How Often Should You Have Your Car Serviced?
The frequency of car servicing depends on multiple factors, including the manufacturer's advice, your driving habits, and the age and condition of your vehicle. Generally, most experts advise that you have your car serviced every 6,000 to 10,000 miles or every 6 to 12 months. Regular servicing helps to make sure that any important or key components like the engine, brakes, and transmission are working as they should, helping to avoid costly repairs down the line. Always make sure to check your vehicle owner's manual for specific guidelines, as some newer models may have different recommendations.
If you have a newer car, in some cases, your vehicle can detect when something on-board may need looking at. If you get an alert before your car is due for its next checkup, it is a good idea to book an interim service and get the issue resolved as soon as possible.
What Happens In a Car Service?
During a car service, there are a variety of checks that are to be carried out to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly and safely, but overall the service will depend on what type of car you are driving and how in-depth the service is going to be. Overall, the duration of car service can range from 30 minutes to a few hours, and in any event, the outcome gets recorded in your car service book, which you can then leave with.
Here are a few things you can do to make the servicing process quicker:
Arrive Early or On Time - Being early or on time allows our mechanics to start working on your car at the scheduled time, avoiding any delays.
Keep Your Car Clean - A clean car, especially the engine bay, makes it easier for the mechanics to access different compartments with ease, speeding up the time it takes to inspect.
Know What Needs To Be Done - If you are aware of what work needs to be done, ensure to communicate this with a member of our team. This helps to avoid unnecessary diagnostics and keeps the main focus on the main tasks.
Get Your Documents Ready - Keep your service records and any warranty information at the ready. This can help our team quickly understand the history of your vehicle and what needs attention.
Bring Alloy Wheel Keys Or Locking Nuts - If your car has alloys, these will need to be removed for our mechanic to test the suspension and steering.
What Are The Different Types Of Car Services?
There are two main different types of vehicle services that we provide, each designed to address different maintenance needs depending on the car's age, mileage and condition. Helping to understand the different types can help you select the perfect service for your car.
Interim Service
An interim service is usually carried out every 6 months or every 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. It is one of the basic services that is designed to keep your car in good running condition between more comprehensive services. During an interim service, key components like the oil, oil filter, and air filter are checked and replaced if needed. Other basic checks that are included are fluid levels, tyre conditions and how well the brakes and lights work.
Full Service
A full service is advised every 12 months or every 10,000-12,000 miles. This type of service is more comprehensive than an interim service and includes a more thorough inspection of the vehicle. In addition to the checks and replacements done during an interim service, full service includes an inspection of the brake system, steering and suspension, cooling system, replacement air and fuel filters, checking the exhaust system, and ensuring that the vehicle's computer diagnostics are in good order.
Get Your Car Serviced Today
Get your car service booked today with Freeway! Whether you are due for an interim, or full service, we offer comprehensive maintenance tailored to your car's needs. With a team filled with skilled mechanics, we guarantee a thorough inspection and servicing of all key components.
Written on 3rd September 2024