Going on a Long NSW Roadtrip? Here’s a Car Servicing Checklist

 Summer time is made for roadtrips and NSW does not disappoint when it comes to things to see and do. From the beauty of the Grand Pacific Drive and the Blue Mountains to the charm of Hunter Valley and the Southern Highlands, we’re spoiled for choice in this part of Australia. If you plan to spend time on the great open road this summer, there are some things you need to do when it comes to prepping your car for the journey. Interested to find out more? The following are some car servicing jobs you should have on your inspection checklist!

Fluids 

Let’s get the obvious out of the way; checking your fluid levels should be top priority. First up are the coolant and engine oil levels. They should be at the recommended levels so top them up if necessary. Next, take a look at the brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid. If you’re not sure of the correct levels, it’s a good idea to call a car service Bexley mechanic and book your car in for a visit before you leave. Trust us when we say that this is one area that you do not want to forget about when prepping your car for the open road as the areas are vast and you will not find engine oil at every stop!

Brakes

There are two areas to pay attention to when it comes to brakes; one is the pads and the second is brake performance in general. Check the pads and see if they’re worn. If yes, call to see your local car service Bexley mechanic and get the pads replaced. In terms of performance, make sure the brakes respond quickly and make sure there are no funny noises coming from the area when you’re tapping the pedal. When pressed, the pedal should feel firm and responsive instead of feeling soft and spongy.

Battery 

Is your battery older than 2 years? If so, it might be time to get it replaced. Talk to your local mechanic and book an inspection so they can check for signs of corrosion and general signs of wear and tear.

Lights

Check that all brake lights, turn signals, fog lights and all other lights are working properly. If you need to replace bulbs or you feel like the focus or light beam levels are off, your local mechanic will be able to help you.

Your safety and that of your passengers and all other road users is paramount this summer so we urge you to make the above inspections before planning a trip in NSW.

Why You Should Hire a Local Mechanic

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out how you can make ends meet each month. Budgeting has always been a struggle, and it seems no matter how much money we bring in we’re always running short by month end. With things stretched so tight, even a single big, unexpected expense can put us in the red and have us scrambling for the cash we need.

It’s been even tougher over the last couple of years, as rampant inflation has taken a toll on our finances. If you want to survive and get through these trying times, you have to protect your assets and take good care of them. If you can extend the life of what you own, you’ll be able to postpone major purchases and have more breathing room. Taking care of your automobile is especially important now, with rising car prices and supply shortages the norm.

Get Service That You Trust, Locally

With all that is going on in our lives, we can hardly find time to handle all of the tasks that we have to get done. So, when it’s time to set up an appointment to get our car serviced, it’s so much more convenient to go to a top notch, local mechanic.

Your car service Bexley will have a highly skilled trained mechanic who can look after your vehicle. They’ll be able to handle routine services like oil changes, as well as diagnose, assess and fix any other issues that arise with your car.

Your Local Mechanic Will Know Your Car

One big plus of working with the same local mechanic is that they will know your car. When you bring your vehicle in for service, they’ll already be up to speed on what’s been going on with your automobile.

When you return to the same local car service Bexley, they’ll also be able to quickly inspect your car and see if any new problems have developed. This will keep you ahead of the curve, as addressing minor issues prevents major problems down the road.

Get All Your Scheduled Inspections and Preventive Maintenance Done

Every car comes with manufacturer’s guidelines for inspections that should be scheduled, and when preventive maintenance should be done. These recommended service intervals are designed to keep your car running well.

By working with a local mechanic, you’ll know you are taking your car in to someone you trust. When you can rely on their word, and their service is affordable, you are far more likely to get the recommended work done.

How Often Should You Get Your Car Serviced?

 

With these days of high inflation and everything costing so much more, it's more important than ever to preserve the investment we have in our cars. The reliability of our automobile is key to us enjoying life, and making a living too. When it's time to go to work in the morning, you want to know that your transportation is running great and can get you to your job on time. You'll also want your car to be in great shape for those enjoyable car vacations you look forward to.

Recommended Service Intervals

To keep your car running for years to come, you'll want to be sure to follow the factory scheduled maintenance guidelines. These can be found in your owner's manual, or on the auto manufacturer's online site. You can also consult with your Bexley mechanic to find out what maintenance is recommended and when.

The specified maintenance is designed to help ensure the reliability of your vehicle, and prevent major mechanical issues from springing up. By doing your regular maintenance on time, you'll help lower what it costs per mile to operate the car and increase the eventual resale value too.

Before a Long Road Trip

When it's almost time for vacation and you'll soon be ready to pack the family or friends in the car, be sure to stop by your local automotive centre and get your car checked out. Your Bexley mechanic can take a look at your automobile and see if there is any work that needs to be done before you head out for your epic road trip.

It really pays to see your mechanic before you hit the highways. They'll help make sure everything is in tip-top shape and help you avoid costly and troublesome issues that might have arisen while you are traveling the long stretches of empty roads.

When You Notice Something Going On

Small issues on cars can often be repaired with little cost, but if you let things go and they become big problems you might be paying a lot more. If you start to hear a sound with your car or notice a new fluid leak or other issue, you should take it into your automotive centre right away.

Also be sure to check under the hood regularly. You'll want to check your oil and other fluids to make sure everything is at the correct level. You can also take a look and make sure you don't see any leaks or other issues developing.

Time for an Oil Change?

