Professional car servicing Reading: Spending five minutes carrying out these simple checks every few weeks – and certainly before a long journey or an MOT – can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, not to mention help keep you safe on the roads. To keep things simple, here are 12 simple car checks you can carry out today to keep your car safely on the road and on the right side of the law. When it comes to preventing a breakdown, remember the acronym FORCES, which stands for Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, Screen wash. Check you have plenty of fuel in your tank for your journey. It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised just how many people run out of fuel, particularly in harsh winter weather. Worried about running out? Here’s our guide to saving fuel. Find additional info on Book Car Service Near Me.
Expert Vehicle Service Answers for UK Drivers – When it comes to vehicle service, is there such a thing as a silly question? Especially in the UK, where the weather can be as unpredictable as the traffic, knowing the ins and outs of your car’s needs is essential. At carservice-centre.co.uk, we understand that every driver’s experience is unique which is why we’ve compiled a list of FAQs to help guide you through the world of vehicle service. So, buckle up, and find the answers you’ve been searching for in this guide.
Changing the oil and checking the fluids is something your car cannot go without. Depending on your car and how often you drive, most cars need an oil change between every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Making it a habit of changing the oil will extend the life of your vehicle and save you money on costly repairs. During routine oil changes, your mechanic can also check to make sure all other fluids in your car are topped off.
Inquire about pricing and labor rates. Before you surrender your keys to the service department, be sure to determine the labor rate. Shops typically post the rate in a conspicuous place, so be observant and ask questions if you’re confused. Make sure you understand the way in which you will be billed for an auto repair. Many shops bill according to estimated repair times established by the manufacturer. A repair that the service tech deems “minor” could indeed be an all-day job according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Auto service Reading today: The handbrake: check the tension in your handbrake. If it slides up and down without resistance and can’t be ratcheted to a set level, there’s likely to be a problem needing fixing by a professional mechanic. Seats and seatbelts: check the driver’s seat adjusts forwards and backwards and inspect the full length of the seatbelt for any damage. Check all the seatbelts latch and fasten securely, and lock when you give them a sharp tug. Windscreen: any damage wider than 10mm in the driver’s central view will cause an MOT fail, as will any damage larger than 40mm in the whole of the swept area. Read more information at carservice-centre.co.uk.
Full Car Servicing: This is a 52 point check list starting with replacing your engine oil and oil filter including air and pollen filters fuel filter on diesiel cars and spark plugs on petrel cars all under bonnet fluid checks plus all road wheels are removed and a report given on your brake discs and pads and a brake adjustment whee neccessary adjust handbrake check all tyre wear check suspension exhaust and underbody of the vehicle and a overall visual check. To recieve any advice or Vehicle related problems please email us on repairs@mot-centre.com or simply telephone us on 01189581198. Battery maintenance: Car battery maintenance is also important. Keep cleaning it from time to time as dirt can reduce the current. Use a damp cloth to wipe it off. Avoid leaving the car on when the ignition is off, as it may weaken the battery life.
Visit a place you know is reputed and if it’s not an authorized garage for your car brand, ensure the technicians use the approved materials, for instance the exact grade of oil, or replacement parts bearing the exact numbers approved by the car manufacturer. This not only ensures the best results and reliability, but will also comply with any warranty the car may be under, Also make sure you retain all the bills and service receipts that bear the above details. Whoever you entrust your car with, make sure they are careful workers. If they pay attention to the little details, you’ll know your car is in good hands.
Even though it has been around a long time, the main ethos behind the MoT has not changed. It is designed to identify any weaknesses or faults on a car which may endanger the lives of road users – both inside and outside the car. However, and very topical at the moment, emissions testing was also introduced to the MoT test in a bid to identify and repair cars which have defunct emissions control systems e.g. catalytic converters. Should a vehicle fail its MoT, it is not permitted to be used on the public highway (excluding of course being trailered), unless you are going to or from an pre-booked MoT MoT test at an authorised garage. Thus, it is vital to make sure your chariot of fire passes its MoT first time, saving you time, money, and hassle.
The reality is that regardless of whether you like it or not, you may have to park your car outdoors for prolonged periods underneath the scorching sun. Consider getting windshield covers that can minimize the amount of heat entering the car, so that later when you get in the car, you don’t feel like a pizza in the oven. You might want to do the same for the rear side and windows too. Everybody who drives knows how important brakes are for the safety not only of your vehicle but also your life. Brakes are important regardless of the season, and summers are no different. Check if your brake pads or shoes are worn beyond the acceptable thickness specifications for your car. If so, you should replace the brakes without further delay.
Cold and damp weather can put a strain on your car’s 12-volt battery. The lower temperatures already make it harder for an engine to turn over, but unfortunately, as any EV driver will tell you, cold weather also has a negative impact on a battery’s power output. If you haven’t changed your car battery recently, then it could be tired, and the cold weather could amplify the problem. If the battery struggles to provide enough power to start your car, the chances are it’s on its way out. You can get a home battery tester and most are easy to use. If you do indeed need a replacement battery then, assuming you can start the car, you can drive to your local dealer or car spares shop to buy a new one. Most car battery stockists will also fit it for you.
How can I recycle my oil? If you service your own car, one of the trickiest things to sort out is the used oil. Engine oil should be recycled after use and not mixed with any other substances. To find your nearest oil recycling facility, and for more information on recycling oil, check out the government’s Oil Bank Line website. What jobs should I ask a specialist to do? Even though you may be confident in servicing your own vehicle, it does come with certain risks. Safety is the main reason why servicing and MOTs are carried out on vehicles – and compromising this isn’t something any owner should take lightly. Brake fluid, discs, pads and anything else related to this area of the car are crucial in stopping the vehicle. So, this should always be left to a professional if you even have the slightest bit of doubt. Also, fuel systems and filters are incredibly complicated – and not something you can learn by following a YouTube video.