When do i service a car

Advance Auto Parts created a tutorial for basic maintenance during the large gaps between the intervals. They take place at 3,, 6,, 9,, and 12, miles. Here, too, there's plenty of wiggle room unless a problem is evident. For more great auto tips, please sign up for our free newsletters. Although this doesn't exactly qualify as taking your car in for service, it's a good idea to drive for 10 minutes or so once a week or every two weeks, even if you don't have to.

The coronavirus shutdown led to a huge increase in employees working from home and forced millions of cars to sit idle for extended periods. Cars are designed to be driven — literally. Long-term lack of use is bad for your car — bad for tire inflation, bad for the gas tank, bad for the battery, bad for brakes, and bad for all the parts and systems that aren't being circulated with motor oil. The standard interval for oil changes has long been 3, miles, and it still is for many mechanics and dealerships.

The reality, however, is that the past several decades have seen radical improvements in things like engine efficiency, fuel injection, and oil quality. Most cars today require oil changes between 5,, miles. Always go with the manufacturer's recommendation in your manual. Valvoline vs. Walmart and More. Air filters are critical components that most people can change themselves. Whether you DIY the task or leave it to the pros, air filters should be changed at intervals not exceeding 30, miles.

If you live in an especially dusty or polluted area, according to CarGurus , you should change your air filter closer to every 15, miles. Advance Auto vs. They are often cheaper than franchised dealerships, but also offer a high standard of work. It's worth asking up front if they have access to the manufacturer information on what is required at specific service intervals, and that they will use manufacturer-branded or original equipment OE parts.

Some independents will work on a wide range of brands, while others may specialise in one brand or car group, such as the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. Fast-fit chains: There are plenty of these franchises about, including Halfords and Kwik Fit. They offer fixed-price servicing packages for motorists to choose from. Their technicians are similarly trained to the ones you'll find at independent garages and are capable of working on a variety of car makes.

However, that's not the case. Independent garages, specialists and fast-fits are all capable of servicing your car without invalidating your warranty, provided they fit manufacturer-branded or OE parts and use up-to-date equipment and technical information to work on your car.

Every major car manufacturer has a dealer locator app on its website so you can find your closest dealership. Alternatively, there are numerous websites that provide information on all types of garages near you, some of which are listed below. The independent garages that appear on these lists have been audited to ensure they are correctly trained and have access to the latest equipment. Many are also signed up to a code of practice that ensures they have to treat customer complaints in a fair way, and provides an arbitration service to resolve disputes.

It's only recommended if your car is out of warranty, and only then if you have all the tools and parts to hand. Don't forget, the best way to reduce the chances of a repair bill is to care for your car properly. Read on to the next page for our top car maintenance tips. For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? More people buy small hatchbacks than any other type of car, so here we count down the top 10 — and reveal the model to avoid.

The latest Honda Jazz impressed us with its practicality and efficiency in a group test — now our deputy editor is finding out what it's like to drive one every day. The original A1 may have been small, but it was also luxurious and great to drive. Has Audi repeated, or bettered, that trick with the latest model, or would you be better off with a Mini 5dr?

What Car? View all new car reviews. Your annual mileage will also determine how often you should service your car. As per manufacturer service schedule, check your car manual or use our product to find out. At Car Guide, we believe that every car benefits from an annual service. An annual service is essential to ensure that your car is safe and healthy. It can also identify potential problems early on which will reduce the risk of more serious and costly problems in the future.

Many people think that a service is just an MOT. However, an MOT and a service are two very different things. An MOT is a legal requirement which provides a technical inspection of the vehicle. Whereas a service ensures your car is safe for the road by checking and replacing wear and tear parts and fluids. Service history is a record of all the maintenance work and repairs that were carried out on a vehicle. It tells you exactly when and where these repairs took place.

Checking service history is key when buying a used car. A well-maintained car not only depreciates less but also could cost less in the long-run. Not sure what the service history should look like or what service is due soon? Try Car Guide! On top of service schedules and MOT history you will also find out what service is due next, what is your car likely to fail the next MOT on and you can see the true cost of ownership.

Buy like a pro with Car Guide. Car Guide can only provide you with what the service history should look like based on manufacturer service schedules. If you want to know what service should have been done on a car, you can use our vehicle check which includes manufacturer service schedules. If you know where the car was usually serviced, you could phone up the dealership or garage and ask them. Skip to content Home » Car Care » When is my car service due?

When is my car service due? A fair price in seconds, mechanics you can trust, next-day service at your door. Typical service intervals on UK cars Service Type. Service Indicator.