Vehicle Maintenance

Did you know that taking care of your vehicle not only helps it perform better, but it also could mean money in the bank for you? As drivers, we know it’s important to maintain our vehicles to ensure and sustain its durability, reliability, performance, fuel efficiency as well as the overall value of our investment. At Toyota St. Kitts Nevis we ensure that your vehicles are serviced by trained & qualified Toyota technicians and only genuine Toyota spare parts including oils & filters are used during servicing.

However, every driver should keep these car maintenance tips in mind:

• 1) Don’t skip your scheduled service

  TDC St. Kitts Nevis recommends that you service your gasoline and diesel models every 7,500km and for diesel models every 5,000km at your nearest dealership. General maintenance involves checking or replacing parts like oils, filters, brakes, belts & hoses. Over time, based on the vehicle mileage and usage other major parts may need replacing in order to keep your vehicle running efficiently and safely.

• 2) Check your oil/coolant levels

  TDC St. Kitts Nevis recommends that you service your gasoline and diesel models every 5,000km at your nearest dealership. Long life coolant should be replaced once every five years or every 100,000km. General maintenance involves checking or replacing parts like oils, filters, brakes, belts & hoses. Over time, based on the vehicle mileage and usage other major parts may need replacing in order to keep your vehicle running efficiently and safely.

• 3) Replace the air filter

  Replacing clogged air filters can help improve acceleration time and improve your car's fuel economy. This will keep your car breathing properly.

• 4) Get an oil change

  This is one of the simplest car maintenance services you can do to keep your vehicle in good running condition. Not maintaining it could void your warranty and even cause an engine failure, which can cost thousands. Check your next service appointment.

• 5) Check your battery

  When checking your battery look to see if the terminals have become loose, if there is any corrosion around the terminals, if it needs distilled water or if any loose metal objects are touching the terminals.

• 6) Check your tyre pressure

  Check your tire pressure regularly (including the often-overlooked spare!). This helps to improve fuel efficiency, cut down on tire wear and tear and lets you know if your vehicle is correctly aligned.

• 7) Check & Rotate your tyres

  Road conditions can affect the lifespan of your tyres and these must be checked on a regular basis (including the spare) to know when your tyres need to be replaced. Rotating your tyres at intervals is also recommended so ask your service advisor when checking in your vehicle. Also, check regularly for slow leaks, cuts, bad wear, thread separation or any noticeable changes in the look of your tyre.

• 8) Tools are a must

  Check your tools often to make sure that in case of a flat tyre or any other minor mishaps you are covered. Must haves include a jumper cable, jack, flash light, spanners, screwdrivers, lug tool and tyre inflator/fixer.

• 9) Align your vehicle

  At minimum have your vehicle aligned once per year to ensure the proper wear & tear of your tyres and to make sure that your vehicle is performing at its best. Unpleasant road conditions and bad driving patterns can affect the alignment of your vehicle.

• 10) Wash it; Polish It

  Washing not only keeps your vehicle looking good; it's also a good way to maintain that new-car finish. Allowing a layer of dead bugs, bird droppings, dirt and chemicals to accumulate on your vehicle can strip away wax and eventually paint. If you decide to wash your car yourself, don’t use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent or glass cleaner, which can also strip off the protective wax. Use a product designed specifically for cars. In addition, aim to polish your vehicle 2-3 times per year.