Servicing

A comprehensive guide to the basics of car servicing & maintenance

Just like your physical body, the health of your vehicle is dependent on the amount of care you shower on it. This is where regular car servicing and maintenance comes into play. 

Scheduled and Preventive car maintenance can help identify potentially dangerous issues and rectify them before they develop into full-blown problems, which may be very costly to get it fixed. Most importantly, regular car servicing and maintenance save you unnecessary stress, and serve as an assurance that your vehicle is operating smoothly and minimizes the risk of your vehicle breaking down when you need it the most.

Top 3 reasons why regular car servicing and maintenance is important

1. Safety

Modern days vehicles has safety devices and features in place, to ensure that the risk of injuries in an accident is minimized. Routine servicing schedule allows qualified mechanics to help detect issues and ensure that those mechanisms are operating smoothly, thus reducing potential hazards caused by wear and tear or breakdown. As responsible motorists and road users, we are accountable to ensure that our daily ride remains in a road-friendly condition. In short, regular servicing and maintenance can save lives!

2. Save money (Yes, saving money)

The best way to avoid a bigger bill check due to breakdowns or major repair is to prevent them in the first place. A well-maintained car can lower fuel consumption while improving its performance and increase its life span, which saves you money in the long run. So, ironically not, the best way to be economically efficient is to send your vehicle for routine servicing.

3. Sale Value of Car

It is no secret that a well-maintained car brings a higher chance of fetching a higher price for a resale. While cleanliness and the overall outlook of the car are what is apparent on the surface, people purchasing second-hand cars are likely to inspect the vehicle inside and out before dealing – and that the internal workings of the vehicle (such as the condition of the engine bay, fluid leaks, etc) are more important.

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Vital Components to check during car servicing and maintenance

Engine Oil

Engine Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Neglecting to change it may change the composition of the oil, causing its additives to break down, resulting in contamination and increased rate of wear and tear in your vehicle. 

The frequency to change the oil is dependable on the make and model of your car, vehicle and road condition. As a guideline, for those who had opted for fully synthetic engine oils are recommended to change the engine oil every 6 months or 10,000km, whichever is earlier.

Fully synthetic oil is recommended as it prolongs the life of the engine given its higher tolerance to heat and pressure. Using fully synthetic oil extends the durability of the engine and can easily double the frequency of oil changes.

If you wish to check your oil level in between changes yourself, follow these steps: 

1. Park on flat ground;
2. Turn off your engine;
3. Remove the dipstick
4. Wipe down the dipstick with a paper towel or a lint-free rag;
5. Reinsert the dip stick;
6. Take the dipstick out;
7. Look at the level of oil on the stick;
8. If the oil is almost below or below the “low” mark, top up oil is required until it reaches “full” again.

At NPH Auto Service, we have different grades of engine oils at different price range for your various requirements and needs. 

Like how you wouldn’t risk getting contact lens online from unauthorized sources, it is wise to think twice about purchasing engine oil from unauthorized sources because you’d never know if its content has been tempered with. 

Don’t be lured by low prices. If the promotion packages out there offered sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. Stick to your trusted workshop.

Oil Filter

The change of oil engine goes hand in hand with the change of oil filter. Like what its name suggested, oil filter helps to filter out impurities from the oil and maintain the health of your vehicle by preventing those nasty abrasive contaminants getting to your engine, which can be detrimental. 

Battery

The battery generates the storage power to run the car, and a flat battery means a dead car. Crusty terminals, cables and poorly positioned battery not tightened properly in its mounting bracket may contribute to a failing battery.  To avoid being stranded somewhere, be aware of the telltale signs of a dying battery such as groaning sounds when the ignition is turned on or the repeatedly idling sounds of the engine before it catches on. It is also advisable to consider replacing your battery if it is 3 years or older. Have your battery checked each time you have your oil changed.

REMINDER TIP

Remember to turn off your vehicle lights every time
before locking your vehicle after parking to avoid
draining of the battery life.

FUN FACT!

Driver can be fined up to $2,000 (for a first offend) if
their vehicle's engine is left idling while stationary, 
for reasons other than traffic conditions following the
Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular 
Emissions) Regulations. 

