A Comprehensive Guide to Timing Belt Replacement

Timing is everything. For jokes, music, cooking, dating - even engines! The motor of your car  depends on a timing belt to stay synchronised. The timing belt ensures that your engine runs  smoothly, keeping you safe on the road. Changing the timing belt is a vital service component!  Therefore, if you own a car, you should understand how a timing belt works. 

What's a timing belt for? 

Think of your car's timing belt like a bike chain - it keeps all the internal moving parts of an engine  in sync. It also occasionally powers the water pump, oil pump and injection pump. 

A timing belt is typically made out of rubber with high tensile fibres over the entire length of the belt  as tensioning elements. It's a rubber belt with hard teeth that fit together with the gears on the  crankshaft and camshafts.  

It synchronises the displacement of the crankshaft and camshafts. If the crankshaft and camshafts  do not operate the same way, the vehicle will not function correctly.  

If the crankshaft and camshafts do not work the same way, the car will not function properly. 

When to replace your timing belt? 

It's crucial to replace your timing belt at the mileage intervals your vehicle manufacturer  recommends. Every manufacturer is unique. 

A glance at the owner's manual tells you that you have to replace the timing belt every 150,000 km.  However, this differs between the vehicle business model. When you look at the odometer, it strikes  at 149,000 km.  

This is an indication of the mileage or the elapsed time. You don't get an advanced warning that your  timing belt is on the verge of failure. Replace the timing belt as per the manufacturer's  recommended schedule. Don't gamble on that. If you're still confused, ask a professional! 

Anyone with a car having a timing belt should put a sticker on their engine. This sticker should advise  them when the timing belt is due for a replacement. As a result, the sticker is a reminder to change  your timing belt within the appropriate and predetermined mileage and time interval. 

How to carry out a timing belt replacement by yourself 

The following is an overall step-by-step procedure to install the timing belts. Please note this is a  general guideline. Carefully check the car manufacturer's instructions or ask a professional! 

Step 1 - Ensure your vehicle's timing marks are correctly aligned in the following ways:  

• With your crankshaft pointed to the top dead centre (TDC) 

• With your distributor rotor aligned with the timing mark on the distributor housing 

• With your camshaft pulley timing pointer aligned with the engine console

Step 2 - Carefully place the new timing belt over the pulleys, whilst being careful not to force it on. 

Step 3 - Loosen the tension adjustment bolts freely so that they can swing back against the belt. Do  not allow it to 'strike' the strap. Verify that the tension spring is correctly engaged. 

Step 4 (optional) - If a spring tension is not available, tighten the belt as recommended by the  vehicle manufacturer. 

Step 5 - Carefully rotate your crankshaft (in the direction of rotation) for at least two spins to  remove any slack in the belt. This allows the belt tines to sit perfectly in the grooves of the pulley. 

Step 6 - Loosen the tension and tighten the belt according to the recommendations made by the  vehicle manufacturer. When the drive is in understanding with a fixed tension, verify the voltage  using a voltage tester. Torque the tension adjustment and pivot bolts to the manufacturer's  recommended torque setting. 

Step 7 - Replace any parts that have decayed. Replace the distributor belt cover. Ensure all the bolts  are enhanced by following the manufacturer's recommended torque settings. 

Step 8 - Reconnect the battery ground cable. 

Step 9 - Start the engine, check the ignition setting and make the necessary adjustments. 

Here's a nifty bonus tip - change the timing belt every 5 to 10 years. Now, if all this sounds rather  daunting, entrust the services of your resident auto repair experts at Service My Car.  If you want more services as well, like Ferrari Repair in Abu Dhabi or other services then you can check all services on our website or app.

Getting a timing belt replacement has never been easier. Get your instant quote today on our website or on the Service My Car app.

The Benefits of Getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection

The prospects of buying a used car can be daunting for most of us. Whether it comes from a reputed dealer, or it's a private sale, we're on the lookout for some kind of guarantee.

Unless you've got a mate that's a qualified technician, you'll most likely be taking a gamble with your purchase. Nonetheless, getting a good value for your purchase is the main aim of the deal.

You might get a great deal, or you'll just be buying into someone else's poor maintenance habit. That's where a pre-purchase inspection comes in.

What's a car pre-purchase inspection?

A car pre-purchase inspection is a service designed to get a good idea of the condition of a preowned vehicle. While it helps you take the worry out of making such purchases, is it really worth the money?

How much does a car pre-purchase inspection cost, and is it really worth it?

It's estimated that one in six cars needs over AED 25,000 in repairs at any given time. When you're in the market for a used car, do you really want to add such an amount to the price you're already paying?

Is a car pre-purchase inspection the way to go for me?

This largely depends on how much cash you're forking over for the car in the first place. Another vital factor is the type of deal you're looking at.

Most reputed used car dealers offer a warranty, but this doesn't cover you for the long road. All in all, a car pre-purchase inspection can be ideal for you if:

• You're not familiar with cars in the first place

• You'd like to get verification from a neutral party for your purchase

• You're looking to invest a lot of money on the car

• This specific make/model is infamous for particular issues

What does a car pre-purchase inspection typically consist of?

