Regular vehicle maintenance is recommended by every car manufacturer because of how it prolongs the life of the engine, transmission and other major components. Studies also suggest that regular car service ensures increased on-road safety. Yet many people avoid maintenance because of the time factor.
If you have been wondering how long it takes to get your car serviced, vehicle maintenance can take anywhere from about half an hour to several hours, depending on what needs to be done. For a simple oil change, you are looking at less time than if you need full car service at a major interval, such as 30k, 60k or 90k miles.
When the dealership in California takes too long with a vehicle or fails to repair it properly, The Lemon Pros are on your side. With our practice area focused on defective vehicles and dealership disputes, we know how to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation!
In this guide, we answer how long car maintenance takes and cover the approximate time for each type of car service. We look at what factors influence this time and tell you what to do if your repairs are taking too long.
Basic service may only take thirty minutes, while more extensive needs may require additional time. Car maintenance involves routine checks, servicing and repairs, ensuring the vehicle operates safely and efficiently over time. Every car manufacturer sets its own maintenance schedule, with recommended intervals for service. The oil change is among the most basic requirements, but some require major service at larger intervals. These are going to be the longest service appointments.
Even though car service takes some time out of your schedule, it saves you that much more in the long run as you avoid major repairs. The easiest and most basic way to improve the car’s performance and prolong the life of the engine is to get regular oil changes.
How long does car service take if you only need the basics performed? A regular oil and filter change is typically recommended every three to 12 months or 3,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer and the fluids used. Thankfully, this job shouldn’t take more than thirty to sixty minutes, even at a local dealership.
The regular tire rotation and balancing keep the tread in good shape and ensure you get more life from the tires. Many people choose to have the tires rotated with every oil change or every other, but it’s typically recommended at every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. This basic visit can also be completed in thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the service station is.
During a routine vehicle inspection, the auto mechanic may notice that the brake pads and rotors are worn. How long does maintenance take on a car if the brakes need to be changed? To have a full brake service provided, you may need to wait one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the job.
Based on the recommendations in your owner’s manual, there will be times when lengthier services are required. During a full-service visit, you can expect the wait time to last a few hours, whereas the basic service only takes thirty minutes to an hour, on average. The full service includes your basic oil change with a new oil filter and a tire rotation, plus it adds on some extras that don’t need to be performed as often. It may be time for a new air filter, a brake fluid flush, new spark plugs and anything else that’s noticed by the mechanic when they inspect the car.
The comprehensive inspection is going to include major components, such as the water pump, timing belt, brakes and suspension. If anything isn’t in good working order, an estimate will be provided to you for the repair. At that time, you can also ask about the approximate service time for each repair.
While engine replacement isn’t considered a typical service, it is one of the car repairs you may face if you aren’t performing regular maintenance. It's usually best to have the engine replaced at the dealership, especially on a newer car. How long does it take to service a car at a dealership? It could take a week or more for the repair shop to return your vehicle, considering that replacing the engine takes between ten and 12 hours, on average.
How long does scheduled car maintenance take? By examining your individual situation, you can estimate the time of an average service appointment. Various factors must be examined to figure out the approximate time.
A basic service takes the least amount of time, with only an oil change and maybe a tire rotation required. On the other hand, full service and unexpected repairs can add several hours to the time.
If it’s the first service for a new car, the technician only needs to change the oil and maybe rotate the tires. Therefore, it’s going to be considered a basic service that shouldn’t last more than an hour. Older cars tend to need more service and often require necessary repairs to keep them running, both of which are going to increase the wait time.
Certain car makes may require more maintenance or be subject to more frequent repairs. A luxury or foreign car model may also require the attention of a specialized technician, thereby increasing your waiting time.
If the car requires repairs, the garage may not have the parts in stock. Your automobile may be down until these parts arrive, which can take some time, especially if they are special-order parts or for a luxury vehicle.
Servicing times vary based on the location you take the car to. One car can be at one dealership getting an oil change in thirty minutes, while another takes an hour at a different location. It all comes down to the availability of the technicians and how many appointments are scheduled for the same time. A smaller repair shop usually has fewer mechanics working, so it could take more time to get service or repairs than taking the car to a dealership.
Whether you are taking your car in for an interim service or a repair, you could quickly run into unexpected delays. Here are some of the most common reasons for longer wait times:
That thought leads us right to the next topic – do you know what to do if the dealer can’t fix your car?
When you take your car in for service, you don’t expect it to be out of commission for a long period. In fact, as per California Lemon law, the dealership doesn’t have the right to hold your new car for more than thirty days per repair. Here are some steps to follow if the dealership has kept your car for too long.
If you were wondering whether your car qualifies as a lemon, our team of professional Lemon law attorneys can help see if your vehicle qualifies for reimbursement. Contact us today for a free consultation.
If the dealership has held your car too long for repair, it might be time to hire a Lemon law attorney. An experienced Lemon law lawyer can put pressure on the dealership and get results. They can act on your behalf in communication and negotiations.
There's also the option to file a lemon law claim if the defect is unrepairable. You may deserve compensation, replacement or a refund if the car is deemed a lemon. Unless you are an expert in lemon laws, it's best to let the professionals handle the case.
Thankfully, most lemon lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don't get paid until the case is won. This lawyer pay structure ensures that you don't need to pay anything upfront and your attorney will work especially hard to get results.
To reduce the duration of your service appointments, there are a few steps you can take. First off, it's recommended to schedule an appointment. While it is convenient to drop into the dealership whenever you have some free time, not having an appointment can increase your wait. Instead, schedule the appointment in advance to ensure the technicians are ready for you.
Additionally, prepare your vehicle. Remove any clutter from your car and have all your necessary documentation ready to sign in with your account. If you have concerns about the vehicle, make a list of the symptoms to give to the technician.
Finally, make sure to communicate clearly. Communication is the key when working with the service provider. Ask for an estimated time for the service to be complete and be willing to follow up if that time is exceeded.
The average time for service can be anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the job and the vehicle you drive. However, you should never skip this valuable maintenance as it ensures safety and vehicle performance in the long run. If you find that the technicians are unable to repair your car or they return it to you damaged, it’s crucial that you meet with a Lemon law attorney.
The Lemon Pros have experience working with dealerships and service centers. As the best Lemon law attorneys in California, we’ve secured compensation in thousands of cases for our clients. Contact us today for your free case evaluation to know your rights!
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