Local auto MOT servicing Reading, UK near me: How often should I have my car serviced? How often you should have your car serviced depends on several factors, including: The age of your car , The make and model of your car , How it is used (rural roads, motorway driving etc) , How many miles you do. Have a look at your car’s manual, which should tell you how often the manufacturer recommends servicing. If you have a newer car, you may also get a service reminder on your dashboard. Discover additional info on Mot And Service Reading.
Decide between the independent corner garage and the dealership service department. Technicians at the dealer are specialists; they are manufacturer-trained and typically work exclusively on your make of vehicle. Most dealers have an ongoing training program for the service staff, which includes not only the service technicians but also the service manager, advisors and support staff. (See “Roles of the Dealership Service Staff…Who Does What”.) But the dealer service department is usually the most expensive route. And it doesn’t mean that the dealers always have the best technicians. Many independent auto repair service facilities are started by previous dealer employees who want to operate their own repair store. For help deciding which is right for you, see “Corner Garage vs. Dealer Service Department.”
How Important Is Regular Tyre Pressure Checks? Why is maintaining the correct tyre pressure essential for safe, efficient driving? Underinflated tyres can decrease fuel efficiency, increase tyre wear and potentially lead to a blowout on the road. Overinflated tyres can also be dangerous, causing poor handling and even tyre blowouts. Regularly checking your car’s tyre pressure, as part of your vehicle service, is crucial for ensuring your safety on the road.
Keeping your tires in good shape is essential for your safety and of others on the road. With only a few tire maintenance tips, you can prolong the life of your tires and ensure your safety on the road. The first thing you can do is to check the tire pressure. This is something that you can do yourself without a mechanic. You will find the correct tire pressure for your car either in the owner’s manual or the tire placard located on the doorjamb. Experts also recommend getting your tires rotated every 6,000 or 8,000 miles. You can get your tires rotated when you take your car in for oil changes. A mechanic can also inspect the alignment of your tires.
Top rated auto service in Reading: This makes them impartial when inspecting your car – there’s no commercial incentive to find problems with it. For a list of local council MOT test centres that don’t carry our repairs, visit the website. 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 around 21,000 authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles. See more information on http://carservice-centre.co.uk/.
You can get a quote online by using our quote engine widget for every vehicle make and model by simply entering your vehicle registration number to make a booking and you do not pay car service centre reading until the work has been carried out to your liking and you are happy with the work that has been carried out. On collecting your vehicle all the work that has been carried out will be explained to you and our technician will run this through with you before driving away in your vehicle. Take care of tire pressure: The tire pressure of the car not only affects the mileage, but it is also the cause of accidents at times. Always check the tire pressure whenever you have to take the car somewhere. These days the feature of tire pressure monitoring has also started coming in many modern vehicles. Tire air can also be checked and filled for free at many petrol pumps.
Visit a place you know is reputed and if it’s not an authorized garage for your car brand, ensure the technicians use the approved materials, for instance the exact grade of oil, or replacement parts bearing the exact numbers approved by the car manufacturer. This not only ensures the best results and reliability, but will also comply with any warranty the car may be under, Also make sure you retain all the bills and service receipts that bear the above details. Whoever you entrust your car with, make sure they are careful workers. If they pay attention to the little details, you’ll know your car is in good hands.
The MoT cost is controlled by law, with a maximum charge for cars set at £54.85. An individual MoT test centre can choose to charge less, so it’s worth shopping around. If you think you’ve a chance of failure, make sure you pick an MoT test centre that offers free retests within 10 days, as you can be charged a partial retest fee. If repairs take longer, you’ll have to pay the full fee again. Many garages are able to conduct MoT tests, although if you’re suspicious of garages that will charge for unnecessary work, it’s probably best to take your car to a dedicated MoT test centre.
Keep up with oil changes. When oil levels are low, or oil is old, added friction between moving parts can cause wear and tear to the engine. Follow your owner’s manual to determine the best intervals for changing oil. Check the brakes every time the oil is changed. Take care of your tires. Check and maintain proper tire pressure. Tires inflated within five pounds per square inch (PSI) of their recommended level improve gas mileage and general handling of your vehicle. Recommended PSI can be found in the owner’s manual. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Check and clean your lights regularly. Salt and dirt can quickly build-up, reducing the effectiveness of the lights and reducing your visibility to other road users. It’s best to keep your lights on in all sorts of weather, because it helps you to be seen. Carry extra bulbs in case of a failure, but do try and learn how to replace the bulbs when it’s convenient, because when one does blow it’ll almost certainly be in the dark and possibly in cold and wet weather, too, not an ideal time to learn about your car.
How can I recycle my oil? If you service your own car, one of the trickiest things to sort out is the used oil. Engine oil should be recycled after use and not mixed with any other substances. To find your nearest oil recycling facility, and for more information on recycling oil, check out the government’s Oil Bank Line website. What jobs should I ask a specialist to do? Even though you may be confident in servicing your own vehicle, it does come with certain risks. Safety is the main reason why servicing and MOTs are carried out on vehicles – and compromising this isn’t something any owner should take lightly. Brake fluid, discs, pads and anything else related to this area of the car are crucial in stopping the vehicle. So, this should always be left to a professional if you even have the slightest bit of doubt. Also, fuel systems and filters are incredibly complicated – and not something you can learn by following a YouTube video.
Examine your wiper blades as these won’t last forever and need replacing from time to time due to splits and cracks. In winter, you can prevent your wiper blades freezing to the windscreen by placing a thin sheet of plastic or cloth, between the wiper blades and the windscreen. Or you can try using de-icer or warm water to free them up before starting your engine. Check your car’s coolant level. The last thing you need is a frozen engine or for your car to overheat. Although it’s a sealed system and shouldn’t need to be topped up, you should always double check, especially before a long journey. Check your coolant levels when the engine is cold and look in your handbook for the correct coolant and mix to use should you need to top it up.
