The Importance of General Servicing

 

Keeping your car in tip-top condition is important for safety reasons but it’s also a great way to help protect its value. It will be a lot easier to sell it when you want to upgrade to a new one, and it could even command a higher price than it would otherwise. It’s worth remembering that prevention is always better than cure, and that basic upkeep is much cheaper than major repairs caused by neglect.

Getting your vehicle serviced regularly can also be an effective way of protecting your warranty, as the manufacturer’s handbook/logbook recommends that certain essential checks are made and any problems are corrected promptly. If you do not get these jobs done, you could invalidate your warranty.

There are different types of general servicing, and which ones you need depends on how often you drive your car. For example, an interim service should be carried out every six months or 6,000 miles (whichever comes first), and will cover the key parts of your vehicle. This is not a substitute for a full service, but it can help spot any problems before they become more serious and will make your car run smoother.

A major service is more in-depth than an interim, and should be carried out every 10,000 – 15,000 miles or every year depending on your vehicle’s manufacturer guidance and how you use it. This will usually include a full inspection of the engine, gear box and transfer case, as well as flushing and changing the oil, fuel, air, and spark plugs. It will also involve the replacement of the radiator hoses, fluid level checks (including coolant), checking and topping up the brake fluid and power steering fluid, and replacing the wiper blades.

All of this will help to improve your car’s performance, fuel economy and reliability. It will also catch any issues that might need to be fixed at a later date. Lastly, most major services will include a road test to check the brakes and all of the vehicle’s lights, and they can even include a tyre pressure inspection to ensure that you are not running on under inflated or over inflated tyres.

If you are unsure what sort of maintenance your car needs, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or find a good mechanic in your local area. It’s also worth finding a place that specializes in your particular vehicle’s make, as some auto repair shops are limited to certain brands. You can also try and schedule a time that will work best for you, but remember that some places have very busy waiting lists, so plan ahead!