Car service low mileage?

steve_IOW

I have a Kia picanto thats only 2years 3month old, I have only done 5600miles from new, as money is a bit tight, would it be OK to miss a annual service?
My annual service was due last november, I would appreciate any thoughts on this,as I would'nt want to compromise my safety.
Thanks;)

jeannieblue

I'd advise a service for two reasons - you will mess up your warranty if you don't, secondly, although low mileage, you really should have the oil and filtered changed, check levels etc, wheels off to check brakes thoroughly.

You don't have to go to main dealer for this service, just need a garage that is VAT registered, serviced in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and preferably, genuine parts used.

Hopefully someone on IOW can do this for you at reasonable price. Main dealers can be pricey.

Recommend you check your service book to check that you have met the above already. It is confusing sometimes, service every xx miles or xx months/year.

steve_IOW

Hi jeannieblue,
Thanks for that, yes my service book says, 10000 miles or 12 months whichever comes first.
I was a bit busy towards the end of last year, so I am over the 12 months, but I rang the dealer in Nov 07 and told him I would contact him in the new year, he said it was'nt a problem, but since then I've had a few Bills come in!!!
Anyway as you suggested, I will ask around regarding a local garage.
thanks steve.;)

Wig

Do you get 3 yrs warranty with the car?

Irrespective of what the dealer said, it sounds like your warranty is now invalid, it will give the T&C of the warranty service intervals (and how much late you can be) in the service booklet.

If you are not too late & you want your warranty to remain valid you had better get it done sharpish.

As to the question of necessity - safetywise or mechanically speaking.
I would say no, it is not necessary. Your oil will be fine for another year IMHO, your brakes will be fine, you will know this when you drive the car, the brakes either work or they don't. Don't let the car sit for too long inactive, always take it out at least once a week for a 20 - 30 min drive to keep the brakes clean and the engine lubricated. And if you have aircon, switch it on for 20 mins every week/2 weeks

Also depends on what you intend doing with the car, are you going to keep it till it is 6 years old or more? then service history isn't that important.
Are you going to sell it at 3yrs old? Then service history will be important. But questionable as to whether the cost of the servicing will pay off more in Vehicle value than the value you would get unserviced or irregularly serviced.

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Your warranty is probably already void

Cars on your sort of usage need to be serviced, often on different requirements as low use cars are prone to seizures and other issues

anewman

Also about now is when the brake fluid should ideally be renewed. Brake fluid deteriorates through age rather than use.

steve_IOW

Wig wrote: »

Do you get 3 yrs warranty with the car?

Irrespective of what the dealer said, it sounds like your warranty is now invalid, it will give the T&C of the warranty service intervals (and how much late you can be) in the service booklet.

If you are not too late & you want your warranty to remain valid you had better get it done sharpish.

As to the question of necessity - safetywise or mechanically speaking.
I would say no, it is not necessary. Your oil will be fine for another year IMHO, your brakes will be fine, you will know this when you drive the car, the brakes either work or they don't. Don't let the car sit for too long inactive, always take it out at least once a week for a 20 - 30 min drive to keep the brakes clean and the engine lubricated. And if you have aircon, switch it on for 20 mins every week/2 weeks

Also depends on what you intend doing with the car, are you going to keep it till it is 6 years old or more? then service history isn't that important.
Are you going to sell it at 3yrs old? Then service history will be important. But questionable as to whether the cost of the servicing will pay off more in Vehicle value than the value you would get unserviced or irregularly serviced.

Thanks Wig for your detailed reply, I don't intend trading in or selling my Kia after 3 years, so I was'nt to worried about the warranty,as it only 10 months to run.Also I do use my kia at least twice a week to do shopping, so taking all into consideration I may leave it till the spring, I have seen a local garage in the Yell,who are recommended by trading standards,so I may use them.My cash flow may have improved by then .Thanks again Steve;)

jeannieblue

Good luck Steve - its a tough time of year for us all. Prob right re warranty and hope you don't have anything crop Up! Sods law and 'all.

Previous guys have made some good comments - I'm a 'low mileager' which doesn't actually do my car any good really. And i forget to run the air con enough. If you don't run the a/c throughout the year, when you do go to use it when its obvious, like hot!, the pump can seize. Bit pricey to put right.

Try and find a good garage that can service your car annually to you and your cars requirements. Dealers tend to service according to the 'Holy manual' and you pay for it, dearly. A good garage will go through your car each year and replace what needs to be replaced. They will also be able to test the fluids, ie coolant/anti freeze, and check the strength, to see if it needs replacing. Recommend always have oil and filter changed and brakes fully checked. Discs can corrode - you're in a salty area there!....:rotfl:

Wig

anewman wrote: »

Also about now is when the brake fluid should ideally be renewed. Brake fluid deteriorates through age rather than use.

True some cars have brake fluid change every 2 years, but I know a Punto has a 3 year brake fluid replacement. And as for myself my own personal choice is to not bother changing brake fuild at all unless I lose braking efficiency, either noticed by me or failed on the MOT and the reason for the loss of efficiency is brake fluid. I have to say out of all the cars I have owned changing the brake fluid has never become necessary.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Wig wrote: »

As to the question of necessity - safetywise or mechanically speaking.
I would say no, it is not necessary. Your oil will be fine for another year IMHO

Fully synthetic oil would be - mineral oil or semi-synth would not. Given that the car is new it is even more important to change the oil early.

Wig wrote: »

, your brakes will be fine, you will know this when you drive the car, the brakes either work or they don't

This is bad advice. Brakes are an essential component of vehicle safety. Brake master cylinder, fluid leaks, fluid water content, pad depth, disc surface, all these things must be checked regularly.


To the OP - get it serviced. Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. Ignore oil changes at your peril.

Nail_Lad

anewman wrote: »

Also about now is when the brake fluid should ideally be renewed. Brake fluid deteriorates through age rather than use.

As does oil. Short, low mileage trips will mean condensation build up in the engine. If the engine is not given chance to fully warm this condensation will turn to moisture and gradually seep into the oil (not good). Check your oil filler cap for a mayo like residue (often a sign of head gasket failure but common on cars not doing long distances).

As Pew Pew said, service the car. They don't make up the schedules for the good of their health although admittedly the main dealer does make good money out of them!