Love it or hate it, advanced technology in cars is here to stay. The only trouble is motorists are becoming overly reliant on engine sensors and warning lights on their dashboard which could lead  to a host of potential highway horrors, especially when it comes to checking oil.

The message is simple. Don’t avoid oil checks and rely on sensors to identify problems. That’s the advice from Forté.

Why do I need oil?

Engine oil is mainly used to lubricate the internal surfaces of an engine, reducing friction, heat and wear. The oil cleans and coats the moving parts of the engine and using the correct grade oil is crucial in ensuring the engine is protected and can operate efficiently. Contamination from by-products of combustion, unburnt fuel and moisture are absorbed by the oil for removal at the next oil change.

Do I wait for the warning light to come on?

In a nutshell, no! Waiting for a warning light relating to a vehicle’s oil levels is not the way to look after your engine. Oil levels should be checked regularly and failing to check oil can cause major problems for your vehicle. Typical problems include engine wear, which shortens the engine’s  lifespan, and noisy engine components.

Research has revealed:

·      50 per cent of vehicles require regular oil top ups.

·      One in five vehicles are low on oil.

·      25 cars a day are ruined due to lack of oil.

·      Eight out of 10 cars checked recently needed oil top ups.

·      New cars are as much at risk as old ones.

·      No warranty covers repairs caused by lack of oil.

According to Warrant y Direct, drivers in the UK risk a potential average bill of more than £1,400 by not checking their oil.

Furthermore, research carried out for Halfords' National Oil Check Campaign in June and July by www.CheckYourOil.co.uk shows that almost 50% of cars - a staggering 15 million - are either low or dangerously low on oil, mostly owing to the 1 in 3 drivers who never carry out this basic task.

Forté has created a ‘Value For Money Service’ for independent garages to provide complete clarity about the work they have carried out for customers. It includes a 50-point full service report and a 28-point interim service report on the same form. A new pre-service oil level check is also included.

In addition to stocks of the report pads, Forté also supplies garages with A3 and A4 desktop posters to promote the new service, guarantee leaflets which include driving tips and service reminder stickers for customers.

Duncan Partington, Sales Director at Forté, said: “Retaining customers is vital for garages and we have developed the Value for Money Service and tools around it for all garages to use. The vision is that every garage will give every customer a completed service report every time they service their car, as research shows car that owners are looking for proof of work completed.”

A key feature of the Forté report is that service and repair garages can say exactly what they have done to service a customer’s car, and there is room to make recommendations about further work to be undertaken. The report means they are showing their customers what a great job they have actually done instead of just handing them a bill.

Duncan Partington further commented: “We are giving garages a service toolkit that will enable them to provide their customers with complete clarity. Quite a few motorists do not realise what a full service entails and the report provides proof of a job well done. Cars running out of oil is one of the biggest issues in the industry. The new report now includes an oil dipstick level indicator so that this can be reported back to the customer. It allows the garage to give far more information to the customer.”

Regular power steering checks could have a dramatic effect on eliminating component failure, according to leading ‘trade only’ treatments company Forté.

Experts at the Coventry-based company said that, unlike coolant and brake fluid, there are currently no manufacturer recommendations for regular power steering servicing, but that the fluid should be inspected and possibly replaced every two years.

A combination of extended vehicle service intervals and the low priority given to servicing PAS systems by the motor manufacturers can result in fluid deterioration and failing systems.

Phil Dugmore, Technical Manager at Forté, said: “Noises from the pump and juddering in the steering are just a couple of the telltale signs that a power steering system is in trouble. It can result in component failure which is often the only time when the power steering fluid is changed.”

Forté Power Steering Treatment, which is compatible with and will enhance the performance of all fluids recommended for use in power assisted steering systems, helps eliminate PAS stiffness, shudder and noise. It also prevents oil leaks and provides smoother operation of the power assisted steering.

Phil added: “The treatment also maintains optimum performance of the PAS pump and load bearing components by stabilising the PAS fluid. While there are not any official guidelines on power steering servicing, we would recommend services every two years and the use of Forté Power Steering Treatment as a preventative measure to avoid potentially serious component failure.”

A simple test developed by leading ‘trade-only’ treatments company Forté is highlighting to vehicle technicians the benefits that regular engine flushing can deliver.

The Coventry-based company currently carries out around 1,000 on-car demonstrations annually at garages throughout the UK.

They are aimed at showing garages and service workshops how Forté Advanced Formula Motor Flush removes all of the old oil during servicing and more importantly demonstrates how contaminants are removed during the process. Test tube demonstrations also highlight the importance for garages to carry out the motor flush procedure on customers’ vehicles on a regular basis. Normal oil changes can leave up to 15% of the old oil in the sump, which then contaminates the new oil. 

Forté’s Advanced Formula Motor Flush has been specifically formulated to combat the effects that extended oil drain periods and modern driving habits have on today's technically sophisticated engines.

The flush:

• Cleans engines internally and provides anti-wear protection.
• Frees sticking piston rings, hydraulic valve lifters and variable valve timing systems.
• Removes lacquer, varnish and sludge deposits from the crankcase.
• Neutralises crankcase acids, keeping new oil cleaner for longer.

Phil Dugmore, Technical Manager at Forté, said: “The three important aspects of flushing an engine are cleaning and lubricating the engine and neutralising the acids in the oil that is left behind so that the clean oil is put into a clean engine.”

“The test tube demonstration highlights the long term benefits of flushing the engine by getting rid of the contamination that builds up. You are never able to remove all of the old oil. Up to 15 per cent of the old oil is left behind even when the engine is flushed, but Forté’s Advanced Formula Motor Flush neutralises the acids in the remaining oil, allowing the new oil to do what it is supposed to do: protect the engine. Flushing on a regular basis reduces engine wear and tear and helps to reduce vehicle emissions.”