How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost in the UK? Let’s Find Out

You’re out on the road and you find that instead of driving straight, your car starts to steer away to one side of road. If you are aware of the issue, wheel misalignment is undoubtedly on your mind.

But if you are new to four-wheel driving, wheel alignment would not be your cup of tea. Vehicle maintenance procedures like wheel alignment are quite common.  

 

But, the majority of people might not know more while they simply drive to a service centre and ask a mechanic to fix their alignment. 

However, it is worthwhile to keep yourself informed about a service that enables you to save money on fuel while protecting your tyres from accelerated wear and tear.

What Is a Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment signifies the position of the wheels in relation to the surface as well as the axle. In simple terms, a proper alignment requires the wheels to be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other to drive in a straight direction. 

It indicates that the wheels should be properly adjusted to one another at particular angles, specifically directed in a straight direction while being securely aligned to an axle. 

Over time, uneven riding while navigating bumps and potholes can often disturb the wheel alignments. This is common with excessive driving on the roads of Manchester.  

 

These alignments can be configured back with the help of certain tools during a wheel alignment service. Additionally, the suspension system must be correctly configured and positioned, along with a few parts that need to be adjusted. 

However, this process also involves precisely setting the steering wheel's centre and adjusting all suspension angles that influence the movement and placement of the tyres. 

It requires certain skills and many people end up looking for wheel alignment services. It is necessary to update your knowledge about when you would need a wheel alignment service. 

How Do You Know That Your Vehicle Needs Wheel Alignment?

A car does not always get an even surface. There might be some usual surface on the road, most commonly, road bumps or potholes, etc. 

However, there is no way to skip such hurdles, and sometimes you accidently cross over them and end up hurting the adjustments. The alignment of the wheel with the axle can also be disturbed by a minor. 

It is necessary to develop an understanding of the condition when your car’s wheel alignment starts to be disturbed. However, a wheel misalignment cannot be felt in the initial stage until it develops substantially. 

But, it is worth it to counter such a problem to prevent a number of unnecessary repairs. These are a few points to look out for to assess an issue with alignment. 

The sensation of persistent vibrations while riding on a smooth surface is another indicator of a misaligned wheel. Uneven tread wear and tear on the front tyres is the most obvious indication that a car's wheels are out of alignment.  

Typically, the tyres' wear and tear can be seen on the inside or outside. Your car has started to drag one side of the road when the problem has turned into a severe issue. 

These signs surely intimate an issue with the wheel alignment of a vehicle. However, it depends on you how you react after finding an occurrence of the issue. 

Naturally, you should not delay searching for ‘wheel alignment near me’ on Google as this ends up costing you more than enough to pay for an alignment. 

As it is stated above, misaligned wheels always prove to be the main culprit behind premature wear and tear of tyres. They tend to have a shorter life than normal. 

Due to the uneven tyre wear, this has an impact on reduced fuel efficiency as well. Additionally, a car drags in one direction in spite of driving straight that causes additional pressure on engine. And, you end up paying extra money for the increased fuel consumption. 

If any of the following problems occur, you should have the wheel alignment checked. However, you might be concerned about the wheel alignment cost.

How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?

A wheel alignment does not require a hefty amount. But, it requires a quick reaction from you to drive a vehicle to a reliable service centre such as Service My Car. 

 

Get personalised quotes that take your make, model, and vehicle condition into consideration when you check for a wheel alignment quote at Service My Car.  

Besides, it is quite natural to go for a car wheel alignment once you notice a sign. But, you are one of those who believe in preventive maintenance. Obtain a check once or twice a year. 

Regular checkups help to mitigate the further development of the problem if it is fixed on time. The cars generally go out of alignment gradually. At the initial stage, you won’t realise that the wheels have been disturbed until it starts to impact the driving, engine and fuel consumption. 

You might be impressed by the craftsmanship of a car that greatly serves you. However, it also needs regular maintenance, so you'll need a dependable service provider.  

 

Service My Car is the trustworthy service provider for all your automotive needs. With a vast and expansive car service network that runs across Northwest England, you can get the best wheel alignment Manchester has to offer from Service My Car.

What Engine Oil Do I Use for My Car? Let’s Find Out From Expert Mechanics

Most car owners in the UK are aware of the car oil change that generally happens during routine service. However, they might not be updated with the nitty-gritty of car oil.

