How Long Does A Car Service Take? | Complete Guide

September 10, 2024

Do you own a car and have been using it constantly? Are you wondering whether it is time to service it? Whether or not you are a first-time car owner, these questions always disturb you.

Well, uncertainty is the last thing you wish for in your car. Perhaps you think servicing your vehicle would take a few minutes of your time, but it is never that simple.

This article answers all these questions and explains more about the time it takes to service your car. Please read it to ensure you know what takes what time, and you will have clear answers by the end.

1. What Is a Basic Car Service, and How Long Does It Take?

Average Time: 1-2 Hours

A car service refers to the procedures that a technician performs on your car to ensure it is running safely and efficiently.

These procedures may include inspections, maintenance or repairs, tyre rotation and alignment, and oil and filter changes.

Depending on the technician’s experience, these standard procedures can typically take one hour to two hours.

Breakdown Of Services

Oil Change

An oil change is removing old and used oil from the car and replacing it with new and fresh oil and an oil filter. It is one of the important services that your vehicle needs after the recommended time.

To change the oil, get under the car and trace the oil drain plug on the oil pan. Place your drain pan under the oil drain, and remove the drain plug using a socket wrench. Allow the old oil to drain to the drain pan completely.

Once you confirm the oil has drained completely, install the drain plug and tighten it well to prevent spillage. Using a funnel, pour in the recommended amount of fresh oil as directed or recommended by the manufacturer. You can start the engine, switch it off, and then check the oil levels using a dipstick. Look around the oil pan to ensure no leaks.

Filter Replacements

Filter replacements refer to removing and replacing old filters with new ones to ensure no debris or dirt gets into your vehicle’s engine.

A clogged filter can cause problems, including loss of power, dirty smoke, and engine lights that may keep indicating or even complete engine failure.

To replace the filter, park your car and take off the keys. Depending on the model of your vehicle, follow the duct to the larger plastic cage just near the front of the engine compartment. For some cars, you only need to release a few spring clips to access the filter.

Other cars require you to unscrew the closed housing and loosen the air duct. If some fasteners need to be removed, do so using screwdrivers, pliers, or sockets. Take note of how the screws were so that you can re-assemble them as they were after that.

Fluid Checks

The fluid levels in your car are essential to move efficiently. You can measure and check the levels against the minimum and maximum marks indicated on the reservoir. Park on level ground and ensure the engine is cool before starting most checks.

For engine oil, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check again. The level should be between minimum and maximum marks. The coolant level can be checked through the transparent reservoir, but never open the radiator cap when hot. Brake fluid should be checked in its reservoir near the firewall, maintaining a level close to “complete.

Locate the reservoir and check against the marked levels for power steering fluid. Transmission fluid is unique. Check it with the engine warm and running.

The fluid should be red/pink. Windscreen washer fluid is the simplest. Just open the marked reservoir and fill it with proper washer fluid, not water.

Basic Safety Inspection

Regular vehicle inspection is essential to ensure the safety of the occupants and significantly reduce crushing and accidents on our roads. A basic safety inspection may include checking the high beams, low beams, and fog lights to ensure they are working as expected. Also, check the Tail lights and brakes to confirm they are working.

How about the front and rear signal lights? Ensure they are also in good condition and working perfectly. Also, ensure the emergency flashers are working, and don’t forget to clean the windshield. All these checks may sound simple, but they play a big role in ensuring our safety while on the road.

Factors That Can Speed Up Or Delay The Process

Pre-Booked Appointments

One of the best ways to reduce the time taken for a basic car service is by pre-booking. When you do this, the garage has enough time to arrange the right technician, obtain the necessary spare parts, and properly manage its daily workflow. Such early preparation significantly reduces waiting time and also makes the process smooth.

Walk In Services

Customers who prefer walk-in services tend to take more time in the garage. Walk-in services may disrupt the planned garage schedule as workers may be forced to shuffle their duties around, leading to waiting time until resources are available. It is also important to note that some spare parts may not be readily available, leading to more time as they need to be sourced.

Garage Efficiency

Garage efficiency also plays a vital role in determining the time taken for basic car service. A well-organized garage with highly skilled technicians and modern equipment means less time is spent attending to your car. A garage with well- and properly-maintained tools and spare parts available in stock translates to quality within no time.

2. Full Car Service: What It Involves and Time Required

Estimated time: 3-4 hours.

A full car service means comprehensive maintenance and checks to your car to ensure safety and efficiency when driving. The service takes three to four hours to complete. During this time, technicians conduct thorough checks and inspections of your car’s major components for any issues and underlying problems.

Services Included:

Comprehensive Checks of the Engine

Engines are prioritized during full-time car services as the major car component. Technicians will check the engine oil and filter and look at the drive belts in case they are worn out. They also check the timing belts’ condition and the engine mounts to ensure the engine’s stability. The technician would also check the fuel system and, if need be, replace the air filter to ensure the engine performs effectively by letting in debris-free air.

Brakes

Here, technicians pay attention to the key components that play different roles in stopping your car effectively. The first to check is the condition of your brake pads. They are commonly serviced, and this implies how important they are. It is recommended that the mechanic thoroughly check the fluid levels and quality, brake line condition, and even handbrake condition.

Fluids

During the service, the fluid levels are checked thoroughly and topped up or replaced if they are too low. The mechanic also inspects the coolant conditions and concentration to ascertain whether to replace them.

Electrical System

In the same way, the electrical system is subjected to a thorough check to determine any issues related to battery effectiveness. The technician can also check the effectiveness of all the lights and indicators, windscreen wipers, washers, and other electronic warning systems through the electrical system check.

