Why is a Car Service an Essential Part of Car Ownership?

 

A car service is an important part of being a car owner, and wherever you live, finding a garage that you can trust to complete the work can save you time and money.

Why bother to service your car?

A regular car service by your Kingsgrove mechanic means that your car will be healthier and less likely to have problems. One of the reasons for this is because your mechanic will be able to pick up on any issues during your car service near Bexley and put them right before they become bigger issues. With regular servicing, your car will also be safer to drive. A service checks for parts of your car that may be worn or damaged, and they will then replace them as necessary.

If you look after the engine of your car with regular servicing, your car will look after you, and you will get a longer life out of your car.

Should you want to sell your car in the future, potential buyers who want a used car will often go for one that has a full servicing history because it tells them more about the state of your car. With regular servicing, your car may be worth more.

When is it important to service your car?

Generally speaking, you should get your car serviced annually. However, if you travel between 10,000 – 15,000 kilometres before the year is up, you should then take it for a service.

There are also other situations where you may need your car serviced more often. This can include drivers who use their car primarily for short trips. This is because the car does not get to its full operating temperature.

Along with this, if you use fuels that contain sulphur, or you leave your engine running idle often, then your car could suffer. Servicing more regularly could help to keep it in better condition.

If you drive in a dusty atmosphere or tow a trailer, you are also putting your car under more stress, and a car service will be beneficial.

Find an independent garage

An independent garage, such as Roselands Automotive Centre, can save you a lot of money on your car service. Franchised dealers tend to have higher prices than independent garages for the same service. You can come to us for your car service near Earlwood and know that you are getting quality work for fair prices.

You can read our testimonials to discover more about what our customers have thought of our services and see why we are the garage for you. With our car servicing, we will help you keep your car in the best possible condition so that it is reliable and lasts. We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Reasons Why You Should Always Check Your Tyre Pressure

 Your car has four of them, they’re round, and they help to make sure your car goes but what else do you need to know about tyres? The truth is, your tyres are an essential part of your car, and with a few simple checks that are done regularly, you can help to ensure that your car remains reliable and safe.

Don’t forget that should you need help with any aspects of your car, your local Kingsgrove mechanic is here for you at Roselands Automotive Centre.

Your car’s tyre pressure

A car’s tyre pressure is important to get right, and we’ll go into that more later in this blog. To see what your car’s tyre pressure should be, you can look on the inside of the driver’s door, behind your fuel cap or in your owner’s manual. Each car is different, so make sure you are setting yours to the right pressure.

Your car may have come with a pressure gauge, which will normally be kept under your boot cover. If not, you can pick one up from a car garage or automotive shop, and this will tell you what your current tyre pressure is and inflate or deflate your tyres.

Your car may also have a built-in sensor that tells you when your tyre pressure needs attention.

If you have any problems, your local Bexley mechanic will be able to help you out.

Underinflated tyres

Underinflated tyres are common because your tyres will naturally lose pressure over time and with use. As underinflated tyres lead to your car having uneven contact with the road, it can cause more wear and tear on your tyres, and you will need to change them more often.

You may also experience more oversteering or understeering, depending on where the underinflated tyre is.

As underinflated tyres could lead to a blowout, it’s definitely worth getting them to the right pressure.

Overinflated tyres

Overinflation can also cause issues. Your braking may be affected, and you will have less traction. Your tyres may also wear out unevenly, which means you’ll need them replaced more often.

A tyre pressure check is a simple routine to perform each month, and our Earlwood mechanic can help you to change any tyres when the time comes. As well as checking your tyre pressure, don’t forget to visually check your tyres for any signs of damage or low tread as this indicates that it is time for them to be changed.

Are You Causing Harm to Your Car Without Knowing It?

