No one wants to pay hefty car repair bills, so looking after the car properly is essential. Here is why you should befriend your car’s service manual and how you must locate a good garage at a fair bargain:

How much does a serviced at least once yearly to keep it in the best possible condition. However, it also depends on mileage milestones and the car’s age. For instance, you may have had the vehicle serviced seven months back, but if you’ve driven more than a particular distance, you may require an oil change. All these essential parameters will be reflected in your car’s manual alongside any other tasks that need to be completed.

Caring for your car saves money.

While it may appear costly, the yearly servicing saves you money, preventing serious problems and ensuring better resale value and longer car life.

Moreover, fuel efficiency is higher in a well-maintained car. You’d also need to have a completed service record if you need a claim on the warranty.

Get to know your car’s service manual.

The car’s service manual is the key to keeping your vehicle working and in good repair. People involved in designing your car write the manual, and it will reflect the following:

• When will the replaceable parts need to be changed?
• How often must you get the car serviced?
• How frequently do the regular maintenance tasks like oil changes need to be carried out?

The service manual will also help you estimate the maintenance costs and prevent you from spending more on dealerships’ recommendations.

Watch out for dashboard messages.

Most issues, including those with the braking system, oil and coolant levels, engine, and tire pressure, are now displayed as warning messages on the car’s dashboard.

The manual further explains these lit-up warnings and the action you must take to handle the situation. This cannot be ignored, as a few urgent signs require you to pull off the road and stop the engine.

The cost of skipping servicing

It may tempt you to skin the servicing if the car hasn’t been used much lately or is is low on funds, but you risk much bigger bills later.

Replacement of damaged parts may cost up to ten times or even more than you’d spend on servicing the car.

Keep an eye on the cambelt.

Your service manual will advise when the cambelt has to be replaced (typically after 75000 miles of driving).

While it may seem expensive, it will cost much more to repair the engine damages if the cambelt fails while driving.

Look after your tires.

The tires must be in good condition to save money and remain safe. Stick to the tire pressures recommended in the manual and ensure that the alignment remains right.

Choosing where to get your car serviced

Dealerships are usually 50% more expensive than independent garages due to staff commissions and higher overheads. However, if there is an issue with the car, the dealership with the franchise for your car’s make is more likely to understand the fault better.

Finding a good independent garage

You can rely on friends or colleagues for recommendations. Always opt for a garage with good quality work, transparent pricing, and clear information about car faults.

How to complain about a garage

Suppose the quality of work, the charges, or the customer treatment is unsatisfactory. In that case, you may discover your legal rights and claims against the garage online or through your lawyer.

Tips for getting a fair price

Check the service manual for the type of service your car requires and the tasks and checks performed on the vehicle. Next, follow these tips to get a fair bargain:

• Ask for the price breakdown at the garage to know what you are paying for.
• Check whether the garage adheres to the manufacturer’s procedures and unoriginal or equivalent parts.
• Get quotes from multiple garages before deciding on one.
• Even if you have a garage decided, you can negotiate based on a cheaper quote you received elsewhere.
• Ensure that you compare like for like with similar services and parts.

Ask for an estimate if the garage cannot give the exact quote, and you may ask them to contact you if the amount exceeds a particular budget.

Remember that car servicing is an investment, not an expense!