What follows is only a generic guide to routine replacements – the list of possible inspection points is too long to reproduce here. Not only that, a lower-than-average mileage often indicates a lot of short journeys, and these cause disproportionate wear and tear which makes an annual service all the more important.ĭifferent car makes and models will have different servicing requirements and it’s a good idea to check the manual or the manufacturer’s online advice. It’s done this way for a reason, because even if you haven’t driven anywhere near the mileage quoted, your vehicle’s components can still degrade and lose efficiency through age alone. Makers often recommend services at fixed mileages or every year, whichever comes first. There are some basic checks you need to do at every service, some that you would only do in an annual service, and a few that happen only occasionally at a fixed mileage or time interval in a major service. The easiest way to visualise this is with a table that lists the jobs to be done and the mileage or time interval when they need to be carried out. Suspension parts fall into this category, as do wheel bearings, turbochargers, catalytic converters and a host of other major components. This is why a proper inspection is so important, because it can reveal excessive wear and the need for replacement before it becomes a safety issue. There are many car components which do not have a known life expectancy but will probably fail eventually. It means discarding components that appear to be working perfectly well, but old oil no longer protects your engine properly, blocked air filters and corroded spark plugs reduce engine efficiency, old brake fluid reduces braking efficiency and timing belts and chains have a fixed life – you need to replace them before they break, because if you wait until they fail, they are likely to take the entire engine with them.ģ) Ad hoc repairs: Unexpected repairs are a fact of life with older cars. These items include oil and oil filters, air filters, brake fluid, spark plugs and even timing belts. This can include checking for oil leaks and coolant leaks, checking belts and tensioners, battery condition and terminals, the condition of the exhaust system, suspension, brakes and tires.Ģ) Routine replacement: Many of the items on the service checklist will be routine replacements. This is how motor repair shops work, and how they price up their service schedules. If you do your own servicing, you should adopt the same rigorous approach to vehicle checks and service intervals – it reminds you what needs doing in a systematic way.ġ) Inspection: This the backbone of any service routine, a checklist of items to tick off. Fixed-price servicing includes the first two, but the third – ad hoc repairs – will be extra. If you have your car serviced by a motor repair shop, the work will fall into three main categories, below. Servicing is not an optional expense, it’s an essential part of car ownership. It’s worth pointing out, too, that if you’re unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, your car’s state of repair, or lack of it, could leave you liable for an insurance claim or even prosecution. Third, it helps your vehicle’s resale value, since new buyers will want to see evidence of full and systematic maintenance. Second, it helps your vehicle run more efficiently, so that the cost of a new air filter, for example, could soon be recouped with increased fuel efficiency. Regular servicing is important for three reasons.įirst, it reduces the risk of breakdowns and possibly dangerous component failures and it alerts you to wear on items with a finite life brake pads, for example, or tires.
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