Know how to prepare your 4 Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive before going on a trip

Planning to go on a trip before Australian winter? Start gearing up for the long awaited trip well in advance. Always keep in mind that besides packing your rucksack one important part of a trip preparation is to get your 4 wheel drive and all wheel drive ready. This is because when you get your 4 wheel drive serviced before you set out for your trip you will be able to find out if something looks a little worn out and needs attention and it can be replaced so that you do not land up into trouble while you embark on a remote trip. In fact, if vehicles are not checked properly it could end up spoiling the entire trip.

However, it is important that the preparation that you are taking for your 4 wheel or the all wheel drive should be all encompassing. It must be such that you do not face any trouble while you are driving through the rough terrains.

Let us have a look at some of the important aspects that you should consider while you get ready for a trip.

First of all, it is a good idea to have a detailed service manual ready in your car. This is important because even if you are unable to do the servicing, you will be able to describe the problem to a mechanic over the telephone looking at the pictures of the parts given in the manual.

As far as the car is concerned you should ensure that all the nuts and bolts are securely placed. They must be adequately tightened.

The aftermarket components like the spotlights, roof hacks, aerials, and others must be carefully fastened with non-loosening fasteners.

Most importantly you should get the underside of the vehicle checked. This is because this particular portion of the car is rarely checked when moving around the town but can become a regular sight while driving through the bush. Get the exhaust shaken and the joints and welds examined. It is important to check these areas so that you can find out symbols of fatigue and stress. All exhaust assemblies must be in place and entire unit must have a solid and cohesive feel.

The tyres of your 4WD are equally important and get them checked along with all the fluid lines. In fact, all the parts of the car along with the brakes, shock absorbers, suspension components, radiators must be carefully checked so that you do not face any trouble while you have already set out for the trip.

The tow and recovery points of the car also need inspection and at the same time always keep in mind that you should operate the air conditioner of your car for ten minutes in a week.The spotlights and the headlights of the car also need to be checked to ensure proper functionality.

Last but not the least, a thorough check up of your all wheel drive will give you much confidence and you will be able to enjoy your trip completely. So it is best if you get it checked by a reliable car mechanic or car service centre near you before your embark on your road trip.

Know how to take care of your car batteries

Car batteries usually experience a slow decline with regular usage and there is no point waiting for a break-down to change your car batteries. However, there will be some obvious signs which will let you know that it is time to change your car batteries. It is recommended if you want your car batteries to perform at their peak efficiency you ought to keep in mind certain maintenance tips. When you take good care of your car batteries you will be able to get best value from it.

Thus, let us have a look at some of the pointers that will help your car batteries keep performing at peak efficiency.

First of all you need to check the electrical connections. You will have to ensure that the battery terminals and cable connections are clean and tight to enable proper current flow. When there is corrosion at the battery terminals, it may so happen that the car refuses to start because of the electrical resistance offered by it. Hence, it becomes important to clean the terminals at regular intervals with water and wire brush.

It becomes important to keep the batteries clean and dry. When a battery surface becomes dirty it may lead to corrosion and discharge. Always keep in mind that it is a good idea to avoid spilling of oil or grease onto the top of the battery.

There is no denying the fact that under-charged or under-used battery slowly goes flat and reduces the life of the battery with time. This becomes common when the car batteries are not used for long. Hence, it is necessary that the batteries are kept fully charged so that the batteries have a long life span.

Besides it is important that car batteries are handled with utmost care. There are certain things that ought to be kept in mind.

·         It is recommended not to keep any metallic objects on top of the battery.

·         All flames and sparks need to be kept away from batteries as they contain hydrogen gas and may catch fire and explode.

·         Batteries contain sulphuric acid so anything that is damageable should be kept away from the batteries.

·         Batteries are quite heavy so they must be lifted with care and precision.

·         Last but not the least, the batteries need to kept away from the reach of the children.

All of you must be aware of the fact that during the winter season, the car batteries might put you in trouble if proper care is not taken. So if you want your car to start smoothly during a winter morning, you will have to follow these steps.

You will have to keep the car in the garage overnight

It is important that the car batteries are not kept lose.

As a car owner you should ensure that the water level of your car batteries is well-maintained. It must be water just above the plates. If there is any spillage you need to wipe it off.

Always make sure that there are no warning sounds from your car battery. When there is a cranking sound as your car starts, it might mean that the car batteries need replacement.

Last but not the least; the age of the battery is an important consideration. So, if your battery has completed three years of age get it checked at a nearby car service centre or by a car mechanic whom you trust.  

Things You Need To Know Before Buying AUsed Car in Brisbane

Buyinga used car is one of the most effective ways of saving money on your vehicular expenses. It can be quite a daunting task to buya used car but if you follow a few tips you can easily come across a used car that is within your budget and yet can be used without much hassle. So it is recommended that you take your own sweet time and should not rush. The factors that you ought to consider before buying a used car in Brisbane are the following:

Budget: The most important consideration is the budget. You must set yourself a strict budget that you can afford. One must keep in mind that the cost price of a used car is just the tip of the iceberg; it involves other expenditures like the maintenance, fuel cost, insurance and registration.

