Top local car MOT servicing Reading: There are numerous checks that we should make as car owners. But, hands up – not everyone will check their tyres before every motorway journey. We tend to rely on our cars without thinking, and often get lazy when it comes to safety checks and maintenance. An MOT only happens once every 12 months – that’s a long time to let unseen problems go unnoticed, potentially resulting in a dangerous incident. Safety is a major reason to have your car regularly serviced between MOTs – although it shouldn’t replace regular maintenance checks such as oil, coolant and tyres. It’s recommended that every vehicle is serviced at least once between MOTs. If you own an older vehicle or rack up a high mileage over the year, then your car may need servicing more regularly. Read extra information 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.”
Why Do My Indicators Blink Faster Suddenly? If your car’s indicators start blinking faster than usual, what does it usually signify? A rapid blink or hyperflash indicates an issue with one of your car’s turn signal bulbs. This could be a burnt-out bulb, a damaged socket, or a wiring issue. Ignoring this warning sign can lead to potential accidents and is best addressed promptly as part of your vehicle service. Our team at carservice-centre.co.uk has the expertise to diagnose and fix electrical issues in your car, ensuring your safety on the road.
Most car owners underestimate how important car battery maintenance is. Although your battery will run out of juice eventually, keeping up with it will extend the life. If you want your car battery to run smoothly, you need to make sure it has a good connection. Residue can build up and prevent your tire from starting. You can get battery-cleaning fluid at most auto parts stores. Removing the battery and cleaning the connections will extend the life and improve the connection.
Vehicle servicing Reading, UK close to me: Headlights and indicators: front, rear, headlights (main beam and dipped), hazard lights and indicators. If any aren’t working, first check for broken bulbs and replace them. Brake lights: ask another person to check the rear brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal. Tyres: check all the tyres have at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm, or they’ll be marked as an MOT ‘fail’. This can easily be done with a 20p coin – see the diagram on the Tyre Safe website. Check for any damage such as splits in the tread, bulges or cuts in the sidewalls. Also check the tyre pressure is correct – the car’s manual will list the right pressure and they might also be on the sidewall of the tyre itself – and increase it at a petrol station if necessary. Discover additional details on carservice-centre.co.uk.
Major Car Servicing: This is a 53 point check list which covers all of the above of a full service plus we will download and plug in to your engines ECU and check for any fault codes that may be present and a report is given on our findings and any work that maybe be required we will inform you and give you a quote to fix these items but no work will be carried out without your prior knowledge and only carried out with your written approval. We offer a 24 hour vehicle recovery service and we will offer a 10% discount if your vehicle related problems are fixed in our workshop and we also offer a 24 hour Mobile Tyre Fitting Service at home your business or at the roadside. 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.
Although some may not be dealer owned, many private mechanics and technicians are just as good, if not better than most approved garages. You may just be referred to them by someone you know and trust. SO go ahead, but just make sure they do a good job on your car. Service stations with a good reputation aren’t hard to find, you just need to look around and ask the right people. Out Of The Way Car Servicing Reading If you happen to drive far out of town and then are faced with a problem, you’ll no doubt have to visit a nearby car servicing centre. Unless it’s an absolute emergency, don’t let just any technician get under your car’s bonnet.
If you use a regular garage or test centre, they may keep a record of your MoT due date, and can send out MoT reminders if necessary. However most people have a rough idea of their vehicle’s MoT expiry date, as it’s become such an intrinsic part of car ownership. The most recent major change to the way MoTs work came in May 2018, when a new fault grading system was introduced. Faults are now categorised as Minor, Major and Dangerous – with the latter two equating to an automatic test fail. Cars with Minor faults will pass the test, but their MoT certificates will clearly show that the car passed the test “with defects”, urging owners to effect a “repair as soon as possible”.
During the summer months, dust and debris settle on your windshield, restricting your visibility. This is indeed dangerous as it makes you more prone to making mistakes and getting into accidents. Therefore, you should ensure that your windshield is clean. If your windshield wipers are leaving marks or not effectively keeping the windshield clean, you should get them replaced.
Winter weather is frequently wet, and this draws all the dirt and road salt from the road surface, so you’ll spend lots of time using your windscreen wipers. Assuming your wipers are in good shape, there’s still a high risk of them smearing grime across the windscreen if your screen wash bottle is empty. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, open the windscreen washer bottle under the bonnet, and make sure that it is topped up. You can buy screenwash either ready-mixed or as a concentrate, which you’ll need to mix with water.
Is it easy to service my own car? If you have decent technical know-how, you should be able to complete a basic car service yourself with the right tools and information. That being said, we don’t recommend that you attempt to service your own vehicle unless you really know what you’re doing, and you have access to the right tools and equipment. A lot can go wrong if an inexperienced person tries their hand at vehicle maintenance, from breaking vehicle components to injuring yourself. Also, if some parts aren’t fitted correctly, then it could be dangerous for yourself, your passengers, and other road users. So if you’d prefer a professional to service your car, the RAC Approved Garage Network only includes garages that provide quality work and exceptional customer service, giving you peace of mind you’ll get a service you can trust.
Our patrols check the oil level of every vehicle they attend and find one in three are dangerously low. This can cause a breakdown and lead to catastrophic engine damage if left unresolved. Check your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car’s dipstick and top up if necessary. If you don’t know which type of oil you need to use, refer to your owner’s handbook or speak to your local dealer. You can trust the carservice-centre.co.uk with our local approved garages and NEW mobile mechanics. When it comes to rubber, check both your tyres and wiper blades on a regular basis. Check your tyres for general wear and tear, splits or bulges, and crucially tread depth. Minimum tread level is 1.6mm, although in winter it’s advisable to have 3mm of tyre tread to help with traction and grip. Also ensure you’ve got the correct pressure in your tyres, checking your owner’s handbook if you don’t know the correct inflation.