The debate as to whether we should go to our car dealer or an independent mechanic for our new vehicle log book service is one that has people split, usually due to lots of misconceptions.

See, most car dealers will have you believe that your new car warranty will be void if you don’t return to the dealer for your services and choose to go with an independent mechanic instead. This is not always the case and depending on your state, there are consumer laws that override whatever fine print a dealer puts on their paperwork.

So, if that’s not the case, we need to weigh up the pros and cons of each. Why choose and independent mechanic?

Pricing is one of the biggest differences. Your local mechanic is, in most cases, always going to be cheaper than returning to your dealer. In this day and age, many of us are trying to stick to a budget and using an independent mechanic gives you the freedom to shop around for the best price. Customer service also plays a big part in the decision. You are never going to get the same level of personalized service from a large dealership that you get from a smaller business.

Many people also fall victim to the misconception that a dealer mechanic has more expertise than your local guy. This is far from the case! Having a big, well-known name doesn’t automatically equal ‘expertise’ and in a lot of cases, quite the opposite is the case.

So, if you are in need of a new car log book service in Perth, the expert team at Autorite have got you covered! If you have any questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Wheel balancing is an important part of maintaining your car and should not be neglected. Here are the four most important reasons for having wheel balancing performed on your car.

1. Fuel Economy

If your axle is aligned incorrectly, this can drastically influence rolling resistance which can increase your fuel consumption. When a wheel alignment or balance is performed correctly, the weight of your wheels and tires will be evenly distributed, lowering rolling resistance ensuring you get the most km’s out of your tank.

2. Tire Tread Wear

Improper tire alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely. Depending on how the tires are angled determines in which way the tires wear out. If the tires are angled inwards or outwards too far, this can cause the tread to wear out more quickly on either the inside or outside and so on.

3. Shock Absorbers

The condition of your shock absorbers can affect your wheel balance and vice versa. One issue that may arise is what’s known as ‘cupping’ where the car bounces up and down along the road. This can be caused by an incorrect wheel balance and can have a roll-on affect to your suspension that will cost you more to fix in the long run.

4. Steering

One of the most common side effects of a poor wheel alignment is your steering will pull in one direction. This can also be an indication of a failed or excessively worn steering or suspension component, and should be checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Usually, however a wheel balance will fix the problem.

If you are looking for a professional mechanic to perform a wheel balance on your vehicle, our Perth based team can help. Contact us today!

Car services can generally be divided up into two category types: there are the minor services and there are the major services. Major services are typically performed every thirty to forty-five thousand kilometres while minor services are generally conducted every ten to fifteen thousand kilometres: this is, however, dependent on your vehicle’s make and model manufacturer

In essence, minor car services are generally rather fast and typically conducted quickly: taking as little as an hour and a half, these particular car services generally only include the changing out of both oil and oil filters, in addition to a few other minor tasks and inspections that need to be performed. As their name implies, they lie in stark contrast to the more costly and comprehensive procedures that require additional time as a core component of a major car service. Despite that fact that these two services may differ greatly on the base of your vehicle’s make and model, the importance of regularly scheduled minor servicing cannot be understated: they are integral to maintaining the consistently safe and optimal functioning of any given vehicle. Extensive mechanical repairs are often needed when the time arises and expert brake services should often be undertaken. However, minor car services ensure your ride is as smooth, safe, and efficient as possible.

For the most basic models in the most competitive areas, prices of a minor servicing in Perth start from as little as $140 and cover a wide array of components including:

• Oil and oil filter replacement
• Belt and hose inspection
• Brake services and brake fluid checks
• Topping up fluids
• Air conditioning operation checks
• Cooling system tests
• Comprehensive checks of battery, exhaust, steering, suspension and transmission systems
• Thorough light and tyre inspections
• Checking both windscreen wipers and washers, in addition to both air and fuel filters

It can be incredibly tempting to put off servicing your car – especially when budgets are tight and time is short. In fact, many Perth motorists believe that stretching the time between services is not much of a big deal; that they will get around to it eventually. But what does it actually mean to ignore the fact that a comprehensive car service is due or actively avoid those routine maintenance services?

In the long run, the implications of not having your car regularly serviced are vast in number and range in importance: it can end up costing you a tremendous amount of both time, money and stress – all things that could have easily been avoided. There are also major safety implications in delaying required car services: you aren’t only hurting your car, you are also putting yourself, your passengers and everyone else out there on the roads at a significant risk.

Having your car regularly serviced effectively helps to make sure that your vehicle is operating at optimal levels: that is, in the most reliable, safe, and efficient manner possible. Regular car services are quite possibly the sole most influential factor in determining just how long your car will last you – in addition to how well it will continue to safely and consistently perform over the course of its lifespan. Regular car services not only extend the longevity of your car’s life: they also ensure the safety of your ride. Careful attention is paid to a vehicle’s numerous components, parts, and systems whenever regular car services are performed. Ultimately, this ensures that any potential problem or safety risk can be both identified and repaired as early as possible – long before significant stressors start affecting your vehicle’s performance and cause costly breakdowns as well as inconvenient and potentially dangerous system malfunctions.

When it comes time to repairing your car, it might be tempting to put these services off – especially if your car isn’t majorly damaged or in need of significant repairs or mechanical overhauls. This temptation rises even further once you take into account how expensive and costly car repairs can be – not to mention how time consuming and inconvenient the entire process ends up being. For some people in Perth, their car is their only form of viable transport to and from work; for others, it serves as their livelihood and means of earning an income. Time away from the car means time away from work; and as we all know, time away from work means less money. With so many bills on the table already – rent, mortgage, utilities, food, and everyday expenditure – repairing your car could be the last thing on your list of things you can actually afford. However, putting off repairing your car could end up costing you even more money down the track – even taking into account those hefty mechanic fees.

Driving a damaged vehicle effectively results in significantly compromised and inefficient functioning: it can even exacerbate already existing problems and lead to new and more expensive ones – in addition to compounding significant damage. Built up oil sludge acts as a gel, sticking to your car’s engine and inhibiting smooth and regular oil flow throughout your vehicle. The end result? Over stressed engine oil that works at polluting your engine and making your car work even harder than it should. Forced to work overtime, a car in desperate need of repair will cause excessive and unnecessary wear and tear to its own systems, leading to even greater repairs – not to mention blown running costs – when it comes time to drag it into a car mechanic.