INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A periodic service is extremely essential in ensuring a long life for your car and does go a long way in keeping your vehicle reliable and
While modern-day vehicles are more reliable than ever, they still need a fair share of inspection from time to time
The best way to watch out for impending problems or failing parts is to inspect your vehicle at the right time and regularly get it serviced
Now, the easiest way to find out how often you need to service your vehicle is to check the owner's manual
Generally, most carmakers suggest a period of 10,000 km or about 12 months, whichever is earlier, but depending on your driving style, you
can also inspect your car every 5,000 km to be cautious
On a new vehicle, here's what you need to check when servicing your car at 5,000 km, 10,000 km and 15,000 km.At 5,000 kmThis is the first
service of your car since the run-in period has been completed at 1,000 km
Having completed 5,000 km, it is time to check and carry out general inspections on the car and replenish fluids
Some of the major inspections include engine oil and replacement of parts where needed
The newer engines see less wear and tear at this mileage, and need a general service and a thorough clean-up to keep that new car look
This is also a good time to top up the coolant and the windshield washer fluid levels, and clean the air filter to ensure the engine is
The 5,000 km service interval is also a good opportunity to check any small niggles with the electronics or creaking doors that may need to
be lubricated for smooth operation
Lastly, make sure to check your tyres for any nails or debris stuck, which could lead to a puncture in the future.At 10,000 kmWhile the
initial service is more of a precautionary check, your first major service comes up at 10,000 km, as recommended by most carmakers
At this stage, your vehicle has seen quite a lot of wear and tear, having been exposed to all the dust and grime, traversed different
terrains and even received bruises in bumper-to-bumper traffic
This service interval will see several major checks taking place including an oil change with the recommended viscosity grade mentioned in
You also need to replace the oil filter and clean the air filter again
If you travel across dusty roads frequently, you may have to replace the air filter altogether.You will also need to replace the air
conditioning system's pollen filter at the 10,000 km interval, which ensures the air you breathe in the cabin is fresh and pollutant free
It also helps prolong the cooling effect and the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit's life
The tyres will also need care at this time, so do remember to carry out wheel alignment, balancing and tyre rotation in this service
This helps prevent uneven wear and tear, as well as extend the tyre and suspension life
Don't forget to get the car completely cleaned, and get all the joints and hinges lubricated for a smooth operation
If you'd like to go that extra mile, you can also have the car detailed and buffed with wax, to protect the exterior and maintain the new
look.At 15,000 kmThe 15,000 km service will bring more issues that need to be addressed and maybe replacement of certain parts too
Apart from the oil change, this is a good time to check the brake pads and clean the disc rotors
While brake pads are intended to last longer than 15,000 km, aggressive driving can take a toll on them and warrant a replacement earlier
Similarly, it is also time to check other fluids on the vehicle including the brake, transmission and steering
The 15,000 km service interval also brings up inspection and cleaning of the spark plugs on a petrol-powered car
Do ask your mechanic to check the fuse, bulbs and clutch
Any warning lights on the instrument console will have to be inspected and error codes will need to be deleted using the diagnostics tool
The car battery will need to be inspected and tested for proper voltage, apart from cleaning the terminals
It is also likely that the HVAC unit will need a top-up for the cooling gas, and the windshield washer fluid will need to be refilled
It is also a good time to carry out any repairs to the body shell on the car to avoid exposure and subsequent rusting
Make sure to check the owner's manual to see if the manufacturer has recommended any parts replacement at the 15,000 km service interval
Complete the service with a detailed wash for the exterior and the interior.A periodic service can certainly go a long way in ensuring your
That said, a well serviced car does not mean you can skip out on purchasing car insurance for the same
While new cars may see fewer breakdowns, an accident is more than enough to put all that care, time, effort and money down the drain, not to
forget it is illegal to drive a car without a valid motor insurance
A smart car owner is not just one who maintains the car, but also one who backs it up with the right car insurance.Disclaimer: This is an
advertorial and TheIndianSubcontinent is not responsible for the accuracy of the content.Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News
from India and around the world on TheIndianSubcontinent.com
Catch all the Live TV action on TheIndianSubcontinent 24x7 and TheIndianSubcontinent India
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.
