Cars are central to our lives, they allow us the freedom to travel for both professional and personal reasons.
Although just how often a particular make and model of car will require service is the type of vehicle, its annual mileage, and the manufacturer.
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However, these are only some of the factors that need to be considered when deciding on just when a car needs a service. Here are some factors you should keep in mind.
A Concise Guide to Car Servicing
A simple definition of exactly what constitutes a ‘car service’ would encompass the maintenance and repair tasks that are required to keep a vehicle roadworthy and a pleasure to operate after that vehicle has been in operation for a set period of time – or when it has covered a set number of miles.
One of the best guides as to when the vehicle should be serviced will be the information supplied by the manufacturer. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations is one of the best ways to take care of your automobile.
Regular servicing that takes place at intervals as stipulated by the manufacturer will keep your motor vehicle in great shape – and can help you avoid potentially expensive repair bills that can be the result of not having your car serviced regularly.
The majority of manufacturers will recommend that their vehicles be serviced once every twelve months – or once every 12,000 miles, whichever milestone is reached soonest. However, the way that you drive, your individual vehicle – and road conditions will all impact the ideal timing of your service interval.
Your logbook will allow you to learn when your motor vehicle was last serviced – and the details of any service should be entered by the mechanic concerned, with the relevant company and service details.
Modern vehicles have software and diagnostic programming that will allow the car itself to inform the driver when it requires a service, or if there are faults that require urgent attention – those warning lights should not be ignored until the next service – these warnings need immediate attention by a qualified mechanic.
There are other benefits to regularly servicing your vehicle, including improved fuel efficiency and the not-inconsiderable fact that you will enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your motor vehicle is in the best possible condition – and that regular servicing will keep the vehicle on the road for far longer than those where servicing is not one of the owner’s priorities.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
It may be necessary to schedule services more often, especially if the consumables that are essential to the proper functioning of the motor vehicle are running low. These consumables can include oil and oil filters, radiator coolant, brake pads, brake fluid, spark plugs, power steering fluid, and wiper blades.
In fact, the list of fluids and filters goes on and on. Servicing also acts as a form of preventative maintenance in light of the fact that a mechanic will check pipes and hoses that are transfer conduits for the essential fluids.
Why an Interim Service?
An interim service is usually scheduled at the halfway point between two major services. (every 6 months or 6,000 miles). It will not replace a full service (it is less comprehensive), but can help to identify issues that should be addressed prior to becoming a larger problem. typically an interim service will include a 50-point inspection, as well as an oil change and fitting of a new oil filter.
The Full Service
The Full Service is the most comprehensive type of service that is available from most auto mechanics. It usually takes place once every 12 months or 12,000 miles (as mentioned above) and will consist of a 77-point check. During this service, the engine oil will be changed, as will the oil filter and air filters.
The full service provides the professional mechanic with the opportunity to carefully examine all the vital automotive components of the vehicle, and evaluate the effectiveness and functionality of safety and other mechanical systems.
During both Interim and Full Services, the automotive parts that have a scheduled lifespan and require replacing will be removed and new parts will be fitted, so as to ensure that the car does not experience major problems.
A Manufacturer Service
In certain circumstances, vehicles that have higher specifications will require a Manufacturer’s Service. These services ensure that the parts and other items that are replaced have the manufacturer’s seal of approval and that all work done is in line with their commitment to brand excellence.
Those who want to take advantage of a Manufacturer’s Service would have to visit a dealership or manufacturer-approved garage. Both technical work and parts will meet the manufacturer’s strict quality standards.