Many of us rely on our cars to get around, and understandably, we want them to be as reliable as possible. However, some things could be making your car deteriorate more quickly. By being aware of what these things are, you can help to give your car a longer and healthier life. Harm can be caused by not having regular servicing Servicing your car is imperative. While a car service can be an easy thing to put off or forget to do, the long-term consequences of this could cost you big time. A service can pick up on any potential problems that your car might be facing, and by dealing with then early, it could save you money as they will be less of a problem to fix. Choose a reliable mechanic for your car service in Kingsgrove, and you can be confident that your car is in the best hands. Not completing regular checks on your fluids Your car needs certain fluids to run, such as brake fluid, oil and coolant. These fluids need to be replaced regularly to ensure that your car is running at its optimum level. If you are feeling confident, you can sometimes check your fluid levels yourself, but if you need any help, then your friendly mechanic at Roselands Automotive Centre can help you during your car service in Bexley. Forgetting to check your tyres One of the most essential components of your car is its tyres. However, if you neglect to regularly check your tyres, you could be reducing the lifespan of your car and even put yourself and others in danger. You should check your tyre pressure regularly. The good news is that is it simple to do. Tyre pressure gauges can be picked up relatively cheaply, or you can go to your local garage for a quick check. If your tyres have low pressure, you are more likely to face failure from your tyres. They may not have even contact with the road surface and have more resistance. This causes them to wear out more quickly. Over-inflated tyres can also be an issue, and the centre of the tyre can wear out more quickly because it has the most contact with the road. Your tyres should also be checked regularly to make sure that they have enough tread left and that there are no bulges, rips or damage to your tyres. Bring your car to Roselands At Roselands Automotive Centre, our car service in Earlwood can help make sure that your car is in tip-top condition. With this, and following the advice above, you can help your car last longer and be there for when you need it most.

How Smart Drivers Can Reduce their Motoring Costs

 

Running a car is an increasingly expensive business due to the mounting cost of fuel, repairs, insurance and taxes. Add in the cost of the car itself and you’re facing a sizeable annual bill for the convenience of being mobile.

It is possible to reduce costs by cutting corners — buying a cheaper, older car and having it serviced less frequently or not at all. However, that puts you at risk and may be more expensive in the long term since, when you do get problems; they will be more serious and take longer for our Kingsgrove mechanic to sort out.

The Best Ways to Save Money Safely

Cutting corners isn’t a sensible thing to do, particularly since it can put you in danger. But there are plenty of other things you can do to save money:

·        Drive sensibly and efficiently. If you’re constantly accelerating and braking hard, that’s bad for fuel consumption and wear on the brakes. Instead, aim to drive smoothly, be aware of what’s ahead and change gear to adjust to your speed. That will save on fuel, make your car last longer and reduce the need for repairs by a Bexley mechanic.

·        Check your tyres frequently. Worn tyres can be dangerous and those inflated to the wrong pressure will increase fuel consumption. Although you don’t need the best quality tyres, cheap ones that are under-inflated will cost you.

·        Reduce the load. If you have a roof rack on the car, it’s producing drag and adding weight that will make fuel consumption worse. Similarly, if your boot’s full of stuff, it’s all added weight to carry so remove anything that’s not needed. Clear the clutter for better performance.

·        Get the best deal. Shop around for insurance rather than just renewing automatically. That will ensure you get the cheapest price. Pay annually if you can because monthly instalments will incur interest.

·        Care for your car. Keeping the car clean and in good order will prolong its useful life. And there are things you can do yourself to save money, such as replacing worn wiper blades and light bulbs.

Efficient Performance

If you do try to look after your car, you will be more aware of its state. So, you’ll know if the brakes look worn, if the tyres need replacing or if there are other defects.

Whilst you may not be able to correct these yourself, our Earlwood mechanic will be happy to help and early action will keep you safe and save you money on more extensive repairs later. We’ll also be happy to check things out and carry out regular services so your car will run as efficiently as possible.

Looking after you Car during Lockdown

Whilst the coronavirus pandemic remains a huge problem, many people are in lockdown. As part of that, they’re possibly not getting out at all and so their car remains out of action.

