Questions tagged [service]
A motor vehicle service is a set of maintenance procedures carried out either at set time intervals or after the vehicle has travelled a certain distance since it's last service.
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What actually happens when there is not enough oil in a car engine?
When a car is topped up with oil, it clear to most people that you are supposed to fill it to the recommended amount as specified by the manufacturer (normally on a dip stick).
What exactly are all ...
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What actually happens when there is way too much oil in a car engine?
I saw the answers to a question I posted recently highlighting the disadvantages of having too little oil in an engine, but that got me wondering what if the complete opposite were to occur!
I know ...
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What's the point of servicing a car?
As you can probably tell from the question, I know almost nothing about motor vehicles. So apologies for my ignorance but I wasn't sure where else I might get this question answered impartially.
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How important is time-based servicing vs. distance-based servicing?
For years I have been driving a very old car, and servicing it every 10,000 kilometres even though it took me almost a year to drive that much.
Now I have a newer car which I care about more. It's ...
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Is it typical for a shop to charge extra for labor if you bring your own parts?
I brought my car into a new mechanic today for brake issues, and they discovered that my rear brake calipers had completely seized up. They gave me an itemized quote for parts (~$700) and labor (~$...
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How to perfectly service a car yourself
I have serviced my Honda Jazz 2007 model for the last year now. Basically: every 10,000km, I replace the oil, oil filter, air filter and air-conditioning filter. Every 50,000km or so, I replace the ...
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Error Stabilization Control (ESC)/ ABS warning shown on my car dashboard
My Volkswagen Jetta shows Error Stabilization Control (ESC)/ABS warning message on the dashboard. The problem first appeared a few weeks ago. At first it only appeared randomly, but for these few days ...
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What repairs can a garage do without asking for permission if the car is in for MOT and service?
I recently sent my car to the garage for its MOT and service. It's a 1999 Nissan Almera so I wasn't expecting it to pass without some work being done to it.
However, when I got the invoice back it ...
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MOT coverage for car issues
This is a very UK specific question. I was wondering what sort of tests and (if any) fixes are covered by MOT tests. I know that lots of auto shops do servicing that focus on the MOT aspects of things ...
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What to Inspect / Clean / Change After Buying a Used Car Without A Service Record [duplicate]
Let's say you've bought a second hand car that seems decent, but has no service record. What are the things you would inspect, clean or change right off the bat?
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As a consumer, can you buy the "OEM service manual" for your car direct from the manufacturer?
I recently found out you can buy a repair manual for your specific car (in this case Haynes and the repair manual is specific your make/model but spans multiple years). When I went to my car's Haynes ...
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Should I have run out of engine oil?
I have a Holden Captiva 5 LT (2013, petrol 4cyl)
I had noticed the other day that my light for "Dangerously Low Oil Levels" had come on.
From my limited knowledge of cars, If my oil was filled last ...
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Proper pressure for run-flats on Mini Cooper
I have custom rims and Kumho 205/45/RF17 run-flats on my 2007 R56 Mini Cooper S (not convertible), and the tire pressure light came on. I checked, and indeed one of the tires was low (around 29 psi) ...
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Easily serviceable/maintenance cars
I really want to get a little bit more familiar with whatever is going on under the bonnet, so I thought to buy an old car to conduct my experiments on it. What I had in mind - is trying basic ...
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What checks or service should be performed before a long trip?
Before going on a long trip, say 10 hours a day, times 2 days at highway speeds, what checks or services should I have performed?
This car is a 2007 Lexus ES350, but I'm looking for an answer that ...
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Why does my garage insist on using an engine flush when changing the oil?
My car handbook lists what should be done at each service, and it does not say “engine flush” should be used. The main dealers don’t use it.
Yet most small garages seem to insist on using it at ...
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Car battery - Disconnected just positive while doing work
I've installed an extra 12V source in my car and everything is working.
While installing it I removed the positive terminal from the battery and left the negative connected. (Resting the positive on ...
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Is failing to change brake fluid a life safety issue?
While I recognise the the brake system in my car is redundant, is it possible that failure to replace brake fluid could result in a fatal accident? or is there sufficient redundancy and warning ...
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How can I know if a TSB has been applied to my vehicle?
I have a 2013 Infiniti JX35 with a brake pedal that is softening when the car is at a full stop. An independent auto shop says that the ABS needs to be reprogrammed by the dealership as described in ...
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Apparent duplicates between Haynes service instructions and MOT
I'm trying to do more of my own servicing for my car, following the suggested service schedule in the appropriate Haynes manual. However, I've noticed some of the suggested checks in the Haynes manual ...
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Renewed brake pads
I am new to the automotive world and especially in services. I did some research on some things, but others I cannot find definite answer.
I bought a car which has had "renewed brake pads and discs"...
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How to determine if manual transmission fluid has to be changed?
I took my 2015 Honda Accord to the dealership to have a recall serviced. While performing the service, the mechanic recommended that I also had my manual transmission fluid (MTF) flushed since the car'...
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Honda dealership questionable maintenance
My 2009 CRV with 59,500 miles and absolutely no problems went in for the 60,000 service. I was called and told that my power steering fluid smelled burned and looked dark. I was told that I needed a ...
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Motorcycle Maintenance Tasks - Please Provide a List of Actions
It's a BigBoy DRT-250, but I doubt that will be known outside of SA.
I had it serviced at 500km, then 3000km, and 6000km, according to warranty. Then it was highlighted to me that the warranty ...
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What potentially may be wrong with a front-right leg of a stabilizer?