Lights

Driving with lights which are faulty can be dangerous, and in some instance – the cause of a collision. While the front lamps are easier to detect when blown, non-working rear lights may go unnoticed. This can usually be fixed with affordable replacement of the bulb. 

Tyres

Inflation

Make sure that the tyres are properly inflated and of the correct pressure because under and over-inflation of tyres do not grab the road as well as they are prescribed for thus heightening the risk for the occurrence of an accident. 

Wear and Tear

The front tyres where the brakes applied pressure on are likely to wear out much faster than the back tyres. An obvious sign is when your vehicle leans to one side when you are driving. Another indication is the uneven wear and tear marks on your tyre. 

To optimize and reduce uneven wear and tear on the tread of your tyres, it is recommended to rotate it every 6,000 miles. The frequency of rotation may also depends on other factors such as weather, road condition, driver’s driving habits and manufacturer’s recommendations.

Wheel alignment and balancing can be carried out during your servicing routine at NPH Auto Service. 

Fluids

Be it transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, windshield wiper fluid, these should be scheduled for check periodically and topped up as necessary or as recommended by the manufacturer guidelines.

Brakes

The importance of the brakes are apparent. Be sure to have your brake inspected at least once annually or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Air Filter

The effect of a dirty air filter can adversely affect your gas mileage and shorten the life span of your motor, causing the power of your vehicle to decrease and fuel consumption to rise.

Spark Plugs

When you start your car, you trigger the spark plugs which bridges the gap to the ignition coil. This provides the combustion needed to start your vehicle. Some of the common signs of faulty spark plugs are difficulty in getting your vehicle started, poor acceleration, and stumbling sounds.

Shock Absorbers

Worn shock absorbers are dangerous. It increases the risk of your vehicle skidding on wet or uneven roads. To determine whether your shock absorbers have reached the end of its life, use your mileage as a gauge. Alternatively, you can check your shock absorber by performing a conventional bounce test the good old fashion manner in the following steps:

1. Press down on your back fender to enable your car to create a bounce up-down motion;
2. Your vehicle should stop moving when you step away;
3. If it is still in motion, this means that new shock absorbers are required.

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Professional Workshop vs DIY

Then comes the next question? Why should I take my vehicle to a car workshop if I can service or maintain it myself? 

Professional Diagnosis and Repairs

Knowledge is power, but insufficient knowledge can be destructive. It is difficult to assess a car without proper knowledge and expertise. Attempting to fix a simple job yourself may end up creating a larger mess and incurring more costs than if you go to a professional right from the beginning. Also, if the issue is not fixed properly, the same problem is bound to recur again the near future. It is better to leave it to the mechanics who are trained to evaluate the issues and can offer valuable advice on the upkeep and care of your vehicle.

Professional tools and equipment

Having the right tools is also pertinent, and getting a whole new bunch of tools will incur additional expenses. Do not underestimate modern technology in the made of cars today. There are advanced devices that are used to read fault code and reset the systems. Without the proper tool, you may incorrectly diagnose issues and may not be able to put back the parts that you have removed especially if you are a novice. 

DIY at the expense of your Time and Safety

Qualified mechanics will also have the resources for each make and model of the vehicle. This will probably translates to time saved researching on the Internet for incomplete guides and embarking on a trial and error expedition which may lengthen the time you anticipated to get an issue fixed. 

It is also never worth the risk endangering your life or even a finger while attempting to fix your vehicle. Climbing underside of a car jacked up by a cheaply made or even a homemade hoist, or erroneously opening pressurised cooling systems when the engine has yet to be cooled sounds like giving additional trouble an opportunity. 

Be that as it may, do the best for your vehicle within your means, gauge the situation and make sound decisions. If you need any advice, feel free to consult NPH Auto Service.

Let the trained and qualified mechanics do the job for you and save yourself from any unnecessary stress. Allow yourself a peace of mind by getting your vehicle serviced at NPH Auto Service today. 

Also, check out our Servicing Packages, we now offer quick and fuss-free packages starting from as low as $78. Drop by our workshop in Tampines (behind SAFRA Tampines/ opposite Storhub) or call us at 6784 0663 for any enquiries.