Numerous misconceptions about types of oil and the timing of an oil change service have been around for a while now. It is better to comprehend about real facts while getting a proper value of money spent. 

Besides, the lifespan of engine oil is affected by a number of variables. Even high quality engine oil might need a premature replacement if it is used by a vehicle with an aged engine. Even the adverse weather conditions of a region like the UK could affect your engine oil.   

 

Even if you drive in hot weather conditions, it surely affects the quality of your engine oil. In this regard, there might be some questions that might arise in your mind. You can find proper explanations about engine oil here. 

How Often Do I Change The Oil In My Car?

There are numerous brands of cars with different engines available in the automotive industry. This information leads us to believe that an engine may have particular needs for engine oil. 

In addition, the quality of the engine oil being used is also influenced by the driving conditions. An engine experiences significant stress in densely populated areas because of traffic, stop-and-go, potholes, etc. 

The majority of engine oil experts concur that the ideal interval for changing your car's oil is between 7,500 and 10,000 kilometres. 

If you don't drive much, there is also the option of getting an oil change, which calls for you to look for engine oil for my car once every 12 months. 

Additionally, it depends on the driving habits of the individual. Many people enjoy accelerating occasionally, even when they are not required to. 

What’s the Best Engine Oil for My Car?

However, the majority of us do not believe that learning about engine oil is necessary. However, if something costs you money at least once a year, you need to keep yourself informed. 

The degree of viscosity, which determines the thickness of engine oil, is used to categorise engine oils. You usually find a pair of numbers, such as 0W-40 and 15W-40, on the bottle of engine oil. 

This number highlights the viscosity and the thickness of oil. If you take 10W-30 and analyze it, the number 10W signifies the viscosity of engine oil at extremely cold temperatures, and the number 30 is the thickness of engine oil at a hundred degrees Celsius. 

It means that if you opt for 0W-40, there would be no problem in starting a car in extreme cold while 15W-40 is best in the high temperature conditions. 

In general, the engine oil flows through the motor more readily the lower the Low Winter (W) viscosity. 

Besides, engine oil is classified into three categories. They differ in the capability of lubrication while providing protection to the engine’s components. 

Synthetic oil - It offers a high level of lubrication to vehicles that are put under high levels of stress due to environmental conditions. If you drive a vehicle in dense traffic regularly and it also travels substantially, synthetic oil is a good choice for lubrication to keep wear and tear away. However, fully synthetic oil stays in good condition for even 10,000 KM. 

Semi-Synthetic Oil - As the name suggests, it possesses less capability of lubrication as compared to fully synthetic oil. However, it is best for vehicles that do travel an average distance in a year. However, it costs less in comparison to a fully synthetic one. 

You can opt for the semi-synthetic oil if you use your vehicle less often, for example, to travel to and from work. 

Mineral Oil - It is the best lubricant for a vehicle that does very little travelling in a year. However, it proves to be very cost-effective in terms of price. The mineral oil lacks lubrication capability as compared to the synthetic engine oil. 

These are the basics of the engine oil; you can choose one based on the requirements. However, it is worth assessing the situation if you are looking for a car oil change near me. However, you can also get the help of a professional at Service My Car. 

How Do I Change The Oil In My Car?

Once you are sure about the type of engine oil. Now you would try to change the engine oil. However, there are certain steps to follow to properly complete the process. 

First locate the engine oil tube under the hood. And, you have to open the bonnet. 

1. Next, open the filler cap and remove the dipstick. 

2. Now, you have to empty the oil pan before filling it again. 

3. It requires losing the oil drain plug and waiting for some time until the old oil drains completely. 

4. Once all the oil is drained, place the drain plug back in with a proper seal. 

5. Now you can easily fill the fresh engine oil through the engine oil tube. 

Car oil change is not a complicated task, but it is better to opt for professional service because you cannot drain the oil pan properly as it requires precise cleaning too.  

Enlist the services of the professionals at Service My Car to get the best car service Bolton has to offer. Whether you’re in for a basic oil change in Manchester, or you need more intensive engine repair in Bolton, Service My Car does it all.  

Service My Car assists with your quality car maintenance if you have any concerns. If you ever find yourself searching for ‘the best oil for my car’, don’t hesitate to download the Service My Car app and start your car maintenance journey today.

How Long Does a Car Battery Last In the UK? Let’s Find Out From Expert Mechanics

Everything around us is obscured in some way. When you look closely, the facts become clearer. Many of us would not be too familiar about a car battery other than the fact that it supplies the current required to start a vehicle.

