Car Service and Maintenance: Everything You Need to Know

Every machine needs regular effort to keep running smoothly, and cars are no exception. Cars comprise hundreds of components, each performing its function to give the owners the experience they seek from a vehicle. However, if any component falters or wears out, the car’s overall performance is adversely affected. To avoid any such problems and issues with your vehicle, here’s everything you need to know about car service and maintenance to keep it in excellent condition.

We will discuss every aspect of car maintenance, including the difference between service and maintenance, types of car services, routine maintenance tasks, and much more. Before getting into the details of maintenance, let’s understand the difference between service and maintenance.

Understanding Car Service and Maintenance

The difference between car maintenance and service is often misunderstood. A vehicle service is usually performed by a professional, while there are certain maintenance measures that can be performed at home. Let’s look at these differences.

Car Service

It is scheduled maintenance for your car, which is recommended by your car’s manufacturer. For most cars, a typical service is done every year or around 10,000 km (whichever is earlier). The degree of service is determined by the total distance driven, running conditions, and running pattern. In perspective, a service is like a yearly medical checkup.

Car Maintenance

On the other hand, car maintenance includes weekly, monthly, or quarterly checks on essential components. It is done by the car owner to identify whether everything is in working order and doesn’t necessarily require expert care. Maintenance is preventive care for the car, more like daily exercise and taking care of your health.

These are the differences between car service and maintenance:

Types of Car Services

There are three main types of car service - basic, major, and extensive service. The main reason behind this classification is that not all components require replacement at each service. Some components and parts may need replacement more frequently than others, while some core components only need replacement after a long period. Your car's manufacturer recommends a service based on the total kilometres driven and the age of the vehicle. Here are the types of services:

Basic Service

In the basic service, only those parameters and components are checked and replaced, which are worn most frequently such as engine oil and oil filter. All the car's essential components, including engine air filters, timing belts, coolant, brake and clutch fluid  levels, battery terminals, AC filters, etc, are inspected.

Basic service is typically done every year or every 10,000 km. Some manufacturers recommend completing the basic service in six months or 5,000 km intervals.

Major Service

As your car ages and clocks thousands of kilometres, more components are added to the service schedule. In addition to the basic service checklist, other major jobs include spark plug inspection, fuel injector inspection, etc.

All the suspension and chassis nuts and bolts are inspected and tightened. A major car service is done every 12 months/10,000 km or simply every two years/20,000 km.

Extensive Service

In addition to the basic and major services, an extensive car service includes servicing internal engine parts, including spark plug and fuel injector cleaning, timing belt adjustment, and replacing worn-out belts.

In this service, all critical components, such as replacement of brake pads, greasing of brake callipers, power steering system, suspension, etc. The exhaust system is protected by applying an anti-rust coating, which ensures its long life. Most car manufacturers recommend extensive service every 40,000-50,000 km or four to five years.

You can find all the details of your car’s scheduled service and maintenance in the user manual or maintenance booklet.

Routine Car Service and Maintenance Tasks

You can perform various maintenance tasks by yourself at different intervals. Here are the routine car maintenance tasks that can be performed at home.

Engine Oil Replacement

Changing engine oil and the oil filter are among the most critical aspects of car maintenance. Most Indian car manufacturers recommend changing engine oil every 10,000 km or every year, whichever comes first. It is important to note that the oil filter also needs replacement whenever the engine oil is changed to ensure no clogged dirt is present in the lubrication system. Oil change increases lubrication inside the engine, reducing wear and tear.

Tyre Maintenance

Tyres are the only contact between your car and the road and, thus, are the most critical component of any vehicle. You must check your tyres’ pressure every week or when you refuel. Optimum tyre pressure delivers excellent fuel efficiency and grip. Avoid driving at low tyre pressure as this will reduce efficiency and wear tyres quickly. Also, avoid overinflating your tyres, as they will reduce grip. Always maintain the tyre pressure recommended by the manufacturer, which can be found in the owner’s manual or the vin-plate near the driver’s door.

