Answers to the most frequently asked questions
How often should my car be serviced?
If your car is still within its manufacturer’s warranty, you will need to follow the guidance about when your car is serviced in line with the manufacturer’s service schedule. This is to keep your warranty valid.
Older cars will also benefit from annual servicing, and maintenance. A regularly serviced and properly maintained car, will keep you driving for decades with few problems. By servicing your car annually, you are keeping a detailed service history, this can help you to preserve your vehicle’s value when you decide to sell your car.
How much does a full car service cost in Ireland?
It can vary significantly. Especially if you go to a main dealer, which are generally considerably more. This is generally the case if your car is under warranty.
However, our mechanics are gold standard, qualified mechanics. Who have been trained under various main dealerships, and are very accustomed to working on all types and brands of vehicles, both new and older cars. Including high performance vehicles.
A full service with us can cost from €250, this includes VAT. Though this can be slightly less or more depending on your vehicle model. If any issues are found during the car inspection or routine service. We would always give our client a call before we add any extra charge to your bill, to tell you what we have found and to make sure its ok to go ahead. So, there will be no nasty surprises.
What does a regular car service include?
What’s Included?
We Replace:
Your Filters
Your Engine Oil
Your Windscreen/Washer Fluid
Your Coolant/Antifreeze
What we inspect..
Oil & Fuel Leads
Filters
Brake Pads
Brake Discs
Oil or Fuel Leaks
The condition of your tyres
The pressure of your tyres
Road Test.
Whilst we service your vehicle, we will naturally be on the look out for any other issues which might effect the running of your vehicle. If we spot anything, this will always be notified to you.
How long does a car service take?
We would suggest that when you leave your car into a garage to be serviced, it generally takes between 2-4 hours. This depends on a number of factors. We will give you a call once your car is ready for collection.
Does a full or major service include brake pads?
What’s Included?
We Replace:
Your Oil Filter
Your Air Filter
Your Fuel Filter
Your Cabin Filter
Your Engine Oil
Your Windscreen/Washer Fluid
Your Coolant/Antifreeze
Where Necessary
Fuel Filters
Pollen Filter
Spark Plugs
Brake Discs/Pads – (incurs extra cost, price advised to client)
What are the different types of car servicing?
Generally a minor service and a major service.
A minor service will take care of all the basics to keep things running smoothly. Such as, Air, Oil, Cabin filters, change oil, check tyres and vehicle for any other issues.
A major service would take care of all of the above with the addition of brake pads, brake discs, spark plugs etc.
How often should you service a petrol car?
How often should my car be serviced?
If your car is still within its manufacturer’s warranty, you will need to follow the guidance about when your car is serviced in line with the manufacturer’s service schedule. This is to keep your warranty valid.
As a rule of thumb every 10 to 15,000km
Older cars will also benefit from annual servicing, and maintenance. A regularly serviced and properly maintained car, will keep you driving for decades with few problems. By servicing your car annually, you are keeping a detailed service history, this can help you to preserve your vehicle’s value when you decide to sell your car.
How often should you service a diesel car?
The recommended service period is about every 10 to 15,000 kms. However, when to get your diesel vehicle serviced can differ significantly depending on the make, model of your car, as well as how much you drive on a daily basis. If you aren’t sure if your diesel car needs a service, then the following points are a good indication that you may need to get your diesel car serviced.
Five signs your diesel car may need servicing.
Is your diesel car ‘Hard to start’?
Difficulty or delayed starting can be a sign of low compression or fuel delivery issues. Have your diesel vehicle checked out as soon as possible.
Is your diesel car blowing smoke?
Smoke coming out of the exhaust from your diesel car? There are generally three colors of smoke you need to look out for; black, blue and white. Emissions like these can signal a faulty injector, injector pump, blocked air filter, or another issue within your engine or sub-system.
Does your diesel car lack performance?
This can indicate low fuel pressure, a dirty fuel filter, or a more serious issue. It needs to be checked.
Is your diesel engine making a knocking sound?
A knocking sound in your diesel car can be just a sign of the engine’s age. But, it can indicate a fuel contamination and/or faulty diesel injectors. Which affects compression balance and reduces performance of your diesel vehicle.
Is your diesel car running rough?
This is quite a common diesel engine issue, and can signify a defective glow plug or compromised fuel injection system, this causes your diesel car to be hard starting and rough running, until its engine gets up to an operating temperature.
Do you need to service an electric car?
The simple answer is yes. Whilst electric vehicles will require considerably less maintenance than diesel or petrol fuel-powered vehicles. It will need maintenance. But, this does mean fewer servicing costs in the long run.
What might need replacing?
Battery.
Electric vehicles and especially their batteries don’t live forever. Their lifespan depends entirely on the way they are treated.
Brakes.
Due to the regenerative braking in electric vehicles, your brake pads will last for longer than those in a conventional car. You will still need to have your brake pads and the brake fluid replaced every so often. This keeps everything in optimum working order and avoids any corrosion of your electric vehicle’s brake system.
Coolant.
Electric cars like traditional vehicles also have a coolant system, it regulates the temperature of the battery and prevents overheating. Coolant system flush intervals can vary widely depending on the model of your electric vehicle. Make sure that the fluid is replaced or topped up according to your manufacturer’s guidelines.
Tyres.
The tyres on all cars need to be checked regularly to avoid having to replace them too frequently.Electric cars can be heavier than conventional fuel-powered cars. Electric cars also deliver instant torque, this can wear out the tyres faster. It is also important to make sure the tyres on your electric car are rotated on a regular basis.
How do I get a car service quote?
Very easily, just fill out the simple form below and we will get that over to you.
Does Laois Auto Care Ltd do ‘Commercial Fleet Maintenance & Service Plans’?
Yes, we do very competitive plans for all our commercial customers. More information can be found here.
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Located within Portlaoise, Co Laois and serving the Midlands.