Top local vehicle servicing in Reading: What tools do I need to service my own car? When it comes to servicing your own car, it’s essential you have the right tools and equipment to ensure you’re doing it safely otherwise you could be putting your car, yourself, and other road users at risk. Jack up your car, unscrew the sump plug in your engine, making sure you’ve removed the oil cap and placed a suitable drain tray underneath to collect the used oil. Next, remove the oil filter with the oil filter remover and wait for all the oil to drain out. When you’re ready, place the new oil filter in the same position, lightly wetting the rubber seal with new oil to give it a stronger seal. Refit the sump plug, remembering to replace or renew the washer around the sump plug first. Finally, use a funnel to slowly pour in the new oil, checking the dipstick regularly to ensure you don’t overfill. Run the engine for 10 minutes to allow the oil to circulate, then check to ensure the oil filter and sump plug are not leaking. After turning off the engine and allowing the oil level to settle, use the dipstick to ensure the oil is at the maximum. Discover even more information on Local Car Service Near Me.
You can get a quote online by using our quote engine widget for every vehicle make and model by simply entering your vehicle registration number to make a booking and you do not pay car service centre reading until the work has been carried out to your liking and you are happy with the work that has been carried out. On collecting your vehicle all the work that has been carried out will be explained to you and our technician will run this through with you before driving away in your vehicle. Fix wipers: Defects in windshield wipers not only affect the vision of the driver but also endanger the safety of all. Make sure you avoid driving under such conditions and get the wipers repaired whenever necessary. Wipers are used the most in the monsoon season.
If there’s a problem, book an appointment to go and show them the vehicle. Depending on what car you drive, they may even visit you to survey the car’s needs. If not, drop off your car and take a cab to work supplied by our sister company 1st Class Cars. if it’s just the matter of a day or two. Where To? Finding The Right Car Servicing Centre Reading Your car’s make and model may have you visiting someone around the corner, or someone quite a distance away. If it’s the latter and you like the way they work, stick with them. If you’re looking for a change, look up a few authorized servicing centers for your car model.
The air you breathe inside your car is important, which is why experts recommend you change the air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Changing the air filter is something you can get done when you take your car for an oil change or a routine check. However, if you’re skilled with cars, you can change it yourself. A typical air filter costs about $10, and it takes 10 minutes to change.
Yes, it’s your car’s bible! Knowing where to find information quickly can help in identifying causes when trouble arises. You may even be able to avoid a trip to the auto mechanic in the first place if you discover that your “problem” stemmed from not understanding your car’s controls. Beyond knowing the make and model of your vehicle, it also helps to have the specific trim level on hand for the service technician, as that often identifies the engine size and configuration, transmission and other included features that vary across the model line. Be aware of your exterior paint and interior color codes in case body or upholstery repair is necessary. Keep your vehicle identification number (VIN) available, as this code will likely be required when scheduling service.
Best car service Reading, UK: This makes them impartial when inspecting your car – there’s no commercial incentive to find problems with it. For a list of local council MOT test centres that don’t carry our repairs, visit the website. Once a car is three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) it must be tested each year to check it meets road safety and environmental standards. This Ministry of Transport test is commonly known as an ‘MOT’. MOT tests are carried out at around 21,000 authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles. Read more information at carservice-centre.co.uk.
There was a time when a paper MoT certificate was a vital document, and the police would routinely ask to see it during traffic stops. Nowadays the information is stored on a national MoT online database and the paper MoT issued after your test is simply a statement of whether your car has passed or failed. It can be a handy document for when it comes to sell your car on as it shows its service history, and it’s also a useful reminder of when your test is coming around again. However, if you’ve mislaid the paperwork – which is easily done – you can check your car’s MOT status (or the MoT status of any vehicle) by searching for the phrase ‘when’s my MoT due’ online.
Keep up with oil changes. When oil levels are low, or oil is old, added friction between moving parts can cause wear and tear to the engine. Follow your owner’s manual to determine the best intervals for changing oil. Check the brakes every time the oil is changed. Take care of your tires. Check and maintain proper tire pressure. Tires inflated within five pounds per square inch (PSI) of their recommended level improve gas mileage and general handling of your vehicle. Recommended PSI can be found in the owner’s manual. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
If you frequently drive in winter, then consider buying a set of winter tyres. They offer exceptional grip when the temperature drops below seven degrees, and while they’re effective in snow and ice, they also perform better than summer tyres when it’s wet. They’re not cheap, but are well worth the investment for the additional safety they bring. It’s up to you whether you buy a second set of wheels to fit them on, but if you choose to swap the winter tyres onto the same wheels, it’s a job for a tyre fitter, as it’s a pretty tough job to do yourself. Even if you don’t want the extra cost of winter tyres, checking the tread depth of your existing tyres is important. The legal limit is 1.6mm, but having more than this can dramatically improve steering and braking. Indeed, if your tyres require replacement, then winter is a good time to do it. Also, check your tyre pressures regularly, because these can change with the drop in air temperature with the changing of the seasons.