Car Repair Versus Car Service: What’s the Difference?

Motorists are well aware that owning a car can get expensive, far beyond the price of the car itself. Even the most luxurious cars require maintenance and upkeep.

But have you ever wondered the difference between car repair and a car service? Maybe you've heard someone talking about getting their car serviced and wondered if it's another way of saying they are getting it repaired?

Well, that's not the case. Car repair and car service are both important aspects of owning and maintaining a car, but there are big differences between the purpose of each. Keep reading as we take a look at these differences.

What Is a Car Service?

Every car goes through wear and tear, and with so many moving parts in an engine, it's important to keep things working as best as possible.

One of the most important things to the efficient operation of an engine is lubrication. This is why you put oil in a car—it helps all the moving parts work with minimal friction. Friction increases wear on the parts and makes the engine work less efficiently.

Friction also produces heat, and while heat is important for the combustion engine, too much can cause irreparable damage.

A regular service is the best way to keep an engine working efficiently. The main focus of a service is to replenish the oil and replace the filter. This ensures the moving parts are protected from friction and heat.

What Else Is Included In a Service?

A regular service also keeps other parts of the car fresh and efficient. Here is a list of some of the other parts of a car that require regular checks or changes:

• brake fluid
• power steering fluid
• tire pressure
• coolant
• timing and engine belts
• spark plugs

While not all of these parts require replacing every time, your mechanic will likely check them over.

An annual service is usually adequate for most car owners, but motorists with high mileage should consider a service every 12,000 miles.

What Is a Car Repair?

While you can see service as a preventative type of car maintenance, a car repair is remedial.

When you take your car to a mechanic for a repair, it will be because some part of your car isn't functioning properly.

The most common car parts that need repairing or replacing are the tires and brakes. This is because they encounter the most wear.

However, any part of a car can break, especially in the case of an accident, and oftentimes it's a bad idea to ignore something that you know needs repairing.

So the fundamental difference between repair and maintenance or service is the fact that a repair fixes something wrong with the car, while maintenance helps the car to keep running smoothly.

Does Your Car Require Maintenance and Repair?

If you have neglected your car or ignored some minor issues, it might be a good idea to get in touch with us at B&M Auto to discuss what we offer in terms of car repair and maintenance.

Check out some of the other articles on the blog section of the website for more helpful information and advice.