3 Things Every First-Time Car Owner Should Do

It's exciting when you get your first car. If you've just made your first car purchase, it feels great to have worked through everything and negotiated with a dealer or previous owner so you could get the vehicle that felt just right for you. Sometimes, you receive your first car as a gift from your parents or a caring family member. Either way, it's great to be able to wake up, grab the keys and know you have the freedom to go wherever you want to go. As a first-time car owner, you'll also find that there are a lot of things you need to do to keep your vehicle in great shape. For many, their car is one of their most important assets. Having reliable transportation lets you get to work and earn your paycheck each week. It gives you the flexibility to go shopping whenever you need to, without having to worry about bus or transit schedules and the like. Plus you'll be able to take epic road trips now, and go to places you've always dreamed of seeing.

But to do all of that and make sure your car is always in tip-top shape, there are a few things you should do. These include;

Build a Relationship With a Trusted Mechanic

When you just get your first car, you'll want to take the right steps to make sure that you keep it running in great condition. Finding a great Belmore mechanic will go a long way to helping your vehicle stay in tip-top shape and last for years to come.

You can do online research to help find a reputable auto centre that can provide professional service for your automobile. Once you’ve made your selection, schedule some routine service there so you can start building a relationship with a mechanic that you trust.

Familiarize Yourself With the Dashboard Lights

Your dashboard lights are like the warning systems you’d find on a commercial aircraft. They are designed to bring you important information from all the on-board sensors, and to make sure you get the service you need when something isn’t going right.

It’s a good idea to take the time walk through the owner’s manual and review the lights and their meaning. Your Belmore Mechanic could also help show you the most important ones.

Keep Up With Your Maintenance Schedule

Every car or truck comes with a factory recommended maintenance schedule. These guidelines tell you how often to get your car serviced, and what should be done at each service interval.

By following these recommendations, you’ll help extend the life of your car and avoid more costly repairs down the road.

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.

Why Won’t My Car Start?

 

Have you ever had one of those days when you’re running late, and your car won’t start? Apart from being incredibly frustrating and inconvenient, it indicates that perhaps your car isn’t running as well as it could be. There are several potential reasons why your car is having problems starting. We asked our local Kingsgrove mechanic what they might be.

The most common reasons

The most common reasons for cars not starting are a flat battery, issues with the ignition, clogged fuel filters and issues with the starter motor. However, it could be a down to a less obvious problem such as issues with the timing belt or the ignition coil. While most issues are usually quick and cheap to resolve, others may require a more expensive fix.

Issues with the battery

If your car won’t start, it’s usually down to the battery. If the engine turns over, but the car doesn’t start, it’s likely to be your battery. If it happens regularly or the engine just won’t turn over at all, you’ll probably need to replace the battery. As a quick fix, you can use jump leads to get the power you need to start your car.

Issues with the starter motor

As its name suggests, the starter motor turns the engine over. Therefore, if you start the car and the engine doesn’t fire, you’ve possibly got an issue with the starter motor.

Issues with the ignition

If you have a problem with the ignition, your car may start and then stop again suddenly. If you are experiencing this problem, we recommend you have your vehicle checked out by your local Kingsgrove mechanic.

Issues with the fuel filters

As you can imagine, if the fuel filters become clogged with sediment, the fuel won’t be able to reach the engine and your car won’t be able to start. The problem can be easily avoided by keeping to your regular car servicing schedule. Fuel filters usually need replacing every 30,000-40,000 kilometres. So, if you think your filter requires replacement, book an appointment with your local mechanic now.

To make sure that your car is running at its best, it’s always advisable to book your car in for a service in line with the schedule suggested by the manufacturer. During a service, any potential issues will be picked up and your car will perform much better and remain more reliable. Roselands Automotives offer servicing for all makes and models of cars. Get in touch and arrange your appointment now.