Not a long time ago, I went to the service for an annual technical inspection. They replaced the front-right leg of a stabilizer. And gave me the previous one back. I wasn't too smart to ask the ...
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Will cars annual service light still come on if I do an early service?
I have a Jaguar XJ 2010 model, the service warning light comes on around October every year for the annual service. If however I was to get it serviced in June this year (i.e earlier than the service ...
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30K recommended service for honda civic 2013
I have Honda Civic 2013 and have 37K miles on odometer. Haven't done 30K recommended service but i scheduled appointment with dealership. The detail service list is
4 Wheel Brake Service
Air Filter ...
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How much of a VIN code is needed to identify make & model, across model years?
In a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) code, do the first 8 digits always refer to the same make/model, or does it change from year to year?
For example, here is a VIN (5TDDKRFH5ES03F736) decoded:
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Radically different car maintenance schedules in manual and service instruction sheet
I own a 2013 Fiesta Ecoboost 1.0L 74kW, and noticed that the maintenance instructions in the US version of the owners manual are very different from the service schedule available on Ford Etis. (EU ...
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Dealership's service dept drove my car 19 km
I left my car at the dealership for a few hours today to get my suspension looked at and to find out what was causing the creaking noises coming from the back. The service advisor told me that the ...
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Is there any safe way to buy a used car and have it shipped to me?
I'm looking to buy a used car that is somewhat uncommon in the combination of year, make, model, trim package, etc. I found a car that I would like to buy but it is a 17-hour car ride away (one way). ...
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Understanding Car Servicing for a second hand car
I bought a peugeot 206 last year (a second hand one). Such car is my first car, I haven't owned one before, although I used to drive before such purchase. The car is quite old (I think 8-10 years), I ...
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How to reset the service reminder on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Kompressor?
I have been looking for a few days now on how to reset the service reminder that keeps showing every time I start the car. I know the car repair shop can do this, but I would like to know how to do it ...
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Have my tyres been tampered with?
I took my car to the garage and arranged with them to replace all 4 tyres. I'd order the tyres to the garage and they'd fit them. I also asked the mechanics to check the tyres manufacturing date and ...
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How do Lojacks work? Are there alternatives?
So I was at a dealership recently and of course they advertised the typical Lojack. No doubt I feel these things are useful but it seems the price actually fluctuates (one dealership was selling to me ...
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Can I get my service elsewhere?
In 2016 I bought a the new Clio GT.
Next week it should have it's annual service.
I moved to another city last month and now I am asking myself if I can get the service at any other renault dealer.
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First service for a 2015 Ford Edge AWD
I have a 2015 Ford Edge AWD that I've had since new. I've had it for 12 months now, and I've done a measly 2,800 miles in it.
One thing I have not done with it is have it serviced. Normally when I've ...
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2007 Nissan Frontier Transmission, Differential & Transfer Case service intervals for light driving?
According to the owner's manual service/maintenance guide, automatic transmission fluid, differential oil & transfer case oil should be inspected for leaks at the following intervals:
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Necessity of checking valve-clearance on 1 cylinder GY6
Engine-valves usually get tighter as they're used.
The symptoms of engine-valves that are too tight, are as follows:
Bad fuel economy
Difficult to start
Stalling idle
The manual for my scooter ...
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What is full service / interim service / service a / service b?
I have been trying to book the car for service as the panel suggests that 'service B is due', but the booking services offer Full service an Interim service to choose from. I guess Service B is one of ...
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Dealer service records from Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz - don't exist?
I'm shopping for used cars at the moment, and have been considering some models from Toyota and Honda, as well as an older Mercedes Benz. Many of the cars I've seen so far have been at dealers, i.e. ...
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Does my car need a service?
I bought my car second hand and don't know when it was last serviced. Car has done over 100,000 miles, it's a 2004 Corsa. It's due for its MOT, so I was thinking of doing them at the same time. Also, ...
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Frequency for servicing bike?
I have a Hero Honda air cooled single cylinder 4 stroke engine bike. It's about 5 years old, and I've done all the recommended servicing on time. I lost the servicing manual, but I remember that the ...
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Buying a car without a service history? [closed]
I'm considering buying an Audi A3 from 2013, from an official Audi dealership. It's in good condition as far as I can tell, and has all the options I need.
The problem is that they don't have a ...
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Service intervals of different cars
Background
So in the process of buying a used car, I feel I need to know what kind of service a car should have had prior to the purchase and will have to have after the purchase. I'm looking for a VW ...
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How to service a vehicles electrical system?
While I have a good knowledge on general service procedures for a vehicles engine, suspension, exhaust and other usual systems, I'm unsure of how to keep a vehicles electrical system in top-notch.
My ...
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Do cars have a specific brake and power steering fluid or are they universal?
I am servicing my standard hyundai coupe 2006. Things like the engine oil, air filter and coolant have to be the specific ones for your car.
However what about power steering and brake fluid, I can'...
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How to Tell No MOT Advisory Notes?
In the UK, the MOT test may contain advisory notes but as far as I understand these are optional. One can also check the MOT history of a vehicle through Gov.UK web site. However I don't understand by ...
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Toyota Camry 2004 service
I have just bought a 2004 Toyota Corolla (Altise). I couldn't get the exact date of the last service but the guy said that the next service should be done in 3000km. I guess there is a standard set of ...
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Why are shops that do tire shaving and truing so hard to find?
With the number of AWD cars on the road, you'd think that tire shaving and truing would be more popular. But I had to call the manufacturer of the truing machine and obtain a buyer's list to find ...
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