Regular maintenance is key to your taxi's longevity

Taxis are a huge part of public transportation in Bermuda.

There are about 600 taxis on the island, most of which stay on the road for 16 hours a day.

That is a lot of driving through the island’s hills and curves, and Bermuda’s low road speed, with its frequent stops and starts, is especially hard on vehicles.

A taxi is an investment of anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000, so making it last as long as possible and in good condition is crucial.

A well-maintained taxi performs better, making it more reliable and reducing the cost of ownership.

Taxi ownership in Bermuda is unique in that drivers put a lot of effort into building a clientele of regular customers who call upon them for two main reasons: the taxi — and driver — is reliable and comfortable.

Sludge

Owners who rent out their vehicles may have several drivers, all with different driving habits.

It’s important for the owner to pay attention to the vehicle’s condition and have it maintained regularly.

The most important thing to remember is to change the oil and oil filter every 5,000 kilometres.

Short trips mean the engine never reaches full operating temperature and engine oil becomes contaminated more rapidly.

That’s why it is essential to replace the oil and filter every 5,000 kilometres, otherwise oil sludge can stick to your internal engine parts, leaving less good oil to circulate and perform its vital job.

This can lead to costly repairs and shorten the life of the engine.

In addition to oil changes, every 20,000 kilometres your taxi requires a major service. This should include:

• Checking engine fluids as well as coolant.

• Checks for changes in the brake pads, brake shoes or fluid level that can signal leaks or wear in the braking system.

• Inspecting and replacing air filters.

• Rotating tyres.

Taxi interiors also go through a lot of wear and tear. Steam cleaning of seats and carpet is therefore recommended.

Krishna King is the after-sales manager at Bermuda Motors. For more information contact 292-0893 or [email protected]