Mobile Car Service recipes
Auto Electrician to the Rescue
Have you ever noticed that your car problems always seem to occur either late at night, when you are in a hurry to get somewhere, or when you are in the middle of traffic and your car just splutters and dies? We might rant and rave and blame anyone but ourselves, but usually we are the culprit in a lot of cases.
Many people have the mindset that their car will just keep merrily chugging along without any help or assistance from the owner, but of course that’s not true. A little more care than adding fuel and water is required to keep your car in good shape.
Flat batteries and temperamental alternators are some of the worst offenders for bringing your car to a halt. But they are problems which can be avoided with a bit of due care and attention.
These days we have the advantage of being able to call on the services of mobile car mechanics. Many of these mobile services have diagnostic equipment installed in their vans and quite a few of the mechanics are also trained as auto electrician. Usually, they can get you started so you can at least reach your destination. But it’s amazing, the number of people that continue to go merrily on their way until it happens again.
Having your battery go flat or knowing your alternator isn’t catching quite as it should, is a bit of clue that perhaps you should have your battery checked properly, maybe it’s time for a replacement – check the date on the battery as to when you last had a new one. As for alternators, once they start to play up you really need to get them looked at professionally.
In the meantime, don’t leave home without the contact number of your trusty mobile mechanic service, and make sure you book your car in for a check-up, before it dies another sudden death.
New Car Service – What Affects My Warranty?
Having your new car serviced for the first time can be a bit nerve wracking. On one hand you don’t want to jeopardise your warranty but, on the other you know it could cost you an arm and leg compared to your local qualified service mechanic. So the question is, what to do?
You might not know a lot about cars, but your car is brand new, and you want to keep it that way, so you want it looked after properly. The log book you got with your car will tell you when each service is due, either in time frames or kilometres, whichever is the earlier.
Now, logic will tell you that the dealership you bought the car from will have expert technicians who are familiar with your particular car and have access to the correct parts that might need fitting if anything was wrong. However, quite often their charges are exorbitant - after all this is a new car service, which you are pretty sure doesn’t involve any parts.
To help you decide, you generally are not obligated to have your car serviced by the dealer; however if something should go wrong, by having stayed with the dealer throughout you are pretty much covered with any warranty claim.
Does Your Car Need an Automatic Transmission Service?
Many car owners wouldn’t have a clue that an automatic transmission requires a service, let alone when it should be done. I think for a lot of people the only thing they know in regard to an automatic transmission is that it requires a top up of transmission fluid from time to time.
But this is one of the more complex parts of your car, and by the same token, not the most reliable part of your vehicle. Repairing an automatic transmission can be costly, and neglecting a faulty one can cause your car to become unstable. However on a positive note, knowing when to get an automatic transmission service can ensure that you don’t have any transmission related problems for a long time.
Checking For Problems
Make a habit of looking at your garage floor to see if there are any leaks. If you spot any, it may not necessarily be the transmission, but any leaks should be fixed.
The transmission fluid level needs checking periodically. If your car doesn’t have a transmission dipstick get an authorised mechanic to do it for you. Don’t let the level get too low.
Here are some more tips:
• Check your owner’s manual to find out how often the transmission fluid needs changing.
• Use the transmission fluid which is specified on the dipstick or in your owner’s manual.
• Let your car stop completely before changing to park or reverse.
• Keep your foot on the brake when changing shift from parking.
• Don’t tow your car with the drive wheels touching the road; this can damage the automatic transmission.
Getting Your Transmission Serviced
To do this properly it is recommended to go to your car dealer. The technicians know exactly which fluid to use, and have access to original parts. If you choose to go to another licensed automobile repair, check that original parts will be used. If you think you have transmission problems, don’t wait until it’s too late, get it looked at as soon as you can.
Listen for Strange Noises
I don’t mean in your head - we are referring to your car, and how listening to what it’s trying to tell you is a really good idea. Especially when you don’t have a car service on a regular basis.
After having your car for a while, you get used to the regular sounds, a bit like when your bones are creaking from time to time, and you know it’s normal because maybe you are getting on a bit; however, other unexplainable noises should be checked out. Making noises is probably the nearest your car can get to telling you there is a problem, before it breaks down.
• A screeching sound when you hit the brakes is a pretty good indicator you need new brake pads, don’t let that noise continue too long or you could be up for a lot bigger expense than just brake pads.
