One of the biggest myths in the automotive industry is that your warranty will be void if you don’t take your car to the dealership. It’s not true. The law is that as long as a licensed repairer services your car according to your car’s logbook, your warranty will not be impacted whatsoever.

It is the regular and routine maintenance of equipment and assets in order to keep them running and prevent any costly unplanned downtime from unexpected equipment failure.

Check tyre & air pressures, check oil & coolant levels, secure & check battery, check wiper blades, check belts & hoses.

It is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong.

Of course, the most common cause of unexpected tyre damage is road debris – nails, screws, bits of glass and other random trash that can find its way under your vehicle’s tires and lead to a flat. The best you can do is inflate your tires to the right pressure so they’re as strong as possible.

Manufacturers suggest you change oil more often for “severe” driving conditions, such as frequent trailer towing, extensive stop-go driving or idling in traffic, driving in extreme heat or cold, or frequent short-distance driving in which the engine doesn’t reach full operating temperature.

We recommend you replace your timing belt every four years, or at around the 100,000 KLM mark.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you get your tires rotated approximately every 20,000klms or six months. However, some vehicles are exceptions and it’s always best to refer to your owner’s manual.

It’s important to replace your timing belt at the mileage intervals your vehicle manufacturer recommends. Every manufacturer is different, but typically, it needs to be replaced every 100,000 KMLs. The recommended interval for your specific vehicle can be found in your car’s owner’s manual.

The Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light comes on when there is an emissions, ignition, fuel system or transmission related failure. This light does not mean that you just need routine maintenance. If the light is on solid, you’ll want to bring your vehicle in as soon as possible.

Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gaskets), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately

Yes, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Although conventional oil (i.e., mineral oil) can provide adequate lubrication performance, it can’t compete with the overall engine performance and protection provided by synthetics

Typically fuel filter replacement should be considered every 1 year or every 30 000 – 40 000 km for older vehicles and even more rarely for new model cars.

Getting a pre-purchase car inspection is an absolute must, as it helps you make an informed decision before handing over payment. You never know what may have happened to a vehicle with a previous owner.

After the first transmission fluid change at 100000 km, it is recommended that you regularly continue this maintenance service every year or 40 000 – 60 000 km. Not only do your driving habits affect the breakdown of transmission fluid, but so can putting off getting the service done.

Checking your car daily is just as important as your monthly checks and annual service. Everyone who has a car relies on it to get them to work and back, take the kids to school, shopping and the list goes on, and it is only when you don’t have your car for these things that you realise how much you need and rely on it.

The main things to check when you get in your car daily are and especially when you are going on a long journey are; the tyre pressures and your oil, water and washer levels are all where they should be. These problems are normally highlighted when you start your car and you get a warning light on your dashboard. If you get in your car and a warning light comes on then you should always check your handbook and find out what it is so that you can rectify yourself or book it into your garage for them to find out what the problem is and resolve it for you.

• Fluid levels including; engine oil, brakes, clutch, power steering and auto transmission fluids
• Windscreen washer levels
• Battery health by looking for signs of any corrosion
• Working headlights, brake lights and indicators
• Tyre pressure, tread and wear and tear

Warning lights on your dashboard should always tell you if you have a problem with any of these, however, it’s always a good idea to get into a routine of checking these monthly whether you have a warning light on or not.

When you first buy a Vehicle, you should always check when it was last MOT’d and serviced and look in your cars handbook to check Vehicle’s advice on servicing. Your handbook will tell you when a service is due and exactly what checks are needed annually and at certain mileage points, but if you have brought your car from a reputable garage then they should advise you of this when you are considering buying it.

Check that there is a locking wheel nut with your car as not having this if you break down or when your tyres need changing will be costly. Check the manufactures tool kit is included which will have a jack and wheel removing tool if you have a spare tyre or run flat tyre with the car.

Tyres – Every 2-4 weeks check your tyre pressures are where they should be. The level required will be detailed on the inside of one of the front doors or in your handbook. Low or high tyre pressure can cause accidents so it is a must on your regular checklist. Over or under-inflated tyres will have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and tyre wear. Keeping your tyres at the recommended pressure will save you money.

Also check the condition of your tyres and look for any damage, wear and tear and make sure the tread on every tyre is within the legal limits, including the spare if you have one.

Engine oil – Open your car bonnet and use your oil dipstick to check oil levels are at the minimum they should be every 4 weeks, always before a long journey and top up if you need to. Your cars oil shouldn’t need topping up every 4 weeks so if you are doing this then you should book it into your garage to get them to check you don’t have an oil leak.

Water – Every 4 weeks’ week check your coolant level is where it should be which will be highlighted on your water tank (minimum and maximum).

Before we move into the colder months always check your anti-freeze levels and top up if you need to.

Screen Wash – Keep your screenwash regularly topped up to prevent it from freezing and cracking your screenwash container and ensure that you can easily clear your windscreen when you need to. It is a legal requirement to always have your screen wash in working order as, without it, it can impair your vision when driving.

Windscreen – Check there are no cracks or stone chips in your windscreen and get them repaired if you have any as they will worsen and can shatter your windscreen when you are driving. It is much cheaper to get a crack or chip repaired than a whole new windscreen and it will also prevent you from potential accidents if they shatter completely. Often, depending on your insurance cover, it is free to repair a stone chip in a windscreen.

