How often you should have your vehicle serviced

13.08.2018

Car maintenance every thousand kilometres

Visual inspection of the car is carried out daily by the driver himself. When a professional technical inspection is required, it is carried out by specialists in car service centres.

After 1,000 kilometres of operation it is necessary to:

Check the condition and measure the engine oil level;
Check the level of cooling fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid;
Check the operation of mechanisms and lighting systems

These actions are aimed at maintaining the car in good condition and do not require special knowledge and skills.

Service the car after every 10,000 kilometres

After 10 000 kilometres of operation you need to:

Test all elements of the fuel system, cooling devices for tightness;
Check the tightness of ventilation, if necessary, make cleaning;
Check the drive belt for tension;
Check the battery electrolyte, check the density;
Change engine oil and filter
Rinse the engine when there are signs that the oil has not been changed in time;
Install a new filter, lubricate the seal ring;
Change the fuel filter for fine cleaning;
Check brake booster pump is working;
Check the throttle traction control. In cars with automatic transmission, test «kick-down»;
Clean the air filter;
Check the exhaust gas valve (EGR), clean it from carbon deposits.

Maintenance of the car before the summer season

When the vehicle is not used in winter, it is necessary first of all to charge the battery, check the level of oil, coolant, make sure the integrity of all systems and elements of the car.

Check the level of oil, coolant, make sure the integrity of all systems and elements of the car.

If the vehicle has been used in winter, the underbody, arches and body cavity should be thoroughly cleaned to remove debris from de-icing agents that cause corrosion.

Before the start of summer you should:

Wash the car body, dry the carpets;
Check that there are no chips, rust on the surface of the body;
Change tyres to summer ones;
Do wheel balancing and camber;
Exterior engine cleaning;
Check struts and shock absorbers;
Check the level of oil and other fluids;
Inspect the suspension and RRs;
Diagnose the brake system;
Check air conditioning, refuelling and cleaning it;
Do a general diagnostics of the car.

The use of diagnostic benches and special tools of MSG equipment will help to test various systems and mechanisms.

Car maintenance before the winter season

Preparing the car for winter includes all the previous recommendations with some differences.

Technical fluids. For winter, you should use a frost-resistant windscreen washer fluid. If the tosol and brake fluid have been changed long ago, have them checked at a workshop for water content.

Winter tyres. Changing to winter tyres is necessary when the air temperature drops below +5 °C.

Bodywork. During the cold season, the bodywork is constantly exposed to external negative influences – this is ice, chemical mixtures, which are sprinkled on the road. The body is coated with a hard wax, which creates a protective layer on the paintwork.

Fuel system. During refuelling, condensation forms on the walls of the fuel tank due to exposure to temperature variations. The presence of water in the tank in winter can cause the fuel pump to fail.

Electrical equipment. In preparation for the cold weather, all electrical equipment should be thoroughly checked for faults and adjustments. Broken insulation and any current leaks should be repaired.

Wiring. Fuses should be checked along with the electrical wiring and selected and installed according to the car manufacturer's instructions.

In winter, the battery must not be discharged, electrical energy must be used sparingly, and the lights must be kept in good condition.

Generator. Generator performance testing includes:

Testing the alternator to ensure it is working properly.

Checking the armature, collector, brushes;
Testing the speed of rotation;
Heat temperature test;
Detection of knocking and other extraneous noises;

The MSG MS004 COM stand for diagnostics of alternators and starters will help to qualitatively test the condition of aggregates.

Following the maintenance schedule precisely will keep your car in excellent technical condition.