We should all book our vehicles in for a service once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, but sometimes we might not get around to visiting a garage for this routine check.
Thankfully, our vehicles have plenty of ways to let us know when they’re in need of some attention.
It’s up to motorists to recognise the signs as soon as possible to prevent small faults from developing into much bigger problems.
Is it important to service a vehicle?
During a service, a mechanic assesses everything from your engine’s fluid levels to general wear and tear. Think of it as a health check for your vehicle that helps it to run as safely and efficiently as possible.
The benefits of servicing a vehicle
Servicing your vehicle comes with some added benefits:
With the help of a trusted mechanic, you can spot faults with your vehicle before they become more complicated. Nipping problems in the bud could mean you avoid expensive repair bills in the long term.
Over time, regular servicing will make your vehicle last longer. By keeping integral parts running in top condition, your vehicle should be roadworthy long after the warranty ends.
Regular servicing in the short term could help you hold on to the resell value of your vehicle in the long term. Vehicle buyers are usually willing to pay more for a vehicle that has been kept in good condition, and routine maintenance could make all the difference.
What if I don’t service my vehicle promptly?
If you don’t service your vehicle, you might find that there are some unexpected drawbacks:
Eventually, your vehicle will become less safe to drive. During a service, a mechanic will flag any safety concerns with your vehicle and may be able to fix them too. The checks could help save you and your passengers from an avoidable accident.
Check-ups ensure that your vehicle runs as efficiently as possible. Without them, you could spend more on petrol and other running costs. For example, if tyres are neglected and run flat, you might have to fill your tank more often.
If small problems are left to develop, they could become damaged beyond economical repair. You might have to sell or scrap your vehicle earlier than you planned.
Signs to look out for
Keep an eye out for these:
Dashboard warning lights
Nothing says your vehicle needs a service quite like a dashboard warning light. Quite literally too, as the word ‘SERVICE’ or a spanner icon appears on instrument panels in most modern vehicles before your vehicle is due a service.
The light often appears alongside text telling you how many miles or days you have left before you should take your vehicle to a garage. Some models will even tell you if a service is overdue.
Although the service reminder light appears for routine check-ups, it can also appear because of a specific fault. You might notice that the light illuminates at the same time as another symbol on your dashboard to help you pinpoint the problem.
Strange noises
Clicks, hisses, ticks, and squeaking could all indicate a problem under the bonnet. If the sound is becoming more intense or the problem seems urgent, you should pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so and call a mechanic right away.
For less urgent noises, you should pay attention to:
- when the sounds occur (e.g. when turning, when idle)
- what they sound like (e.g. rattling or clicking)
- where they’re coming from (e.g. under the bonnet, under the vehicle)
By giving a description of ‘when’, ‘what’ and ‘where’ you can help your mechanic diagnose the problem.
If you hear hissing from under the bonnet when your vehicle is idle, your engine might be overheating, which can be a serious problem.
Dripping liquid and puddles under your vehicle
You should check if the puddle has formed because of the Great British weather rather than a fault under your bonnet.
Your vehicle can leak water through condensation in the aircon unit in the summer, or your exhaust in the winter. Either way, both scenarios are harmless and won’t need the attention of a mechanic.
If your vehicle leaks coloured liquid, you could have a more serious problem on your hands.
Brown liquid could be a sign that you’re leaking power steering fluid, oil, or the most serious of them all, brake fluid. If you suspect you’re missing vital fluid, you shouldn’t attempt to drive your vehicle at all.
Loss of power and/or stalling
A regular service could prevent your vehicle from stalling more often or struggling to generate power.
There could be a number of reasons for the problems in your vehicle and sometimes there’s a very simple fix. Spark plugs could be faulty and thankfully replacing them is a straightforward and inexpensive job, but it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Alternatively, your fuel injection system could be malfunctioning and starving your engine of fuel or oxygen. A clogged catalytic converter could also be disrupting airflow, a simple service will help to diagnose the problem.
Brakes behaving differently
Brakes are probably the most important safety feature in your vehicle. When you fail to take your vehicle for a check-up, they can become less effective.
You might have to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down and this is usually down to one of two reasons:
- leaking brake fluid
- worn brake pads
A mechanic will be able to pinpoint the problem during your service and replacing brake pads is usually a simple process.
Smoke from the bonnet and/or exhaust
Smoke clouds can escape from vehicle bonnets and exhausts for many reasons.
If the smoke appears to come from a fire under your bonnet, you should:
- turn off your engine
- pull the bonnet release lever but do not try to prop it open
- get everyone out of the vehicle and keep your distance
- dial 999 and ask for the fire service
- warn oncoming traffic, if it’s safe to do so
If the problem doesn’t seem too urgent, you should pay attention to:
- when the smoke appears (e.g. when starting the engine, when accelerating)
- the colour of the smoke
- where it’s coming from (e.g. under the bonnet, from the exhaust)
- if your vehicle is overheating
Passing this information on to a mechanic can help them discover what’s wrong with your vehicle more quickly. They might find problems with your head gasket, cooler systems, electrical wires, pistons or fuel valves.
Vibrations
If you’ve noticed unusual movements in your vehicle, there could be a number of potential explanations. For example, juddering while pulling away could be due to worn-out friction material or a pressure plate defect – perhaps a combination of both. It could also be caused by an oil leak contaminating the clutch plate.
If your vehicle judders or vibrates at low revs, the engine mount which holds the engine in place could be loose, worn or broken.
Does your vehicle need a service? Give Segensworth Automobiles a call on 01489 662 000 or email sales@segensworth-automobiles.co.uk.
Adapted from an original article by rac.co.uk