Auto service deals in Reading 2023: How much can skipping oil changes affect your budget? Oh, plenty. Oil problems can be some of the costliest car maintenance issues to fix, since oil affects pretty much everything your car does. So don’t skip it. Getting your oil (and filter) changed costs around $35–75.1 For the price of a family dinner at a higher-end fast food joint, you’ll lower the risk of wearing out your engine—which costs a lot more than burgers and fries to replace. Read additional details on car service Reading.

Buying what you need second-hand is a surefire way to save even more money, and well established sites such as eBay and Gumtree make this easy. Don’t discount Facebook Marketplace, either – it’s particularly ideal for bulkier accessories that you can pick up locally, avoiding postage charges. There’s an old adage about buying once and buying right, and that’s certainly true when buying tools, parts or accessories for your car. Yes, it’s possible to buy a set of screwdrivers or pliers for a few pounds at your local bargain store, but when you’re working on your car there’s a fair chance they’ll let you down when you need them the most. The issue is not just that you’ll need to replace them, but it’s also the time taken to jump in the car and find a retailer that’s open. And you might end up paying more than you need to.

Car Servicing Tilehurst Whichever car it is that you drive, be it a family saloon, a huge 4×4 or a sports car, you would always love to have it be a reliable and consistent performer, like a well-oiled machine. And this isn’t very difficult. All you need to do is take the car in for it’s periodic checks. Car servicing is the single most important element to ensure a long and trouble-free life for your car. Car Service Tilehurst – Scheduling Your Car’s ‘Scheduled Maintenance’Of course, there’s every possibility that your schedule is a bit too hectic and you’re busy with work, or just cannot afford to drop the car off for a service because you’re afraid it might just take too long.

Ask questions. Lots of them. Don’t be intimidated. Ask questions about why something needs fixing or how a technology works. As the customer, you have a right to become more educated about your vehicle. Request Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Whenever parts need to be replaced, be sure to request genuine OEM components rather than generic pieces. Maintaining exact manufacturer specifications is important in achieving optimum performance. The low-price allure of aftermarket parts often prompts customers to forgo OEM quality, but spending the extra dollars on factory-approved equipment now can make a big difference down the road, especially in terms of vehicle longevity.

Once a car is three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) it must be tested each year to check it meets road safety and environmental standards. This Ministry of Transport test is commonly known as an ‘MOT’. MOT tests are carried out at authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles. The seats; Both front seats are secure, and the drivers sear must be fully adjustable. All seats within your vehicle must be able to be secured in an upright position.

An MOT is a legal requirement after three years. Without it your insurance is invalidated, and you could be fined. There’s another important aspect to the MOT. It proves that your car is roadworthy, and safe to drive. Vehicles have a lot of stresses put upon them. As they age the chances of parts wearing or failing increase. An MOT test can help to spot problems before they occur. Call Tilehurst Service & MOT Centre today. We perform fair and thorough MOTs for all cars and motorbikes.

Although they might not seem as important as tire rotation or oil change, replacing the windshield wipers is also important. If you’re caught in a storm and your windshield wipers don’t work properly, you could put everyone around you in danger. Windshield wipers are not only affordable, but they’re also easy to change on your own. You can get them in all auto parts stores, and the instructions are on the back of the package. Of course, if you doubt your skills, you can always ask an auto parts store employee to change them for you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check your wiper fluid levels. Find extra info at http://carservice-centre.co.uk/.

Not every chip or crack on a windscreen will cost you an MoT certificate, as it’s all down to location. The details may seem complicated, but as a rule of thumb you can get away with chips smaller than 10mm in front of the driver. Any damage bigger than 10mm in front of the driver – and also in the glass area swept by the wipers – will be an MoT fail. Elsewhere on the glass, damage has to be larger than 40mm to constitute an MoT fail. Wiper blades must be in good condition – not perished or damaged – and clear the screen effectively. The washers must work too, and the MoT tester is within their rights to issue a fail if you haven’t topped up the washer bottle or unblocked dirty washer jets with a pin!

Checking the tires before hitting the road is always a good practice. And this practice can prove to be helpful during the summer months too. Visually inspect if your tire threads are showing signs of wear or not. It is dangerous to drive with worn tires as those can lead to uneven handling of your car both during driving and while using the brake. And they may also blow out if not replaced timely. Next, it’s time to examine tire pressure. Depending on the build and type of your tire, the pressure should be between 30 and 35 PSI. Make sure that the tires are not over or under-inflated, as those may lead to a flat tire on hot days. Don’t forget to do the same with the spare tire as well. Do check out these top tips on how to inspect your tires before getting started.

How frequently should I service my car? You should have your car serviced annually or before it reaches a certain mileage outlined by the manufacturer (typically 12,000 miles) – whichever comes first. It’s best to check the service intervals in your car’s handbook, because they vary depending on the model, fuel type and engine. What work is carried out during a service? This depends on the service interval your car has reached. Most first services for new cars will involve only an oil and filter change, then the second service will also include the replacement of components with a 24-month lifespan – such as the spark plugs (petrol cars only), glow plugs (diesel cars only) and the brake fluid. There will be a larger, full service the following year, and after that the same cycle continues throughout the car’s life. However, if you own an older car and don’t cover many miles, you can opt for smaller services more often.

The cost of servicing can fluctuate depending on a number of factors such as the size of your engine, the complexity of the car, or even the manufacturer. If you are buying a new car, most manufacturers offer service plans where you pay a monthly amount, and these plans may also include MOT testing, roadside assistance, and a mechanical warranty. There are plans available for used cars, too, though these can be more expensive. Both new and used car servicing plans tend to last between two and five years.