At Express Auto Inspections, we are all about providing our customers with the best value for money safety certificates, pre purchase inspections, servicing and repairs.
But we also want car owners to have access to the right information about everything automotive.
That’s where this blog comes in.
Every week, we will post about anything car related that we see as interesting or informative for car owners like you.
This week, it’s all about car servicing and maintenance.
Car servicing is an obvious aspect of car maintenance.
However, regular servicing, much like a dental appointment, is commonly overlooked by car owners who are time-poor. Most of us barely have time to sneeze in the day, let alone get to the mechanic (that’s where a mobile mechanic comes in!).
But like anything, your car’s performance will decrease over time without a bit of TLC.
How often should I get my car serviced?
At EAI, we recommend that you have your car serviced every 6 months or 10 000 km’s – whichever occurs first.
Why?
Although your car may feel like it is running well, there are things happening beneath the surface that can have a major impact on your vehicle’s health when left unchecked.
For example, the oil in your car doesn’t last forever. It starts to break down and go sludgy over time. Keeping your oil fresh will ensure that your car continues to perform well – but neglecting the oil is one of the fastest ways to ruin your engine.
Regular servicing by a professional mechanic will also ensure that any lingering issues in your car are caught quickly. Early diagnosis is key to preserving and maintaining your car.
What is a logbook service?
Your logbook was written by the original manufacturer of your car. It indicates which aspects of your car need attention, when.
Every model of vehicle is made up of different parts, which have different maintenance demands over time. This means that the logbook service period will vary between cars.
A logbook service is generally more thorough and a bit more costly than a regular maintenance service – but essential to ensuring that you car remains in good condition.
What can I do between services to maintain my car?
There are a number of different jobs you can do between car servicing to keep your vehicle in tip-top condition.
Below are three aspects to car maintenance that we particularly recommend:
Use the right fuel. Pumping low quality fuel into your car is like depriving your body of vitamins – unhealthy. Your engine won’t run efficiently and can become damaged over time. Specifically, bad fuel can cause engine knocking, decreased power and engine hesitation. Make sure that you use the correct type of fuel in your car, and avoid ethanol blends altogether in earlier model vehicles.
Make sure you are driving responsibly. Incorrect breaking habits, bad gear changes and excessive revving can all have a negative impact on your vehicle’s overall performance. Drive responsibly to increase the longevity of your car – and decrease your maintenance bills!
Clean your car regularly. Giving your car’s exterior a bit of TLC will do more than just keep up appearances. It also removes the salt, the grime, the dirt and any other stray particles that your car picks up while out on the road. These may cause rust and other body damage that, when left unchecked, can cause your hip-pocket some grief in the long run.