Top local auto MOT service Reading: Car lifespan – A car that’s been taken care of will have a longer life expectancy, saving you from forking out on a new motor any time soon Do you want to sell your car? Having a full and thorough service history will allow you to ask for a better price when it comes to selling your car. Each car should come with its own service book, which can be stamped by the mechanic each time your vehicle goes for a service. If you are buying a car, aim to try and find one with a full service history as this will offer peace of mind that your car has been properly cared for by any previous owner(s). Discover additional info on Service And Mot Reading.
Ignore the myth of the 100,000-mile tune-up. “It doesn’t exist,” states Principe. “Each vehicle has a specific tune-up schedule recommended by the manufacturer. The more you keep the systems clean, the better the vehicle will run.” Variations in climate and driving style also dictate the necessity for maintenance. Commuting in dusty desert conditions will quickly clog air filters, while driving short distances repeatedly can wear out the exhaust system, as moisture is never completely evacuated. Extremely hot and cold conditions require more attention paid to radiator fluid and engine oil.
What Happens If I Don’t Change My Car Oil? Oil the lifeblood of your car’s engine and neglecting oil changes can be detrimental in the long run. Regular oil changes, as part of your routine vehicle service, keep your engine clean and lubricated, extending its life and enhancing performance. Not changing your oil can lead to a buildup of debris and pollutants, potentially damaging your engine and leading to costly repairs. So, when it comes to oil changes, don’t skimp out – your car will thank you.
Although the lights might not seem like a big issue for car owners, it’s important to have these function properly for safety. Make sure you take the time every few months to inspect the lights of your car. This is one of the easiest and cheapest car maintenance tips you can do yourself. While your car is parked, test all of the lights such as tail lights, brake lights, headlights, and turn signals. Ensuring all the lights work properly on your car will ensure your safety and save you from getting a ticket.
Top local auto servicing in Reading: The handbrake: check the tension in your handbrake. If it slides up and down without resistance and can’t be ratcheted to a set level, there’s likely to be a problem needing fixing by a professional mechanic. Seats and seatbelts: check the driver’s seat adjusts forwards and backwards and inspect the full length of the seatbelt for any damage. Check all the seatbelts latch and fasten securely, and lock when you give them a sharp tug. Windscreen: any damage wider than 10mm in the driver’s central view will cause an MOT fail, as will any damage larger than 40mm in the whole of the swept area. Discover extra information on carservice-centre.co.uk.
Full Car Servicing: This is a 52 point check list starting with replacing your engine oil and oil filter including air and pollen filters fuel filter on diesiel cars and spark plugs on petrel cars all under bonnet fluid checks plus all road wheels are removed and a report given on your brake discs and pads and a brake adjustment whee neccessary adjust handbrake check all tyre wear check suspension exhaust and underbody of the vehicle and a overall visual check. To recieve any advice or Vehicle related problems please email us on repairs@mot-centre.com or simply telephone us on 01189581198. Battery maintenance: Car battery maintenance is also important. Keep cleaning it from time to time as dirt can reduce the current. Use a damp cloth to wipe it off. Avoid leaving the car on when the ignition is off, as it may weaken the battery life.
We will consider Any Job And will Always Give you our Customer The Best Advice Possible To Save You Money Where We Can. Are You Going On Holiday, Get Your Car Checked By our Fully Qualified Technicians Before You decide to travel from the Reading Car Service Centre. Suitable for some high mileage vehicles needing frequent Car Engine Oil Change or low mileage vehicles needing only minor annual servicing. Oil and oil filters are changed, engine bay fluid levels are topped up and a visual brake system check and tyre report are carried out and completed. A vehicle health check and road test by a qualified technician are carried out.
As well as using the correct lettering style and spacing, your number plates need to be clean and easy to read from a distance. Modified number plates, damaged number plates or otherwise illegal plates will fail the MoT. If you own a diesel car fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could be given a Major defect and automatically fail the MoT test if it emits “visible smoke of any colour” during metered checks. Testers will also inspect DPFs closely for signs of removal or tampering, awarding a Major defect and failing the car if foul play is detected. Testers must refuse to test any car where the “DPF canister has clearly been cut open and re-welded” unless the owner “can show evidence that there was a valid reason to cut it open, such as for filter cleaning.”
Checking the tires before hitting the road is always a good practice. And this practice can prove to be helpful during the summer months too. Visually inspect if your tire threads are showing signs of wear or not. It is dangerous to drive with worn tires as those can lead to uneven handling of your car both during driving and while using the brake. And they may also blow out if not replaced timely. Next, it’s time to examine tire pressure. Depending on the build and type of your tire, the pressure should be between 30 and 35 PSI. Make sure that the tires are not over or under-inflated, as those may lead to a flat tire on hot days. Don’t forget to do the same with the spare tire as well. Do check out these top tips on how to inspect your tires before getting started.
We’ve included everything from the quick, easy tasks that take no time at all but can make all the difference, such as washer fluid and lighting checks, right up to more serious jobs, including fitting winter tyres. We’ve also included some recommended purchases where applicable. Despite the added urgency of keeping your car well maintained during the winter, most of the checks are the same ones you would perform during the rest of the year. That said, there are a few points where a bit of extra winter attention wouldn’t go amiss.
What tools do I need to service my own car? When it comes to servicing your own car, it’s essential you have the right tools and equipment to ensure you’re doing it safely otherwise you could be putting your car, yourself, and other road users at risk. Jack up your car, unscrew the sump plug in your engine, making sure you’ve removed the oil cap and placed a suitable drain tray underneath to collect the used oil. Next, remove the oil filter with the oil filter remover and wait for all the oil to drain out. When you’re ready, place the new oil filter in the same position, lightly wetting the rubber seal with new oil to give it a stronger seal. Refit the sump plug, remembering to replace or renew the washer around the sump plug first. Finally, use a funnel to slowly pour in the new oil, checking the dipstick regularly to ensure you don’t overfill. Run the engine for 10 minutes to allow the oil to circulate, then check to ensure the oil filter and sump plug are not leaking. After turning off the engine and allowing the oil level to settle, use the dipstick to ensure the oil is at the maximum.
Our patrols check the oil level of every vehicle they attend and find one in three are dangerously low. This can cause a breakdown and lead to catastrophic engine damage if left unresolved. Check your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car’s dipstick and top up if necessary. If you don’t know which type of oil you need to use, refer to your owner’s handbook or speak to your local dealer. You can trust the carservice-centre.co.uk with our local approved garages and NEW mobile mechanics. When it comes to rubber, check both your tyres and wiper blades on a regular basis. Check your tyres for general wear and tear, splits or bulges, and crucially tread depth. Minimum tread level is 1.6mm, although in winter it’s advisable to have 3mm of tyre tread to help with traction and grip. Also ensure you’ve got the correct pressure in your tyres, checking your owner’s handbook if you don’t know the correct inflation.