Tips For Car Servicing And MaintenanceCar maintenance saves money

Aug 2, 2021
6 min read

Having your car serviced once a year and maintaining it in between is money well spent. Problems are more likely to be detected early on, when they are less expensive to repair, and your car will have a higher resale value and a longer life.

A well-maintained car is also more efficient, which means you'll save money on fuel. If you need to make a warranty claim, you'll usually need to show a complete service record for your vehicle.

Learn how to use your car's service manual

The service manual for your vehicle is essential for keeping it in good working order.

Written by the people who designed and built your car, it should include the following information:

How frequently you'll need to have your car serviced.

When the car's wear and tear parts may need to be replaced.

How frequently regular maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, must be performed.

It's also a good idea to use the service manual to budget for your car's maintenance and repairs.

To avoid wasting money on your car, always stick to the maintenance schedule outlined in the service manual.

Keep an eye out for dashboard messages

Most cars now have dashboard warning messages for a variety of issues, including braking system, engine, oil and coolant levels, and tyre pressure.

The owner's manual for your vehicle will explain what each illuminated warning message means and what you need to do.

A few of the messages are particularly urgent, requiring you to pull over to the side of the road and immediately turn off the engine.

So, if you see a lit-up warning message, always investigate it right away.

It could save you a lot of money in the long run, or it could even keep you from endangering other drivers and pedestrians.

The cost of not performing routine maintenance

When money is tight, it can be tempting to put off car maintenance. However, if you do this, you risk incurring much larger bills in the future.

The cost of a service is far less than the cost of replacing parts later due to damage caused by poor maintenance. For example:

Engine replacement from 2,499

Cylinder head gasket repair from 499

Water pump from 249

Radiator from 429

Maintain vigilance over the cambelt.

Check your owner's manual to see when your cambelt (the camshaft drive belt or timing belt) needs to be replaced.

This varies by vehicle but is usually required between 70,000 and 80,000 miles.

Cambelt replacement may appear to be costly (as much as 250 or more), but if it fails while you're driving, you could cause serious engine damage that will cost much more to repair than replacing it when recommended.

Maintain your tyres

Caring for your car's tyres will not only save you money, but it will also keep you safe on the road. If your tyres are in poor condition, they may blow out on a busy road or lose traction in bad weather, resulting in a collision.

Follow the tyre pressure recommendations in your owner's manual and check them on a regular basis. Tyres that are over or under pressure wear unevenly and must be replaced sooner.

Another cause of uneven tyre wear is out-of-alignment tracking, which can be checked and repaired at any garage.

Choosing a garage for Your Vehicle service

Dealerships are almost always more expensive than independent garages for servicing and repairs due to higher overheads and staff commission.

The average hourly rate for franchised dealers is 92.11, while independent garages charge 63.56.

Locating a reputable independent garage

Ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations and experiences to help you find an independent garage you can trust. Look for a garage that offers:

Pricing is open and transparent.

Any issues should be communicated in a clear manner.

Work of high quality that was completed on time and as agreed.

What is the difference between interim service and a full service and why should you service your car?

Regular vehicle servicing is critical to keeping your engine in good working order. Detecting faults and problems before they become uncontrollable can save you money and stress, so it only makes sense.

Nobody wants to be saddled with a hefty repair bill if they can avoid it. Regular maintenance is the key to affordable and safe driving. A well-documented service history will also assist you in keeping track of your vehicle's mechanical health. This will be a huge help when it comes time to sell your car.

What are the most common car service checks?

When completing car services in Reading, at Many Autos Ltd the vehicle service checks are intended to detect deterioration and identify potential issues before they occur. To give a driver the best chance of trouble-free driving, your service plan will include a variety of checks such as:

Engine oil

Oil Filter

Air Filter

Pollen filter also known as cabin filter

Fluid levels including:

Anti freeze

Brake fluid

Power steering fluid

Transmission oil

Brake pads, brake discs, brake calipers

Brake pipes, brake hoses

Fuel lines

Spark plugs

Car battery testing

Timing belts, timing chains and auxiliary drive belts

Suspension

Flywheel and clutch inc clutch components

Wheels and tyres

The level of vehicle service plan you select determines how many checks are performed and how many components and consumables are replaced.

Your cars services in Reading and MOT

Given that your car cannot legally be driven without a MOT, this is the Government's way of ensuring that all of our vehicles are roadworthy. This is a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Your car service will almost certainly cover all of the same items as your MOT test and certainly, the full services will. By completing the same tasks in both areas, you should save time and money by completing them all at once.

When looking for car services in Reading at Many Autos Ltd our car mechanics specialise in all aspects of car repair and maintenance. We are your all in one solution when it comes to ensure your car is in the perfect driving condition for comfort and road safety. We are also offering a FREE MOT test when all full service is booked.

How frequently should you service your vehicle?

The frequency with which you service your car is frequently determined by how frequently you use it. Drivers with a high mileage should have their cars serviced much more frequently than drivers with a low mileage. Obviously, your car is much more likely to suffer wear and tear if it is driven frequently than if it spends most of its time parked or in the garage. Based on your mileage, you should be able to determine the frequency of your own service schedule and which service plan is best for you. Speak to one of our trained technicians at Many Autos Ltd who will give you the best advise for your car services in Reading needs.

How much does it cost to have a car serviced?

How much does car service costs? Typical vehicle servicing costs should be depending on the make and model of your car and the level of service you require, typical vehicle servicing costs should be:

Interim service from 99

Full service from 149

Many Autos Ltd provides excellent rates for both levels of car services in Reading. We consistently outperform dealer servicing prices by up to 30%. We also provide a free collection and delivery service for all of our customers' vehicles, saving you time, effort, and money.

What type of vehicle service plan do you require?

An interim service is designed as a top-up service for high mileage drivers. It is recommended after 6 months of driving, covering distances of around 2,000 miles per month.

Every driver should schedule a full service for their vehicle once a year.

It is estimated that we drive around 12,000 miles per year on average. With that amount of driving, your car will be ready for its routine refills and replacements of consumable parts and fluids.

How long does it take to complete a full service? All of the work should be completed in about 3 hours.

A significant service leaves no stone unturned. This is the most comprehensive set of checks, changes, replacements, and recharges your vehicle could require. It is recommended that this level of care and attention be administered every 2 years or after 24,000 miles of use.

What exactly is an interim car service?

Your interim vehicle service will include a number of simple checks to keep you and your vehicle safe on the road. Many Autos Ltd performs at least 50 maintenance checks and provides a full oil change. If there are any signs of oil leaks, we will replace your oil filter as well, but only with your permission.

What exactly is a full car service?

Our comprehensive vehicle service plan includes 70 maintenance checks. We'll also change your engine oil, oil filter, and air filter. Wherever we discover any suspicious or potentially problematic issues, we will advise you on the best way to address them and the work required to get you back to 100%.