Are you confused about whether to choose an interim service or a full service for your car? We, as car auto experts can help! Regular car servicing is a vital aspect of car maintenance and it saves you from the costly repairs which you might encounter in the future. But when you go to the service station, you might not be able to choose which service to go for as there are plenty of them. So in this blog post, we have decided to share with you the key difference between interim service and full service which can help you to choose the best option for your vehicle.
You can term interim service as a minor service that is to be done every six months or when your car completes 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. It helps the car to keep running smoothly. It encompasses key comprehensive checks of your vehicle such as brakes, steering, and suspension. During interim service, the car mechanic will do a practical inspection of the engine, gearbox, and also transmission to ensure that everything works well. It can also include changing your vehicle’s oil and filter.
As the name goes, it is a critical service performed once a year or every 10,000-12000 miles, whichever comes first. It involves major checks of your car’s key components, the ones which are not covered in interim service. It also has a few additional checks on the vehicle’s electrical system, cooling system, and fuel system. During full service, the mechanic will check and replace your car’s air filter, spark plug, and also fuel filter. You will get a detailed report of your engine check, gearbox, and transmission. Also, the oil and oil filter, along with other filters will be changed during full service.
The below table highlights the key differences between the two.
Service Item | Interim Service | Full Service |
Oil and filter change | Yes | Yes |
Visual inspection of engine, gearbox, and transmission | Yes | Yes |
Check brakes, steering, and suspension | Yes | Yes |
Check electrical system | No | Yes |
Check cooling system | No | Yes |
Check fuel system | No | Yes |
Replace air filter | No | Yes |
Replace spark plugs | No | Yes |
Replace fuel filter | No | Yes |
Comprehensive check of engine, gearbox, and transmission | No | Yes |
Well, the answer to this question clearly depends on numerous factors such as age, the condition of your car, and your driving habits. If you have a relatively new car and you don’t go for long runs, interim service might just be enough for you. But if you have an older car or your drive long distances frequently, you might require a full service. Through full service, you can have a detailed report about your car’s health and identify key issues before they become major problems.
Now if you have made up your mind, you can drive your car at Singh Auto Care which is a reputed car servicing shop that offers quality service and expert advice to keep your car running smoothly.