How to know,when to SERVICE a car??

Wheel Balancing & Alignment shouldnt cost more that 650/-. I have done it in MASS recently.

Alot depends on dealership. I heard everything bad about Ford, bought Fiesta and service I am getting is very good. Infact, after Fiesta we bought Ikon Flair & Ikon TDCi too. Regular maintenance is cheap.

In 2007, I bought GM India's Spark LT and maintenance is pretty cheap. I am getting good service too.

Generally, Service guy will ask you to go for this and that in company's service centre only but its upto you to decide which work is necessary and which is not.

For example, wheel balancing & alignment is much cheaper in outmarket. Balancing charge depnds on weight & alignment's charge is Rs.100/- only in outmarket. Why Rs. 650/-?  One can pay 650/- and he will get mental peace only because he knows he paid in the campany's service  centre, means quality work!!!

@rajiv - good to know that your experience with ford ASC has been good. Are your cars still under warranty?

What are the main things that should keep in mind while giving the car for Servicing and Taking back after servicing?

Good question, Ikkru. I also want to know that.

@ikkru/Soam - first off get a list of things that the service guy says needs to be done. Determine the ones that are really important - "adding so-and-so additive", "teflon coating" and the like do not count as important. Basically the goal is to separate the genuine service items and then prioritise them based on time/money.

Once you have finalised the things to get done, get the list in writing from them along with the cost involved (parts + labour). Use this list to check the car after the servicing is done. Do note however that it may not be possible to verify each and every thing - for example if the clutch is serviced you can't easily verify it other than test driving and estimating of the clutch was indeed serviced or not (or something was replaced in it).

actually its stuck in a small label in my car as to when the next service is due