Car Servicing: 101

We all know that our cars need regular servicing to help keep them running at their best. But what happens during a typical service? The simple answer is there isn’t a set service. Your service will be decided by a number of things: the type of car you have, what’s recommended by the manufacturer, and what your local mechanic and car servicing centre provide.

You may find that if you take your vehicle for a car service in Belmore it may differ from the service provided elsewhere in Sydney. However, you’ll usually find that there are two levels of service: interim and full. So let’s look at what happens during each.

What happens during an Interim Service?

This is the most basic level of car service needed to get an official stamp in your vehicle’s service book. During an interim service, the mechanic will change the oil and oil filter. They’ll also undertake several safety checks in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, including the lights, brakes, exhaust, fluid levels, tyres and the horn. Some of the moving parts within the engine will be lubricated and further checks carried out to ensure there are no fluid leaks.

What’s Included in a Full Service?

As you would imagine from its name, a full car service includes everything in an interim service and more. When you book your vehicle in for a full car service in Belmore, the mechanics will undertake a range of extra checks, including inspecting the engine, the wheel bearings and the shock absorbers. They’ll top up the brake fluid and antifreeze to the correct level and check the air conditioning filters too. While these are covered in the cost of the service, you may find that you will have to pay extra for replacement parts such as fuel filters and spark plugs.

Be Sure to Schedule Regular Servicing for Your Car

To keep your car performing at its best, you should book it in for a service as recommended in the manufacturer’s manual. Neglecting to service and maintain your car in line with these recommendations may impact the safety of the vehicle, invalidate warranties, and may even damage the engine.

While you may want to book your car into an approved servicing centre for your make of car, many independent servicing centres are fully equipped and trained to carry out first-class assessments, inspections, and servicing. If you’re having trouble finding a reputable independent servicing centre, you can ask friends, family or colleagues for recommendations or go online and read the reviews. Just be sure to use trustworthy and experienced mechanics to ensure you get a competent and thorough service.

 

3 Noises Your Brakes Definitely Shouldn’t Make!

 If you start to hear unusual sounds coming from your brakes, it’s time to take your car to the garage. Don’t be tempted to put it off and put your safety at risk. Strange noises arising from your brakes indicate that there’s something wrong and that they need attention – fast!

We asked our local Earlwood mechanic for more information about what kind of noises we should listen out for.

A High-Pitched Squeal

There are typically three different sounds that indicate all’s not well in the brake department. The first noise you’re likely to hear is a high-pitched squeal. This usually goes away when you apply the brakes. If you hear this irritating noise but it stops as soon as you touch the brakes, you should take it as your first warning sign.

Book your car in for an inspection as soon as possible after you first hear this squealing. The repair job will be less expensive than if you leave it until you hear the next warning sound, which is….

Grinding or Hard Growling Noises

This frightening noise indicates that the brake pads have worn through completely and that they are now grinding into the rotor. It sounds bad, and it is! So, if you hear an ‘abrasive’ grinding noise, take your car for immediate attention otherwise it’s going to prove to be a very expensive repair. Even driving with this noise for 2 or 3 days will mean that it’s likely that the calliper will also need to be replaced. And that’s a more serious job that can run into several hundreds of dollars.

Squeaking When You Stop the Car

If your brakes squeak when you stop, you can breathe a sigh of relief. While it does indicate that your vehicle needs attention; the squeaking is likely to be caused by poor installation or insufficient lubrication. This can be easily resolved by taking everything apart and then putting them back together correctly. Or you can simply put up with the noise. However, your neighbours and other drivers won’t thank you for it!

How to Avoid Issues with Your Brakes

One way to avoid issues with your brakes is to make sure that you service your car regularly. During a service, your brakes will be routinely inspected, and any defects highlighted. Regular servicing may seem like an unnecessary expense but will be more cost-effective in the long run. After all, driving with defective breaks is not just illegal but it’s dangerous too, and you don’t want to put yourself or your passengers at risk.

If you hear any of the noises described above, it’s time to pay your local Earlwood mechanic a visit. It’s much better to be safe than sorry!

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.