Eventually the lockdown will end, and life will return to normal. When that happens, you want to be sure you don’t need to call out a Kingsgrove mechanic or one from elsewhere to fix a flat battery or other problems.

Essential Steps to Protect your Car

If your car isn’t going to be used for a long period, it needs to be made secure. Ideally, that means locked away in a garage or, if none is available, on your driveway with the keys safely in the house.

Putting the car in a garage will protect it from sunlight, rain, dust, humidity, bird mess and anything else that can damage the paintwork. The alternative is a fitted cover but, before putting the car away, ensure it’s clean inside and out.

Wash thoroughly to prevent the build up of grime that damages paintwork, particularly removing mud and brake dust from the wheels. Rinse with clean water, dry with a micro fibre cloth and apply wax polish for added protection. Also thoroughly clean the interior, removing any organic matter that can rot and avoiding excess moisture that can cause mould and musty smells.

The biggest problem that is likely to result from prolonged inactivity is a flat battery. A trickle charger will help while driving your car for fifteen minutes every two weeks, or at least running the engine for that long will help to prevent this and also circulate oil to protect the engine. A full fuel tank will prevent condensation and rusting inside the tank as well as prolonging the life of the fuel.

The car should be left with the handbrake off to prevent it seizing up. Place chocks against the wheels if you’re worried it may move or remove the wheels entirely and put the car on axle stands to prevent flat spots developing on the tyres. Serious flat spots may require new tyres to be fitted by an Earlwood mechanic.

Check before you Drive

It’s essential you periodically check the condition of your car to detect problems and particularly at the end of lockdown before using your car. Make sure the brake discs aren’t corroded, the battery has enough charge, oil and coolant levels are okay and, for a diesel car, that the diesel particulate filter isn’t clogged.

To be really sure you’re good to go, a Bexley mechanic can check for problems and correct them. Don’t risk your safety when going back on the road.

Drive Safely in Wet Weather Conditions

None of us enjoys driving in wet weather. It can be dangerous and stressful, particularly after dark. While innovations such as ABS, traction control and vehicle stability control make wet weather driving so much safer, there are a number of ways you can mitigate the risk factors.
We take a look at five things that will help you to drive more safely in wet weather conditions.

Cut Your Speed

The number one piece of advice that you should take on board is to slow down. By reducing your speed, you’ll have more time to react should something go wrong. Avoid making any abrupt changes in speed or direction and try to keep more distance between your car and the car in front.

Be Seen and Be Safe

Most modern cars have automatic lights which turn on in adverse weather conditions, but if you still have the manual type, make sure that you switch them on.  It’s also advisable to ensure that your wipers are up to the job, so check them for wear or damage to the blades. It’s easy to change the wiper blade yourself, or it can be done as part of routine maintenance when you take your car for a service in Earlwood.

Keep Your Vehicle Well Maintained

Every car owner should ensure that they keep their vehicle well maintained by booking it in for a regular car service in Bexley. During a service, your mechanic will check the brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and ABS.

As part of your routine maintenance tasks, it’s essential to ensure that you keep a good eye on your tyres. If they lose more than 50% of their tread, their traction will be compromised, particularly in rainy conditions.

Pay More Attention to the Road

During wet weather, it’s sensible to avoid driving through puddles, even if they are relatively small as there is the potential that your vehicle will aquaplane. You should also keep a more careful eye on the traffic around you so that you can react quickly should an unexpected situation develop.

Be Prepared

Whatever time of year you travel, having an emergency kit in your car is always a good idea. In addition to the usual items, consider adding a rain poncho or waterproof jacket to your kit along with a torch in case you break down when it’s dark and wet.

Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain

Staying safe while driving in wet weather is mainly down to common sense, appropriate driving for the conditions and ensuring that your vehicle is roadworthy. And don’t forget, to keep abreast of upcoming weather conditions by listening to the weather forecast so that you know what to expect on the roads.