Practical vehicle care resources
This page gathers the ready-to-use checklists and quick-reference material we rely on at Artextor to keep private cars and company fleets running reliably. Use them to prepare for a service visit, react correctly to a warning light, or build a maintenance plan you can actually follow. Everything here is written for real-world use, not for showroom brochures.
Pre-Service Preparation Checklist
- Note the current odometer reading and compare it against the intervals in your service booklet (typically every 15,000–30,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first).
- Photograph or write down any dashboard warning lights, including whether they are steady or flashing, before they clear themselves.
- List the exact symptoms with detail: when a noise appears (cold start, braking, turning), at what speed, and how often.
- Check tyre tread depth with a 1.6 mm gauge or the wear bars, and note any uneven wear on inner or outer edges.
- Gather the vehicle registration document (carte grise), previous invoices and the service history so past work can be verified.
- Top up and inspect fluid levels (oil, coolant, screen wash, brake fluid) and record any that were noticeably low.
- Clear personal belongings from the cabin and boot so technicians can access the spare wheel, jack and OBD port without delay.
Fleet Maintenance Planning Checklist
- Build a single register listing each vehicle's registration, mileage, next service due date and last diagnostic date.
- Set mileage and calendar reminders per vehicle so servicing is triggered by whichever limit is reached first.
- Group vehicles by usage profile (city delivery, long motorway runs, mixed) since wear rates and service needs differ.
- Schedule pre-contrôle technique inspections a few weeks ahead of the CT deadline to allow time for any repairs.
- Track recurring faults across the fleet to spot batch issues in a specific model or component early.
- Keep a budget line for tyres, brakes and consumables based on average replacement intervals, not just breakdowns.
- Assign a named contact per site who reports symptoms and confirms downtime windows for booking work.
Quick Reference: Warning Lights & Service Facts
- A red warning light generally means stop safely as soon as possible; an amber or orange light means investigate soon but you can usually continue with care.
- A flashing engine light (check engine) is more serious than a steady one and often indicates a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter — reduce speed and get it checked promptly.
- The oil pressure light (oil can symbol) requires stopping immediately, as continued driving can cause severe engine damage within minutes.
- In France the contrôle technique is required for cars from their fourth year, then every two years, and an anti-pollution check is part of it.
- Brake pads are commonly replaced between 30,000 and 70,000 km depending on driving style, and discs often last two pad sets.
- Timing belts (courroie de distribution) typically need replacing every 60,000–120,000 km or 5–10 years depending on the manufacturer — a failure can wreck the engine.
How do I know when my car is due for service?
Check your maintenance booklet or the on-board service indicator. Most vehicles follow a mileage interval (often 15,000–30,000 km) or a time interval of one year, and the first of the two to be reached is what counts. If in doubt, we can read your service history and current mileage to confirm what is due.
A warning light came on — should I keep driving?
It depends on the colour and behaviour. Red lights, especially oil pressure or engine temperature, mean stop safely and seek help. Amber lights usually allow you to continue carefully and book a diagnostic soon. A flashing engine light means reduce speed and have it checked quickly to avoid further damage.
What is included in a scheduled service?
A scheduled service typically covers an oil and filter change, inspection of brakes, tyres, suspension and steering, fluid top-ups, and checks of belts, hoses, lights and battery health. Larger services at higher mileages may add spark plugs, air and fuel filters, or timing belt replacement where due.
How does a vehicle diagnostic work?
We connect to your car's OBD port to read stored fault codes from the engine, transmission and other control units, then interpret them alongside live sensor data and a physical inspection. Codes point to a system, not always a single part, so we confirm the root cause before recommending any repair.
Should I repair or replace an older vehicle?
Weigh the cost of the repair against the vehicle's current value, its overall condition, and the likelihood of further faults. A one-off repair on an otherwise sound car is usually worthwhile; repeated major failures or corrosion often signal it is more economical to replace. We can give you an honest assessment before you decide.
How can fleet managers reduce unexpected downtime?
Preventive scheduling is the key. Keeping a register with mileage and service dates, booking work in planned windows, and tracking recurring faults across vehicles lets you fix issues before they cause breakdowns. Grouping vehicles by usage also helps predict when tyres, brakes and consumables will need attention.
Guides
Understanding your vehicle maintenance schedule
Learn how vehicle maintenance schedules work, what checks happen at each interval and how to plan servicing to avoid breakdowns.
How vehicle diagnostics work
A clear explanation of how car diagnostics work, what diagnostic tools reveal and how to interpret common findings.
Common dashboard warning lights and what they mean
Understand common dashboard warning lights, what they signal about your vehicle and when to book a diagnostic check.
Planning maintenance for company fleets
How fleet managers can plan scheduled maintenance and diagnostics to keep company vehicles reliable and minimise downtime.
What scheduled servicing includes
A neutral overview of what scheduled servicing covers, why intervals matter and how it keeps vehicles roadworthy.
Deciding whether to repair or replace
Practical guidance on weighing repair versus replacement for worn vehicle parts, based on cost, safety and reliability.