Lights – Check all your lights are in working order, including your indicators, reversing lights, brake lights and fog lights. Also, check them for dirt and grime which will impair other drivers from seeing you when they need to.

Regularly maintaining your car yourself will prevent breakdowns, accidents and will increase your cars performance, fuel efficiency, the life of your car and often prevent unnecessary repairs at your garage.

• Increased Safety
• Performance
• Fuel Efficiency
• Prevent unnecessary breakdowns
• Increase the life and reliability of your car
• Maintains the market value of your car
• Reduce the need for garage repairs and bills

Servicing your Vehicle car regularly ensures that your car is in safe working order, lasts longer with less stress being put on it and that it runs efficiently for you.

You can experience lots of things if you don’t get your Vehicle or any car serviced regularly and the things that are checked and resolved during a service can often result in costly repairs later down the line, as well as your car not holding its value as it should do if you don’t have the specialist service stamps in your handbook.

Servicing your car annually is highly recommended to keep your vehicle in good condition, however, it is not a legal requirement like an annual MOT test.

Changing the oil in your Vehicle regularly and as recommended will give you lots of benefits including; improving its fuel consumption, performance and condition of the engine. As the fresh oil moves around the engine, the lubrication improves your engine’s performance, helping it to run more efficiently without having to work hard which will put strain and stress on the different functioning parts.

You should always check your oil regularly yourself and top up if you are below the required level to prevent costly damage to your car’s engine, but you should always have it changed during its annual service to maintain and improve its performance as well as protect its working parts.

As the oil in your car gets older it becomes sludgy and dirty meaning it’s doesn’t flow through your engines working parts as it should and lubricate as it does when it is fresh. In summary, old oil will reduce your engine’s performance, lower its horsepower, reduce its mileage and will, in the long run, shorten its life so changing the oil in your Vehicle will improve its performance.

Always use a Vehicle  Specialist who has dealer level diagnostic equipment as this will maintain the market value of your car if it is kept in good condition, reduce the likelihood of unnecessary repairs being done as well as them being able to officially stamp your service book.

If your Vehicle is still under warranty a Vehicle specialist garage will ensure that all genuine parts are used when servicing or repairing your vehicle and will ensure that all servicing and repairs carried out to meet your warranty conditions as per the Block Exemption rule.

Generally, Vehicle recommends that you should have your car serviced a minimum of once a year, regardless of how few miles you have done. If you drive your vehicle a lot then they recommend that you should have an oil change every 10,000 miles.

If your Vehicle is still under warranty then you should always check the terms and use a Vehicle specialist garage to carry out any servicing or repairs to ensure it remains under its warranty conditions.

In summary, the below should be included in your annual Vehicle service:

• Oil Flushing treatment and Replacement of Oil and Filter
• Replacement of Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Spark plugs (where applicable)
• Front and Rear brake inspections
• Suspension and Steering Checks
• Lights and Levels and Safety checks

In summary, the below should be included in your interim Vehicle service:

• Oil Flushing treatment and Replacement of Oil and Filter
• Front brake inspections
• Suspension and Steering Checks
• Lights and Levels and Safety checks

A specialist and recognised Vehicle Specialist like Talese Mechanical Repairs Annual Service will include:

Pre-Engine Checks including;

• Vehicle history
• Timing belt
• Damage to bodywork, lamps and trims
• Condition and operation of seat belts
• Interior and exterior lights
• Operation of ABS and Air Bag warning lights
• Air conditioning
• Windscreen washers and wipers
• Horn test
• Suspension dampers
• Lubrication of door hinges, locks and bonnet catches
• Treatments to remove internal contamination
• Fuel cap check

Engine Checks including;

• Cooling system and fan operation
• Check and record anti-freeze protection
• Check and record brake fluid condition
• Check auxiliary drive belts
• Check engine breather system
• Check vacuum pipes
• Check power steering
• Check throttle body
• Check battery level and lubricate terminals
• Check and top up all under bonnet fluid levels
• Replace air filter
• Replace spark plugs
• Replace fuel filter
• Replace pollen filter

Vehicle Raised Checks

• Change oil, filter and fit new sump plug washer
• Check fuel lines and brake pipes
• Check condition and security of exhaust
• Check and top up axle and transfer box oil levels
• Check and top up gearbox oil level
• Check all steering and suspension joints, mountings and gaiters
• Carry out tyre report
• Check all wheel bearings
• Check CV gaiters and joints for wear or splits
• Check clutch cable/cylinder
• Grease all greasing joints
• Check operation and condition of brakes including handbrake

Vehicle Lowered Checks

• Refill engine with specified grade oil
• Torque wheel nuts/studs
• Locking wheel nut location

Finishing

• Road test vehicle and report findings
• Re-check engine oil level
• Carry out omission report
• Reset service interval indicator
• Ensure all upholstery, gear lever, steering wheel etc. are clean
• Stamp service book

As you can see the list of items checked and resolved by Talese Mechanical Repairs is lengthy and guarantees that your VEHICLE remains under its warranty conditions.