It is recommended that vehicles should be fully serviced
every three months or 3000 kilometers, whichever one comes first. Separate
and apart from taking your vehicle to be serviced by a specialist, being
the owner of the vehicle you should do a routine check up on the vehicle
yourself. This will protect you against costly and inconvenient automotive
downtime. There are certain things that should be done to your vehicle habitually.
The following should be done on a weekly basis:
- Check the level of the oil before starting the vehicle for the first time
for the day.
- Check the coolant level when the car is cold.
- Check the tyre pressure before starting the vehicle.
The following should be done on a monthly basis:
- Check the headlights, taillights and your indicators, make sure that the
bulbs are not blown and they are working perfectly fine.
- Look at the brake fluid level, automatic transmission fluid (with car hot,
idling), and also the power steering fluid.
- Check the drive belts, radiator and heater hoses.
- Check the battery water level.
The following should be done every 6 months (or as often as the owner’s
manual suggests):
- Change the engine oil and the oil filter.
- Inspect the suspension of the vehicle, if there are any loose parts.
- Check if you have any leaky shock absorbers.
Check the muffler and exhaust system.
- Make sure that the spare tyre is inflated.
- Be sure that the emergency brake works and check the brake lines.
- Touch up rust spots or scratches on the vehicle with paint.
Do the following annually:
- Check the air filter, fuel filter, positive crankshaft (PCV) filter and wiper
blades, and replace if necessary.
- Rotate tyres, unless otherwise advised by your dealer.
Do the following every 2 years:
- Replace fluid and filter in automatic transmission.
- Check ignition timing and ignition components.
- Check brake linings.
- Flush and refill radiator and check cap seal.
- Thermostat needs to be changed.
Do following every 3or 4 years:
These items must be inspected for possible deterioration and replacement:
- Shock Absorbers
- V-belt
- Radiator
- Heater hoses
- Battery
- Disk-brake rotor (check whenever you have brake pads replaced)
Every 25,000 miles:
- Have valve filters adjusted correctly.
Every 40,000 miles:
- Change transmission fluid
In order to extend the life of your vehicle, it must be maintained on a
regular basis.
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