Do you hear strange noises coming from your car? Or maybe you’ve noticed a warning light flashing on your dashboard? It’s essential to recognise the signs that indicate your car needs immediate repair to avoid potential breakdowns and costly damage. Here are seven signs that should prompt you to schedule a visit to the mechanics in Moranbah as soon as possible.

1. Strange Noises: Unusual sounds such as grinding, squealing, or knocking could indicate issues with your engine, brakes, or other crucial components.
   
2. Dashboard Warning Lights: Ignoring warning lights such as the check engine light, oil pressure light, or brake system warning light can lead to severe mechanical problems if left unaddressed.
   
3. Vibrations or Shaking: If you feel vibrations or shaking while driving, it could be a sign of tyre issues, suspension problems, or wheel alignment issues.
   
4. Leaks: Puddles of fluid under your parked car could indicate leaks from the engine, transmission, brake system, or cooling system, all of which require immediate attention.
   
5. Decreased Performance: If your car is struggling to accelerate, experiencing reduced fuel efficiency, or stalling frequently, it’s time to have it checked by a professional.
   
6. Strange Smells: Unusual odours like burning rubber, gasoline, or rotten eggs could signal potential problems with the engine, exhaust system, or other components.
   
7. Difficulty Steering or Braking: Issues with steering responsiveness or braking efficiency are serious safety concerns that warrant an immediate visit to the auto repair shop.

Recognising these signs early and taking prompt action can prevent minor issues from escalating into major repairs or, worse, accidents. Remember, regular maintenance and timely car repairs are essential for keeping your car in top condition and ensuring your safety on the road. Don’t ignore the signs – listen to what your car is telling you and address any issues promptly. For all your service needs, visit automotive mechanics Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical (MDTM).

Do you need to visit a mechanic? Are you considering which local mechanic you should visit? 

Before you lock in your appointment, it helps to know what red flags to look out for. This will help you to avoid paying for an expensive mechanic, or not getting the service you paid for. 

So, what are the red flags you need to know before visiting a mechanic? 

1. Reviews

Before arriving at the mechanic, there are things you can check which will help you decide on which mechanic to visit. 

One of the things you can check is their online reviews. You can find these on Google or on their Facebook page. If the mechanic has a reputation for poor work, people will generally want to write a review. If there are scattered bad reviews, you can often give the mechanic the benefit of the doubt. But if they are all bad, you may want to choose another mechanic. 

2. Empty parking lot

A good mechanic will have frequent customers and will have work to do. If no one is visiting the mechanic, this may be a sign that the mechanic does not do quality work. 

3. The behaviour of the staff

How do the staff behave around you? Do they come off as professional, or rude? This can often be a reflection of whether the mechanic actually cares about the customers, or they just care about getting your money. 

4. No quote

Before handing over your keys, you should know exactly what repairs the mechanic is going to do, and a quote on how much it is going to cost. If your mechanic gives you the bill afterwards, it can be a sign that they are going to charge extra for services that are cheaper elsewhere or are going to add on extra repairs you didn’t account for. 

5. Communication

A good mechanic will be easy to contact and will have communication with you throughout the repair process. A good mechanic will contact you to tell you about any unexpected repairs that need to be done, rather than just expecting you to pay for it once it’s completed. 

6. Qualified and experienced mechanics

Does your mechanic have the right qualifications? Do they have any experience? If you are hesitant, ask the mechanic for proof of their qualifications and experience. Any good mechanic will be more than happy to provide this information. If the mechanic is hesitant or angry in response to this request, it is a definite red flag.  

Remembering these red flags will help you to find the best mechanic possible, and ensure you are getting the best value for your money.

Need to book an appointment with a mechanic? Contact Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical today for a quote. 

A car breakdown is one of the things drivers dread the most, especially if you are in a rural area. 

Fortunately, there are signs you can look for that will help you avoid breaking down and needing to call a tow truck. 

So what are some of the common causes for your car breakdown? 

1. Flat battery

One of the most common causes for a car breakdown is a flat battery. 

Have you left your car lights on? Don’t take long journeys in your car very often? These can cause your battery to go flat. 

If you don’t use your car very often, you may wish to charge your battery in between uses. 

Otherwise, you may prefer to get your car serviced prior to going on a long roadtrip. 

2. Damaged tyres 

If you’re on a roadtrip and run over a sharp object or hit a pothole, you may end up damaging your tyres. 

Are your tyres under inflated? This can cause your car to overheat. Always make sure your car tyres remain at the correct pressure. If you find your tyres are struggling to keep the right pressure, there may be a problem with the tyres such as a puncture, and you may need to get new tyres. 

If you are going on a roadtrip, especially a rural roadtrip, you may wish to consider taking a spare tyre with you. 

