How Often Should You Get Your Car Serviced?

The car with the most miles on it is a 1966 Volvo P1800 clocking in at 3.25 million miles! It's likely that your car won't have logged that many miles, but it still needs routine maintenance to stay in good shape.

One of the best ways to keep your car running smoothly is to get it serviced regularly. When you get your car serviced, your mechanic will thoroughly check your car's systems. This type of car service helps you detect and fix problems early on.

Although everyone should take advantage of this type of car upkeep, many people forget to. Read on for everything you need to know about when to get your car serviced and what this process entails.

What Does a Car Servicing Include?

There are different car service levels. A basic service is usually included when you get an oil change. Many basic car services include the following:

• oil change
• oil filter change
• check fluid levels
• check for leaks
• check the horn and lights
• check brakes

Taking your car in for full service will give your vehicle a much more comprehensive check-up than a basic one. Most full car service includes the following:

• lights, tire, and exhaust check
• check steering and break operations
• change engine oil
• replace oil filter
• coolant level check
• hydraulic level check
• cooling system check
• suspension check
• look at steering alignment
• test car battery

Many of the systems above can wreak havoc on your car if they fail, as each system is vital to how your car runs.

Car Batteries

Your car won't get very far without a battery! The last thing you want is to be stuck in the cold with a battery that won't start. Stay on top of your battery maintenance by servicing your car.

Your technician will test and, if needed, replace your battery during your car service. The mechanic can also help recycle your old battery if you do need to get it replaced.

Engine Tune-Ups

You cannot drive your car without an engine, so this piece of machinery needs to get semi-frequent service to keep it running in tip-top shape.

There are a lot of components that make up an engine. During a full car service, your engine will get a complete once-over. Your mechanic will check your fuel and air filters, timing belts, and fluid levels.

Checking the oil and cleaning the filter will keep dirt buildup from ruining the engine. Keeping your engine clean will allow it to run as long as it can.

Your oil should be golden brown in color. If it looks thick and dark, it's time for you to get your oil changed.

Steering Maintenance

Your car steering and suspension help keep your car driving well. When this system is working the way it should, your ride won't be bumpy, and you'll have excellent road control.

Oil Change

You'll probably get an oil change with both a basic and full car service. Oil is the blood of your car. If you don't change it often enough, you can cause further damage to your engine.

Tire Check

Another area that your car technician will check during a full service is your tires. To have a safe ride, your tires must be in good condition and have a certain tread depth. If your tires are too bare, they can cause you to slip in inclement weather.

Reasons to Service Your Car

You may think that getting your car serviced yearly is a pain, but this service has some significant benefits. You can save a lot of money and headaches in the long run if you keep up with the servicing of your car.

Warranty

A great reason to schedule yearly car service is to protect your car's warranty. If you neglect your service or wait a long time, you can invalidate your car's warranty. If something major breaks, you can be stuck with a huge bill.

Safety

You may not realize that your car has a problem until you get it serviced. The thoroughness of a full car service means your mechanic will catch anything that needs fixing before it breaks.

Many people like to try to do basic car maintenance themselves. Although this may save money, you can miss vital signs of a problem. Save your car servicing to the professionals, so you don't miss anything.

Value

A car is an expensive purchase. You need to protect your investment, and one way to do that is by keeping it in great shape.

Having a complete service record will help you prove you have kept your car in good working order if you decide to sell it. Showing you've kept up with upkeep can help you get more money for your car.

When to Service Your Car

You may be tempted to put off getting your car serviced, but this can be costly. Like you would go to the doctor for a check-up, you should also schedule routine car upkeep.

Vehicles should be serviced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for basic maintenance and every 12,000 miles for a full service. Having a yearly comprehensive check-up will keep you from getting unexpected breakdowns.

It's good practice to consult your car manual to see exactly when to service your car. This handy document will tell you precisely when to schedule each type of service.

Get Your Car Serviced Routinely and Keep It Running for Years to Come

Your car may seem like it runs fine on the surface but can be hiding expensive issues. Bringing your vehicle to get it serviced is your first defense at keeping it running like the day you got it.

Is it time for you to get your car serviced? If so, Phil's Service has got you covered. Contact us today to set up your full car service and keep your car running like new!