What happens when you delay car servicing?
First thing’s first, you should keep in mind that cars are designed to compensate for delays on servicing, but that doesn’t mean you should purposefully put off a car service for a significant amount of time or mileage.
If you delay a servicing for about 1000 km after reaching the recommended servicing point of every 15 000 km, or wait a few months after your 6-month mark, chances are that your car will be just fine, especially if you don’t use it often.
On the other side of the coin, putting off a servicing by more time or mileage than listed above will run the risk of your vehicle breaking down. Let’s look into a few of the things that can happen if you delay taking your car in for a service.
What happens if you delay a car service for too long
The biggest risk to delaying your car’s servicing for a significant amount of time is your oil filters, and oil in general, giving out. Basically, your oil filters aren’t made to last for a very long time after missing a scheduled servicing date; that is, they won’t last very long if you keep on delaying your servicing.
Likewise, you also need to change your oil regularly, something that a servicing does effectively. Leaving your oil and oil filters for too long after missing a scheduled servicing could result in a totalled engine:
Geoff Gwilym, CEO of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, said “the single biggest risk of skipping a service is a breakdown of oil or the sludging of oil, both of which will destroy an engine.
“If you’re missing servicing, you’ll run the risk of a totalled car because you haven’t changed the oil regularly. It’s sludged or overheated. Thick or thin oil will both destroy your engine,” he concluded.
Besides worn-out filters and thick/thin oil that could all destroy your engine if left unchecked for too long, you also run the risk of being surprised by a potentially lethal problem with your car.
From worn-out brake pads that can result in crashes, misaligned wheels that could put you in a dangerous situation, or transmission issues that can cost your thousands of Rands in repairs, there are simply too many risks associated with delaying your car service for too long.
We’ve got your back though, get in touchwith us to get access to seasoned car mechanics who know what it takes to keep your car in the best condition possible.
Signs that show your car needs a suspension repair
When last did you think about your car’s suspension system, even for a second? Unless you’re a certified gear head, odds are that you take your vehicle’s suspension system for granted.
Now, that doesn’t make you incompetent or reckless in any sense, but having an idea of what your suspension offers your vehicle – as well as how important it is to repair it when the time comes – can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long-term.
A car’s suspension can be defined as a system comprising of your tyres, springs, shocks, and linkages that connects a car to its wheels and allows smooth movement of your vehicle.
Suspension impacts several things, including the smoothness of your ride, as well as your vehicle’s balance and controllability.
4 signs that you need to repair your suspension system
Rough riding
This is by far the easiest and most convenient way of telling when your suspension system needs to be repaired. When you start feeling every bump on the road, or when bumps start making your car bounce, you need to get your suspension inspected.
Uneven tyre treads
Check out your tyres. If the tread has worn down unevenly, or if you notice a few unusual bald spots, it may mean that your tyres are suffering from uneven suspension, therefore placing uneven pressure on the tyres.
Drifting or pulling when turning
If your suspension starts failing, you may experience drift or pull when you’re turning. This usually means that the shocks are no longer able to keep your car stable against the force of a turn, essentially increasing the risk of rolling over. If you start experiencing this issue, we recommend you get in touch with an auto repair shop near you.
Nose dives when stopping
When you’re driving with worn shocks, you may start feeling your vehicle’s body lurching forward and downwards nose-first every time you apply the brakes firmly. This can affect your brakes’ ability to stop your car quickly, which is never a good thing.
If you’d like to learn about more of the signs of a failing suspension system ,don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
How often does your car need to be serviced ?
If you own a pair of wheels, you should already know all the details about when a car service is needed. It’s easy to forget, overlook, or postpone a car service; whatever your reason may be, delaying a car servicing can result in you spending a lot of money on repairs that would have otherwise been taken care of in a servicing.
As a general rule of thumb, you should take your car in for a service every six months, or every 10 000 km-15 000 km – whichever comes first.
When it comes to mileage, it depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Be sure to ask your dealership about keeping track of your mileage for servicing, it may just save you on unnecessary expenses.
In the meantime, let’s talk about why taking your car in for a service as often as is recommended will pay off in the long run.
What is a car service?
Car servicing, in a nutshell, is the process by which qualified car mechanics inspect your vehicle for any defects, damage, or wear and tear. Depending on the terms of your service plan, you can get those issues fixed as well.
During the inspection, a mechanic will look at several things, including your brakes and suspension, your wheel alignment, your car’s filters, as well as your transmission and clutches.
If you’re not on a service plan with your dealership, you may want to consider finding a competent auto repair shop near you. We’re always ready and willing to get your back into tip-top shape – get in touch with us to learn more.
Why getting your car serviced on time pays off
Imagine you’re strolling down the freeway one Sunday afternoon, more than a year after your last car service. Your transmission all of a sudden starts making unsettling grinding noises as you change gears. You’re forced to stop your car because of the severity of the issue, and there isn’t a single fuelling station in sight.
Pretty inconvenient, right? Not only will your day be ruined by having to wait for a tow, but you’ll also find yourself spending a whole lot of money to repair your transmission and/or gearbox.
Getting your car serviced on time, as often as is recommended by your dealership, will help you avoid these kinds of situations with the proper due diligence. Here at Mechanic Masters, we know exactly what it takes to give your car a good servicing. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch!
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