• When you are turning the front wheels and you hear them clicking, it’s not a bad idea to get the front shaft checked before it breaks apart.
• Driving along and you think you hear a gunshot only to realise your car just backfired, is something you need to check out pretty quick, or you could be in trouble.
• If you hear squealing from under the bonnet, and providing nothing is trapped there, check out your fan belt, it’s quite likely to be the cause.
• You’re cruising along and it starts to sound like you’re on a train with a clicking along the rails. But since you are on the road and not train tracks, checking the cause makes sense. It could be quite simple like something stuck in your tyre threads, but it’s worth having a look at your wheel bearings.
• You hear knocking and it’s not at the door, but from your engine. Maybe you need to change gears, but if it’s not that simple, time to get in touch with your mechanic and get your engine checked.
Sometimes you can’t put a name to the noise but you know it’s just not right - get it checked out, better to be safe than sorry.
Mobile Car Services Overview
A lot of Australian drivers are unaware of the fact that a mobile car service can give them peace of mind while they break down in their beloved vehicles. Contrary to popular belief a service like this will do more than simply tow your machine from your location to the next car mechanic.
What service can a mobile mechanic offer?
Some of the repair and maintenance options offered by modern mobile mechanics may include services like:
- Brake repair and transmission fluid replacement
- Cleansing of fuel injectors
- Repair of transmissions (automatic or standard)
- Repair of wheels or tires, tire rotation, and automobile alignment
- Oil change, lube work and filter
- Diagnostic and repair work on engines
- Radiator repair and maintenance
- Replacement of timing belts
- Alternator, starter, and ignition replacement or repairs
- Steering and suspension work
- Water or fuel pump services
If you want to save money, nerves and unnecessary delays in a car break down, then consider calling a car service. Melbourne drivers have access to established mobile mechanics to get them back on the road for car problems big and small.
How to best act in an emergency?
Mobile Mechanic’s To The Rescue – Be Prepared For The Worst
One of the wisest moves you can make while driving your car is to keep the contact details of a trustworthy mobile car service handy. You never know when you are in need of a capable mobile mechanic. Melbourne residents can do this with ease, thanks to mobile mechanic’s roadside assistance services. Simply call 1300 555 868 and we will come to you to get you back on the road.
A mobile car service may be needed if you have any of the following concerns:
• You travel long distances, or through areas with little traffic
• You travel in your car with children, or alone, with regularity
• Your car is getting older and has had some reliability issues
• You simply want peace of mind while you drive!
How to distinguish between a good and a bad provider?
Reading Mobile Diagnostic Testing Equipment
The days of the garage mechanic are numbered except when working on older cars designed before engine diagnostic computerisation was available. All you have to do is look under the hood and realise many things have changed over the years. You can’t even see many of the engine components anymore, because they are hidden inside enclosed units. Accessing the components requires specialised tools and training.
What has truly caused the major changes in car repairs is the use of electronics and computers. Everything from components to circuit boards to computerised diagnostic equipment is now used meaning the simple wrench and screwdriver is going the way of the dinosaurs. Yes…hand tools are used but they are specially designed to fit into odd angled components and many now provide digital readouts.
Listening to Your Car
But of all the radical changes in car repair services is the use of mobile diagnostic equipment like that found on the Mobile Car Care vans. What was once only possible in a repair workshop using large bulky machinery can now be done by plugging mobile computerised diagnostic equipment into the car in order to get a readout of the problem.
Diagnostic Equipment on the Mobile Service Van…Changing Tradition
So many people today appreciate the convenience that technology brings to their lives, but persist in seeing auto repair methods as a never changing routine. They know engines have been computerised, but still envision the greasy auto mechanic, elbow deep in the engine, in his shop trying to “find the problem”.
If that is the view you have of modern auto repair services then you are in for a wonderful surprise. The same technology which brings you so many luxuries in your life has also impacted the auto industry. Thanks to computerisation, mobile service vans can carry the equipment needed to diagnose the problems with the most current engines and auto electrical systems.
Fast and Accurate
So what does this mean? It means that Mobile Car Care can bring the auto shop without the grease, unless grease is needed, to wherever you car is parked. Mobile auto repair services provide state-of-the-art diagnostic ability for your ultimate convenience. The best news is that you are getting the same quality service you would get if you left your car at the repair shop all day.