When Does My Car Need Servicing?

If you know what you’re looking for, it can be easy to identify when your car might need servicing. However, if you aren’t an expert on the subject, you may struggle to recognise mechanical issues as they arise. Luckily, there are plenty of visual signs you can watch out for whilst you’re driving, whether you’re a car enthusiast or not. 

At Kinghams Croydon, we specialise in vehicle maintenance, repairs and servicing for manufacturers such as: 

• Alfa Romeo
• Volkswagen
• Fiat
• Mercedes
• Subaru 
• SEAT
• Audi

If you believe your car needs servicing, contact Kingham’s Croydon to book a visit with one of our engineers. 

What to Look Out For

There are five main signs that tell you your vehicle may need servicing. 

Leaks

There are a number of reasons why your car may be leaking fluid, and most of them aren’t good. Damage or corrosion is often the cause and could lead to leaking oil, coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, battery acid and brake fluid. It can be difficult to tell what exactly is wrong with your vehicle in this circumstance, but you will need to get your car serviced regardless. 

There is a chance the fluid is just condensation from the air conditioning system, but it’s always worth having your vehicle checked. 

Smoke

An obvious one, but important to mention nonetheless. If there is smoke emitting from any part of your vehicle, we highly recommend having it serviced. Our mechanics can identify and solve the issue before it worsens, as smoke is never a good sign. There may be an oil leak or issues with your exhaust system, both of which should be fixed as soon as possible. 

Flashing Lights

All modern vehicles are fitted with warning lights which may start flashing for a number of reasons. If you notice a warning light appear on your vehicle, this could indicate a larger problem that needs resolving. Having your car serviced can prevent these issues from escalating and potentially causing harm to you or other passengers. 

Contact Kinghams Croydon if you are experiencing flashing lights on your vehicle and have your car assessed immediately. 

Noises

Cars are naturally noisy, but if you have noticed an unusual sound coming from your vehicle, you should get it serviced. Strange noises could signify tyre wear, a hole in the muffler, a worn-out clutch, fluid leaks or a loose exhaust system to name a few. These sounds might lead to something serious so it’s always worth having it assessed by a mechanic. 

Steering Issues

If you can’t control your vehicle’s steering, this is potentially dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible. More resistance when turning, vibrating steering wheels and a lack of response are all common steering issues that may occur and may be a sign of an underlying problem. Contact Kinghams Croydon if you are experiencing steering issues and a member of our team will happily assist you and your vehicle. 

It’s recommended for vehicles to be fully serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles, with interim servicing recommended every 6 months. You may need to access a mechanic sooner, depending on the issues that arise with your vehicle. Get in touch with us at Kinghams Croydon for a full vehicle service, so you can stay safe on the road. 

Discovery & Range Rover Air Suspension Problems

Range Rover Beginning 

Range Rovers are known for being luxury vehicles; they have a long and proud history coming from humble beginnings from the iconic Land Rover. The Range Rover was first launched in June 1970 and it was a great success and went on to win many awards over the years. 

In 1992 the 108inch long wheel base version was released, this is when Range Rover first introduced air suspension. The idea behind this was to increase the handling of the car and to also lower the car to allow the drivers/passengers ease of access getting in and out. The air suspension would drop to its lowest height when the car came to a stop. The air bag suspension replaced the traditional steel springs for the suspension, this same design was used for 25 years. The modern Range Rover Evoque & Discovery have some common faults, especially the L322 Model which has its fair share of air suspension problems. Some may say something that is over engineered is designed to fail.

The air suspension system is designed to allow the driver the option of which ride height they would like when driving. If the driver would like to take the Range Rover off road, then they would increase the height. If the driver was to drive the vehicle on a motorway then they might adjust it so the ride height is quite low, to allow for a smoother drive and better handling. 

Air Suspension Issues on Land Rover Discovery & Range Rovers

Having this technology can be very beneficial but as with any car, problems can occur over time. The air suspension can wear out through general usage or the system might not fair so well after years of use. The air suspension system is made up of many different components which can be contributing factors to cause issues for the whole system. In 1995 three years after Range Rover first introduced air suspension they made it standard on every vehicle. Known as the EAS or Electronic Air Suspension, this systems software allows the user to inflate and deflate the air springs depending on the speed of the car and the terrain.

When dealing with an air suspension problems it could be down to any or all of the major components that make up the system. Here is a list of the different components:

• Air bags
• Height sensors
• Air struts
• Springs
• Compressors 
• Storage tank
• Valve block
• Electronic controls 

Common Faults with Air Suspension 

Air Bag Problems – The air bags over time can develop leaks. This can be caused by the rubber losing its strength due to the age or mileage of the car. Also climate can be a contributing factor or even just general maintenance like cleaning under the arches after being off-road can cause the rubber to perish.  

Height Sensor Problems – The height sensors are designed to measure the distance from the ground as the name suggests. They sit on all four corners in close proximity to the air bags. The sensor can be damaged by the vehicle being exposed to rough terrain or harsh weather conditions. If the sensor or wiring becomes loose or damaged it can cause the whole suspension to be stuck at one height or sagg.  

The Air Compressor and Storage Tank Problems – Air compressors tend to fail after many years of being used. This can cause a lack of air being pumped through the system which will cause an error message to appear. Another fault may be down to a faulty relay, which turns the compressor on and off. 

Valve Block Problems – If the valve block fails it can shut off the air traveling to the air bags. This tends to be a more expensive component in the system, so can be a costly repair. 

Electronic Control Problems – This can be down to your control panel or wires that may have been frayed. We would suggest taking it to a professional who will run a diagnostic routine on the whole system. This will help to identify faults.  

Things to Look Out For

• Suspension fault error codes 
• Individual sensors not receiving the right voltage 
• Fault code – Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Fault 

How We Can Help 

At Kingham LR we are Land Rover Service & Repairs specialists. We have been a family run business since 1959. We can help you diagnose & fix any Range Rover Air Suspension problems you may be having. Our dedicated and professional team have many years experience working with Range Rovers.We can provide you with a quick quote, please just let us know the vehicle registration number and current mileage. 

To get a quote, give us a call on 0208 629 1345 or complete our contact form.

Kinghams Land Rover Display At SESHA Heavy Horse & Country Show

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