Cutting Car Service Costs

There are a number of benefits to regularly booking your car in for a service.

The top one being that if you make sure your vehicle is seen to at least once a year, you are significantly helping to ensure that your car remains in top condition for as long as possible.

Second to this, any problems that are fixable when they are small issues will be spotted and repaired. These small faults, if left unchecked, can over time manifest into very expensive problems. Which could help with your MOT as well.

DIY Car Maintenance

The cost of motoring has been on a steep incline now for several years with the recent economic troubles. As such many motorists are trying to find ways to reduce the amount of money that they spend on their vehicles.

Now, although car servicing costs can at times seem like a burden, they are important.

Buy, there are some small amounts of car maintenance that you can perform yourself – helping to look after your car in between services.

For those worried about not knowing enough to work on their own car, do not worry. You do not need to be a mechanic to carry out the most basic safety checks.

Engine

Checking Your Engine Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. As well as lubricating and protecting the internal components of an engine, the oil also removes any dirt or metal particles. Without oil, your engine would come to an untimely end.

To take an accurate oil level reading, first park your vehicle on a level section of ground and wait until the engine has cooled down.

Next, lift the bonnet and locate the dipstick. Give it a quick wipe and put it back into the dip tube. After pulling the dipstick out again, take a look to see where the oil has reached.

If the oil is in between the two marks, you have nothing to worry about.

However, if the levels are too low it is important that you add more oil immediately. If there is too much oil in the engine, you will need to either drain the excess oil out of the car, or take the garage for them to fulfill the service.

Checking Your Coolant Level

Checking the amount of coolant in your engine is another straightforward task. It is important to note that depending on the engine model the coolant may be located in a different part.

If you are not sure where you can find the coolant in your engine, it is best to consult the car’s handbook.

Once you know where the coolant is, wait for your engine to cool down – like when checking your oil. On the outside of the coolant’s container you should see markings which will read “high” and “low”. All you need to do is ensure that the coolant level sits in between these two marks – top up as required.

Wheels & Tyres

Clean brake dust off regularly

Dirt often gathers on your brake discs. If this is left then there is a high chance that it will solidify – with disastrous consequences. The best way to remove any dirt and grime from your brakes is with a damp sponge.

Check Tyre Pressure

Regular checks on the air pressure in your tyre can help to reduce petrol costs. If the air pressure of a tyre is too low, rolling resistance and friction with the road increases. This causes the engine to use more fuel to counter the drag effect.

The handling of your vehicle will also be negatively affected by tyres with incorrect air pressure.

Tyre Tread

The current law in the UK states that the legal minimum tread depth of a tyre is 1.6mm across 75% of the centre of the tyre.

Despite the law stating 1.6mm, many experts within the tyre industry agree that once the tread depth of a tyre is below 3mm then the level of handling and the grip of the tyre begins to decline rapidly.

This is why it is very important that you keep an eye on the depth of tread left on all the tyres of your vehicle – including the spare.

A quick way to test the depth of the tread is to place a ten pence piece between the tread. If the tread is above the dotted pattern across the edge of the coin then the tyre’s tread is at a legal level.

Types of Car Servicing

There are a number of different service options available from car servicing centres.

Car service prices do vary depending on the amount of safety checks performed during the service.
The three most common services offered are:

• Interim Service
• Full Service
• Major Service

Depending on how often you use your vehicle, or on which type of surface you most often drive on (i.e. off-road, motorways, country roads, etc), then the type of service your vehicle will require may vary.

If you are unsure then it is best to speak with a reliable mechanic who will help you to work out the best garage service.

It is best to seek out a reliable mechanic –either someone you know and trust, or someone who has been recommended by friends/family - as you want to make sure everything is transparent and that you do not find yourself paying for car repairs that you do not require.