Car Service advice from AA Automize
Regularly servicing your car can make the difference between it running smoothly and fuel efficiently, and the risk of it breaking down and incurring an expensive and unexpected repair. It can be a false economy to avoid regular car servicing, since expected wear and tear requiring minor maintenance, can fast become a costly major repair or replacement.
The service schedule for your vehicle will depend on the manufacturer and also depend on the car’s mileage and age. With the help of the experts at The Institute of Motoring Industry (IMI), the AA have defined a comprehensive service checklist so that when you book your service with an AA Garage and know exactly what work takes place on your vehicle.
The two most common types of service required on most cars are:
Interim Service
The AA have defined an Interim Service as having 35 main action points including, four changes and four top-ups. The changes include engine oil, oil filter and wheel nut torque (depending on the vehicle’s mileage and manufacturer specification). The garage will also check and change the tyre pressure and top up the clutch fluid, power steering reservoir, brake fluid level and windscreen washer if required. The garage will also perform checks on other parts of the vehicle and if these parts need changing they will communicate this with you in advance of carrying out the work to make sure you are aware of what additional work is required and whether any further costs may be incurred.
Full Service
The AA have defined a Full Service as having 61 main action points. These will include all the points in an Interim Service as well as some additional checks, top-ups and changes including the air filter which is replaced based on the mileage and vehicle usage. Additional checks and top-ups include your coolant or antifreeze strength, the gearbox fluid, clutch fluid, axle and/or transaxle oil and non-sealed battery units. All of these tops-ups are undertaken where applicable for your specific vehicle and depending on the manufacturer guidelines. The garage is also required to check spark plugs during a Full Service and change them based on the mileage and manufacturer specification.
The garage will also perform overall health checks on your vehicle and if there is other work that needs attention or other parts that need changing they will communicate this with you in advance to make sure you are aware of what additional work is required and whether any further costs may be incurred.
Corbridge Road Garage is an AA Certified Garage which means you can be assured your car service will be carried out to the highest standards. If you have any questions or would like to book your car in for a service, please call Jacqui or Paul on 01207 560274
