.jpg)
What Will the Mechanic Do During a Service?
You’re sitting in the car repair shop, probably wondering: How long does car maintenance take? Nobody likes waiting around, especially when this is a fleet vehicle and you need to get it back on the road for your business. It would be better if you had a heads up of what to expect but an approximate time frame is not always known.
Even if it takes time out of your busy day, it’s important that every car owner takes the time to get their car serviced and inspected properly. The length of time really depends on the type of work that you need to be done, the type of car that you drive, and how accessible it is to get needed parts. For example, it’s more difficult to get a specialty part than it is to replace a car’s battery or repair a tire. Major car repairs like an engine rebuild or a transmission repair can take a prolonged period of time, so that could keep your vehicle off the road for an extended period.
The length of the service will depend on several other factors as well:
Is it an interim service (usually performed every 6 months or 6,000 miles) or a full service (usually carried out every 12 months or 12,000 miles)? An interim service usually takes about an hour and a half, but full service is generally double that time.
Were any problems found? If everything runs smoothly, then you should have your car back within 3 hours for full service. However, if your mechanic finds problems, it could take longer. Your mechanic should inform you if your car will need to remain in the garage for an additional period of time.
What Will the Mechanic Do During a Service?
A service is basically a very thorough check of all of the working parts of your vehicle. Mechanics will check for parts that may be wearing out, letting you know what replacements might be needed in the near future. They often perform an oil change and replace the oil filter, as well as other basics like rotating the tires and doing a tune-up on the belts.
You can also check your car’s service manual to see what services are recommended at different miles. Misplaced your manual? It’s okay! Many can be found online. If you are still in doubt about exactly what your car will go through in a service, talk to your mechanic before dropping it off.
How Often Do I Need Car Maintenance?
The old standard for having your oil changed used to be every three months or 3,000 miles. However, many mechanics now recommend intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles due to more improved modern lubricants. Each car has a different service schedule, so see your owner's manual. Many newer vehicles also have maintenance reminder systems.
Your auto shop can also let you know when each service is due, which is especially important for fleet vehicles, so they don’t fall through the cracks. If you keep to a good service schedule, you can avoid more expensive car repair costs in the future.
Have trouble remembering when your car should be serviced? Try an app! We have many recommendations for useful apps and tips on how to keep track of vehicle maintenance.
What's the Difference Between a Full Service and a Major Service?
A full service generally covers the following checklist:
Oil and Filter Change
Discuss this with your mechanic as this is essential. Most service providers include this in the basic package, but it’s still better to talk with them directly before opting for any plans.
Interim Service
This includes basic car maintenance checks such as tire treads, fluid levels, and all other amenities in the car.
Electronics
A full service will include inspection and repair of all the electronics in the car, including the air conditioning unit and stereo/sound system. (This is usually not included in a basic service plan, however).
Lights
A thorough check-up of all the lights ensures that you don’t have any headlight bulbs burnt out and all your interior lights are functioning properly. You don’t want to be stuck out in a storm with only “one eye.”
Battery Check
A full service will typically include checking that the battery is healthy and recharging it if necessary.
Other Inspections
In addition to the above-mentioned checks, a full service typically includes maintenance checks recommended in the user’s manual, which are usually the following:
Windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid check
Wheel alignment check
Charging systems check
Exhaust check
Tire tread and pressure check
Full brake check
Power steering fluid check
Steering check
Shock absorbers check
Suspension check
The major vehicle service covers all the same checks as the full service, but it provides much greater detail. A major service will check for additional replacements of wearable parts, including filters (air, cabin, and fuel), spark plugs, brake fluid, coolant, etc. Major services also include:
Replacing the timing belt and/or serpentine belt at the recommended mileage interval
Servicing the air conditioner/heater
Other services related to fuel delivery, emissions, and ignition systems
How Much Does Car Maintenance Usually Cost?
This depends on the type of vehicle you own, how old it is, and what services it needs to have done. According to a study by AAA, a new car’s routine maintenance and repairs could cost an average of $0.09 per mile. If you drive 10,000 miles a year, that equals $900. If you drive 20,000 miles, that figure jumps to $1,800 annually. That’s why it’s essential to budget for this expense. The truth is, the true cost of owning a car can vary.
Is It Illegal Not to Service Your Vehicle?
While regular vehicle service is highly recommended to keep your vehicle in good shape, an annual service is not a legal requirement, nor is it a prerequisite to insuring your vehicle. But to keep your vehicle in proper working order for longer, regular service checks are essential. They could mean the difference between profitability and business failure when considering a fleet of vehicles.
What Are the Benefits of Servicing Your Fleet?
If you have a fleet, you want all of your vehicles to be running smoothly. Even just one vehicle out of service can be costly. Ensuring that your fleet vehicles are in top condition is vital to any business enterprise.
Some benefits of regular maintenance include:
Fleet Safety - A safe fleet has impacts on every aspect of your business, including employees, litigations, consumer confidence, and profit. Fleet maintenance is crucial to maintaining a safe fleet. If you’re not properly maintaining brakes, tires, coupling devices, and other mechanical systems and parts, you’re asking for trouble. An unexpected accident could occur. It’s important to service your fleet.
Fleet Reliability - You can lose a considerable amount of revenue if just one of your vehicles is out of commission due to repairs. You will have a loss in productivity, man-hours as your driver sits on the side of the road waiting for a tow, and any costs associated with damaged goods or equipment.
Fewer Compliance Issues - There are a number of federal, state, and local laws your fleet has to consider. You have to stay on top of regulations and inspections. Good fleet maintenance can lead to fewer compliance headaches.
Lower Maintenance Costs - Preventative maintenance, or fixing things before they break, is far less expensive than reactive maintenance. Waiting too long to fix a problem causes wear and tear on your vehicle and a shorter operating life.
Lower Fuel Costs - Doing simple maintenance like changing the oil and filters in your vehicles regularly will cause a boost in miles per gallon. Regular tire and wheel maintenance will also boost fuel efficiency. In fact, proper maintenance can improve fuel economy by as much as 40%.
Driver Satisfaction - Mechanical problems are major stressors for your drivers. They just want to get their work done and not have to worry about mechanical issues and breaking down along the side of the road. Drivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether the brakes will work well enough to stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle.
One of the most important factors in any employee’s job satisfaction is the right equipment. Don’t lose good drivers due to poor maintenance.
Customer Satisfaction - In addition to keeping your drivers happy, good vehicle maintenance will keep your customers happy. If your landscaping business routinely misses appointments due to vehicle breakdowns, you’ll lose valued customers. Your customers expect prompt, reliable service. And maintenance problems can keep your drivers from meeting customer expectations.
Fleet maintenance is important; make sure you have a reliable auto body shop to take care of your business vehicles. Though there is no clear-cut answer to the question “How long does car maintenance take?,” it’s important to have your vehicle (or fleet of vehicles) serviced no matter how much time it takes.
Comments