How regularly should a car be serviced at the car service center?
Most car brands offer 3 regular services for new cars coming out of showrooms during the first year of the car, but these initial services are not exactly all-inclusive services but more of a precautionary check for the car to see if it is running properly. The first major service comes up at 10,000 km and it is recommended by almost every car brand out there
As a rule of thumb, one should get their car serviced at every 6-8 months’ interval if they use the car regularly and if the user isn’t that regular, you can opt for a 1-year interval as well. Considering most modern cars are well built to endure everyday wear and tear and until and unless your car is involved in an accident, your car won’t be requiring any major servicing or repair work in general.
You can always take your car down at the car mechanic shop for a monthly inspection to see if everything is working fine and there are no areas of concern while driving the car.
If you go by the manual, most cars require a periodic service at the car workshop after every 10,000 km or 1 year whichever earlier, but you can always keep a periodic service appointment ready at every 5000 km interval so that your car does not face any issue whatsoever and it is completely free of any faulting parts or components. You should learn more about it here.
As far as a new vehicle is concerned, we have listed out some of the pointers to keep in mind while servicing your car at 5000 km, 10,000kms, and 15000 km.
- 5000 km: This will be the first major service to be carried out after the initial service check-ups because the new car has been driven for a substantial amount of km and it is a good time to check on the car and to see if any engine oil or any other part or component needs any replacement. Most chances are that there will only be a top-up of the coolant, water fluid, and the cleaning of the filters in general since your car engine wouldn’t have seen too much wear and tear.
- 10000 kms: This is will be the periodic service where your car has been now driven for a good time and must have received some kind of damage while being driven around in the city, and will include an oil change since most cars require an oil change after 10000 km. The filters present in the car like the oil and the air also might need replacement. The air conditioning system has a filter as well for enduring the air which enters the cabin is completely fresh and non-polluted and this filter might also need a replacement. After completing 10,000 km, the periodic service shall also include a wheel alignment and balancing to make sure that everything is great with the tires of your car.
- 15000 km: This service is important from the point of part replacement for the car. Apart from an oil change in the car, the brake pads and the brake discs need to be checked for any damage and should be replaced if needed. Most brake pads do last for more than 15000 km but it again does come down to the style of driving. If your fuel type is petrol, the spark plugs of the car are checked and cleaned. If there are any kind of warning lights that are showing up, it’s a good time to check them as well and get them resolved. If there is any damage to the external body of the car, you can also get the same repaired and worked on, but then again that does come with an additional cost.
Post this, you should still try and continue to take your car for a periodic service at the car workshop every 5000kms to make sure that the car is running fine. Additionally, for those who own ATVs, regular maintenance is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. Whether it’s routine checks, oil changes, or addressing specific issues, proactive ATV repair can significantly extend the lifespan of your vehicle. A timely periodic service for both cars and ATVs can do wonders for their respective lives, ensuring smooth operation and potentially saving costs by addressing problems before they escalate. This approach not only enhances the resale value of your vehicles but also contributes to a hassle-free and enjoyable riding experience.