A Guide on How to Service Your Low- or High-Mileage Vehicle

Blog

How often do you take your car for servicing? Regular service is a sure way to avoid chronic engine problems. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to service your vehicle. 

Low-Mileage Service

This applies to new cars. Most dealers and manufacturers may give you free service for the first year. Manufacturers use high-quality engine components to increase the longevity of their vehicles and build their brand name. For a new car, you would mostly be concerned about your lubricants. The vehicle manual will provide information about what mileage you should change the engine oil and oil filter. Also, replace the air filter and inspect the spark plugs for signs of wear. Top up the coolant and brake fluids. Inspect your brake pads for signs of wear. Unequal wear on your tyres is an indication of wheel balancing and alignment problems. 

High-Mileage Service

High-mileage vehicles may have undergone abuse and stress; as a result, the engine may have some wear. Below is a short guide on how to service these vehicles:

Belts and Pulleys

The serpentine belt runs the air conditioning system, alternator, water pump and power steering pump. On the other hand, the timing belt controls the valve and piston movement during ignition. Over time, these belts will wear out and may develop cracks. Check the user manual to know when you should replace these belts. As you change the belts, inspect the pulleys for rust and cracks. Worn-out pulleys will damage the belts. 

AC Flushing

Flush the AC hose, the condenser and the evaporator to get rid of contaminants such as dust, fibres and insects. Also replace broken valves and worn-out tubes. Once you assemble the system, use nitrogen to get rid of moisture. Vacuum the system to detect leaks and recharge the system with high-quality refrigerant. 

Injectors

The injectors spray fuel in the combustion chamber. Over time, they may clog due to carbon buildup. This may affect your vehicle's performance, and in severe circumstances, you may experience an engine knock. Change or clean the fuel injectors to prevent such damage.

Chassis Inspection

Inspect the vehicle's chassis for signs of rust, dents and cracks. Conduct rust treatment and weld broken parts. A weak chassis may compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle. It may also affect the working mechanism of safety features such as the airbag. 

Other concerns should include the suspension system, sensors, fuel pump and filter. 

Servicing your low- or high-mileage vehicle should be easy with the above tips. Work with an experienced mechanic and insist on genuine parts. Contact a car service centre in your area for more information.

Share  

16 January 2020

Keeping Your Car in Good Condition

Cars are wonderful things. Unfortunately, they also have lots of technology and moving parts which can go wrong if they are not properly cared for. We hope that this blog will give you all of the info you need to service your car. We will be looking at subjects such as how to change the oil in an engine, how to replace a worn brake pad, and how to check the electrical systems on your vehicle. Everything you read on this page has been written by keen amateurs who have a really big passion for servicing their autos. We hope you love what you find here.