Service description
Many car enthusiasts believe that, once they’ve bought a car, they’ll drive it without making any changes until they sell it. Alas! That’s not the case! And if you don’t look after your car, it may break down sooner than you expected.
The cost of repairs will be far higher than the minimal investment required for regular servicing.
Fluid changes
Every car contains at least engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant and brake fluid. If it has power-assisted steering, it will also contain hydraulic fluid.
- Engine oil
Engine oil loses its quality over the course of a year (regardless of mileage). Even if the car only covers 1,000 km a year, the oil should be changed once a year. If, however, it covers 10,000 km a month, the oil must be changed monthly.
If you have a new car, the interval can be extended to 15,000 or 20,000 km. Don’t forget that the oil filter is also changed at the same time as the engine oil.
- Gearbox oil
Gearbox oil is usually changed based on mileage. Each car has its own oil change intervals. For example, on a Toyota Prius the interval is every 45,000 km, whilst on a Mercedes ML it is every 60,000 km. It is important not to deviate from these intervals, especially if the gearbox is not manual.
It is very important to use the oils recommended by the manufacturer; otherwise, this could cause the gearbox to fail. Also, do not forget that the gearbox has its own filter, which must be replaced.
- Brake fluid
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. Each car has its own schedule for changing the brake fluid.
Failure to change the brake fluid on time can lead to a reduction in braking efficiency, which may increase the risk of an accident on the road. Do not forget to change the brake fluid in good time.
- Coolant
Coolant is changed at varying intervals. This depends largely on the coolant itself. If the antifreeze’s freezing point is higher than the lowest possible temperature in your region (checked using a special optical device), if it has changed colour, or if it has been in the system for 100,000 km or more — any of these are reasons to replace the antifreeze.
Failure to change the antifreeze in good time will lead to damage to the hoses and radiators, which will disrupt the cooling system’s operation. As a result, you’ll have to replace not only the fluid but also expensive components. In models such as BMWs, the engine is particularly susceptible to overheating, after which it will need to be replaced – and that is by no means a cheap business.
- Hydraulic fluid
Hydraulic fluid should be changed approximately every two years or in accordance with your car’s maintenance schedule. It is possible to change it less frequently, but is it worth it? The power steering pump is not the cheapest component in a car.
Replacing filters
There are four main filters in a car: the fuel filter, the air filter, the oil filter and the cabin air filter. Each has its own replacement interval.
The oil filter is changed at the same time as the oil, whilst the fuel filter is changed every 1–2 years, or in accordance with your car manufacturer’s specifications. The replacement interval for the fuel filter often varies depending on the car’s operating conditions and the quality of the fuel. If it is not replaced in good time, the fuel pump may fail.
It is advisable to change the air filter every other oil change, but as it is inexpensive and its condition affects fuel consumption, we recommend changing it every time you change the engine oil.
The cabin air filter protects our lungs and those of our children from dust and dirt that enters the car from outside. Activated carbon cabin air filters are available for many models; these also disinfect the air passing through them. We recommend replacing this every time you change the oil, as this is vital for your health and that of your family.
Replacing spark plugs
The replacement interval for spark plugs varies from car to car and is specified by the manufacturer.
What are the signs that it’s time to change the spark plugs? The main indicator is erratic engine performance – commonly known as the ‘engine misfiring’. If you notice anything like this, you need to take your car to a service centre straight away.
Engine belts and chains, bearings and tensioners
Don’t forget to service your timing belts and chains. The average service life of a timing belt is 80,000–100,000 km, and for a timing chain, 150,000–300,000 km. More precise figures are given in your car’s manual. Failure to replace the timing belts or chains in good time can lead to them snapping and the valves in the cylinder head being bent, resulting in repairs that are several times more expensive.
The alternator belt and other minor belts are replaced as and when necessary, but the average interval is 80,000 km. If the belt has started to fray at the edges or even crack, it must be replaced. Otherwise, a broken belt could cause the car to overheat, cut off the battery charging system and lead to other problems that will cause a great deal of inconvenience.
It is best to replace the belt and chain tensioners at the same time as the belts. These parts have roughly the same service life, and it would be a nuisance if you replaced the belt only for a pulley to fail a few days later, meaning you’d have to replace the pulley and then replace the belt again, thereby paying twice for the same job.
To ensure your car always brings you joy and never lets you down, we recommend visiting a garage as often as possible for a basic check-up. An experienced mechanic will immediately spot any issues that could cause a lot of trouble in the future.
Our AUTOLIFE garage is always ready to help you with any of the above issues or any other problems. We offer a free diagnostic check to all our customers whenever they visit the AUTOLIFE garage.
We look forward to welcoming you as one of our satisfied customers.
