For your car battery, its ability to perform is the biggest factor contributing to the life-span of your vehicle. It works with more parts than you may think – and if your battery is damaged, your car is at risk of severe mechanical damage or breaking down.

Without regular car battery maintenance, your vehicle may shut down entirely. So, Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical will explore why you must keep your car battery maintained, and when to see a mechanic.

How Do Car Batteries Work?

A car battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy, acting as the central hub powering all electrical components of your vehicle. 

It is especially vital in today’s age to seek regular car battery maintenance from your local mechanic because of the electrical nature of modern vehicles. A car battery stores power, keeping the electrical current in your car steady – ready to send out jolts across all electrical elements. 

This ensures that when your car is started, there will be enough electricity for it to stay running – which is needed to power your car. A healthy car battery is important for the overall performance of your car, but often we don’t think about our car’s electrical systems until it’s too late.

When Should I See A Car Mechanic?

After 3 Years

Car batteries typically last from 3 to 5 years, without factoring in the weather conditions you drive in and the way you use your car. We suggest booking your car in for battery maintenance as soon as it hits the 3-year mark, even if you haven’t experienced any issues with your electrical system.

Car Struggling To Start

Another easy sign to recognise if you should see a mechanic is when you experience any hesitation in your car engine’s ignition, or issues with the fuel system. Keep in mind, shorter trips and longer periods of inactivity will zap your car battery’s life-span, so ensuring your car remains active will preserve its battery life. 

A reason why cars may struggle to start after a while is due to corroded battery terminals creating unreliable connections between the battery and the necessary components. When electricity isn’t linking properly, it stops the battery from reaching the starter motor, resulting in the car struggling to start.

Any Electrical Errors

It’s time to see a car mechanic when any dashboard panels, lights, or accessories are becoming dull once they’re turned on. Any electrical component not working properly can be attributed to a flat battery, which requires swift repairs – you don’t want your car to break down when you could have avoided it. 

At MDTM, our automotive technicians will hook the tester to your car battery, take a snapshot of your battery’s condition, and then indicate whether it needs a replacement or not, this is something you leave to the professionals to test.

Seasonal Changes Impacting Performance

Central Queensland residents know the Australian heat all too well, and so do our cars. In warm weather, the water in your car begins to evaporate from your car battery’s internal fluids. As a result of this evaporation, it can cause internal battery corrosion, which we know can lead to a flat battery. 

Whereas in colder climates, the chemical reaction in your battery begins to slow down, and this drains the life out of the car battery. Slow reactions in the car battery require increased power to start the vehicle because of this slow-moving engine oil.

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Have You Seen These Signs Coming From Your Car?

Don’t Hesitate To See A Car Mechanic For Car Battery Maintenance

At MDTM, our Mechanical and Auto-Electrical Division works hard to support the Moranbah community and ensure clients receive exemplary service – including full electronic car battery testing and reporting.

If you are after a trusted car mechanic or auto electrician in Moranbah, get in touch online or call us on 4941 7313.

An overheating car isn’t something to ignore. If your car’s cooling system isn’t working properly and you continue to drive, you risk damaging your vehicle.

What are the most common signs of a car overheating?

• The temperature gauge is near maximum
• There’s a warning light on your dashboard
• The engine is making a ticking noise
• The bonnet is hot or steaming

It’s important to know what to steps to take if your car starts overheating. Here’s what to do.

What to Do if Your Car is Overheating

Pull Over Somewhere Safe

If your car is overheating, you shouldn’t be driving it. Pull over somewhere safe and turn off your vehicle. Choose a well-lit, public area if possible.

Look Under the Car for Signs of a Coolant Leak

Once you’re safely off the road, carefully look under your car for signs of a coolant leak. If there’s a leak, you may see a puddle or splotches of green, purple or orange fluid under your car.

Check Under the Bonnet for Traces of a Leak

Carefully look under the bonnet for signs of a leak. You may need to give your car some time to cool down before this step.