Research: The next necessary step is to research well. Once you have set your budget you will have to find out the kind of cars that are available within your budget. There will be numerous cars of different makes and models that will be available within your budget and from that you need to choose the one that perfectly suits your needs.

Get in touch with the seller: Once you have chosen a car as per your requirement, it is imperative to contact the seller. As you contact the seller there are certain questions that you ought to pose. They are the following:

·         How long has the car been used?

·         Is there any particular reason of selling the car?

·         Has there been any damage to the car ever?

·         Are there any issues with the car which is not shown in the photograph?

·         Does the car has a Queensland Safety or Roadworthy Certificate?

·         Is the service history of the car detailed and is it there with the car itself?

Besides these routine questions you can always ask any other questions which you feel are relevant for the purchase of the car to take place seamlessly. A car with a proper log book servicing done at regular intervals will be far more fuel efficient even if it is an old model.

Arrange an Inspection: Whether you have decided to buy a used car from a private party or a dealer it is mandatory that you arrange for an inspection to have a clear idea about the condition of the car and other necessary details. However, if the seller is a private party and not ready for an inspection you should know for sure that there is some problem.

To check the car’s history: It is also necessary to check the car’s history. It is quite a simple process. You just need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and check against the database. It will help you find out if the car is stolen or if there are any outstanding loan amounts against it.In fact, this step needs to be done even before one goes to inspect the car.

Lastly even if the vehicle has a safety certificate or roadworthy certificate it is highly recommended that you have a pre-purchase inspection carried out by a trustworthy car mechanic in Brisbane prior to purchasing any vehicle.

Follow these tips and successfully buy a used car in Brisbane.

Pollen Filters

Just like you expect the air inside your home to be free from dust, debris, pollen or other kinds of unwanted particles, similarly, you would like to breathe in a fresh air inside your car. The main function of an air conditioning filter is to make the air free from pollen or other dust particles when it enters the car through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. This filter has the capacity to catch all airborne particles like dust and pollen so that you have a pleasant ride in your car. The air conditioning filter becomes even more important if you are suffering from an allergy or a respiratory difficulty. As these filters hold back a lot of particles with time they become clogged and smelly. The result is they cannot prevent the impurities from entering the car. Thus, the solution is to replace your car’s air conditioning filters at regular intervals.

The cost to replace an air conditioning filter is minimal. It can cost anything between $45 and $55. However, imagine a car without an air conditioning filter. In that case, when it becomes clogged you are left with no other option but replace the HVAC unit itself. It can be a real costly affair. You might have to incur as much as $600 to replace the air conditioning filter. In fact, the expenditure can go as high as $1100 depending on how hard it is to remove the unit from the dash of the car.

However, you might be thinking how you will understand whether you are having a dirty air conditioning filter. There are some obvious symptoms which will make you understand that you are having a bad aircon system.

The most common symptom that is associated with such a condition is poor airflow from the car’s internal vents. When the air conditioning filter becomes too dirty you will not be able to experience a clean air as the unit will not be able to filter the air that is coming in. It will cause a restricted airflow. The vents will blow with noticeable low speed which in turn will reduce the overall cooling capacity of the air conditioning system. Moreover, it will also create an additional strain on the car’s HVAC unit.

Another common symptom that will tell you if the air conditioning filter is dirty when you experience a bad odour from the car’s interior vents. When the filter is extremely contaminated you will get a dusty and musty smell emanating from the vents especially when the air conditioning system is switched on. It can become extremely uncomfortable for people to sit inside the car with such a smell.

This cabin filter is a simple component and can be easily replaced. Hence, whenever you feel that the Aircon system of your car is clogged you should get your vehicle examined by trusted car mechanics like us. We will have a thorough check-up of your car and will replace the filter within no time at a reasonable price. Thus, make your car cabin comfortable for your family as well as yourself.

It is true that replacing air condition filters is quite an easy task but breathing in a dusty air regularly will pose serious health risks so it is recommended that you get your car inspected regularly and replace the car air filters at regular intervals.

However, just think of a situation that during this festive warm season you car has no aircon! In that case you might have to remove the unit from the dash if it is clogged and sometimes even there might be a need to remove the entire dash as well. It can be quite an expensive affair and you might as well think of getting a new car. Take a step back. Get in touch with an expert. If you are in north Brisbane you can contact Northside Automotive at Everton Hills.  Their team of highly trained mechanics will service it thoroughly and make sure that an air conditioning filter is added to your car’s HVAC unit.

