Regular Servicing Can Extend The Life Of Your Car - Percy Awuku

Regular vehicle servicing can help extend the life of a car and reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs, according to vehicle maintenance specialist Percy Awuku.

Mr Awuku, who has more than 40 years of experience as a mechanic, said motorists who neglect routine maintenance could shorten the life of their vehicle’s engine.

He said regular servicing should be treated as part of responsible vehicle ownership.

“If everybody should be doing a routine check or servicing, there wouldn’t be a problem where you have to pay so much money to repair your car,” he said.

He explained that servicing involves more than simply taking a vehicle to a mechanic when a fault develops. The specific maintenance required can depend on the type and age of the vehicle.

Mr Awuku said engine oil was one of the important areas motorists need to pay attention to, adding that the appropriate oil depended on the vehicle.

For example, he said newer vehicles could require oils such as 0W-20, while some older vehicles could use 10W-40 or 5W-40, depending on the manufacturer’s requirements.

“It varies. It depends on what car you are driving,” he said.

He also cautioned motorists against assuming that engine oil remains usable simply because a vehicle has not been driven extensively.

According to him, engine oil is a chemical product and its useful life begins to run down after it is opened and used.

He said motorists should therefore follow the maintenance schedule recommended for their particular vehicle rather than relying only on how frequently they drive.

Mr Awuku said neglecting servicing could gradually affect the engine and shorten the vehicle’s lifespan.

“If you don’t service your car regularly, you’ll be experiencing a few problems,” he said.

He added that motorists should also pay attention to the sound and behaviour of their vehicles. He said drivers who listened to their engines and paid attention to changes in how their cars performed were more likely to identify problems early.

Mr Awuku urged motorists to treat vehicle maintenance as a preventive measure rather than waiting for breakdowns before taking their cars to a workshop.

His comments form part of 3Media Network’s road safety campaign, which is encouraging motorists and pedestrians to adopt road safety practices.