PRACTICAL ADVICE
Verification and guarantee
During technical inspections, first of all, the condition and operation of structural elements that are important for the reliability and safety of your car are checked. If necessary, worn parts are also replaced.
• Already after a mileage of 20,000 km there can be significant wear in the brake system, wheel suspension, tires and steering, which the driver will not notice. Regular maintenance not only keeps your Fiesta in top working condition, but above all, it is for your own safety.
For the Fiesta, Ford recommends routine maintenance every 15,000 km (for Fiesta D every 10,000 km), including oil change.
• If the mileage of your car for a year is low, be sure to visit the service center once a year for maintenance.
If you have a new Fiesta (or engine after overhaul), be sure to observe the maintenance intervals and refuse to work on your own. Each car manufacturer will only honor valid claims if the maintenance work has been carried out in a timely manner by the service centre.
The Fiesta must be taken to a workshop for regular maintenance, at least while the warranty period for a new or used vehicle is in effect. The new Fiesta has a one year general warranty with no mileage limit. Ford provides a six-year warranty against through-corrosion of the body.
Post-warranty service for Ford vehicles
After the expiration of the new car warranty, Ford guarantees in the second year of operation of the car - up to a maximum of 50,000 km - assistance for all damage and malfunctions of all critical components and systems of the car. For the second year and up to the fourth year of operation, a warranty obligation is valid up to a maximum mileage of 100,000 km. For the first 12 months of your Fiesta vehicle, Ford will provide you with a warranty in the event of a malfunction, including «hotline», towing, hotel accommodation and car rental. If the repair takes longer than promised by the seller, you will be provided with a free car rental, demo car or transport service.
Definition of a repair order
If you want to avoid the inevitable annoyance after communicating with the employees of the auto repair shop, or if you simply do not have time to work on your own, lack the necessary experience or do not have expensive tools, do not pass by the auto repair shop. In any case, it is up to you whether you leave the workshop satisfied with the work done. Already before visiting the workshop, pay attention to the tips and «rules of the game» with the workshop staff that you have pre-assembled.
Ford service center and any other auto repair shop
• You are free to choose which auto repair shop to visit. Along with Ford service centers, other auto repair shops may be a good solution. Many types of repairs are carried out on them as professionally as in Ford service centers. And work on changing oil, brake linings, tires and bumpers is even cheaper.
• During the warranty period, your car must visit the service center. This applies to technical inspections, as well as to the repair of the most important units. Simple damage to the body and paintwork, you can - despite the guarantee - carry out on your own or entrust this repair to any car repair shop. But if the repair was not carried out by a service center and there were problems after the repair, you lose the factory warranty.
Always make a repair contract in writing
• Make a list of problems and damages that the Fiesta has. Discuss it in a car service with a master. If something is not clear, ask questions right away. Show malfunctions or damage directly on the car.
Formulate precise repair orders: general orders such as «prepare the car for technical inspection», leave a lot of room for controversy. Especially when you have to pay the cost of work that, in your opinion, was unnecessary.
• Always conclude a repair contract in writing. The contract should, as far as possible, clearly formulate the list of works to be carried out. Always ask for proof of a repair contract.
Coordination of the cost of work
• Find out the approximate cost of labor and materials before you issue the final task for the repair. For possible additional work, set a price limit. If the volume and costs of repairs cannot be preliminarily determined, tell the master your own limit.
• Find out the estimated cost of predictive maintenance. For example, if your car is consuming too much fuel or starting poorly, predictive service will often be significantly more expensive than the repair itself. Therefore, limit the troubleshooting to the price limit.
• Tell the master your phone number so that if you have any questions, the master can quickly find you. For example, when repairs exceed the agreed scope or limit. Additional agreements are fixed in writing in the contract.
• Ask for a written preliminary cost estimate of works and services, and upon completion, a detailed invoice. The car service invoice should not exceed the preliminary calculation by more than 15-20%.
