Mechanic Myths Busted: What Really Happens in the Workshop

 When it comes to car repairs, everyone seems to have a story — some are true and some are wildly exaggerated. Kingsgrove mechanics have heard every myth in the book, and we feel it’s time to set the record straight on what really goes on in workshops all across Australia. Let’s start with upselling and the truth about what your mechanic should be saying and not saying. 

Myth 1: Mechanics Always Try to Upsell You

Busted: While upselling happens in every industry, most reputable Kingsgrove mechanics are focused on safety and longevity. If you're told your brake pads need replacing, it's probably because they do — not because someone wants to pad the invoice and make some extra cash. A good mechanic will explain what’s urgent, what can wait, and what’s just a recommendation.

Myth 2: You Must Service Your Car at the Dealership to Keep Your Warranty

Busted: This is a big one. In Australia, you’re legally allowed to service your new car at any licensed mechanic without voiding your warranty — as long as they follow the manufacturer’s specifications. Independent workshops often offer more personalised service and better value so be sure to look at all your options.

Myth 3: Mechanics Use Confusing Language on Purpose

Busted: Mechanics aren’t trying to bamboozle you. The truth is that cars are complex machines and sometimes technical terms are unavoidable. A good mechanic will always take the time to explain the issue in plain English if you ask.

Myth 4: You Get Ripped Off Because You Don’t Know About Cars

Busted: Not in a reputable workshop. Most Aussie mechanics build their business on trust and repeat customers. Transparency is key so be sure to ask lots of questions about the work that is being done.

Myth 5: You Can Skip Services If Your Car Seems Fine

Busted: Just because your car feels okay doesn’t mean everything is running perfectly. Regular servicing catches small issues before they become big, expensive problems — like a worn timing belt or leaking transmission fluid.

Myth 6: Mechanics Love to Drag Out Jobs to Charge More

Busted: Time is money — for you and the workshop. Most mechanics want your car in and out as efficiently as possible. Delays usually come down to waiting on parts or discovering deeper issues once the job begins.

The Truth Revealed

And there you have it — six common mechanic myths debunked! Like any industry, there are some dodgy operators out there that give honest, hardworking professionals a bad rap. Call into our workshop if you have any questions about your vehicle and we’d be happy to help you.

A Surprise Under the Hood – Roselands Automotive Car Service & Repairs

Michael had never been one to worry about his car—until the day it refused to start outside his office. With an important meeting in an hour, panic set in. He called roadside assistance, who suggested he tow it to Roselands Automotive Car Service & Repairs.

Frustrated but with no better option, he agreed. When he arrived, a friendly mechanic named Sam greeted him. "Let’s take a look," he said, rolling up his sleeves. Within minutes, he diagnosed a failing battery and a minor wiring issue.

“We can get this fixed in no time,” Sam assured him. True to his word, the team worked efficiently, and within half an hour, Michael’s car roared back to life.

Impressed by the professionalism and quick turnaround, Michael knew he had found his go-to workshop. As he drove away, he smiled—sometimes, the best service comes when you least expect it.

Need reliable car service? Visit Roselands Automotive Car Service & Repairs for expert care today!

Ways to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy

 In recent years, we have had to deal with constantly rising prices and difficult economic conditions. Everything, from housing costs to monthly utility bills to food prices increased dramatically, making it even more challenging to balance our budget each month. Rising petrol expenses resulting from the economic boom and world conditions only added to our money challenges. With so many costs rising at the same time, it pays to look for any way you can save money.

The end of the pandemic also saw many employers mandate a return to the workplace. Instead of being able to work from home, we now had to gear up for a daily commute and time spent idling in traffic. With the end of work from home mandates, we started to incur significant expenses for petrol each month. Fortunately, if you focus on improving your car’s fuel economy, you can trim your fuel expenses and have more money available at the end of the month.

Have Your Car Serviced Regularly

To save money and achieve the best fuel efficiency, you should have your vehicle serviced regularly by your local Bexley mechanic. When your car is well-maintained, it will run efficiently and your fuel use will be reduced.

You’ll want to make sure you schedule regular oil changes, and use the right oil for your car. When you replace spark plugs that are worn-out, you will get more efficient engine combustion. Keeping your air filter clean can also improve your engine and fuel performance.

Check Your Tyres Too

You can also save on fuel costs when you keep your tyres properly inflated. If you stop by to see your Bexley mechanic, they can make sure that all of your tyres are inflated to the exact pressure recommended by the manufacturer.

When tyres are underinflated, the car has to use more power to overcome the resistance of rolling down the road. It’s estimated that tyres that are properly inflated can help you save between three and seven percent of your fuel consumption.

Smooth Driving Saves Fuel

If you want to get a big boost in your fuel economy, practice smooth and steady driving. After you come to a stop, build up your speed and accelerate gradually. Cruise control can help you keep a steady speed on the highway.

Driving smoothly can help improve your fuel efficiency up to thirty percent. When you drive aggressively, accelerate quickly or brake hard you’ll find yourself spending far more money on petrol.

How to Tell If Your Car Battery Is About to Die: Warning Signs

 

Your battery is what powers up your vehicle and keeps it running. It’s what powers your lights, radio, and wipers. It’s the centre of your starting system and, once the car is started, it’s the battery that protects against a dangerous surge in power going to the vehicle’s built-in computer. This is why any Earlwood mechanic will agree that drivers need to look after their batteries better. You can start by learning the warning signs that might indicate that your battery is going to die.