As a result, it's important to update your knowledge of certain aspects of a car battery. These things will undoubtedly assist you in maintaining your car battery and making the best use of it. 

While assessing various circumstances of car battery utilisation, one critical situation that anyone can encounter is a dead battery. 

A dead battery signifies a condition when a battery has lost all its current and cannot provide charge for any other activity, including cranking the engine or running the accessories. 

There might be many questions about a dead car battery. We have collected a few of them to shed some light on the facts.  

 

We are backed by expert advice from the UK’s leading mechanics. Without further ado, let us look at the facts.  

How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

A traditional car battery in the UK has a dependable and problem-free lifespan of about three years regardless of the warranty. 

However, a battery might last longer and be able to serve you for up to five years. But, a battery's extended life depends on the maintenance and driving habits of the owner. 

A car that receives less driving usually experiences an early call for car battery replacement as compared to a car that goes for long drives frequently.  

 

Apart from that, the quality of a battery plays its role; an inferior quality of battery cannot provide expected performance when it is measured against a good quality battery.  

 

However, there would be a difference in the car battery price. A battery may start to show hints if it has started to approach the end of its life span.  

 

You may start to experience a frequent occurrence of a dead battery, especially in the cold winter mornings that you may experience here in Manchester.  

How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?

First question that comes into the mind about a dead battery is the duration of time it will take to recharge back. However, there are alternatives available once there is a situation that demands a recharge of the battery.  

 

It is better to use a car battery charger to get battery back on track. A car battery can typically be fully charged in 2 to 4 hours using a 20 Amp charger while a 4 Amp charger takes 12 to 24 hours to fully charge a dead battery.  

 

The car battery and the charger's power output have a significant impact on how long it takes to charge. An important thing should you keep in mind that fast charging shortens the life of your battery and can cause damage.  

 

The best way to extend the battery's life is to charge it for a long time at a low amp rate. However, all these things depend on your requirements, your driving habits, and the general climatic conditions present in the UK.  

How Long Does A Car Battery Last Without Driving?

This is common that a battery is charged by an alternator that is driven by an engine. However, there might be some doubt about how much time a battery stands charged without driving after getting fully charged. 

A well-doing battery may last up to two weeks if you do not drive it in this period. It can easily crank your engine. On the other hand, you cannot expect this time from an aged battery.  

 

However, you can never be sure about such a battery and when you will have to recharge it or even need a jump start. Even the best automobile batteries eventually start to deteriorate in terms of their performance. 

If you won’t alert your workshop on time, there are enough chances of you searching for queries like ‘car battery near me’ on Google. 

How to Disconnect a Battery?

If you have been out of station for a considerable amount of time, it is worth to disconnect a battery. An idle battery is not a good idea as it starts to damage when connected with the vehicle.  

 

It might go fully discharged while it will take time to charge it full again. However, you can follow these steps to disconnect your car battery easily. 

Locate the battery: Just open the hood, and a battery is always visible to the eyes easily. 

Identify the negative and positive terminals: The battery terminals are marked with positive and negative mark. 

Select the proper wrench: In most batteries, cables are connected to the terminals with the help of nuts and bolts. Therefore, you need a set of wrenches to make the nuts and bolts loose enough so that they can be removed easily. 

Remove the battery from its place: Once you disconnect the cable, the battery can be easily removed. However, keep one thing in mind; remove any clamp if there is one there to hold the battery. 

Hope this explanation sheds enough light on the question that might come to one’s mind. However, a car also needs another battery apart from the normal one under the hood. It is the car’s key battery.  

 

If you have been noticing a dip in performance while centre-locking your car, there is a need for car key battery replacement. You can get all your battery troubles sorted with a quick message to Service My Car.  

 

Service My Car is the UK’s leading car maintenance solution, with online or app booking, free collection and delivery, and so much more, all available on a highly intuitive smartphone app.  

 

From car battery replacement in Manchester, to flat battery assistance in Bolton, we do it all. Book a service package, request a repair quote, or get an MOT test at Service My Car and avail the best car repair Manchester has to offer.

The Most Common Automatic Transmission Issues – Solved!

Automatic transmission has been a buzz word around us for a while now. But, do you know about the actual component behind the automatic transmission? This is a torque converter.

It transforms engine power into hydraulic pressure, which in turn regulates the shifting. However, it might seem quite efficient until there is a failure. The torque converter might fail and put you in a lot of trouble.

