Car care,in plain words.

Most pads have a small metal tab that squeals when they wear thin. That squeal is the warning, and it usually gives you a few weeks. If the squeal turns into a grinding sound, the pad is gone and metal is touching the disc: that wears the discs fast and costs more to fix.

Other signs: the pedal feels soft or sinks, the car pulls to one side when you brake, or the steering wheel shakes when you slow from speed. Each one is worth a check.

How long pads last depends on how and where you drive. Lots of stop-start driving wears them faster than open-road kilometres. We measure them at every service and tell you roughly how much life is left, so it’s never a surprise.

You don’t have to go back to the dealer to keep your new-car warranty. Under Australian Consumer Law, an independent workshop can service your car, as long as the service follows the manufacturer’s schedule and uses parts and fluids that meet their specifications.

We follow your logbook, use parts to the right specification and stamp the book, so your service history stays complete for the warranty and when you sell.

Automatic gearboxes run on fluid that cools, cleans and lets the gears change smoothly. Over time it breaks down and collects wear particles. Old fluid is one of the most common reasons for slipping, late or harsh gear changes.

Changing the fluid and filter at the interval in your logbook costs far less than repairing a gearbox. If yours already feels off, bring it in early: the sooner it’s looked at, the more likely a service is all it needs.