Car servicing is a very important part of car maintenance. Timely servicing reflects responsible ownership and impacts safety while driving. It is recommended to service your car (on average) at regular intervals of six months or 10,000 kilometres, though your mechanic will tell you the correct time frame for your individual car. However, there are times where issues arise unexpectedly and you find yourself needing to get your car serviced.
Punctures are usually the most likely car issue to happen unexpectedly, whereas most other mechanical issues tend to occur due to some underlying issue that was not noticed or remedied at the right time. This article will help you understand some of the signs which will help you identify your car’s servicing needs.
Three primary signs that show your car needs to be serviced
There can be several signs before a breakdown that indicate your car needs to be serviced, but below mentioned are three signs that you should never miss out on:
- If your car is making a sound that you’ve never heard or noticed before, then this could be an indication of a mechanical issue. In such cases it is advisable to get your car checked; this could be an early sign of a mechanical failure. This will help you avoid the heavy expenditure that would be incurred in the case of a breakdown.
- Keep an eye on the warning lights. Many drivers ignore the warning lights on their dashboard as long as they cannot feel an issue while driving the car. These warning lights can light up when the problem is still minuscule. When these come up, take these lights seriously and always refer to the owner’s guide to see what it relates to. Then take your car to the mechanic if need be.
- A squeaky sound while braking might indicate worn-out brake pads. Make sure that your brakes are in good shape and intact because they are a crucial part of your car. Always check that the brake oil you’re using is of good quality and at sufficient levels.
Keeping a check on these three things will keep the vehicle in good condition and increase your vehicle’s life. Following are some secondary signs which you need to keep eye on:
- Weak starts
- Sluggish gear changes
- Power loss
- Strange noises
- Strange smells (e.g. leaking fluids)
If you encounter these kinds of issues in your car, take your car for servicing as soon as possible. Getting servicing done on time ensures greater safety when you drive the car. Just like you get insured with the best car insurance or comprehensive car insurance for safety and precaution, timely servicing helps ensure safety and precaution. So make sure you never miss a deadline for servicing your car or following through on signs that it needs to be done.