Why Your Car Needs Full Servicing Twice Annually

Regular car maintenance is required to keep your car in good condition for years, but how often should you visit the car servicing in Singapore to save on major car repair or to minimize car breakdowns?

Most car servicing shops have different recommendations and you also need to consider the age and the model of the car, and the type of fuel, too. Some experts will tell you to check the car’s manual to determine when you should change the oil and some parts to prevent damages, while others will consider the total accumulated mileage of the car as an indicator that it needs car servicing. The car workshop will also recommend new engine flushes, air filters, transmission fluids, and many more that your car might not need after all.

Check the Car’s Manual

As already mentioned, you should read the car’s manual and take note of the recommended schedule or car servicing for each part. You will learn that your car will not need a full car servicing every time you visit a car workshop in Singapore, because each component has a lifespan. Some parts, however, like the oil filter, engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, should be changed more often than the 6-month window period. Over-maintenance is possible, that is why you should know what type of services by a good car mechanic in Singapore that you’re paying for and why. Some car servicing shops offer custom car servicing if you want to choose which services your car needs.

Consider the Age and Model of the Car

If the car is older than 4 years, it will require car maintenance more often than the 12-month window period. Not all parts should be replaced or changed at every car servicing, however, because there is a life cycle for each component. The air-conditioning, for example, should only be checked every two years, unless there is a problem. Automatic cars also need car servicing every 12 months or an accumulated 12,000 miles, with an emphasis on the transmission.

Major car repair can cost you more than preventive maintenance, that is why you should stick to the recommended schedule to address minor problems immediately. Most new cars have an in-vehicle reminder for maintenance that will not consider the total mileage, because it prioritizes the vehicle operating condition instead. Whatever maintenance reminder system your car uses, you should trust the indicators instead of going on a hunch, because that’s what those warning lights are made for.

Do-It-Yourself Car Maintenance

There are car servicing tasks you can perform yourself to ensure that the engine is running smoothly. Before leaving the house, do a visual inspection of the tires, oil and water levels, and the exterior lights. Most modern cars also include warning lights on the dashboard that will tell you which parts need replacement, refilling or repair. Make it a habit to check the car daily so that any minor problem can be addressed right away.

However, there will still be emergencies even if you follow the recommended car maintenance schedule. Be prepared for emergencies by taking with you extra parts, oil, and water, and by keeping a car servicing toolbox ready all the time. If there is something you don’t understand, however, like in most modern cars that are too complicated for the average car owner, it’s better to take the car to a professional car servicing in Singapore.

Check the Services Offered

Most car servicing in Singapore usually have three types of car maintenance, such as full service, interim service, and major service. Full and major car servicing is usually done after 12 months and more regardless of the mileage of the car. For cars with high mileage, however, additional car maintenance called interim service is recommended every 6 to 18 months besides the full or major car servicing every 12 and 24 months. Ideally, you should have your car maintenance twice annually to get the best results.

The three types of services are designed to optimize your car regardless of age, model, condition, and history. Interim service is used to test all main moving parts that need attention within a short period, while a full service is made to exceed the recommendations of car manufacturers to be doubly sure that there will be fewer problems. A major car servicing on the other hand, covers all the essential car maintenance tasks and recommended replacements, which will allow you to spend money only on what you need. Ask for a list of services offered for each type if you want to know what you’re paying for.

Car Servicing Checklist

Do not hesitate to ask for a car servicing checklist when you take your vehicle to a car workshop in Singapore. The checklist will give you an idea what you’re getting for your money and if you’re missing out on something. A full car servicing checklist usually includes inspections and/or replacements of the following:

1. Instruments, warning lights, and gauges
2. Windscreen wipers
3. Interior lights
4. Seat belts
5. Service light
6. Warning light
7. Clutch operation for manual cars
8. Engine diagnostic codes
9. Air-conditioning system
10. Exterior lights
11. Doors and boots
12. Fuel cap
13. Mirrors
14. Steering, ball joints, and suspension linkages
15. Tires (alignment, tread, and pressure)
16. Springs and shock absorbers
17. Battery and wiring
18. Alternator and starter motor
19. Coolant or antifreeze and coolant hoses
20. Brake fluid
21. Bonnet catch
22. Steering fluid
23. Auxiliary drive belt
24. Brake pipes and hoses
25. Radiator
26. Brakes
27. Fuel pipes
28. Spark plugs
29. Engine, transmission, and rear axle
30. Drive shaft gaiters and joints
31. Exhaust and mountings
32. Engine oil
33. Engine filter
34. Windscreen washer fluid
35. Fuel filter for diesel cars
36. Air filter

Car servicing might also include a road test to see if your car has any other problem that has been overlooked during the car maintenance.