As a torque converter is a mechanical device, it is prone to failure. The effort required by the vehicle to maintain the same speed level increases when the torque converter develops a fault. 

The engine will need to turn more times per minute to operate, which will reduce the transmission fluid pressure and fuel efficiency. But, there might be a complete misconception about the symptoms of a failing torque converter, as many owners miscalculate the transmission issues. And, sometimes people pay a huge amount for transmission repair. 

This turns into an expensive affair. However, the cost of replacing the torque converter is much less than that of replacing the transmission.

If there is enough awareness about the torque converters issue, you will not end up paying for the unnecessary repair.

Slippery Gears

In an automatic transmission, the gears should change automatically in a smooth manner. However, you can also experience a slippery transition, and sometimes the gears are not able to hold onto a position. 

However, a rigid automatic transmission is a sign of the initiation of failure of the torque converter. You can be sure by opting for expert advice at a reliable service centre. Service experts will pick up the car & deliver it back after the servicing is done. You can get experts help in your nearest location and with all car brands as well, Like you need help for your Audi service Manchester then our Manchester location experts will help you.

Overheating Transmission

Transmission is quite sensitive to heat, and there is always a lot of heat produced during a drive. However, a lack of transmission fluid contributes to the heat generation as it is not able to provide enough lubrication. 

However, a failing torque converter, which fails to work properly, is also a major cause of overheating. You can make yourself sure of this by consulting with a professional to mitigate further damage.

Abnormal Sounds from the Transmission System

There are numerous sounds that can be made when a torque converter malfunctions. Sometimes, there is also a rattling noise, but this noise won't be as loud when the car is in park.

The rattling noise will, however, become more frequent and louder as soon as the transmission shifts into gear, which is bad news for your converter. Any noise from your transmission is not a good sign for a torque converter. 

Transmission Fluid Contamination

A torque converter consists of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to lubricate high efficiency functioning. However, a worn torque converter may allow the metal debris to contaminate it.

A contaminated transmission fluid is not supposed to work properly even result into internal damage. Additionally, contaminated fluid can harm the stator bearings and turbine fins, two torque converter parts.

Apart from that, the transmission fluid might end up in sludge if there is negligence for a long time. Make sure your transmission is always filled with high-quality fluid to avoid either of these from happening over time. 

Just replacing the contaminated fluid can save you a lot of money, so keep that in mind.

Improper Synchronization of Transmission

A torque converter needs to be intact while transferring power from the engine to the transmission system. However, a damaged torque converter lacks the capacity to transfer the engine power to the hydraulic pressure properly.

It also includes the increment into the stall speed, a minimum RPM that is necessary to initiate the revolution transfer to the transmission.

However, improper synchronization is clearly visible while it needs an expert assessment. If there are no issues with the torque converter, transmission programming turns out to be useful to bring the system back on track.

Severe Trembling During a Drive

Severe trembling is not a good experience when it might occur for many reasons. One common cause is a defective torque converter when you start to experience severe shakes even on a smooth surface.

Technically, it is due to the lock-up clutch inside the torque converter. It fails to facilitate the smooth transmission. However, if you started to experience such issues, it is worth to have an inspection at a reliable service centre.

Acceleration Problem

The torque converter is likely to be the cause of a transmission issue if your car feels slower than usual or physically trembles when you press the gas pedal, suggesting that it is having trouble accelerating as it normally would.

However, the underlying engine issue is a common cause of the acceleration problems. But, if it is coupled with an odd transmission system sound, there is no way that it could not be a problem with the torque converter.

When you are aware of the symptoms, torque converter issues are liable to be prevented. Once these symptoms become apparent, it is imperative to have the appliance fixed or to seek professional assistance.

A torque converter is just a part of transmission systems, but it may wreak havoc inside the unit. However, torque converters are inexpensive to replace, especially when compared to the car's transmission. 

Therefore, it is imperative that you recognise these warning signs and act right away if any symptoms appear. However, torque converter is a technical component and you cannot rely on anyone for the car maintenance.

Here, Service My Car assures the satisfaction interms of quality and cost for a car repair. You can approach us on our app or website by requesting a quote for a car service. 

Here’s What to Do to Improve Fuel Economy

The car brings a lot of comfort but at a certain cost. As a car owner, you often need to fill your car tank up to drive to your destination. But, have you ever paid attention to the fuel economy of your vehicle.

