What should a service really entail

[shrink]

I always hear people asking where they could get a service done.... and wondering why a lot of people dont do it themselves.

Now am i seriously off.. but isnt a standard service just.....

oil change (ind filter)
air filter change
spark change
fuel filter change

and the rest is just checks to make sure your brakes are ok, lights are all ok etc etc.

or do they do something else as well?

i have always done the above myself as it doesnt take any real knowledge or skills of any kind... but should i be doing something else?

[AKA CARS]

brake oil
power steering oil

[bigdrifter]

All depends where the car goes and who does it really

[AKA CARS]

All depends where the car goes and who does it really

tru

[shrink]

brake and steering fluids i do as well.. but nowhere near as frequently as i service the car... i tend to do a service every 6 months.. simply because i can do it so cheaply.. and i do a fair number of miles.. the other fluids get replaced yearly (or as needed of course)

[bigdrifter]

We change oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter (if applicable), spark plugs (if applicable), check all fluids, cambelt history, check condition of hoses, auxillary belts, wiper blades, seatbelts, all controls, all lights, tyres for pressure and wear. Check all brake pipes, exhaust system, bodywork, suspension/steering components strip and clean all brakes etc,etc,etc then road test. Other places can call an oil change a service!

[shrink]

indeed... and a lot of that other stuff.. are things i do on a daily basis anyway... things a lot of people should be checking but dont.... pipes, hoses, lights, electics etc.

[belmont31b]

Sometimes a warranty agreement will insist that a car is serviced at a VAT registered garage, if it isn't done at a garage and you need to claim under warranty for any repairs needed, They will argue that the agreement wasn't kept and refuse to pay up!

[scottpat78]

Every time I put the car in for a service the garage (Vauxhall) always find something wrong with it. Suprise suprise.

[CavBayBen]

They grease door hinges too hehe

[Broomies Mate]

Correct me if Im wrong, but doesnt a service at a Garage usually include putting oily hand prints over the lip of the bonnet, and edges of the wings?

I service my own car, and have done since the day I owned a car. Its just common sense.

My Service on My Car;

ITEM ------------- INTERVAL
Oil and Filter: ------ When you cant see any yellow oil on the cap anymore
Air Filter: ------ When the vacuum cleaner refuses to pull the crap out of it
Front Pads: ------ When you hear strange grinding noises
Rear Pads: ------ See 'front pads'
Pollen Filter: ------ Cant be bothered, I dont suffer from any allergies
Spark Plugs: ------ When engine only runs on 5 cylinders

No - Only joking, but I do not see the point in paying £100 plus for a service that you can do yourself for half the price, and guarentee that all the servicable items are checked, and if necessary replaced.

[shrink]

i always prefer to do it myself... means i know whats been done.. and due to being cheaper means i can do it more often than i would pay a garage to do it.