All of us have different reasons for wanting to book a car in for a service. It’s likely that the service is only thought about when something unpleasant occurs. However, when there is a fault with the car, it’s often too late, as the issue could already be more financially damaging than a regular service. If you monitor the minor issues closely, they could save you money, time, and they can prevent dangerous situations from occurring.
A knocking sound in the engine, a squealing sound when you brake, and rattling sounds while driving over bumps all signify a problem. A big giveaway that something is wrong is your car. All of the noises that your car makes should be investigated rather than ignored.
It’s obvious dashboard warning lights are an indication of something being wrong, yet many drivers continue to drive for weeks with these lights still on. The engine management light, for instance, can mean some minor issues like a loose fuel cap, but these can also be serious problems with the emissions system. Regardless, they are always worth getting checked.
Seeing your fuel economy taking a hit is less obvious, but still a major indicator. If your driving habits haven’t changed, and you’re getting fuel more frequently, it could signal worn spark plugs, a clogged air filter, or tyres that are underinflated. Tackling any of this early on is a cheap fix.
Don’t ignore vibrations in the steering wheel or pedals. Sometimes the cause may be unbalanced wheels, but it could also be an early indicator of brake or suspension wear, both of which impact the safe handling of your vehicle.
Take note of your service history. Ideally, service should be done every 12,000 miles/1 year. Following this, will catch issues when they are still small, rather than big, expensive problems. Plus, a car that has been well maintained will hold its value better if you ever sell it.
It might be time for your car to be checked out by a reliable garage if it’s been a while since it was last serviced or if you noticed any of the previous indicators. It might seem like a minor expense, but the cost is often recouped many times over.