Most car owners generally come to know about the mileage at the time of purchase. However, a well-performing car might have an astonishing mileage but these figures generally are recorded under favourable conditions. Most of these conditions are hard to meet in a real-time environment.

However, there are ways available to improvise the fuel economy of your car if you are really keen on improving your car mileage. 

Change Your Car Gears Efficiently

A car driver must know the proper gear to increase a car's efficiency in terms of fuel. However, driving in a lower gear with higher RPM consumes more fuel. On the other hand, most cars result in higher fuel efficiency when the RPM remains in between the 1500 to 2000 range. 

Besides, driving a car in a lower gear at high RPM will generally lead to premature wear and tear to the transmission system.

A worn-out transmission generally hints about damage, if you notice something unusual with your car transmission. Do not delay to have a transmission inspection at a trusted workshop such as Service My Car. Our experts bring a specialization in car transmission repair and car MOT check.

Always Focus On Driving Steadily

Many car drivers are used to the jackrabbit start, especially at the red lights while making use of the hard brakes to stop the high acceleration.

Such a driving habit hurts the fuel economy of your vehicle. By avoiding the rapid acceleration as well as hard brakes, you can improve the mileage from 10 to 40 per cent. Besides, you also keep safe the car's engine and other components from premature wear and tear. 

The rapid acceleration does have an impact on the car's engine as well as the timing belt. If you drive your car in this manner, your car engine will surely need repair sooner or later. In case you need a specialist for your car repair, approach the Service My Car for a quality car engine repair as well as a timing belt replacement.

Apart from that, you have to keep in mind to avoid the drive just after starting your car. If you minimize the cold engine driving, it would result in increased fuel efficiency.

Pay Attention to Good Car Maintenance

A well-maintained car always delivers high efficiency. A regular and on-time service induces the clean air filter and the fuel filter. A clogged air filter cannot provide enough air for the air and fuel mixture and often results in poor mileage.

During car maintenance, you can opt for car scanning and diagnostics to pinpoint the exact issue. However, an expert would be a better choice to carry out such tasks. The Service My Car is the one-stop solution for your car needs whether it is air filter replacement or oil filter replacement.

A car service does not bring ample effect to the fuel economy. But, every small improvisation is necessary for the aggregate performance of the car.

Maintain Optimal Tyre Pressure

Inadequate tyre pressure generally hurts the fuel efficiency of a car. It is necessary to have the recommended tyre pressure that the manufacturer suggests. 

Improper tyre pressure puts excess loads on the engine. However, a low-pressure tyre is always prone to flat tyre conditions that you would not like to have when you have to reach your destination on time.

However, you can opt for roadside assistance in case of an emergency from the Service My Car.

Utilize Your Car AC Efficiently

Surely, you can add up your mileage by utilizing your car's air conditioner. Consistent usage of your car air conditioner may decrease the car mileage by up to 30 per cent.

It would not be quite comfortable riding without an air conditioner under hot weather conditions. But, your car's air conditioner works at its optimal level, turning your AC off frequently during a ride. 

However, a car's air conditioner needs to work efficiently too and it should not have any issue with any of its components. In case you feel there is a need for car ac repair or ac gas refill, head towards the Service My Car.

Try To Avoid Idling 

Car idling signifies not moving your car, even if the engine is turned on. It seems pointless to keep your car's engine even when have to stop for a considerable time. Just turn the ignition off and also try to switch the air conditioner off.

These simple tips turn out to be great solutions when it comes to improvising the fuel economy of your car.

Check Out For Wheels Misalignment

The wheel misalignment often drags your car to a side of the road while putting extra load on the car engine. 

It is always necessary to keep a check over the wheel alignment, or the suspension system. Such car issues often result in increased fuel efficiency.

Besides, they also invite unexpected breakdowns that you won't like as a car owner. However, you can take the assistance of a trusted service provider such as Service My Car for proper wheel alignment.

Offload the Unnecessary Weight 

Added weight can increase the fuel mileage too. Thus, it is necessary to offload the extra weight if you have any in your car to increase your car's fuel economy.

Try to avoid filling up the tank as it also adds weight to your car. However, it also has a downs side as you might end up with a low fuel that pressurizes the fuel pump too.

You cannot improve the car mileage by implementing one or two hacks. However, a collective execution surely produces the desired results if you have a keen focus on fuel economy. Besides, if you need a trusted service provider, just call us or book a service online.