Regular car maintenance shouldn’t be neglected, as it’s what helps prevent breakdowns. You should perform routine maintenance yourself, consisting of small monthly checks, but it’s also necessary to have your car serviced annually. Maintenance represents a significant portion of a driver’s budget, costing around €1,000 each year.
maintain car well
Car maintenance helps keep your car in good condition, reducing repair costs and avoiding costly breakdowns. There are several types of maintenance:
Routine maintenance : these are checks that any motorist can carry out themselves.
Periodic maintenance : this is carried out by a professional when the car reaches a certain mileage or a certain age according to the vehicle manufacturer ‘s recommendations.
The technical inspection : mandatory and to be carried out every 2 years, it allows you to check the good condition of the vehicle and to ensure that it does
To this, of course, you must add any additional repairs in the event of a breakdown or malfunction of your car.
Do-it-yourself checks
Maintaining your car isn’t just a matter of getting it serviced at the garage. There are many checks that need to be done much more frequently than once a year. You can do them yourself, for free, and prevent or detect any problems.
Once a month , you should check the levels of your car: engine oil, coolant, etc. An insufficient level of any of these fluids can cause serious malfunctions and put you in danger on the road.
If their rubber is damaged, you can easily replace them yourself without going to a garage.
Contrary to what many drivers believe, tire pressure is not only checked when you go on vacation!
Finally, clean your car at least once a year . Cleaning a vehicle helps prevent rust and corrosion, as well as remove salt or hydrocarbon residue that could damage your bodywork or exposed parts of your car.
Periodic review
A regular car inspection allows you to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for more in-depth maintenance. During the inspection, the mechanic will, for example, examine the condition of the brakes and battery.
We recommend having your service done once a year , or every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers. For an
Technical inspection
In France, a technical inspection is mandatory. It must be carried out for the first time within six months before the car’s fourth anniversary of registration, and then every two years before the expiry date shown on your technical inspection sticker.
During the technical inspection, the inspector checks 133 control points to detect any possible faults. These control points concern many vehicle functions: steering, suspension, identification, braking, etc.
In the event of a fault, a severity level is assigned: minor, major, or critical. This information appears on your technical inspection report, allowing you to check the proper working order of your car.
In the event of a major or critical failure, you have 2 months to repair the problem and undergo a second technical inspection .
As you may have noticed, car maintenance takes time. That’s why it’s often seen as a real chore and neglected despite its importance. Fortunately, you can make your life easier by entrusting your vehicle maintenance to Vroomly . Indeed, the platform allows you to order your spare parts or tires, but also to make an appointment with a garage near you.
car maintenance frequency
Regular car maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and ensures your safety on the road. It is recommended to have your car serviced every year, or every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers. During this service, what is sometimes called minor car maintenance will be performed:
Engine oil change and oil filter change ;
Brake check (discs, pads, etc.);
Checking that the headlights are working properly ;
Battery status check ;
Windshield wiper control ;
Checking shock absorbers and tires .
Periodically, you need to add to this what is sometimes called major maintenance, which includes changing worn parts.. In addition to the standard service, you will also need to change the air filter and cabin filter, replace the spark plugs, etc.
Some parts have a longer lifespan. This is particularly the case for the accessory belt and the timing belt . However, changing them is part of proper car maintenance, because driving with a worn belt affects the proper functioning of your engine and can damage it.
To do this, you should check the frequency of replacing your wear parts in your car’s maintenance booklet. Every vehicle has one, provided by the manufacturer upon purchase. Your car manufacturer’s recommendations are included in this booklet and will provide you with information on how often your car should be serviced.