Added on December 31, 2019  The News Wheel

10 Things to Know About Getting Your Car Serviced

Buying a car is a major step in many people’s lives. Some of us save our incomes for years to purchase our dream cars. But our responsibility doesn’t end with the purchase. Cars are a huge investment and car owners have to maintain their cars for as long as they are in use by taking them to reliable service centers for routine maintenance.

Getting your car serviced is an added expense, but if you neglect regular maintenance you may expose your car to damage that would cost even more money and time.

Here are some terms you should know when it comes to routine maintenance of your car.

1. Work order or job sheet

Work orders are a statement of requests made by the car owner to the car inspector, who then assigns the given task to experts.

A work order could include requests of replacing the engine oil, issues related to certain faulty parts, or even about diagnostic codes of the car. This serves as a method of communication between the technician and the car servicer and you must check if all the issues have been attended when you pick up your car from the service center.

2. Engine oil

The engine is the heart and soul of your car and if you don’t change the oil or replace its filter on a regular basis, it could affect the proper functioning of the car. You should change the engine filter on time especially if the color of the oil has darkened, as a normal engine oil appears cleaner and lighter.

3. Brake fluid

A car without proper functioning brakes would be useless and even if used, can lead to fatal accidents. A hydraulic fluid or the brake fluid helps in the movement of the different parts of a car’s brake system.

If you have driven your car on a long road trip, approximately a thousand kilometers, it is advised to get the brake fluid refilled or replaced. If you don’t do so, your brakes may not work upon pushing the pedal.

4. The exhaust system

The piping of your exhaust system ensures that no wasteful gases or other combustible elements go through the car’s engine, allowing the car to operate without making any abnormal noises or smoke.

It is imperative that you immediately take your car to a service center if you find any leaks or other problems in the exhaust system of the car. Make sure that all leaks are repaired or the pipes are replaced. A well-maintained exhaust system is vital for the efficient performance of the car.

5. Air filter

The air filter is another essential component of the car. It prevents any harmful debris, foreign objects, dirt or dust from entering the car’s engine through the air vents.

Cleaning out the air filter can easily be done and is recommended to be done after the car has been driven for a lot of miles to ensure good engine health.

6. The tires

Without a perfect set of tires, your car is as useless as a great runner without a great pair of shoes. The tires of your car go through most of the wear and tear, and they must be inspected every month or weekly if you drive off to longer distances.

You must ensure the tire air pressure and tread depth are adequate, and that the arrangement of wheels is also taken care of by your service provider.

7. Battery

Without a properly maintained automotive battery, the engine of your car may fail to start. If the car’s battery is not recharged, it could make you late for work or wherever you are going, that is why you must keep the battery recharged adequately to avoid unnecessary problems and delay.

Car batteries typically last for two to five years. If you have crossed that mark or are nearing it, it’s recommended that you get your battery checked to determine if you need a battery replacement.

8. Odometer

An odometer is a device that measures the distance traveled by your car. When you have given your car for servicing, it is best if you take it out for a test drive before taking it back home. This ensures the odometer is reading accurately.

9. Steering system

The steering system enables the driver to turn the car in their desired direction by moving the steering wheel in that motion. Turning your steering gear too much could cause internal damages to the steering system.

Apart from that, you should also test your clutch, gearbox and horn.

10. Windshield wiper and lights

Windshield wipers remove snow, rain, and dead leaves off your windscreen. But, after a lot of use, they could start malfunctioning or can get damaged. You must take your car to a service center to get your wipers checked for any defects and fill up the wiper fluid.

Apart from the wipers, you must get your headlight and tail lights inspected too. Driving with faulty or broken lights on roads during nighttime could be dangerous.

It only makes sense that you take proper care of your car after spending your hard-earned money to purchase it. Servicing your car regularly keeps your car in a good shape and saves you from unwanted expenses, protects you from accidents, and ensures your car stays with you for a long time.

This is a sponsored article.