130,000km on your odometer. It's a sign that many car owners have feared, since it's a sign that your car is old. However, it's not all doom and gloom. Take it from the region's best car service advisors, your vehicle is never too old.
We've said this before, and we'll keep saying it. If you take proper care of your car and get your routine services done, you have nothing to worry about. However, it's one thing taking adequate care of a brand-new vehicle, and a whole other thing caring for a relatively used car. This guide is aimed at those of you in the latter category. 1. Change your engine oil and filter The best thing you could do to extend your engine's life is to properly lubricate it. This is done by getting a regular oil change. 2. Get your transmission and differential oil changed While it wouldn't be feasible to constantly change all your fluids, you can prioritise some of them. Your transmission fluid and differential oil are considered the most vital. 3. Maintain your wheel bearings Your wheel bearings are vital to the performance of your tyres. It also doesn't take too much time and effort to inspect your bearings during a wheel inspection. 4. Replace your spark plugs when required It's good practice to consult a manufacturer specialist for this. They will advise you on when your spark plugs need to be replaced. This will ensure your engine gets the power it needs for the long run. 5. Replace your coolant You must flush out all the existing coolant and replace it with fresh new coolant every now and then. This will ensure your engine stays cool despite long operating times. 6. Rotate your tyres when required It's vital to occasionally rotate your tyres. This will ensure that there's even wearing of tyres as you continue using it. Any uneven, flat spots can increase the chances of getting a flat tyre. 7. Implement a rigid service system Ultimately, this is what sets apart poor maintenance from ideal maintenance. Establish a service system, preferably with the same workshop, to get the best out of an older car. Nowadays, you don't even have to drive to the garage and wait while your car gets serviced. Car maintenance solutions like ServiceMyCar have made car servicing so much more hassle-free. Check out the range of mg service packages and repairs offered on our website. Book your next service or request a repair now using the ServiceMyCar app, the website, or by calling 800 2665464.
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You've probably witnessed the scene from just about every horror/slasher flick out there. A car is going down the road, and suddenly, it breaks down. While you may not be in a horror movie, it's crucial to know what to do in such cases. You've probably witnessed the scene from just about every horror/slasher flick out there. A car is going down the road, and suddenly, it breaks down. To make matters worse, there's smoke billowing from the hood. This means your engine is overheating. While you might not be in a horror movie, it can never hurt to be prepared for such instances. An overheating engine can put a damper on any type of drive, be it a road trip, or some nifty grocery shopping. That's where we come in. You don't have to sift through the abundance of car blogs and forums, as we've got it sorted. To understand what to do in such a situation, we must look into the causes first. Why do engines overheat? There's an endless list of reasons for your engine overheating. At a basic level, there's an issue with your cooling component. Since your engine isn't being cooled during operations, it overheats. Such an issue can have a myriad of sources. Where it's a leaky coolant, a faulty water pump, or a broken radiator fan, it's still a significant problem. If you don't deal with it swiftly, your engine could face much bigger problems. What happens when a car overheats? This largely depends on the cause. If your coolant is running low, then it can cause your engine to overheat. If it stays like this for a long time, your engine could get destroyed. On the other hand, if you have a leaky coolant, it will show up on the reservoir tank. You might also be able to spot a pool of coolant under your vehicle. If dealt with quickly, you can fix the leak before it adversely affects your engine. What to do if my engine overheats?
1. Turn off the A/C (and turn on the heater) Before you can close this page, hear us out. It may sound counterintuitive, but it makes sense. By turning off the A/C, you reduce the amount of stress placed on the engine. When you turn on the heater, and push it to the max, you can take some of the engine's heat and bring it into the car. It may even be a fix for the issue. Look for the warning sign to go off, or the temperature gauge to revert to the middle. 2. Find a safe spot and pull over It goes without saying, but you shouldn't be driving with an overheating engine. Find a safe spot and pull over to the side. Switch off the car completely, and wait for at least 15 minutes. At this point, you can either call a friend, or call for some swift roadside assistance from ServiceMyCar. A highly-trained representative will be dispatched to your location to assist you within 40 minutes. 3. Add some coolant if you can In case you have coolant with you, you can add it if your vehicle isn't too hot. A quick coolant top-off will do wonders in this situation. It'll help to not only protect your engine, but also prevent further overheating while you try to get your car engine fixed completely. 4. Drive to your trusted car workshop The previous step is not a complete fix, but a temporary one. Adding coolant allows you to at least take your car to a trusted workshop. Using ServiceMyCar can make this step a lot more convenient for you. You get a collection and delivery service with all service packages and repairs. You also get access to the best workshops with the most refined mechanics in the ServiceMyCar network. Brand specialist garages will inspect your car, assess the issues, and get your engine fixed in no time. Here's what NOT to do1. Don't continue driving in such a situation Find the right spot to pull over. Don't drive until your temperature gauge deems it safe to do so. 2. Don't panic in such a situation It's a tense situation and losing your cool will not do you any favours. Stay calm and find the best spot to stop your car and turn it off. 3. Don't inspect the engine immediately As we mentioned earlier, you MUST wait for at least 15 minutes before propping up the hood. Any inspection must only be done after you feel the car isn't too hot. It's best practice to use gloves if you've got any on hand. Consider ServiceMyCar for all your car engine repair needs Taking good care of your car can prevent such situations from arising. However, you can never be too careful. If you require a lexus service, choose a trusted car maintenance platform like ServiceMyCar. With an ideal blend of quality and convenience, there's no better place to get your car engine repair needs to be sorted. Get a quote now on the ServiceMyCar app, or website. Many things have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it's going to the movies, a sporting event, or a concert, all large gatherings have been squashed. However, you can still enjoy certain outdoor activities in small groups. Neither the law nor your vigilant friends are going to chastise you for it. One such activity is a good old road trip.