This mostly depends on what source you use for your inspection. Different garages or workshops offer varied levels of health checks. Another factor, in this case, is the amount of money you're looking to spend for the inspection.

However, a car pre-purchase inspection typically consists of health checks that cover all the aspects of the car. The decisive factor is knowing what you're going to get in your health check.

Basic pre-purchase inspection

A basic pre-purchase inspection essentially checks the roadworthiness of the car. Several tests will be carried out to see if the vehicle offers satisfactory mechanical and structural operations. A short road test will also be performed to ensure the car is safe to drive.

A basic pre-purchase inspection typically consists of the following checks:

• Tyre check

• Engine check

• Exhaust check

• Fuel compartment check

• Electrical and wiring check

• Steering check

• Suspension check

Advanced pre-purchase inspection

If you want to take it to the next level and you're ready to pay for it, an advanced pre-purchased inspection would be the way to go. This will include everything you need to confirm if the car should be purchased or not.

Such advanced inspections also delve deeper into the car's service history and other paperwork to get a proper idea of the vehicle's condition. In addition to everything that's included in a basic prepurchase inspection, advanced pre-purchase inspections also include:

• Bodywork exploration for possible previous damage

• Hinge operation

• Heating

• Air conditioning

• Steering wheel adjustment

• Wheel trim and other accessory condition

How do I go about getting a pre-purchase car inspection near me?

It goes without saying that picking a trusted provider is the best way to start with your pre-purchase inspection. With our extensive service network, Service My Car has got you sorted.

We've got reliable and efficient mechanics who can offer excellent results with your pre-purchase inspection. You can also get more services as well according to your location and brand. You just need to visit our website or app and select service according to your brand and location, like Ford Service in Abu Dhabi.

How do I book a pre-purchase vehicle inspection with Service My Car?

It's unbelievably simple. All you have to do is request a quote on our website or the Service My Car app. Fill in all the relevant details and get your free and instant quote in no time.

Your car will be taken to one of our top-rated garages to carry out the pre-purchase inspection. If you get a green light from us, then you might as well go ahead with the purchase.

If all of this piques your interest, don't delay getting a pre-purchase inspection. Get a quote on the Service My Car app or our website today.

6 Simple DIY Car Care Tips

Let's face it. If you're a car owner, chances are you pay little to no attention towards your vehicle. In fact, you only really start to focus on your car's performance once a particular problem arises. This isn't the best practice if you're looking to get the best possible performance out of your vehicle.

However, there's not a lot to do when it comes to modern cars. There's a lot of technology in most modern vehicles, and taking good care of them is easier than ever. You only need to be aware of the basics, and pay attention to a few key components, and you'll be good to go.

What's even better is the fact that these maintenance tasks can be performed by anyone, from novices to professionals, at home.

Read on to see what the maintenance tasks we've listed entail, why they're crucial, and what makes them so simple.

Washing your car

We know, we know. This sounds really obvious, but that's precisely what we want to get out of the way with. Don't get too eager though, as this one's the easiest possible tip to follow. Most auto service experts claim that washing your car every 2-4 weeks is essential since it protects the exterior from any damage. Dust, especially the more stubborn type, can potentially result in scratches if left on for a long time. Other contaminants to look out for include tree sap and bird droppings.

Replacing your windshield wipers

It's vital to have a clean windshield all the time. Well-functioning windshield wipers are precisely what you need to assist you with maintaining your windshield. You're typically recommended to replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months. It's relatively easy to do so, with instructions provided in the owner's manual that comes with your car.

Inspecting your battery

A dead battery is not going to get you anywhere. Instead of being surprised with a car that won't start one fine morning, stay on top of your battery's health by carrying out regular inspections.

You don't have to do it too often, and could even get away with doing it once a year. All you have to do is check the battery terminals for any corrosion or acid leakage.

Checking your tyre air pressure

We've already covered this before, but it still doesn't get said enough. Driving on underinflated or overinflated tyres raise a myriad of issues ranging from premature tyre damage, overheating, and lack of control.

Ensure you fill your tyres to the correct pressure as recommended by your car's manufacturer.

Replacing your air filter

From all the DIY maintenance tips listed thus far, this can seem the most daunting. However, it's surprisingly easy to do so. All you need to do is check the owner's manual for your vehicle to figure out where the air filter is located.

Most cars provide easy access to the air filter box, and it can even be opened without the need for any tools. Inspecting your air filter is as easy as determining what colour it is. If it's grey or black, that means it's dirty and has to be replaced.

Checking essential fluid levels

Once you get the hang of checking all these fluids, it doesn't take a lot of time or effort, and it gives you an added assurance that your car is good to go. Ensure you check your fluid levels whilst being parked on a flat surface.

The essential fluids to inspect includes your engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, and the windscreen washer fluid.

While there's a lot you can do by yourself when it comes to maintaining your car, it's still vital to entrust your vehicle with the best auto service experts. One such modern car maintenance solution is Service My Car.

At Service My Car, you can get all your car needs sorted at the tap of a button. Like you need Car AC Repair in Abu Dhabi then you can easily book a service or repair online, get service progress updates sent to your phone, and even get free vehicle collection and delivery with all the services.

Booking a service is now easier than ever since you can do it from your phone. Get the Service My Car experience online or on the mobile app today.