 

Changing the oil in your car is vital to ensure that your car keeps running as it should. While it’s one of those maintenance jobs you can tackle yourself, many prefer to leave it to a local Kingsgrove mechanic. Doing it yourself can often lead to problems. Not only is it a dirty job, but the old oil needs to be disposed of correctly to avoid damage to the environment. So, if your car needs an oil change, your local Kingsgrove or Earlwood mechanic is often your best option.

How often do you need to check and change your oil?

It’s recommended that you check the level of your engine oil at least once a month. If your car runs out of oil, the engine will seize up and cause major damage to the engine. Checking your oil regularly will ensure that you don’t end up with a serious problem and a costly repair bill from your Belmore mechanic.

Most manufacturers recommend that you change your oil and filters every 5000km to 10,000km or every six months – whichever comes first. You can find the recommendation in your owner’s manual.

Planning to do the oil change yourself?

If you’re planning to change the oil yourself rather than taking it to a Kingsgrove mechanic, you’ll need to find out what oil is recommended for your vehicle. Once again, you’ll find this information in your owner’s manual or online. Putting the wrong oil in your car can lead to several problems including leaks. You may also notice a burning smell when driving. Incorrect oil may not work as it should which means engine parts won’t receive the right amount of lubrication which, in turn, will cause friction. If you do put the wrong oil in your vehicle, consult your Earlwood mechanic as soon as possible.

Taking your car to the garage for its oil change?

Taking your car to a mechanic for its oil change is one way to develop a relationship with them. Whether you live in Kingsgrove, Earlwood or Belmore, a trusted mechanic can be a godsend, especially if you experience serious issues with your vehicle. You’ll feel far more reassured that they will do a good job if you already know your mechanic well.

At Roselands, changing oil is just part of our services. Whether you need your oil changing or need a full car service, get in touch and schedule an appointment.

The Importance of Servicing Your Car

 

Keeping your car in the best condition it can be is essential for a number of reasons. By getting it checked now, you save yourself from incurring potential extra costs and wasting your time later on down the line, as well as keeping your safety a top priority.

If you’re in the Sydney area, finding a car service in Earlwood that you can trust is essential, so you know that you’re receiving a service that you can rely on. So, what can a car service do for you?

Keeps You Safe

Your safety while using your car is of utmost importance. A complete health check on your car will ensure everything gets checked during your car service in Kingsgrove to make sure your car is running as it should be.

Though there’s nothing wrong with doing basic maintenance on your own car, nothing beats the expertise of getting an experienced team to check everything over. This way, nothing gets missed and potential issues will get flagged and rectified immediately.

Protects the Engine’s Health

Cars are designed to need regular check-ups to ensure the engine is working properly. Getting your oil changed is an essential part of this process. If you notice your oil is thick and black, you need to get it changed immediately!

Protecting your engine’s health will increase the life span of your car and keep it in good condition for longer.

Check Your Tyres

Different weather conditions and everyday wear and tear can cause damage to your wheels.

During a car service, your tyres will be checked as well as the rest of your car. Doing so will ensure that you have the correct tread depth and that your tyres still have sufficient grip to make sure you’re driving as safely as possible.

Maintain the Value of Your Car

By getting regular checks via a car service in Bexley, or wherever you’re located in Sydney, you maintain the value of your car. A car that is kept in better condition will, of course, last longer in comparison to a car that isn’t. On top of this, if you decide to sell your car at any point, it will be valued higher than if it hasn’t had regular services.

Your car should be thought of as an investment, rather than simply a purchase. Professional services will give you all of the benefits mentioned above, and you’ll be investing in the overall value and safety of your car.

How Can You Get Better Mileage from Your Car?

 

Although we may not be using our cars quite as much as in recent years, the cost of filling the tank with fuel is still a major consideration for most drivers. However, while we can’t control the price of fuel, we can do something about how we use our vehicles to ensure that we’re using our fuel efficiently. And improving fuel efficiency not only means good news for our bank balance but helps the environment too.

Regular Servicing is a Must

No matter what kind of car you drive, the way to ensure that it’s running optimally is by booking it in for a regular car service with an Earlwood mechanic. A qualified mechanic will quickly identify any issues and something as simple as ensuring a car is running well enough to pass its emissions test can boost fuel efficiency by 4%. More serious faults such as fault oxygen sensors can also affect the amount of fuel used. So, it’s always wise to ensure that that schedule a regular car service.

Check Your Tyres

Checking your tyres for damage regularly is a sensible precaution but did you know that the condition of the tyres affects fuel consumption? Always make sure that your tyres are correctly inflated. Although it may not be a part of a regular car service, your Kingsgrove mechanic can check wheel alignment and rotate your tyres to ensure better and more even wear.

Don’t Forget the Air Filter and Oil

Air filters and engine oil will be checked as part of our regular car service in Bexley. Cleaning or replacing the air filter stops dirt and other residues from entering the engine compartment and making sure that it’s changed between 15,000 and 30,000 miles can improve fuel efficiency by 6%. You’ll also see an improvement in fuel economy by changing the engine oil in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Pay More Attention to How You Drive

While fuel efficiency can be improved with regular servicing, how and what you drive will have a significant effect on how much fuel you use. Older vehicles tend to use more fuel than newer models. Smaller vehicles tend to be more efficient than those with larger engines. Ensuring that you drive as smoothly as possible will help you to save fuel. Speeding, sharp braking and rapid acceleration increase the amount of fuel you use.

The Bottom Line

There are several ways you can help to make your fuel go further but the bottom line is that you should ensure your vehicle is well maintained, regularly serviced and that you drive smoothly and within the speed limit.