Cars need regular service to ensure they stay in good condition. In this post by AMSOIL: Dwight Smith in Ann Arbor, MI, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about your car service.
Why Get a Car Service?
Acar serviceis the routine maintenance appointment at your certified mechanic’s garage or the dealership where you purchased your car. The main reason you should get your vehicle serviced is that its components need to be checked regularly to ensure that they are working correctly. Taking it for service ensures better functionality overall but can also improve performance and fuel efficiency.
The second reason car services are essential is that they can help you catch issues with your vehicle before they turn into more significant problems that can be much more expensive and time-consuming to repair.
Does My Car Need to Be Serviced?
Yes, as mentioned above, your car does need to be serviced regularly. Regular appointments with your trusted mechanic or dealership can help your vehicle perform better daily. Also, it’s important to mention that many manufacturers require you to take your car in for servicing to make the warranty valid. Lastly, a vehicle with a good maintenance history will maintain its resell value and can be sold at a much better price than a car with a questionable service history.
Does My Car Need to Be Serviced?
Yes, as mentioned above, your car does need to be serviced regularly. Regular appointments with your trusted mechanic or dealership can help your vehicle perform better daily. Also, it’s important to mention that many manufacturers require you to take your car in for servicing to make the warranty valid. Lastly, a vehicle with a good maintenance history will maintain its resell value and can be sold at a much better price than a car with a questionable service history.
What Are Some Signs I Need to Take My Car In?
The first sign that you need to take your car in for servicing is the time passed since your last one. Other than that, some other signs your car might need to visit your trusted mechanic are:
- Your engine is making weird noises.
- Your Check Engine light on your car’s dashboard is turned on.
- You notice leaks from your engine.
- You have to replace liquids in your engine often.
- Your vehicle is overheating.
- There’s smoke coming from your engine.
If you notice any of these signs, take your car in for service even if it hasn’t been that long since your last one.
Dealership or a Certified Mechanic’s Garage?
There are two routes you can take for your car’s service. One is going directly to the dealership and having their mechanics work on your vehicle. The other option is to take it to a certified mechanic trained in your car’s make and model to assess how well everything is working. Taking your vehicle to the dealership can be more expensive than a mechanic’s garage, but the advantage they offer is manufacturer-level service. On the other hand, a certified mechanic can be a good option; just make sure you keep a record of the services for future reference.
What’s Does a Car Service Include?
Your car needs different service levels depending on the time or miles you’ve accumulated. Here are what usually each service covers:
- Basic service: This service should happen every six months or 6,000 miles, and it covers a basic oil and filter change and a general inspection to ensure everything is working correctly and that there aren’t any other issues that need to be fixed.
- Mid-range service: A mid-range service should be scheduled every 12,000 miles or 12 months and includes the same oil change as the basic service, plus changing engine filters.
- Major service: This service is the most extensive one, and you should schedule it every 24,000 miles or 24 months. Additional to what the other two include, this one will consist of checking your vehicle’s fluids, replacing the engine spark plugs, and doing a complete car inspection.
For information and guidance on your specific vehicle, check your owner’s manual to see what maintenance routine your manufacturer suggests you follow.
How Long Does a Car Service Usually Take?
Lastly, taking your car in for servicing can be time-consuming, but it’s essential you do so for its overall performance. Depending on how busy your mechanic or dealership is and how much work they need to do on your car, servicing can take one to three hours.
We hope you find this information useful for your nextcar service. If you need any further information, call the oil pros at Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706.