Tyres

Tire services are not left behind, including measuring tread depth, adjusting pressure, checking wheel alignment, and rotating if needed. All these are important services for the safety of the vehicle users. Always ensure the technician checks for any other issues requiring attention.

3. How Long Does a Major Car Service Take?

Time: 4-6 hours or more

Due to the comprehensive work involved, primary services usually take four to six hours. Some other significant complex services take even more time, up to days.

This usually happens when mechanics discover other underlying issues that need their attention. Someone might wonder, “Days or so just for a major service?” Yes, those timelines give technicians and mechanics enough time to do the job without pressure or rush.

Besides the standard services, major services include several extensive procedures that include:

• Complete change of the fluid that replacement takes approximately one hour to one and a half hours.
• A thorough brake system inspection and service would take an experienced technician approximately an hour or so.
•  Replacement of the timing belt that takes approximately two to three hours
• And other replacement checks and replacements fill that take the remaining time.

Why Major Services Are Essential For High-Mileage Or Older Vehicles

Major services are important for older vehicles with high mileage for some well-known reasons. As the vehicle ages, the major components wear and tear, and it is prone to fail as time passes. When major services are done, they bring to attention underlying issues before they cause serious problems or accidents. These services help ensure that wear and tear patterns are noticed before they cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle.

Factors That Influence Car Service Duration

In this section, we will consider some factors that can affect car service duration.

Car Make and Model Can Affect Service Time

Generally, a full car service time varies. Just as there are different models of cars, there are also different durations for servicing and maintaining them. Some car models may take longer to service compared to others. For example, luxury cars like BMW and Audi can take longer to service than economy cars like Toyota.

Luxury vehicles often have unique parts and complex systems. These parts might be hard to get and unavailable at nearby repair shops. Most luxury vehicles have cutting-edge technology.

Only specialized technicians can handle the diagnostics and repairs on these systems. So, all of these can result in a longer service centre wait time and even attract centre costs.

But, for regular economy cars like Toyota, the parts are easy to get in most repair shops, and they do not come with complicated systems like luxury vehicles. This means a major car repair duration for such models will be easier and take less time.

Service Centre Workload and Scheduling

This is another factor that can influence an automotive service timing. The workload is usually higher during the peak hours because that is when there will be a lot of customers waiting to get their cars fixed. But during off-peak hours, the number of customers waiting will be very few, making it possible for your vehicle to get serviced on time.

As more people become car owners, there will be a higher demand for maintenance and repair services, which can easily make your car service duration longer than expected.

Another thing that can influence car service time is the number of available mechanics. The servicing can be completed faster if more mechanics are on the ground. But, if only a few are available, you will spend more time.

Below are some tips to help you reduce car service time:

·   Try as much as possible to schedule in advance before going to the repair shop. This can help to reduce any potential delay.

·   Choose a fast-lane or express car service option if it is available. This will make your car repair process faster.

Additional Repairs and Diagnostics

Unexpected repairs can be frustrating. It could be an engine breakdown, faulty brakes, worn tyres, transmission failure, or any other issue. Whatever the case is, it can make you spend more time on your car service and may even alter your daily routine. Apart from that, it will also attract additional costs.

Depending on the problem, the car diagnostic time can extend for about one to two hours when an unexpected issue occurs. This means the mechanic will spend more time on your vehicle than initially planned.

So, before you go for your routine car maintenance, it’s always best to plan for potential delays. One way to prepare for and avoid unexpected repairs is by consistently performing preventive maintenance. This approach will help you identify and address potential issues before they become bigger. This can help avoid potential delays that could come from unexpected repairs and will even save you money.

 Express or Quick Services: How Long Do They Take?

Some people prefer choosing an express car service option or quick-lane services to avoid spending much time at a service centre. Some service centres offer these services for basic maintenance. But how long do they take?

For minor services tyre rotations, quick oil changes tyre fluid top-ups, and express car service can take 30-60 minutes.

FAQs

1.  How Often Should I Service My Car?

Although car maintenance intervals vary, most vehicles require service every 6 months or 5,000-7,500 miles, depending on manufacturer recommendations. Neglecting car maintenance can lead to expensive repairs in the long run, so always keep up with your car servicing as your manufacturer recommends.

2.  Can I Wait While My Car Is Being Serviced?

Whether you can wait while your car is being serviced or not depends on the kind of service. For example, short services can last for about 1-2 hours. So, if this is your case, you CAN wait.

But, a fuar service time is often longer than that. For cases like this, it might be better to arrange a different transportation or simply come back later to get your car.

3.  Why Does A Full Car Service Take So Long?

A full car service time is always longer than the basic maintenance because it involves more detailed diagnostics and checks across multiple systems. Sometimes, the car might also need additional repairs.

4.  Can I Reduce Service Time By Booking Ahead?

Yes, booking ahead can help reduce service time. Apart from scheduling an appointment, another practical way to reduce waiting time is to visit the service centre during off-peak hours when there are few customers.

5.  How Long Does It Take To Get A Quote For Additional Repairs?

Getting a quote for additional repairs usually takes 30-60 minutes, although this depends on the complexity of the issue.

Conclusion

Why would you let uncertainty engulf you and prevent you from servicing the car as you should? At Madman Motors, we know time is precious and should be utilized to the best of our ability.

Yes, it wholeheartedly admits that different services have different times, but we are committed to working efficiently with you without wasting a single minute.

Our experienced and best technicians, who work with precision and purpose, are always ready to pay the proper attention to your vehicle.

Are you ready to experience a difference? Book your next service with Madman Motors, where we respect your time and your vehicle’s needs. Contact us now or visit us today to schedule your service. Your car deserves Madman advantages, where quality meets efficiency every single time.