Know why you need a pre purchase inspection before buying a used car in Brisbane

You might be obsessed to buy that used car soon, the moment you have set your heart on it, but you will not be able to do it so soon. You need to go through a series of procedures one of which is to carry out a pre purchase inspection before you are buying a used car. It is important so that you do not end up with a bad deal which means you pay for the car but do not get the desired quality. Mostly, a pre purchase inspection or PPI is carried out by a qualified and licensed mechanic or auto technician. They do a thorough inspection of the vehicle to determine the cosmetic, mechanical, and safety condition of the car.

When you opt for a PPI of a used car, you can expect that the mechanic will find out any current or existing condition of the vehicle. At the same time they will be able to tell you about the future issues that might come up with the car that you are buying. However, during a PPI, as a buyer you might either feel that you are getting a good bargain by buying the used car or you can also find out a few more hidden conditions of the car which in turn will give you a chance to bargain with the price quoted.

During a PPI, the mechanic inspects the exterior of the car, the interior, under the hood and will also look into the under carriage. In fact, in some of the instances the mechanic might even conduct a test drive to find out more about the driving condition of the car. A typical car inspection takes anything between 45 minutes and two hours and it involves some amount of expenditure as well. Nevertheless, in spite of the expenditure it is a better idea to opt for a pre-purchase inspection before buying a used vehicle.

As a buyer even if you are mechanically savvy, it is best that you go for the vehicle inspection by a specialist. This is because only an expert will be able to tell you whether you are buying a great used car or you are getting into a nasty set of problems. However, when the car is being inspected before the purchase, it is advised that the test drive be conducted over a pre-determined route that includes hills, bumps, and potholes so that one can easily find out suspension problems along with other engine performance issue.

The major problems that can be easily detected by a pre inspection of a used car include the following:

·         Frame damage: If the frame of the car is damaged it shows that the car has undergone a serious accident. And if it has not been repaired properly the car’s wheel may not be able to track properly.

·         Poor Previous Repair work: It could be anything from bad bodywork to improper installations of modifications.

·         Smoker’s car: If the car is being bought remotely, you may not be able to find out if someone has smoked inside the car. But a PPI can reveal that fact.

·         Flood-damaged car: The mechanic will be able to find out signs of water damage.

Last but not the least, it is obvious that conducting a PPI is imperative but the inspection should always be conducted by a trusted and qualified car mechanic like Northside Automotive.

Know Why Your Car Brakes Squeak

All of you must be aware of the fact that brakes are quite an important safety feature for cars and that is the reason as to why squeaky brakes can easily cause a driver to panic. Sometimes squeaky brakes can be a cause of genuine concern as it may signify that our brakes are going bad and at other times there may not be any reason to worry. However, it needs to be noted here that certain sounds from the car’s brakes are quite normal and are caused by different driving conditions. For example, conditions like severe braking, dusty or sandy conditions or even humidity can cause various noises from the car’s brakes.

Some of the common causes of brake squeaks in car are the following:

Rust on the Rotors : This is quite common and it has been seen that disc brakes of car have a tendency to squeak if they are parked out in the open air throughout the night. Most brakes squeak after sitting overnight because the moisture from the rain or dew or condensation collects on the surface of the rotors. When there is moisture on the surface of the rotors, a thin layer of rust forms on the surface. As the rotor turns, the pad scrapes the rust off the rotors and then the rust easily gets caught on the leading edge of the brake pad. The fine particles of rust get embedded into the leading edge of the pad which in turn causes a squeaking sound.

This squeaking sound will continue until the rust is removed from the rotors. According to Peter from Northside Automotive Services, Everton Hills " The removal procedure of resistant rust is best done by a professional as it’s also important to determine any continued grinding after the removal. Although a relatively normal circumstance, it’s best to prevent by parking undercover or in a garage."

Brake Pads : Another cause of squeaking brakes can be thinning brake pads. This usually happens when the brake pads are worn out and has become extremely thin. In fact, this is an effective warning that the brake pads are in a bad condition and needs to be replaced soon so that it does not cause an untoward incident on the road.

High Metal Content : It has been seen that high metal content in brake pads also cause the squeaking sound. However, it is natural that there is some amount of metal in the brake pads but some of the cheap varieties are manufactured with high metal content. In fact, large chunks of metal are embedded into the pad material. The result is that the large pieces of metal drag on the rotor and causes the brakes to squeak while the car is on the move.

Lubrication : Sometimes a squeaking sound from the rear brakes are also heard after pushing the brake pedals. It indicates that the shoe-to-backing-plate contact points need to be lubricated. Once the contact point loses lubrication the metal begins to rust. When such a thing happens the shoes will scrape against the backing plate, which in turn causes a squeaking sound while the wheel rotates.

If your car brakes are squeaking, it is best to get your vehicle checked by a trusted car mechanic and get his opinion on the condition of your brakes and the reason as to why they are squeaking. Remember, car brakes play an important role in maintaining the safety of the vehicle while on road and so it is always better to be safe than sorry!