Quality between you and the road

When you take your car in for service you are often left wondering what gets checked for the price you pay, be it a full or partial check over. Here's a look at some of what you can expect.

What Will They Check In A Service?

As well as the usual service components check of plugs, oil, filters, and cam belts, there are some other points that ensure that the engine continues to run effectively.

Electrical issues are one of the main reasons why cars break down. It is important to make sure that each element of the electrical system is in full working order.

The battery is the power storage unit, and it should be tested regularly to ensure that it is holding the charge. If the battery is old and not holding its charge properly, the amount of power needed to turn the starter motor will not be available, causing a slow or lazy start, or worse still, total failure. This can often be obvious when the lights are on, as they dim more when you attempt to start the engine if the battery is low.

The alternator supplies the charge to the battery. It has to be creating a good charge. Issues like worn bushes, poor connections, or a slack belt will affect the ability of the unit to create a charge. Undue noise can be an early warning sign of serious wear, and should always be investigated as soon as apparent before it fails and leaves you stranded on the roadside. The unit should be tested with a voltmeter to make sure it is functioning accurately. The belt should be checked for condition and must be changed if it is shiny, or cracked to keep it from slipping or snapping.

Plug leads should be examined for good connection, corrosion, and the strength of the spark. A broken plug lead can cause a weak spark or no spark at all. This can be tested easily by holding the lead, with a plug in its end, against the engine block to see if a spark is generated and how strong that spark is. When changing the leads, always make sure you replace them in the correct order. The easiest way to ensure this is by marking them, or by doing them one by one. This is most important as otherwise, you will cause the engine to fire in the wrong order, which will make it run badly, or not at all.

Hopefully, with this information, you now know what else is checked within your service so you can rest assured that your vehicle has been fully looked over and any faults raised, also fixed, so this makes your car safe to drive.