Special offers of spare parts and service - up to 30% cheaper
If your car is a Fiesta «not the first freshness», it makes sense to take an interest in special offers of spare parts and service. Often service centers offer original spare parts at a reduced price - you can save up to 30% freely here.
• If you need to replace the unit, do not rush to opt for a new unit. Ask about the possibility of installing a used unit that has been properly tested and has a guarantee. These replacement units are the engine, fuel injection system, gearbox, clutch, alternator, starter and water pump.
• Changing the oil in a car repair shop is expensive, as you will be gladly filled with the most expensive grade of oil in their range. Ask about cheaper grades of oil of the same specification - your Fiesta will usually run just as well on this oil.
Checking together with the workshop account master
• After a repair, check the repair bill with a technician or service consultant. Let them explain to you incomprehensible abbreviations and special terms.
• The following costs must be lined up on the invoice: wages, material and VAT. You can appeal errors on a repair invoice within six months of receiving it.
Timely submission of a claim
• You must file a claim for defective repairs. The auto repair shop accepts your claims for substandard repairs within six months (guarantee). Service centers are responsible for damage caused by unskilled repairs.
• If, after poor-quality repairs, damage or breakdowns occur in your car, you can demand that the car service repair them, and in case of refusal, file a lawsuit.
Safety first
We've mentioned it many times before, but we'll reiterate that safety is the absolute priority, especially when you're doing your own Fiesta repairs. Only do the work that you can 100% do. Never take on jobs for which you have little or no experience. Unskilled repairs can have fatal consequences - by the way, not only for you, but also for third parties not involved in traffic.
Pic. 2.22. Smoking is strictly prohibited during all maintenance and repair work
Smoking and changing the fuel filter are two completely incompatible activities (pic. 2.22). During all maintenance and repair work, the cigarette must remain in the pack.
Pic. 2.23. Use of headphones during body work or while the engine is running
Headphones must be worn when carrying out body work or work that requires the engine to be running (pic. 2.23).
Pic. 2.24. Use of goggles for eye protection when drilling, grinding and working with a chisel
Wear protective goggles when drilling, grinding and working with a chisel (pic. 2.24). Eye protection is recommended when you are working under a powered vehicle or cleaning the underside of a vehicle. When welding, be sure to wear special goggles.
Pic. 2.25. The use of gloves when operating a drill is dangerous
Although work gloves will protect against dirt or scratches caused by sharp sheet metal edges, they are dangerous when drilling. If a drill chuck catches your glove, injury is inevitable (pic. 2.25).
Pic. 2.26. When working in a poorly ventilated pit, care must be taken as fuel vapors and exhaust gases can accumulate in it
Be careful when working in a poorly ventilated manhole (pic. 2.26). Fuel vapors and exhaust gases can accumulate here. When the engine is running, there is a danger to life due to exhaust gas poisoning.
Pic. 2.27. The use of a jumper that replaces the fuse link is not allowed, as this may result in subsequent damage to parts or a fire in the wire
Blown fuses should always be replaced with new fuses of the same type and amperage. Never use a wire or paper clip as a jumper (pic. 2.27). The consequence of this may be damage to structural elements or, even worse, ignition of the wire.
Pic. 2.28. Checking the elements of the ignition system with the engine off
Be careful when working with the ignition system! When the engine is running, the system is under high voltage (primary electrical circuit) up to 30,000 V. Therefore, only check the ignition when the engine is not running, or carry out the check so that you do not have to touch the high-voltage wires with your hand while the engine is running (pic. 2.28).
Pic. 2.29. Using a special protective mask when painting or polishing large surfaces on a car
When you varnish or polish large surfaces on a vehicle, be sure to wear a special protective mask or respirator (pic. 2.29). In addition, take care of sufficient ventilation of the room where paintwork is carried out.
Pic. 2.30. Used aerosol cans, utensils from paint and varnish must be disposed of in specially designated places
Do not dispose of aerosol cans, used oil, brake fluid, paint and varnish utensils or old brake pads with household waste (pic. 2.30). Used batteries are accepted at points of sale.
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