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It is necessary
to carryout preventive maintenance to keep your car in good
running order. Basic checks every
month such as checking fluid levels and frequent servicing will
minimize the risk of a breakdown and prolong the life of your
car. The following is only a guide and brief overview of
commonly serviced items, please refer to your manufacturer’s
handbook for your specific vehicle and service requirements if
you are unsure.
ENGINE OIL
Why
Oil is the
lifeblood of an engine. Not only does it lubricate moving parts
it also prevents overheating and has cleaning properties too.
You can never change your engine oil too often. Renewing the
engine oil at or before the specified intervals prevents sludge
build up which ensures the oil can flow freely through the
passage ways in the engine to lubricate the various components.
Every time an engine is started from cold it produces moisture
which is transferred to the oil in the sump. This moisture
causes corrosion inside the engine and will break down the oil
over time causing premature wear to vital engine parts.
When
We recommend
changing the oil & filter every 6,000 miles. For turbocharged
cars it is recommended to change the oil every 3,000 miles.
Driving in the city or built up areas is a harsh environment for
any car. Lots of cold starts and short journeys not allowing the
engine to reach operating temperature along with frequent gear
changes and stop/start driving requires a car to have regular
maintenance.
AIR FILTER
Why
Air filters
prevent abrasive particles from entering the engine where they
would cause mechanical wear and oil contamination. A clean air
filter would also have a positive effect on engine performance
and emissions.
When
An engine air
filter should be changed at least once a year. If the car is
being driven in harsh or dusty conditions it should be changed
more often. A quick visual inspection will reveal if the air
filter requires changing or not.
SPARK PLUGS
Why
Spark plugs
supply a spark in the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel/air
mix in a petrol engine. A worn spark
plug can cause incomplete burning of the fuel/air mix and have a
negative effect on engine performance and emissions test. Spark
plugs in bad condition are also related to problems such as hard
starting and misfiring. A new set of spark plugs will not only
help emissions and performance but improves fuel economy too.
When
The standard
spark plugs (Copper) will need to be changed once a year to
maintain peak engine performance. Some more modern cars come
with long life spark plugs (Iridium) fitted which can last up to
100,000 miles. The down side to Iridium plugs is that they are
more expensive to replace. On some cars access to spark plugs
may be a problem, in this case it is a good idea to use long
life spark plugs.
FUEL FILTER
Why
The job of the
fuel filter is to stop dirt particles entering the fuel system
and engine. Fuel filters are often overlooked when servicing and
if left for too long the filter element can collapse causing a
drop in fuel pressure and eventually a breakdown.
When
On modern
petrol cars some fuel filters have a long life span compared to
older cars. Some do not require renewal until as high as 100,000
miles. Diesel engines however require changing every one to two
years and the water trap (if equipped) should be emptied every
oil change. To find out what mileage your cars fuel filter is
due replacement please refer to your manufacturers handbook.
COOLANT
Why
The coolant has
a number of different functions. It removes heat from the engine
preventing overheating, prevents freezing in the winter and also
protects/lubricates parts of the cooling system such as the
water pump. Over time the coolant can become diluted from
topping up with water causing the mixture to weaken leading to
corrosion of the cooling system and overheating of the engine.
If the coolant has not been changed for a long time or is very
dirty we recommend flushing the cooling system with a detergent.
When
It is
recommended to change the coolant every two to three years.
If you are unsure when it was last changed we can do a
simple test to check the antifreeze/water mix is sufficient.
BRAKE FLUID
Why
Brake fluid
requires changing as it is hydroscopic, which means it absorbs
moisture. Over time this will will lessen the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Moisture in the brake system will cause brake
lines to rot from the inside out and will also damage brake
callipers. Water contamination will also lower the boiling point
of the brake fluid which is very dangerous as vapour pockets can
form leading to brake failure.
When
We recommend
changing the brake fluid every two years .A brake fluid change
is often overlooked, so much so that many of the cars we service
for the first time we recommend a fluid change. Some more modern
cars will have a reminder on the dash. We also have a simple
test to check the moisture content.
AUXILIARY
BELTS
Why
Auxiliary belts drive components such as the power steering
pump, alternator, air con and water pump. Over time the belt can
start to glaze, crack and/or squeal. The squealing noise is most
noticeable on a damp morning or when the steering wheel is
turned to full lock. Quite often these belts if left unserviced
will fray and eventually snap causing loss of water pump or
alternator and a breakdown. In some case it is not the belt that
is causing the problem but the belt tensioner that has become
weak allowing the belt to slip and not drive the component
pulley.
When
Auxiliary belts last 4-6 years or more. The belt condition and
tension should be inspected every oil change. If the belt is
noisy but operates as it should it is possible to lubricate the
belt with an aerosol dressing however the noise will soon
return, the only permanent fix is to replace it.If there is
engine oil or fluids leaking onto the belt this will shorten its
lifespan considerably.
BATTERY
Why
A healthy car battery is a necessity especially in cold or hot
weather. Generally when a battery becomes old or run down it
will not hold a charge any longer. This means that if you leave
your car parked for 2-3 days or more the battery may go flat and
won’t crank the engine. A weak battery also puts extra stress on
an alternator as the alternator is constantly trying to recharge
the battery when its function is to maintain the batteries state
of charge not recharge a flat battery.
When
In general a battery will last 4-5 years. If the battery has
been run down repeatedly or not mounted securely it will have a
shorter lifespan than usual. A fully charged battery in good
condition should have approximately 12.6 volts, anything less
than 12 volts and the battery should be inspected or replaced
and the charging system inspected.
TYRES
Why
Tyres are one of the most important pats of any vehicle. They
have an effect on handling, steering and braking. It is
important that the wheel alignment and correct tyre pressure
have been set. If this has not been carried out the tyre will
wear unevenly and flex excessively at higher speeds which can
cause tyre failure resulting in loss of control of the vehicle.
Tyre pressures should be checked when cold and set to the
manufacturers specification.
When
The Tyre thread limit is 1.6mm.As soon as the tyre thread
reaches 2.0mm replacement should be considered as at this stage
the effectiveness of the tyre has lessened. Tyres over 6 years
old may have cracks in the sidewall and thread. When these
cracks appear it is a sign the tyre is aging or has been parked
for a long period of time. When tyres reach this stage they
should be replaced even if the thread is within specifications
as tyres are one of the most important parts of any car |
