How often your car needs servicing

How often does a modern car, need servicing is a question often asked by motorists. It can become expensive to have a full service every six months and so can be tempting to let it go for a while to save a few dollars. If you are unsure, talk with your friendly mechanic on Gold Coast and get some professional advice. The following considerations should be taken into account to determine if your car needs servicing.

Computerized Maintenance

Many modern cars are equipped with computerized systems that indicate when they’re due for servicing. Some use a light that shows on the dashboard, while others have the ability to track your maintenance schedule.

If you have a car without these features all the information and manufacturer’s recommendations are in the owner’s manual or do a Google search to quickly locate a copy.

For most cars

As a general rule a vehicle needs to be serviced every six months or 10,000km whichever occurs first. Even for people who do a low mileage, it’s important to have the vehicle serviced regularly. This is because many of the fluids used in a modern vehicle are susceptible to moisture and can break down over time.

If a Vehicle is not serviced

Not servicing a vehicle at the right time can cause a range of issues from having decreased fuel efficiency to causing major mechanical failures.

·         Oil

The oils used in modern engines contain special cleaning agents designed to ensure the inside of the engine is kept free of carbon deposits and anything that could wear or damage your engine. These can slowly deteriorate over time and use, so they lose their protective properties.

·         Brake Fluid

Brake fluid can absorb moisture when in contact with air; this can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes and cause internal corrosion. It should be changed every two years.

·         Coolant

Engine coolant needs to be replaced every few years as it loses its ability to provide adequate cooling and anti-corrosion protection.

·         Adverse Operating Conditions

Adverse operating conditions are often mentioned, these are where a vehicle is operated in:

·         Heavy Traffic

Continuous stopping and starting, as often happens in the inner city and during peak traffic hours.

·         Speed

When a vehicle often operates at high speeds a lot of stress is placed on the engine, transmission and braking systems.

·         Off Road

Off road or driving in dusty conditions can also require your vehicle to need more frequent servicing, often every 3 months or 5,000km.

·         Towing

Towing a heavy trailer or caravan places a lot of pressure on a vehicle and it’s components, talk with your friendly local mechanic on The Gold Coast about your driving habits, they will advise you on how often you need to have your car serviced.

Sticking to the right servicing schedule for your particular vehicle and driving style may seem inconvenient, but it will help to ensure trouble free motoring and also help to maintain the value of your vehicle as many buyers are interested in the service log when viewing vehicles.

Having your vehicle serviced every six months or 100,000km can help prevent costly repairs and ensure your efficient and safe motoring. Talk with the mechanics on The Gold Coast for friendly advice.