Car Servicing in Colwyn Bay Here at Car Care we have been working with our customers' vehicles for more than 20 years, helping to resolve any problems they are facing. Located in Colwyn Bay, our family-run garage offers excellent value for money. We understand the importance of keeping your car in top condition, which is why we've put together a guide on car servicing and car tyres.
Our guide covers the importance of services, why you should keep an eye on your tyres, and what the legal regulations are.
For more about the services that we can provide at our Colwyn Bay garage, feel free to give us a call today on 01492 530 261 .
How Often Should I Get My Car Serviced? As a driver, it is important to take care of your vehicle. Regular services will help you to discover any potential or developing issues, stopping them in their tracks. Without this you could potentially cost yourself money and time spent off the road.
Most car manufacturers suggest that a car is serviced either every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. In some cases a car will have a self-diagnostic system which will advise you on the best time to undertake a service. There are different types of servicing, and these include:
Full Service
As previously mentioned, this is every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Regular Maintenance
This usually takes place when filter and oil need replacing.
Interim Service
Recommended every 6,000 miles or 6 months, depending on which comes first.
Manufacturer Service
This will be outlined within your vehicle manual, so check there for more details.
It is important that any service carried out on your car is done by a professional and fully trained mechanic. All prices will vary, but it is estimated on average that services cost around £125 on average .
Some things you can do to remain on top of the condition of your car is to keep an eye out for dashboard messages, the cambelt and ensure your tyres are in top condition.
Benefits of a Vehicle Service Without regular services, you could be costing yourself a large amount of money. Paying for a yearly service costs far less money than the risks of missing one. If parts of your car become damaged due to missed issues or poor maintenance, you could be facing extortionate bills. Some regular part replacements and prices include:
Water Pumps (£430) Cylinder Head Gaskets (£520) Radiator (£430) Engine Exchange (£2,575) Alongside saving you money in the long run, car servicing helps to maintain the car's value. If you do decide to resell, then taking care of a vehicle and providing evidence of regular services makes it easier to sell on.
Here at Car Care, we only ever use genuine replacement parts and provide a same day service . We understand the importance of keeping you on the road which is why we ensure any time off the road is as minimal as possible.
Importance of Checking Your Tyres According to the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) around a third of all vehicle accidents in 2015 were as a result of underinflated, illegal or defective tyres. Car tyres are a crucial aspect of driving, keeping you safe. They allow you to steer, grip the road for acceleration and braking, and maintain control. As the only point of contact you have as a driver with the road, maintaining these should be top of your list.
The legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm across the central - and around the entire tyre circumference. However, these should be replaced before the legal limit is reached to prevent accidents from occurring. At 1.6 mm, it takes two car lengths longer (8 metres) to stop the car whilst travelling at 50 mph in wet weather conditions. Most manufacturers and mechanics suggest that car tyres be replaced at around 3 mm .
Breaking these regulations can cost you a minimum of 3 penalty points per tyre and up to £2,500 in fines.
How Do I Check My Tyres? You should be able to locate the correct tyre pressure for your car within the handbook. It is your responsibility as a driver to maintain the condition of your tyres, which is why it is important to know exactly how to do this. If under or over-inflated, you could be impacting the performance of the vehicle and putting you and others at serious risk.
Moreover, a simple way to check the tread is to place a 20p coin into the main groove. If the outer band of the 20p is obscured, then the tyre tread is above the legal limit. You should do this process in at least 3 locations around the tyre and, if the outer band of the coin is visible, then it may be illegal. This test should be carried out around once a month.
It is also important to keep treads clean. If you notice any dirt or stones within the tread, then it is always best to remove these and check the walls for any other signs of damage.
Signs to Look Out For Luckily, there are a few signs to look out for when it comes to caring for your car tyres. As of 2012, tyres have been labelled in accordance with:
Fuel Efficiency (energy lost when moving, known as "rolling resistance") Exterior Noise Emission (noise made when rolling along the road surface) Wet Braking Performance (7 classes referring to braking distance) Each will also have markings which indicate the size (width, height and rim diameter), speed symbol (maximum speed), load index (maximum weight), and production date.
Naturally, tyres will deteriorate over time. Whilst there is no legal requirement on the age of a tyre, there are a few handy signs to look out for. Some common defects include:
Tread Distortion Deformation of the Carcass Cracking/Crazing on Side Walls (caused by flexing) Contact Us Today If you would like to arrange for a car service or find out more about the work our garage offers, call us today in Colwyn Bay on 01492 530 261 contact form and we will be back in touch as soon as possible.
