Service & maintenance tips
Servicing your car as required by the OEM is vital for the longevity, reliability and safety of
your vehicle while also contributing to the resale value of your car. Regular servicing could
also reduce the chance of costly repairs if issues are picked up before the failure of
components. You can also check your own car for issues that would indicate that you need it
serviced.
- Regularly inspect your vehicle for the tell-tale signs that it needs maintenance:- Worn tyres
- Lights not working
- Fluid levels low
- Unusual driving, etc
- Read up in the owner’s manual on what all the warning lights mean. Red is normally very important and needs attention immediately, amber is telling you to get the vehicle checked soonest and green is normally good.
- Pop the hood and check the conditions of your engine belts, look for fraying or peeling and listen for noises when then the car is idling and revving. Any issues you might pick up could be indicators of an imminent failure.
- Check your engine oil level.
- Make sure the engine is warmed up - turn it on for a minute then turn it off again
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Vehicles can use oil even if there is no fault, it’s part of the process of a running engine. If your car regularly needs oil though, enquire with the experts to see if there is an issue needing attention or not.
- Inspect your air filter. A dirty filter will affect performance and fuel consumption. Rather replace than clean if dirty.
- Remember, high-octane fuel is designed for high-performance engines, check your owner’s manual to see what fuel your car needs. If regular is advised, then use it and save some money.
- Being able to see is one of the most important safety features of a vehicle, and it starts with maintaining operational wipers. Regularly check them for tears, streaking and noise as they do tend to degrade quicker than most components. When replacing, ensure that you also clean the windshield inside and outside first.