Warning Light

The battery shaped warning light on your dash should not be illuminated at any time. If this warning light comes on, it’s a signal that something is wrong with the battery, alternator or another component of the charging system. It’s crucial to get this looked at as soon as possible as ignoring it could end up costing you a lot of money.

Clicking Sound But No Start

Do you hear a clicking sound when turning the key in the ignition? Is your car not starting? This is a sign that there isn’t enough power in the battery to engage the starter motor and start the engine. Again, find an Earlwood mechanic if this is happening to you as there’s a risk that you’ll ware down other parts of the starting system that may be otherwise working fine.

Electrical Issues

A weak battery will struggle to keep the car’s computer and electronic components working optimally. Dimmed lights, slow wipers, flickering engine lights and malfunctioning electric windows are all signs that there’s a problem the battery.

Old Age 

Old batteries can cause a number of different reliability and safety issues. 3 years is the average lifespan for a healthy car battery. Anything that’s over 3-4 years should be deemed dangerous and unfit for use.

Slow Starting Engine

A slow starting engine could be a signal that your battery is about to go. The start should be instantaneous and you shouldn’t have to turn the key twice for the engine to crank up.

And there you have it - 5 warning signs that your battery is in need of replacement. We hope you’ve learned something new about the mechanics of your car’s starting system and we hope that you can save yourself some stress and money by knowing the signs to look out for.

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.

Car Maintenance: When to Do It Yourself and When to Seek a Mechanic

One of the biggest benefits of owning a car is that we get the freedom to go anywhere we want, whenever we want to. Our vehicle easily gets us to work each day. Instead of having to deal with public transit rides and schedules, we simply get in the car and off we go. We also get the freedom to plan any number of fun outings with friends. Instead of having to beg for a ride, or call an expensive car share service, we can quickly get to the hot new restaurant, club or concert where we are meeting our friends.

As a car owner, we’re also aware that there are a lot of expenses when it comes to our car. To lower our on-going costs, one of the things we can do is to handle as many of our car maintenance tasks as we can ourselves. If you are handy, you may find that there are a number of car related projects you can tackle on your own. For those that go beyond your own ability or need a professional touch, you can turn to car service Earlwood to take care of the maintenance.

Maintenance Items You Can Take Care Of

If you take care of vehicle maintenance items yourself whenever possible, you’ll find that you can save a lot of money each year. Each time you choose the do it yourself approach, you will be putting money in your own pocket.

Some of the things to tackle on your own are replacing the engine and cabin air filters, installing new wiper blades and replacing bulbs that are no longer working. You can also save money by doing your own oil changes and replacing your own battery when it’s necessary. With some careful attention to detail, you may also be able to replace your serpentine belt or install new brake pads.

How Getting a Great Mechanic Can Save You Money

When you have car maintenance that is beyond your own abilities, you will need to take your vehicle in to a qualified mechanic. If you truly want to be taken care of, have peace of mind and save money too, you will want to be sure you have a great car service Earlwood.

A 5-star mechanic and automotive centre can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. They will quote you fair prices, and get the job done right. If you go to an unreliable mechanic, you will pay a lot of money for poor workmanship.

Maintenance Items for Your Mechanic

There are many maintenance items that are best handled by a professional mechanic with the appropriate training and experience. Examples include major brake system and transmission repairs.

If the work you need is engine related, it may be far better to go to a mechanic that has the appropriate diagnostic equipment and expertise to handle the job.

Tips for Jump-Starting Your Car

 It’s really wonderful when your car is running right, You have the freedom and enjoyment of coming out of your house or apartment, knowing you can go anywhere or do everything you need to do. You can have a quick breakfast, grab your cup of coffee and head out to join the morning commute. With your own vehicle, you can also handle any end of work day errands or set up a time to meet friends at your favourite restaurant. Your car opens up so many possibilities.

There are some times, though, that it’s not quite as easy as all that. If you’ve left an interior light on overnight in your vehicle, or forgot to turn your headlights off, you could come out in the morning and find that your car doesn’t turn over or start at all. When this happens, one of the first things you’ll want to do is to try jump-starting your car. If the car won’t turn over or start after that, then it’s best to set up an appointment with your Bexley mechanic so you can get your battery and car checked out.

Preparation for Jump-Starting Your Vehicle

With the help of another driver and a set of jumper cables, you can often jump-start your car and get it going again. It’s helpful to carry a set of jumper cables with you at all times, so you can jump your car or assist someone else who needs help.

The first thing you’ll want to do is to bring the engines of the working car and your car close. Once that is done, turn the engine on the working vehicle off. Make sure that none of the clamps are touching each other.

Process for Jump-Starting Your Car

First, attach one of the positive clamps to the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery. The other positive clamp goes on the + terminal of the working battery. Then attach the other clamp for the working battery to the negative (-) terminal. The last clamp will be attached to unpainted metal on the dead battery car.

Start the running car and let it run for several minutes. After that, try starting the car with the dead battery. If it starts, you are in great shape. If not, you will probably need to take it in to your Bexley mechanic so they can get you running again.

Additional Options

If you do need a jump, a convenient way to get it done is to use a rechargeable battery jumper pack.

These devices come with a portable battery, plus cables, that can be used to jump your car.