Does my car need a service?
Does my car need a service?
If you want your car to maintain performance, resale value and be reliable then maintaining a regular servicing schedule is highly recommended. Not only does a service encompass a comprehensive series of checks, it also includes a complete oil change and the replacement of key components such as filters and spark plugs all of which ensure your engine performs as it should and lasts as long as possible.
To put it simply, if you don’t service your car regularly you’re likely to have problems further down the line. Potential issues can be spotted early in a serviced vehicle, helping avoid an expensive repair bill and the risk of breakdown.
Why should I service my car?
A vehicle that is serviced regularly will last longer, have a smoother running engine and ultimately be more reliable. Servicing methodically checks components within a vehicle to ensure they’re in good condition and are working as they should be.
When you have a full service on your vehicle, the technician removes all four wheels to thoroughly inspect the braking & suspension components, clearly essential for safe driving.
A service technician will:
- Completely drain the old engine oil & replace with new oil of the correct viscosity
- Change filters within the engine & vehicle that are necessary to remove dirt particles & contaminants
- Replace spark plug if necessary (depending on mileage and whether they’re conventional or long-life)
- Remove wheels to thoroughly check braking & suspension components
If your vehicle isn’t serviced regularly then old, dirty oil & filters will cause the engine to lose performance & efficiency. Not having key components checked for wear & damage is also likely to lead to failure & breakdowns further down the road.
Engine oil changes
So why do we need to change the oil in a vehicle engine so often? Many drivers question the need for regular oil changes, especially if they only carry out low mileage.
Engine oil is an essential lubricant that ensures the multitude of moving parts within your engine can run smoothly. Without adequate lubrication these parts develop friction & heat which damages them, causing them to wear more quickly & in some cases causing their surfaces to “weld” together eventually seizing the engine.
Unfortunately engine oil degrades over time. It gets contaminated with dirt, debris & small metal particles – all of which cause it to lose its viscosity & thicken up which increases the friction within the engine. Regular oil changes prevent the build-up of carbon and sludge, extending engine life.
- Oil helps reduce heat & friction within the engine. Oil helps dissipate the heat so no area of the engine gets too hot.
- Engine oil helps keep the engine clean. Oil actually picks up dirt & debris within the engine and carries them to the oil filter.
- Protects against corrosion. Additives within the oil help prevent corrosion within the engine.
- A well lubricated engine requires less force to move each engine part – in turn, this improves fuel economy.
Oil filter
An oil filter screens out combustion contaminants, dirt and carbon deposits from the engine oil that lubricates your engine’s internal components.
It’s recommended you change the oil filter whenever you change your oil.
Air filter
A vehicle engine needs oxygen for the combustion process. The air filter prevents any insects, dust, particles, sand or debris reaching the engine and ensures a good mixture of air and fuel to support performance.
Fuel filter
The fuel filter’s purpose is to filter out potentially damaging particles that could enter the fuel system.
A fuel filter is a critical as it protects your engine from harmful debris such as dirt & rust.
Pollen filter
A pollen filter helps maintain clean air within the cabin by filtering any air flowing into the vehicle through the air vents. Not to be confused with the air filter, it’s necessary to replace the pollen filter more regularly if you drive in heavily polluted areas.
Spark plugs
Spark plugs create the electricity or ”spark” needed to ignite the fuel/air mix in an engines combustion chamber. Old plugs can cause problems such as misfires and cold starts & even put stress on your catalytic converter leading to expensive repairs.
What’s the difference between a MOT test & service?
Many drivers think that because their vehicle has an annual MOT they don’t need to worry about regular servicing but unfortunately that’s not the case. MOT tests and vehicle servicing are quite different, even though they both include checks of some similar components.
A MOT test is a legal requirement and is designed to check a vehicle meets the “minimum” safety standards for it to be driven legally on the road. If your vehicle passes an MOT test that means it meets the basic road safety & environmental standards set by the DVSA.
As MOT testers aren’t permitted to dismantle any components during the test a MOT test doesn’t give any indication of mechanical condition or engine health. MOT tests do include both emissions & brake tests however these merely test the emissions level (checking there is no major leak of gases) and brake efficiency.
How often should I service my car?
As a general rule, it is recommended that you service your vehicle every 12,000 miles or every 12 months – whichever happens first! If you have your vehicle serviced at these intervals we’d recommend a full vehicle service. Many vehicles now have a “Service light” on the dashboard which alerts you when it’s time to book a service, we’d always advise you not to ignore a service light even if you think you haven’t done enough mileage to warrant another service, it’s always best to check.
If you are a high mileage vehicle user, we may recommend an “Interim” service 6 month/6000 miles after your full service. If you are in any doubt, follow your manufacturers service schedule which can be found in your vehicle handbook.