How regularly should you service your car?

Do you only service your car when going on a long distance journey or after noticing a funny sound or thick smoke in the exhaust? Imagine you only offer to take your fiancée out only when she asks; would that not hurt your relationship? I bet it would, but suppose you ask her out before she even thinks about it, I suppose that would shape your relationship really well. Now, like human beings, machines need to be taken care of that would give a longer life of your car with you.

Just like your life partner, that car needs more than just being fuelled and driven, it needs regular servicing. The way you treat your partner determines their behaviour, similarly, taking good care of your results in your car lasting long. Some drivers only take their cars for servicing when going on upcountry journeys or longer distances than they normally drive, however waiting to service a car for a long time is risky both for you and you car.

Experts recommend
Just like you have a family or personal medical doctor, your car needs a well-trained mechanic to check and fix it. “Proper checking by trained experts ensures a longer engine lifespan and greater fuel economy. It also minimises breakdown by unforeseen risk,” says Ochakolong. When a vehicle is in motion, it is subjected to several external and internal menaces. “Like all machines in motion, cars are exposed to dust, heat, and friction which cause parts to wear out or break due to deterioration, stress and strain. This can be dealt with by servicing the car especially the engine with recommended lubricants by experts,” says Ochakolong.

Don’t wait for a major breakdown
When you sense a minor fever, you visit a doctor, right? Do the same for your car, visit a mechanic with your car. This can save you money on major repairs. Regular servicing can save you extra costs; therefore do not wait to notice a big problem. For example, do not wait for the car’s brake’s to fail. “For instance, if brake pads are replaced on time, no damage is exposed to the brakes hence saving a huge cost on major repairs. You also drive your car safely with peace of mind,” Ochakolong adds.

When to check
Ochakolong notes that manufacturers
recommend checking after a mileage of 1,000km for a new car. He however notes that different parts are changed
at different time intervals.

“Change of oil and oil filter should be done after every 5,000km, ordinarily; a car with a less mileage should be serviced after every six months. Still, different parts like the air filter, fuel filter, gear oils, hydraulic suspension fluid and others have various intervals for periodic change,” he says.

“To ensure proper servicing, one should endeavour to take their cars to authorised dealers and national sales companies,” he says.

Ochakolong also notes that some drivers visit roadside technicians and fuel stations for servicing which is risky. “It is better to go to places that have security, insurance policy, safety and highly professional personnel as a priority,” he emphasises.

What is checked?
Preferably, a car is supposed to be wholly examined when taken for service; however car owners dictate on what should be done. Robert Kalema, a mechanic at Shell, says a number of clients ask him to just change the oil.

“Someone comes and asks how much the oil is and then tells me to change only that, though there is much more that is supposed to be checked. What people consider minor could be major,” he states.

Essentially, a number of parts should be checked though the oil and oil filter are major. “We have two different oils, Rimula and Helix for a mileage of 10,000km and 5,000km respectively to be changed. Rimula is for fast cars especially those made in Germany,” Kalema adds.

What some drivers say
David Edadu takes his car for regular servicing as recommended and makes sure he is involved in the servicing. “It always costs me Shs150,000 on a minor service, like when I change the oil only. It can however cost me Shs500,000 to Shs1m if checked,” he says.

Edadu cites areas he cannot leave unchecked. “I make sure the battery water, diesel (fuel) filter, brake fluid, steering pump, and oil filter are checked, I cannot be satisfied if all these are not done,” he adds.

Edadu though says it is important to be present when your car is being serviced. “It is very important; sometimes a mechanic can ask for money when they have not changed anything. It as well helps to see what is done so I can have an idea, for instance if I get a problem along the way, I will have an idea where to touch,” he says.

Avoiding problems
According to Ochakolong, cars should be regularly serviced to avoid these hitches:
n Engine knock or seizure at any one point in time.
n Excessive fuel consumption