If there’s a leak, you may see some spots or discolouration on the radiator. When fluid lands on a hot engine, it can quickly burn off and leave spots behind. Eventually, those spots can start to rust.

Get to a Mechanic

Overheating is a sign of a serious issue, so get your car to a trusted mechanic like MDTM right away. Failing to fix the issue and continuing to drive will only make the problem worse.

What Not to Do

Never Open the Radiator or Coolant Valves

If your car is overheating, you may be tempted to top off the coolant levels so that you can drive home or to the mechanic.

But you should never open up the coolant or radiator valves after a car has overheated.

As the coolant liquid heats up, the radiator’s pipes become highly pressurised. Opening up the caps will release that pressure, causing the liquid to explode in your face.

The ultra-hot coolant can cause severe burns and injuries.

Never Drive a Car That Has Overheated

Cars rarely overheat at convenient times. For example, you may be on your way to work, out running errands or on your way home. As tempting as it may be, it’s important not to drive a car that has overheated.

Overheating is a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle, and continuing to drive can cause massive damage.

Don’t chance it – get your car towed to a mechanic.

Can You Use Water Instead of Coolant?

No. Water can’t do the job of antifreeze. It doesn’t absorb heat as well as coolant, and it won’t protect your engine.

If your car is overheating, bring it to a trusted mechanic like MDTM. Avoid driving your vehicle until the problem is fixed, and this may mean having to tow your vehicle to the shop. Continuing to drive will only cause massive damage that may be too expensive to fix.

Is your car overheating? If so, it may be time to bring it into a mechanic. Cars can overheat for several reasons, most of which require the help of an experienced auto technician.

Here are some of the most common reasons cars overheat.

4 Common Causes of a Car Overheating

1. Car Radiator Problems

One of the most common causes of overheating is problems with the radiator. Your car’s radiator pulls heat away from the engine to keep it cool. Sometimes, radiators can fail, or debris and particles can build up and stop the radiator from working properly. When this happens, the car can overheat because the radiator isn’t pulling enough heat from the engine.

Common radiator issues include:

• Leaks. The radiator itself may have a leak, or its hoses may be leaking. Radiator hoses should be replaced regularly as part of standard maintenance on your vehicle.
• Build-up. Gunk, or mineral deposits, can build up in the radiator and make it harder for coolant to reach the engine.
• Rust. Radiators are susceptible to rusting, and it should be easy to see with a visual inspection.

If your coolant levels are low or your vehicle is leaking coolant, the radiator may be causing your car to overheat.

2. Low Coolant Levels

Low coolant or antifreeze levels can cause your car’s coolant system to fail. When your car’s cooling system isn’t working correctly, it can’t pull enough heat from the engine, and your car will overheat.

Your car’s coolant levels may be too low because of:

• A leak in the system
• Blockages in the system
• Air in the system

If your car’s coolant levels are too low, you can top off the levels. Check your owner’s manual for directions on how to refill or top off your coolant, or take your car to a trusted mechanic for the job.

3. Low Oil

Motor oil helps keep your car cool by minimising friction. However, if oil levels are too low, too much friction can cause your car to overheat.

Your oil levels may be low because of:

• A leak
• Problems with the engine

Sometimes, a car’s engine burns oil because its internal seals are worn or damaged. As a result, leaks aren’t always obvious. Severe leaks will leave black splotches or puddles on the ground, but you may not notice a smaller leak.

If low oil is causing your car to overheat, your best bet is to bring it to a mechanic.

4. Hoses or Belts that Aren’t Working Properly

Cars have belts and hoses that help keep their systems running smoothly, including their cooling system.

Belts push power to your car’s fans, air conditioning system and charging system. Heater and radiator hoses transport coolant to and from the radiator, engine and heater. If any of these components are worn or damaged, your car’s cooling system may not work correctly.

Overheating is typically caused by issues with your car’s cooling system. In many cases, these issues can be prevented with simple maintenance. However, if your vehicle is overheating, we can help. Bring your vehicle into Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical, call us at (07) 4941 7313, or contact us today.