Car Service Ilford

#1 Engine Oil Change

The engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. While petrol and diesel power the vehicle, the engine oil lubricates the internal engine components to prevent overheating. Over time, the engine oil loses its viscosity and thus lubrication properties. To avoid friction and damage between moving engine parts, make sure you change the engine oil regularly – as mentioned in the user manual.

Chigwell Motor Works understands that every vehicle is built differently and requires a different grade of engine oil. That is why we always refer to your vehicle’s user manual to find out which engine oil grade suits your particular model and make. We use only quality engine oil so that your car runs smoothly.

After changing the engine oil, we also change the oil filter and filter seal to prevent oil leakage down the road. Thus we provide you with car repair solutions so that you don’t have to face hassles.

#2 Tyres

A car is as good as its tyres. With a troublesome engine, you can only go so far. But with a flat tyre, you can’t move at all. Therefore, it is important to check your tyres’ health to avoid breakdowns periodically. At Chigwell Motor Works, we provide a complete tyre check-up service to assess the tread to ensure the tyres are wearing out evenly.

For the sake of your safety, we recommend replacing the tyres if they are no longer able to grip the road or have visible cracks on the sidewall.

On the other hand, abnormal tread wear is a clear indication of poor wheel alignment or issues with your suspension system. In either case, a quick diagnosis can reveal the issue and can be fixed in our workshop in no time.

Plus, the significance of correct tyre pressure cannot be overstated. Inflating your tyres to the correct pressure saves fuel and increases tyres’ life. That is why we always ensure your tyres are inflated to the recommended PSI for a safe and smooth journey.

#3 Battery

Under normal conditions, car batteries can last 4-5 years. But we have seen some of them dying within 30 months. Whatever may be the reason, this is the last thing you will want to fail because, without a functional battery, your car won’t start, especially if you drive an Automatic.

During the routine service, our experts will check your battery’s health using a multimeter. The reading will tell us the condition of the battery and for how long the battery can hold the charge. If the voltage/current rating indicates poor health, consider replacing your battery or else be prepared to get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

#4 Wipers

When was the last time you had your windscreen wipers changed? If it has been more than a year, it is about time.

You will realise the importance of wipers only when it is raining, but it will be too late by then. However, we care for you and make sure your wipers are in good shape.

As the rubber on the wiper blades wear out, not only your visibility during the rain is compromised, but you will also notice a permanent streak on the windscreen left by the exposed metal on the blades. Our service expert will inspect your wipers and recommend replacement if necessary. With new, quality wipers, you will notice the difference in how they work, and their performance improves considerably.

#5 Air Filter

The air filter is located in the air-intake assembly to keep dust and debris from entering the engine. Since the air filter traps dirt particles, it is clogged up over time. As a result, the engine does not get sufficient air for combustion and burns more fuel. The solution is to either clean or replace the filter. The commonly used paper-based filters cannot be cleaned and therefore need to be replaced during the logbook service.

If you drive in areas with a lot of dust and pollutants in the air, the air filter will need more frequent replacing.

#6 Other Essential Fluids

This includes brake oil, coolant, transmission oil, automatic transmission fluid and battery water. During the routine checks, our technicians will top off these fluids if the level has dropped, or replace them altogether if the fluid has changed colour or viscosity.

Riding the clutch

This is one of the most common rookie mistakes. While it is tempting to rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving, this causes your clutch plates to wear out at an exponential rate; say if your clutch plates were to last 70k miles, you would end up wearing them out within 15k miles if rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.

Pressure washing your engine

It is a classic car-detailing mistake. The powerful squirts of water are a bit too harsh for all those sensors and sensitive components in the engine compartment. Use a piece of cloth and engine cleaning solutions for effective results without harming your engine.

Parking with your transmission engaged

Your car’s transmission is not designed to hold your car steady when parked on a slope; use your parking brake instead to spare your transmission the strain.

Using water instead of coolant, mix

Use a 50-50 mix of coolant and water for effective cooling. Using water only as a cooling agent will lead to rust build-up inside the radiator, which means a heavy repair bill is coming your way. If you want to get your car serviced in Ilford at the best price, contact Chigwell Motor Works to book an appointment.