Introduction
Regular car servicing is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly and prolong its lifespan. When it comes to servicing, you might have come across terms like interim and full servicing. Each of these options offers a different level of care for your vehicle. In this blog, we’ll delve into the differences to help you make an informed decision about which option suits your needs best.
Interim Car Servicing
An interim service is designed to address the most crucial maintenance needs of your vehicle. It’s typically recommended every 6/12 months or around 10,000 miles, depending on your car’s manufacturer guidelines. Interim servicing includes essential checks and maintenance tasks such as:
- Oil and oil filter change: Regularly changing the oil and oil filter helps maintain engine lubrication and performance.
- Cabin filter replacement: Keeping the interior air quality high.
- Visual brake inspection: A visual check of the front brake components to ensure they’re functioning properly.
- Fluid top-up: Topping up essential fluids such as coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid.
- Tyre inspection: Checking tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition.
- Lights and electrics: Verifying the functionality of lights, indicators, and other essential electrical components.
- Steering and suspension check: Ensuring the steering and suspension systems are in good condition.
- Cooling system check: Examination of the radiator, hoses, and thermostat for cooling efficiency.
Interim servicing is a cost-effective option to keep your car safe and reliable between more comprehensive services.
Full Car Servicing
A full car service offers a more comprehensive inspection and maintenance package. It’s recommended every 24 months or around 20,000 miles. A full service includes all the checks and tasks from the interim servicing, as well as additional components:
- Air filter replacement: Ensuring clean air intake for optimal engine performance.
- Fuel filter replacement: Maintaining fuel system efficiency.
- Comprehensive brake inspection: In-depth assessment of all brake components and braking system.
- Additional fluid checks: Examining transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and differential fluid (if applicable).
- Spark plug replacement: Necessary for petrol engines to maintain ignition efficiency. (This replacement is carried out dependant on manufacturers recommendations)
A full service provides a more thorough assessment of your vehicle’s condition, making it suitable for vehicles that are regularly used.
Manufacturers Car Servicing
When a vehicle is within warranty (up to 4 years old usually but can differ) then the servicing has to be carried out as per manufacturer’s specifications. These are usually similar to our full and interim servicing, but with a slightly different format. An independent garage is able to complete these services keeping within warranty as long as they follow the manufacturers service sheet and use manufacturer/OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. These are usually due every year or every 2 years starting from the year the vehicle was made.
If you have any questions regarding this type of service, please give Cadnam Garage a call on 02380 812159.
Additional Items
These additional items are based on manufacturers recommendations and the replacement intervals differ between each vehicle.These additional services are especially crucial for older vehicles or those covering substantial distances.
- Timing belt replacement: Ensuring the timing belt doesn’t snap, which can cause severe engine damage. (Not required for vehicles that are ‘chain’ driven)
- Transmission and gearbox inspection: Assessing the condition of these critical components. (Only if recommended by manufacturer or specifically requested by the customer)
- Differential fluid replacement: Maintaining smooth operation of the differential. (Only if recommended by manufacturer or specifically requested by the customer)
- Brake fluid change (due every 24 months)
These additional services are essential to address potential wear and tear on parts that might not be checked during other services, but are equally as important to keep your vehicle reliable and safe for the long term.
Conclusion
Choosing the right level of car servicing depends on your vehicle’s age, mileage, and usage patterns. Our services each offer a different degree of care, with full servicing being the most thorough. Regular servicing not only ensures your safety but also helps prevent more costly repairs down the road. Consult your vehicle’s manual and consider professional advice from an independent garage to determine which type of service is best suited for your vehicle’s needs.
Is your vehicle being driven under ‘normal’ or ‘adverse’ conditions?
Adverse conditions means either driving short journeys with lots of stop, starting and very low mileage, or the other end of the scale at lots of motorway driving or off road use and high mileage. Normal conditions would be every day driving, around 10,000 miles a year.
If you have any questions relating to servicing/which you may require, please get in contact with Cadnam Garage on 02380 812159.