Anyone who owns a car certainly knows that it is necessary not to forget about regular service intervals and to carry out more thorough maintenance from time to time. This care will pay off in a longer lifespan and trouble-free operation of your vehicle. What exactly is needed and how often depends on the age of the car and its specific type.

REGULAR OIL CHANGE

Remembering the necessity of changing engine oil is absolutely fundamental. It is a service operation required by both gasoline and diesel vehicles. Recommendations for the interval length for replacement vary according to the age of the car, mileage, and of course, the manufacturer’s recommendations. For older used cars, it is advisable to change the car oil after approximately 10,000 kilometers. For new cars, the interval can be longer, for example, around 20,000 kilometers. If you don’t drive much with the car, it is recommended to change the oil after the season. However, this is not absolutely necessary, and somewhere they might recommend changing it after two years, for example.

During normal operation, do not forget to check if there is enough oil in the engine. As soon as the oil warning light comes on and you continue driving to a suitable stopping place, the engine may be damaged. Increased oil consumption and its rapid decrease can also indicate a problem with the oil pan or, for example, directly with the engine. Therefore, if you notice that your vehicle requires a lot of oil, contact a service center to perform the necessary diagnostics and identify the problem.

Sometimes it may be advisable to change the gearbox oil as well. However, this is more of an exceptional situation and is done more or less only for older cars. Even so, there may be a manufacturer-prescribed service interval, after which it is advisable to go to a service center with a request to change the oil in the gearbox.

FILTER CLEANING

Diesel-powered cars have particulate filters. However, their functionality is not infinite, and they simply get clogged from time to time. For this reason, it is necessary to remember to clean the DPF. The fact that something is wrong is usually indicated by a warning light. If it lights up, in most cases it means the filter is completely clogged, which requires immediate cleaning. Since 2018, vehicles with a non-functional particulate filter are not allowed to be driven on the roads.

NEW TIRES

Although not directly a part of the car located in the engine bay or chassis, wheels and suitable tires are very important. Old and worn-out tires negatively affect the vehicle’s handling and also increase braking distance, which can be very dangerous. It is necessary to monitor tread depth, especially for winter tires. However, driving on worn-out summer tires can also be dangerous due to the possible occurrence of aquaplaning.

ENGINE DECARBONIZATION

The engine becomes clogged with carbon due to use. This is not a dramatic phenomenon, but after driving several hundred thousand kilometers, it may be time to consider cleaning the engine. Special engine decarbonization is recommended mainly when you start to notice an increase in fuel consumption, a decrease in performance, higher emissions, or poor starting.

CHASSIS CARE

Due to normal mechanical wear, the chassis and shock absorbers also get damaged. Repair requires occasional service, and when driving on our not-so-beautiful Czech roads, it is very useful to have shock absorbers in good condition. A service center can help you with these tasks, recommending the best time for repair and service based on wear.