Service (motor vehicle)
Encyclopedia
A motor vehicle service is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has travelled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer in a service schedule and some modern cars display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel.
The completed services are usually recorded in a service book which is rubber stamped by the service centre upon completion of each service. However at least one manufacturer (Mazda
) now records services electronically on a database and prints them out for vehicle owners on request, so that it is not necessary for them to retain a stamped service book . A complete service history usually adds to the resale value of a vehicle. Services like DriverSide in the United States and DriveArchive in the United Kingdom are trying to create tools to help car owners track this service information.
Maintenance tasks commonly carried out during a motor vehicle service include:
Mechanical parts that may cause the car to cease transmission or prove unsafe for the road are also noted and advised upon.
In the United Kingdom, few parts that are not inspected on the MOT test are inspected and advised upon a Service Inspection.
These include:
Mechanical parts of the vehicle which deteriorated below pass standard since testing are inspected and advised accordingly.
The completed services are usually recorded in a service book which is rubber stamped by the service centre upon completion of each service. However at least one manufacturer (Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
) now records services electronically on a database and prints them out for vehicle owners on request, so that it is not necessary for them to retain a stamped service book . A complete service history usually adds to the resale value of a vehicle. Services like DriverSide in the United States and DriveArchive in the United Kingdom are trying to create tools to help car owners track this service information.
Maintenance tasks commonly carried out during a motor vehicle service include:
- Change the engine oil
- Replace the oil filter
- Replace the air filterAir filterA particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the removal of airborne molecular contaminants such as volatile organic compounds...
- Replace the fuel filterFuel filterA fuel filter is a filter in the fuel line that screens out dirt and rust particles from the fuel, normally made into cartridges containing a filter paper. They are found in most internal combustion engines....
- Replace the spark plugs
- Tune the engineEngineAn engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
- Check level and refill brake fluidBrake fluidBrake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in automobiles, motorcycles, light trucks, and some bicycles. It is used to transfer force into pressure...
- Check level and refill power steering fluid
- Check level and refill Automatic Transmission FluidAutomatic Transmission FluidAutomatic transmission fluid is the fluid used in vehicles with self shifting or automatic transmissions. It is typically colored red or green to distinguish it from motor oil and other fluids in the vehicle...
- Grease and lubricate components
- Inspect and replace the timing beltTiming beltA timing belt, or cam belt , is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine's valves. Some engines, such as the flat-4 Volkswagen air-cooled engine, and the straight-6 Toyota F engine use timing gears...
if needed - Check condition of the tyres
Mechanical parts that may cause the car to cease transmission or prove unsafe for the road are also noted and advised upon.
In the United Kingdom, few parts that are not inspected on the MOT test are inspected and advised upon a Service Inspection.
These include:
- ClutchClutchA clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
- Gearbox
- Car BatteryCar batteryAn automotive battery is a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to an SLI battery to power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine...
- Engine components (further inspections than MOT)
Mechanical parts of the vehicle which deteriorated below pass standard since testing are inspected and advised accordingly.