Light Vehicle Servicing
JAX Tyres & Auto are currently offering vehicle servicing*. For more information please click the link to the left.
Regular servicing is essential to the longevity of your car and its ongoing safety. By making sure it is serviced at regular intervals, you will be saving yourself money in the long term and help make your motoring experience safer for you and your family and friends. A basic service should not be terribly expensive, but it should cover some important areas, and include some diagnostic elements. There are certain key parts of your vehicle which need to be regularly maintained not only to ensure efficient functioning, but also ongoing safety.
What should a light vehicle service cover?
A light vehicle service is meant to ensure your vehicle is safe and well maintained, so that wear and tear can be minimised and potential problems spotted early before they create a more major problem. A typical light vehicle service may include the following:
- Oil change. The engine requires fresh, clean oil in order to function at its peak.
- Make sure the mechanics dispose of the old oil in a manner approved by the EPA
- Brakes should be checked and adjusted as necessary
- A full report on their status and any work needing to be done should be supplied
- Tyres should be checked and wheels balanced
- Transmission and diff oil levels need to be checked
- All water levels need to be inspected
- Steering and suspension need to be checked and reported on
In a nutshell, a basic service like this will replace the oil and look at all the important, major functions of your car. Adjustments will be made when necessary, and a full report will be given suggesting any areas where work may need to be done.
Why have a light vehicle service?
A service of this type is highly recommended on a regular basis. Just how regular is determined by manufacturer recommendations. Not only does fresh oil ensure you get maximum performance and longevity from your engine, but a check and adjustment of other areas such as brakes, will also ensure they last as long as possible and forewarn you of any work that may need to be done. From a safety point of view the merits of properly functioning brakes can not be overstated, but services like these are also handy because they allow you to plan ahead a little. For example you may be told that you will need new brake pads at the next service. This allows you to plan your motoring budget. It is also true that preventative work will save you money. Getting a problem fixed early on is always cheaper than allowing it to become a major repair issue later on.
Regular Light Vehicle Services
Having regular services will give you peace of mind, knowing that your car is safe and its engine is running as efficiently as the maker intended, meaning you are also minimising emissions. When you think about it, it makes sense. And this kind of service is surprisingly affordable.
* Some imported, high performance recreational, sports utility vehicles, diesel, 4x4, commercial or front wheel drive vehicles may cost a little more.
As a general rule, you should have a service every six months or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first).
If your car is old or you drive it in more extreme conditions, you may need to bring it in sooner, about every three months or 5,000 km.
Although the rules are different for each state and territory, a safety certificate is legally required when a car has been sold, over a certain age or has been written-off and then repaired.
The exact requirements are different from state to state. Generally, all certificates are designed to ensure the safety of the vehicle. Only approved garages have been granted permission for safety certification inspections.
While a safety certification on a vehicle is a legal requirement, an annual service is not. That being said, if you miss certain major services, you may not pass your safety certificate.
There are important reasons to maintain a regular service:
- Safety: Vehicles will have gradual wear and tear. Regular services fix out-of-sight issues and retain the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicle.
- Save Money: Avoiding services can lead to more expensive repairs than the upfront service cost in the long run.Increase Vehicle Life-span: Regular servicing is necessary to keep your vehicle running for a long time. Without regular servicing, your car may fail the safety certification.
A full service should be done annually or every 20,000km (whichever comes
first).
A full service is a more comprehensive service than your regular light service. This will also include the replacement of engine oil, oil filter and air filter.
Vehicles vastly differ from each other, so the type of vehicle you drive dictates theregularity of your servicing. You should always check your owners manual for a comprehensive understanding of when to service your car.
That being said, a general guideline is to:
- Every six months or 10,000 km (whichever comes first)
- A full service once a year
- A major service every three years or every 40,000 km.
- A light service every 5,000 km or every three months for vehicles driving in difficult conditions or older years.
As a general rule, cars should be serviced every 12,500km or every six months(whichever comes first).
From there, the type of service will change depending on the overall mileage of the car, alternating between light, full and major services:
- Every six months or 10,000 km
- A full service once a year
- A major service every three years or every 40,000 km
- A light service every 5,000 km or every three months for vehicles driving in difficult conditions or older year
Different components of the car will need to be changed at different times based on mileage or time:
- Oil change 8,000-16,000 km
- Air Filter 15,000 km
- Fuel Filter 48,000 km
- Fluids 48,000 km
- Spark Plugs 65,000 km
- Brakes 80,000-95,000 km
- Battery replacement - five yearsTyre Change six years
A light vehicle service is made up of simple checks to maintain the
roadworthiness of your vehicle and check that your motor is healthy.
On the other hand, a full service is a more comprehensive service than your regular light service. These will include replacing your engine oil, oil filter and air filter. If any other issues are suspected or found, you will likely be advised to address them as part of the service.
light, basic or general car service is made up of simple checks to maintain the
roadworthiness of your vehicle and spot issues before they can create a major problem.
A typical light service may include the following:
- Replacing the engine oil and engine oil filter
- Underbody and under-bonnet safety inspection
- Tyres are checked and wheels aligned
- Check vehicle fluid levels
- Check all brakes and operation of the lighting system
- Steering and suspension checked and reported
- Exhaust emissions
- Water levels inspected
- Battery
A full service is a more comprehensive service than your regular light service.
These will include replacing your engine oil, oil filter and air filter. If any other issues are suspected or found, you will likely be advised to address them as part of the service.
A full service should be carried out annually or every 20,000km, whichever comes first. It will include everything in the light service, plus the following:
- Replace air filter
- In-depth front and rear brake checks
- Engine checks
- Checking hydraulic fluid and coolant levels
- Suspension checks
- Steering alignment
- Car battery condition
- Condition of all wheels
- Starter motor cranking and security tests
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that while
it does not need to be serviced at a dealership, it does need to be done by a qualified mechanic. Going against this will void your warranty and sometimes your insurance.
Some dealerships offer an ‘extended’ warranty after the completion of the manufacturer’s warranty. In these cases imposing conditions may imply.
If you have missed a service by a few hundred kilometres and your vehicle is well
maintained generally, you will be fine.
The longer you leave services, the more likely there are underlying issues with the car. It will not be a well-oiled machine, literally.
Some issues include:
- Hidden engine damage that does not show in your ability to drive the vehicle.
- Safety on the road: your car may not be road-legal (roadworthy).
- Driving a non-road-worthy vehicle can cause fatal accidents to yourself and the people around you.
- Void your warranty and insurance.
- Reduced fuel economy and performance of the vehicle.
- Increased cost: Services prevent more expensive problems.
- Reduced resale value: You are much more likely to gain a higher price for your car if you have a complete service history.
Mobile car servicing is where qualified mechanics come to wherever you are, whether at your home or office and carry out repair and maintenance jobs. This type of servicing is a ‘travelling workshop’ enterprise; they carry all the tools they need to complete a comprehensive automotive repair wherever they go.
See our stores that offer mobile servicing here.
