Three Types Of Car Servicing

Car servicing, when done at regular intervals, will help prolong you cars life, saving you money and reducing the risk of breaking down. There are a number of different types of car servicing that are each performed at different intervals. It is always advised to perform car service maintenance at least once a year or face the possibility of voiding the warranty of some manufacturers.

The most basic type of service is to change the engine oil, often called an Oil Service. This is a simple process that can be done by nearly anyone. Firstly, consult the car owners’ guide to find out when the oil needs to be changed, typically it should be changed every ten thousand miles. Ensure the correct grade of oil is used, if you are unsure what grade oil should be used then please consult a mechanic or a similar individual. An oil service usually includes other checks such as battery, lights, wipers and tyre checks as well as checking essential fluids like brake, windscreen and power steering. An oil service does not give a ‘service history’ stamp.

An interim service is recommended to be carried out after six thousand miles, or six months, whichever comes first. It is ideal for motorists who regularly drive very high mileage. The interim service covers all essential checks like the lights, windscreen wipers, tyre and tread pressure, shock absorbers, suspension, brake and steering checks.

The other type of car servicing is a full service; this is required once a year, or every 12,000 miles. A full typically service consists of all the checks in an interims service as well as a wheel alignment test, belt and brake fluid checks and a wheel bearing check. Depending on whether the vehicle is a petrol or diesel car, the fuel filter may be replaced (diesel) or the spark plugs replaced (petrol). The air filter is also replaced in a full service. Of course, due to the extra work carried out and the time it takes, you can expect to pay a little bit more for a full car service.

Some people may confuse a car service with an MOT but the two are separate. Think of a car service as a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set interval. An MOT on the other hand, is an annual test of safety, and only really checks to see whether your car is safe and road worthy.

Your car service and MOT can now be booked online at ebeepbeep.com