If you want to escape the confines of your domicile, you can always find solitude in nature. Whether it's the long and winding roads leading to the desert, or a thrilling ascension to mountain tops, it's all still available. As long as you remain responsible and avoid crowding with too many people, a road trip is the best way to get respite from difficult times. It would be best if you weren't unprepared for an adventure. This ultimate road trip prep checklist is created to take you all the way. Do long road trips hurt your car? The damage that a long road trip could have on your car is based on many factors. Clocking up your mileage is typically considered the most decisive factor. However, preparing in advance for the trip can remedy most of the wear and tear the journey would cause. If your car's in top mechanical condition, a long road trip would actually benefit it. If you get an oil change and top up all necessary fluids, you're halfway to having your car ready for the journey. The oil change optimises your engine's temperature so it can run for a long time. With an oil filter change, you can get rid of all the carbon build-up since your last oil change. Other fluid changes, such as your transmission fluid, also have similar functions. How often should you let your car rest on a road trip? For most drivers, a long road trip is a game of temptation. Since the vast stretches of roads don't come to an end, you'd want your drive to be the same. If you follow our road trip prep checklist down to a tee, then you don't have to let your car rest. If all routine maintenance has been carried out in advance, the car can stay running for however long you require. However, if you need a break from driving, you should take it. The ultimate road trip prep checklist Get an oil change As we mentioned earlier, getting an oil change is a fundamental way of preparing for a long road trip. If you're lucky, you can time your road trip based on when your car gets serviced. If not, you can always get it checked by a trusty mechanic. This is where a car maintenance solution like ServiceMyCar comes in. Since an oil change is fundamental, it can be availed with all service packages, or separately. The 77-point inspection will also identify any other issues that have to be fixed before you embark on your journey. Inspect the condition of your tyres No one wants to put a damper on their trip by having to deal with a flat tyre. You can never guarantee complete protection against potential punctures, but you can come relatively close to doing so. There are multiple factors to look out for when it comes to your tyres. You must check the wearing of your tyre treads. If you notice uneven wearing, it could mean that you need to get a wheel alignment service done. Apart from that, you must ensure your tyre pressure is proper. If your tyres are underinflated or overinflated, it can affect your drive, and subsequently, your trip. Get the ideal air pressure by checking your manual or consulting a mechanic. Ensure your A/C is in top condition It's a critical consideration to make, especially in this region. You'll need your A/C to be working correctly in the winters, and can't imagine a drive with no A/C during the summer. If you have been facing recurring issues with your A/C, it's best to get an inspection done. Sometimes, the problem could be as major as a radiator issue, or as minor as getting your A/C filter changed. ServiceMyCar gives you access to the best garages, with A/C specialists for all car makes and models. Get a car AC repair to ensure your vehicle is ready for the road trip. Check (and potentially replace) other vital partsWith an oil change, you'd typically get your oil filter replaced too. However, other crucial parts, such as your air filter, A/C filter, spark plugs, timing belt, and hose, may need replacing. It's best to get a trusted garage to inspect these parts first. The mechanic can then advise you on what parts need replacing. As part of any routine maintenance or car service, these parts have to be replaced. Getting a car service is an easy way to cover this part in your road trip preparation. Check all your fluid levelsBriefly covered earlier, this is another crucial tip. This check will identify what fluids need to be topped up, similar to how an oil change would work. Whether it's your brake fluid, transmission oil, or power-steering fluid, these are vital components that have to be functioning correctly. For such considerations, fluid top-ups can be availed in various car service packages at ServiceMyCar. Moreover, it's included in the Major Service package, so you can rest assured that all your vital components will function properly for the trip. A final pre-road trip checklist
As the largest car service network, you get access to the best garages and the finest genuine parts in the region. Your car will thrive during the arduous road trip and stay in top condition afterwards. Get ready for the road today. Book any of the services mentioned here, and much more, on the ServiceMyCar website or app. |
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March 2021
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