Brake Maintenance

Brakes play an essential role as they are critical to control your car’s speed. Hence, you must ensure that the brakes are always in excellent health. Check the brake pedal for excessive travel, which could mean low brake fluid or worn-out brake pads. If you hear any noise while applying brakes, it’s time to take your car for a brake repair or inspection at a professional car workshop.

Car AC Maintenance

Check your car’s AC for warm air blowing through the vents, strange smells or noises, the cabin not cooling as it used to, etc. In the engine bay, you can do a visual inspection for any leakage of AC refrigerant gas. If you find any of these things, you can visit your nearest car garage or request AC service and repair.

Battery Care

It’s essential to take care of your car’s battery as it helps to start your vehicle. You should check for proper greasing of both the battery terminals, as a lack of it would lead to corrosion. Corrosion reduces the battery’s charge and discharge efficiency, which causes charge depletion. If the battery warning light glows up on the dashboard, it's time to replace it or take a battery inspection service.

Car Wash

We have another essential car maintenance tip for you: taking care of your car’s exterior looks with frequent car washes and detailing will prolong the life and shine of your car’s paint.

Car Inspection

A thorough car inspection at a professional car garage near you will identify any hidden issues related to steering and suspension, car AC, and engine, which are difficult to find without specified equipment.

Fluid Checks and Replacements

All fluids should be inspected, topped up, and replaced at the correct intervals for the proper functioning of your car.

• Engine Oil - For most cars, engine oil must be replaced every 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever is earlier.
• Wiper Washer Fluid - Needs replacement as per the use, usually topped-up in every service.
• Brake Fluid - Needs replacement every 20,000 km or two years or as mentioned in the maintenance booklet of your car.
• Clutch Fluid - Needs replacement every 20,000 km or two years or as mentioned in the maintenance booklet of your car.
• Radiator Coolant - Differs from car to car; most modern vehicles require top-up in about 50,000 km or five years and complete replacement in 1,00,000 km or ten years.
• Transmission Fluid - Manual transmission fluid requires replacement in about 80,000 to 1,00,000 km, while this interval is less for automatic transmissions. Check your car’s manual for accurate information.
• Power Steering Fluid - Only required in cars with hydraulic power steering.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

In the summer, your car is exposed to the warm climate, the monsoon brings moisture, and the cold winters impact the vehicle in many ways as well. Each of these requires specialised care.

Summer Care

Scorching heat in many parts of the country makes special care essential for your vehicle. There are several components to be checked, including AC and cooling systems, to ensure that your car is in perfect running condition during the summer.

Monsoon Care

Wet and flooded roads call for focused care during monsoon, as moisture can lead to corrosion of many parts of the vehicle. In addition to the corrosion, critical components like tyres and brakes require special attention to stay safe in the rainy season. Following some essential monsoon car maintenance tips will help protect your vehicle.

Winter Care

Some parts of the country experience very cold weather conditions and heavy fog during winter. There is a need for proper winter care for your car, which must include everything from battery health to the heating system.

Car Service and Maintenance Schedule

All new cars come with user manuals and a maintenance booklet in which the manufacturer lists all the scheduled services at predefined intervals. Each service requires certain tasks to be performed according to the car’s total mileage.

Most cars in India require service every year or every 10,000 km, whichever comes first. You should remember that some manufacturers recommend servicing every 5,000 km or six months, and some at 15,000 km or 12 months. Check your car’s maintenance booklet for accurate information on service intervals.

Conclusion

Caring for your car isn't just about maintaining a machine; it's about nurturing a trusted companion that gets you where you need to go safely and reliably. Regular car service and maintenance ensure that your car stays in peak condition and is ready for any journey. Your investments in regular upkeep will bear the fruits of consistent performance and longevity and ensure your peace of mind on the road. Treat your car like a valued family member, and it will repay you with years of faithful service and unforgettable memories.