Car Care - Prevention's Better Than Cure

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Decline of DIY Servicing

Fewer motorists are servicing their own cars these days, having decided that there's a lot to master under the bonnet. However, drivers are demanding higher standards from those who service their cars.

Leading suppliers of diagnostic equipment, Bosch, have drawn this conclusion from a survey aimed principally at customers and owners of independent garages. It appears that only 8% of motorists carry out their own mechanical DIY these days, while 20% turn to a friend with mechanical knowledge. Another 11% go to a garage approved by a component manufacturer, 27% to an independent garage and 34% to a franchised dealer.

Out of Sight Shouldn't Mean Out Of Mind

One thing you almost certainly won’t be able to check and rectify yourself prior to venturing out on roads are the shock absorbers. Yet the danger of driving a car with worn shock absorbers is considerable.

The performance of a shock absorber deteriorates gradually and imperceptibly over time. The effects of worn `shocks` are serious and include:

• Reduced braking and longer stopping distances
  
• An increased risk of aquaplaning in the wet
  
• Reduced efficiency of anti-lock brakes
  
• Sloppy, loose steering control
  
• Increased tyre wear and reduced grip
  
• Increased headlight oscillation
  
• Driver fatigue and passenger discomfort
  
  

You can get your car’s shock absorbers checked the next time you take it in for a service. Alternatively, drop by any good exhaust system or tyre dealer outlet.



Check That Cam Belt


Motorists buying a used car should automatically consider changing the cam belt, according to the RAC, who have to deal with 36,000 breakdowns a year caused by broken timing belts.
"And a broken belt could wreck the engine, causing £1000s worth of damage, while the cost of fitting a new belt is relatively low," warned RAC spokesman Peter Brill.

Most manufacturers have a schedule for belt replacement and their advice should be followed, he added. "But on used cars, if you are unsure of the service history of the vehicle, better to be safe than sorry."

The same can be said for your entire car, it is better to be safe than sorry and prevention is better than a cure.






Published: 8th July