Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a small list of questions that we get asked, if you have a question or query and it's not in the below list please don't hesitate to contact us.
+ How often should I get my car serviced?
Between 6 to 12 months or at least every 10,000km.
+ What should I check before a long trip?
There are three main things to check before any trip:
1. Engine oil 2. Engine coolant 3. Tyre pressures
If they are all ok and your car is regularly serviced then you should have no problems. If your car hasn’t been serviced recently then there are other things like transmission fluid, brake fluid, accessory belts coolant hoses and brake linings etc.. That require a more in depth guide to checking than we can give you here.
+ How do I check my engine oil level?
The car should be on level ground with the engine cold or warm is OK just be careful some things get very hot under the bonnet, (if you think there is no oil or it is very low do not run the engine! Check it cold).
Open the bonnet, cars vary but the bonnet release is usually near the drivers or passenger’s feet (check owner’s manual). Find the dip stick, it’s usually a long metal stick with a handle, usually on the side or front of the engine, some are plastic and a bright colour and some the metal just bends around in a circle (owner’s manual again), pull it out, wipe it clean and reinsert it then pull it out again, you will see marks on the stick showing full and low the oil should between these markings, it is usually takes about one litre of oil to raise the level from the low to full mark.
+ How do I check my engine coolant level?
With the engine cool or let it sit for fifteen minutes, open the bonnet, depending on your vehicle make it will either have a radiator cap on the radiator and an over flow bottle or a sealed radiator and an expansion tank reservoir.
For the first type remove the radiator cap and check it is full to the top then check the over flow bottle it will have a full and low mark on it, the coolant level should be between them.
On the second type the reservoir will be plastic and the coolant level should be visible through it. There should be a high and low level marked on the reservoir the coolant should be between them.
+ How do I check tyre pressures?
To check your tyre pressures you either need a tyre pressure gauge or you need to take the car to the closest petrol station, there should be a sticker somewhere on your car with recommended tyre pressures or you can check your owner’s manual, if you have neither of these you should keep them somewhere in these ranges – Small to medium car: front 30 - 35psi rear 28 - 30psi, large car: front 34 - 38psi rear 32- 36psi
If in doubt with any of these checks you can always drop into CARS and we would be happy to check them for you free of charge.