3. Using the wrong fuel

When refuelling, always make sure you use the right type of fuel for your car. Filling your car with the wrong type of fuel can cause numerous mechanical problems, which can result in a car breakdown. 

If you are driving a rental car, make sure you double check what type of fuel it uses before you leave. 

4. Burnt out clutch cables

Whether accidentally or not, many people will end up overusing their clutch. As a result, burnt out clutch cables are one of the most common causes of car breakdowns. 

Have you noticed the feel of your clutch pedal has changed? This can be a sign that the clutch cables are damaged or burnt out. If you have any doubt, make sure to visit your local mechanic, who will be able to check the clutch cables for you. 

5. Oil leaks

Your car depends on oil to lubricate parts of the engine. Without oil, engine parts will grind together and damage the engine, causing a breakdown. If this happens, you may need to end up replacing the engine or parts of the engine. 

To avoid this occurring, make sure you routinely check the oil levels. You can do this by using a dipstick. This is particularly important if you have an older model of car, where the light on the dashboard may display with not enough time to reach the mechanic. 

Following these tips will ensure that you can avoid your car breaking down and enjoy your roadtrips. 

Do you need to get your car serviced? Make an appointment today with Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical. 

Are you looking to get your 4WD serviced? Want to get the most for your money? It can often be helpful to know what to look for in regards to servicing and maintenance. 

Knowing everything you can about 4WD servicing and maintenance will help you to ensure you’re getting the most value for your money, aren’t getting ripped off, and your 4WD has been fully serviced. 

1. Make sure you’re getting serviced frequently

Servicing your 4WD can be an inconvenience. It is money that you would often want to spend elsewhere. 

However, making sure you are getting your 4WD serviced frequently enough can help to improve the longevity of your vehicle. 

Check your owner’s guide to see how frequently your car model should be serviced. 

2. What type of servicing your 4WD needs

Make sure you are booking your 4WD in for the right service. The range of services you will be offered include: 

• Major service: this is a comprehensive servicing, with major check-ups
• Minor service: this is a smaller, quicker version of the major service. This will be checking the major parts of the vehicle as well as oil and filter changes. 
• Manufacturer’s servicing: this can also be referred to as a book or logbook service. This type of service will vary depending on the type of vehicle. 

3. Fluids

Make sure the fluids in your 4WD are being regularly checked and replaced. 

Before you book in your 4WD for servicing, make sure you are aware of the last time you have had your fluids changed. 

Fluids you need to be aware of include:

• Engine oil
• Radiator coolant
• Automatic transmission fluid
• Windscreen wash fluid
• Brake fluid
• Clutch fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Battery electrolyte fluid

4. Tyres

When you have your 4WD serviced, the tyres will be inflated to ensure they have they correct pressure. This will help to reduce fuel consumption; saving you money in the long run. 

If necessary, your 4WD will also be tested for wheel alignment and balance. 

Make sure you rotate your wheels regularly to avoid uneven wear. 

5. Windscreen wipers

When was the last time you changed the blades of your 4WD? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to have them serviced and replaced. 

You should be getting your windscreen wipers replaced annually, so make sure this is a part of your 4WD servicing. 

6. Engine air filter

After you take your 4WD off road or on holidays, you may find the engine air filter will end up clogged with dust, and dirty air will be getting into the engine. This can negatively impact the performance of the engine. 

During your 4WD servicing and maintenance, your air filter will be checked and changed if necessary. 

7. Battery

Make sure you keep track of how old your 4WD’s batteries are, if they have enough fluids, and if there are any signs of corrosion. 

If you aren’t using your 4WD often, you may notice the battery will drain. 

Your battery may be changed during a routine service if need be. 

8. Cleaning

Cleaning your 4WD can be a pain, but it is something that should not be overlooked. This is particularly important if your car is parked outside, as it may be getting damaged from trees or from birds and bats. 

This checklist should help you to keep your car maintained between servicing, and knowing what to expect during your routine servicing. 

Need to book your 4WD servicing? Call Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical today.

Are you looking to keep your car maintained in between those trips to the mechanic? Not entirely sure what you should be doing to keep your car in the best possible condition? 

Here are some DIY car maintenance tips that will help keep your car running smoothly.

1. Windshield Wipers

It is recommended that you replace your wiper blades every 6 to 12 months. Most people will tend to try and go longer than this. Doing this can put your windshield in danger of streaking. 

If you’re going to change the wiper blades by yourself, it is best to follow your owner’s manual, as the exact process varies from each car model. 

When removing the wiper blade, make sure you pay attention to how the old one connected – this will make the process easier when putting the new wiper blades in. Be sure to have a firm grip on the wiper arm when you’re replacing it, otherwise this may come loose and damage the screen. 

