on a manual transmission vehicle (or every 50,000kms on a chevrolet n300 van)
Getting close to 200,000kms ? consider these items: water pump, serpentin belt and pullies, spark plugs,coils, throttle body cleaning.
Suspension : got clanking noise or bouncy car/van ? check if your shocks are leaking, inner and outer tie rods in a good shape, bushings in the lowr and upper control arms, sway bar .
Got a check engine light ? get it scanned and tell us whats the code so we can guide you to the right maintenance.
IMPORTANT : IF YOU GO TO A GARAGE SOMEWHERE, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT BEFORE PAYING OR COMMITING TO A JOB, CHECK THE QUOTE WITH US FIRST TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET RIPPED OFF.
ONLY GO TO HIGH RATED GARAGES WITH GOOD REVIEWS.