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.

Look After Your Car and Your Car Will Look After You

Your car is probably a vital part of your life. It is there for your commute, for your weekly food shop, to take you on breaks away, plus many other activities.

A reliable car is essential, which is why it is so important to look after your car so that it’s there for you when you need it most. Your Kingsgrove mechanic is here to help you get the most from your car and ensure that it remains reliable.

How often should you get your car serviced?

There is no easy answer to this question, but as a rule of thumb, you should get your car serviced every six-twelve months or every 10,000 km if that comes first.

The amount of servicing your car will need from your Earlwood mechanic will also depend on the age and condition of your car. With an older car, you might want to have it serviced more regularly as parts of your car are more likely to go wrong when it is older.

That said, with regular servicing and preventative care, you can help your car remain on the road for much longer.

Prevention is better than a cure

While some people have the misconception that servicing will cost them a lot of money and they can save themselves the cost, the truth is, it may end up costing more in the long run.

During routine servicing, your Belmore mechanic may pick up on something that could become a bigger issue in the future. Small fixes are cheaper and easier to do. However, if they are left to get bigger, it could cost you a whole lot more because more damage will have been done.

Different service types

There are different types of car services that you can have, including minor and major servicing. Your minor service will check important features such as steering, brakes, brake fluid and many more. They are quick to complete, so you will have your car back before you know it.

Major servicing, on the other hand, takes a lot longer because many more components of the car are checked, as well as checking all the elements that would take place during a minor service.

Check your car’s servicing manual to determine which type of service you should get and when, or call your local Roselands Automotive Centre for friendly advice.

Contact us today

At Roselands Automotive Centre, we are here to give your car the best servicing and ensure that it remains reliable for you. To book your service, get in touch today.

How to Find a Mechanic in Your Area

We often hear horror stories of people being misled by their mechanics or not getting the best service. No doubt, this can lead to you feeling anxious about finding a mechanic, especially if you are new to the area.

With our handy guide, you can find a Belmore mechanic you can trust and lay those fears to rest.

Trust your instincts

All of us have a gut instinct, and it is a great way to help you find your mechanic. If something does not feel right, walk away and look elsewhere.

Your garage should be friendly, professional and informative. If you have questions, ask them and ensure you are happy with the answers. If you do not understand something, do not be afraid to ask for clarification.

Ask for recommendations

Recommendations are a great way to find a good service in your area. If you have friends and family in your area, it can help to ask them where they go and if they would recommend them.

As well as this, you can check the reviews for the mechanic on places like Google. It is always worth remembering that people often leave reviews if they are particularly impressed or dismayed with a service.

Get quotes for any work that might need doing

It could be that your vehicle has a particular issue that needs sorting, or you want to find a mechanic who can complete all your regular maintenance work. When going to a new mechanic, ask for a quote for both the parts and labour involved. Beware of any prices that appear too cheap. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Similarly, getting more than one quote allows you to see if you are paying the right amount of money or if you are being asked to pay too much.

Maintain your car regularly and save money in the long run

Servicing your car regularly means that you can keep on top of any issues that could crop up. Remember, small issues can soon become big ones without the right care and attention. That is why it is so important to find a mechanic that is right for you.

Come along to Roselands Automotive Centre for a service you can rely on

If you are looking for a Lakemba mechanic, come along to Roselands Automotive Centre. We prioritise our customers and ensure we always give you the best service. With car maintenance being essential for the safety of both yourself and others, finding a mechanic you can trust is essential.

We service and maintain all makes and models, and we would be happy to talk with you further about how we can help. We look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon.

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.