2. Battery Maintenance 

Can you see white powdery residue when looking at your car battery? This is a warning sign that your battery needs replacing. 

However, there are steps you can take to prolong the life of your battery. 

Simply remove the battery terminals, with the negative terminal first, followed by the positive terminal. Unbolt the remaining bracket. You can then clean the posts, rinse the cleaning fluid with water, dry the posts, and replace the battery terminus. 

Make sure you disconnect the battery before starting any battery maintenance. 

3. Radiator Flush

Does it feel like your radiator isn’t working as it should? You need to ensure your radiator and cooling system is cleaned in order to work properly. Fortunately, a radiator flush is an easy way to avoid any wear and tear. 

Before undertaking the radiator flush, make sure to consult your owner’s manual. 

To do this, you will need a radiator flush solution, coolat, a funnel and receptacle. 

Make sure your car is completely cool before replacing the radiator. 

4. Spark Plugs

This can seem like a daunting task, but it is actually quite an easy DIY task. 

Make sure to carefully replace one plug at a time. You will find you either have four, six or eight plugs, depending on the type of car you have. 

Remove one spark plug at a time; you need to maintain the order of the spark plugs, so avoid removing them all at once. Install the new spark plug and make sure it is tight enough. You can then re-attach the spark plug wire. 

5. Oil and Oil Filter

Before changing the oil and oil filter yourself, make sure to check your car’s warranty. Some car’s will require this to be done by an authorised repairer with certain equipment. 

If you are able to replace the oil yourself:

• Make sure the oil is not hot – let the engine cool before you start 
• Jack up the car
• Locate the oil pan
• Unscrew the drain plug and drain the oil
• Replace the drain plug
• Remove the old oil filter
• Fill the new oil filter two-thirds of the way
• Screw in the new oil filter 
• Fill the engine with new oil using a funnel

When you’re done, double check the oil level and discard the old oil filter. 

Following simple DIY tips can help save you money and keep your car performing better for longer. 

Need to book a mechanic appointment? Contact MDTM today to book an appointment.

Are you looking for a mechanic? It can sometimes be hard to know whether a mechanic is going to be good, or if you are going to be scammed and have problems with your car. 

So what are the signs you should look out for and avoid when you’re looking for a good mechanic? 

1. Recommendations

When you’re looking for a good mechanic, the best people to ask are your friends, family or coworkers. Have they been to the mechanic before, and have they had a good experience? You’re definitely going to avoid a mechanic if your friend tells you they’ve had a poor experience there. 

Keep in mind – when you’re listening to what people have to say, make sure you ask what they actually had done, what type of car they have and what their mechanic knowledge is like. Some people will give negative recommendations without actually making a booking, or will have a poor experience in one area of the business, but not another. 

2. Reviews

If your friends and family can’t recommend a good mechanic, don’t worry! You can simply look online and get the recommendations there. 

Look at Google reviews, or reviews left on review sites or social media. This will give you a good idea about the quality of the service. Make sure to look at the number of reviews. Having five stars is good, but not if it is just from a few reviews. 

3. Contact

So you’re interested in making an appointment or getting a quote from a mechanic. How easy is it to contact them? 

Good mechanics will have their phone number listed on their website or social websites. This should be able to be found easily. When called, you should either have someone answer your call, or someone return your call in a timely manner. If no one returns your missed call, this can be a red flag. 

Some mechanics will also have a contact form set up on their website, or an email address, as another method for contacting them. 

4. Get an estimate

Mechanics will generally be fine to look over your car and give you an estimate for how much the work will cost. If you request an estimate, make sure you get this in writing, rather than just in conversation. That way, you can make sure you won’t be overcharged once the work is complete, and you have proof of the initial estimate. 

5. Experience

How much experience does the mechanic you’re visiting have? Do they have experience in the type of vehicle you have? You don’t want to book a mechanic who has no experience, or who is not experienced in the right area. 

6. Qualifications

Much like experience, you want to make sure your mechanic is qualified. These qualifications are often displayed on their website, on social media sites or physically displayed in the mechanic shop. However, if this is not the case, do not hesitate to ask what qualifications the mechanic has. 

7. Friendliness

When you’re talking to the mechanic on the phone and in-person at the shop, were they friendly and approachable? Everyone has off days where they are not as friendly as usual, however, you do not want to deal with a mechanic who is constantly grumpy and rude. This could cause issues once the service is over. 

You want to make sure the mechanic is fine to answer any questions you have – even the ones that may seem like simple questions. 

Also note if your mechanic reaches out to contact you. If they discover there are more repairs which need to be made, you want a mechanic that is willing to tell you about it before they make the changes, rather than just charging you for the extra services at the end. 

Looking out for these signs will help you to find a good mechanic and get the best service possible. 

Looking for a good mechanic? Contact Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanic today.