Cars need regular service to confirm everything is all right with the car and replace worn or damaged parts. Auto mechanics usually categorize regular service into three—basic, intermediate, and comprehensive service. The category determines the services to expect for your car at the auto shop.
Below are parts of the car the mechanic should inspect and replace (if necessary) during basic service.
1. Spark Plugs
Fossil-fuel cars have engines that burn air-fuel mixtures to generate power. The car's engine has spark plugs that ignite the air-fuel mixture. The spark plugs wear out over time and lose efficiency. Worn spark plugs reduce gas mileage, cause hard starting, and increase the risk of engine misfire, among other problems.
Thus, the mechanic will inspect the spark plugs for signs of wear when you take your car for service. The type of spark plugs and their duration of use determine whether they need replacement.
2. Fluids
Cars have different fluids for different purposes. Examples include:
- Engine coolant
- Engine oil
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
Car manufacturers usually specify how often you need to replace different fluids. The mechanic also needs to check these fluids during service since the fluids sometimes leak, for example, due to worn parts. Some of the fluids also deteriorate with time. Deteriorated or low-volume fluids cause malfunctions. The mechanic will top up or drain and replace the relevant fluids.
3. Belts
Belts transfer movement between different parts of the car. Cars have different belts depending on the make and model. Examples of auto belts include the timing, fan, and serpentine belt. Friction, age, and debris contribute to the belts' wear and tear every time you drive.
Like fluids, some manufacturers provide replacement schedules for their belts. However, the mechanic should also inspect the belts and replace the worn ones even if they haven't reached their lifespan's specified ends.
4. Oil Filter
The engine is one of the most critical parts of the car since it provides the power that gets the car moving. Cars rely on engine oil to lubricate and cool the engine. The car oil filter traps contaminants in the engine oil that would otherwise lower the engine oil's efficiency and damage the engine.
The oil filter clogs over time and restricts smooth oil flow. You need to change the oil filter before debris clogs it too much, and the mechanic will handle the replacement during basic service. Your driving environment, driving style, and car determine how often you should change the filter.
For more information, contact an auto repair service near you.
It is never easy to think about investing boatloads of money into a new vehicle, but a few years ago, I found myself doing just that. I had dealt with a dying car for so long that it was hard for me to imagine having a car that worked well, but before I knew it, things were really coming together. I was able to work with a friend of mine to find a vehicle that worked just as well as it said it did, and to make matters even better, it held its value well. This website is all about getting the price of a car down when you want to buy one.