Log Book Servicing Myths Debunked

Think that buying a new car means expensive log book servicing that can only be carried out at the dealership? Think again. While most dealerships would prefer you to return to their workshop for your car's regular minor or major services (and may even tell you that you will void the warranty if you don't), it's not a mandatory requirement and it won't affect your car's warranty.

The Trade Practices Act prevents the practice of exclusive dealing by attaching conditions to the sale of goods that restrict the buyer's freedom of choice to deal with whom or in what they choose. Essentially this means that a vehicle manufacturer cannot specify that you must have your car serviced by a particular dealer or group of dealers as part of the warranty conditions. Nor can a manufacturer void a warranty simply because a vehicle owner has chosen to have a vehicle serviced outside the dealer network. It's great news for new car owners who wish to take their pride and joy to their regular, trusted mechanic who offers log book servicing. 

So what's the big deal with log book servicing anyway and why is it so important? Think of your car service log book as a maintenance schedule outlining the best way to keep your car in tip top shape. Log book servicing is carried out to manufacturers’ specifications using parts and lubricants that meet or exceed OEM standards, allowing you to maintain your new car warranty. A car that has had its proper log book services done on time will drive better, have better fuel efficiency and last longer. A proper car service log book history also preserves your car’s warranty and improves its resale value.

What can you expect with a log book service? A full service will include fluid level checks and/or changes depending on the system. Among other things, it will also pick up any potential cooling system issues and check on the condition of brake pads and battery condition. 

It's worth noting, however, that a vehicle manufacturer can refuse a warranty claim when you have not kept up the recommended maintenance (or not kept your receipts or log book as proof), or where inappropriate work has been carried out, or when a non-genuine replacement part has failed or caused damage to the vehicle. So no matter where you choose to have your car serviced, ensure that the business is licensed and that details of your service are recorded in the car service log book.

If you don't yet have a regular mechanic and are looking for a car care centre, Browns Plains delivers with Steve Sorensen Mechanical. Browns Plains auto shop Steve Sorensen Mechanical was established in 1996 and started out as a one-man workshop. Steve quickly gained a reputation as an honest and hard-working tradesman and now has a loyal base of customers who appreciate the workshop team's reliable, trustworthy, professional and quality service. Talk to the team today about maintaining your log book service schedule.

Customer Satisfaction Drives Success

One of the best things any motorist can do is develop a good relationship with their mechanic. When you want to get the most out of your car, forming a great relationship with an auto shop and mechanic you can trust will help give you peace of mind and extend the life of your vehicle. 

The team at Logan auto service shop Steve Sorensen Mechanical understands this. They know that the modern motorist who is often pressed for time needs a one-stop-shop for car services and auto repairs that they can rely on. Reliable, trustworthy and professional workmanship combined with a strong customer focus has made this Logan auto repair business the preferred choice for local motorists for more than 20 years.

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, you can trust your new or used vehicle will be in good hands. The clean and modern Logan auto repair and service workshop is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, with staff receiving ongoing training to ensure their skills are kept up to date with the latest industry developments. The fully qualified mechanics service most makes of cars, 4WDs and light commercial vehicles. They specialise in logbook servicing and general servicing and maintenance, as well as safety certificates, brake and clutch repairs, cooling system repairs, automatic transmission servicing, steering and suspension repairs, batteries and pre-purchase inspections. All parts and lubricants used meet or exceed OEM standards.

But wait, there's more. Steve Sorensen Mechanical can also lend a hand with pre-purchase inspections for those looking to buy a car. With their trained technicians running an eye over your potential purchase before giving you some open and honest feedback, they could save you from thousands of dollars of anguish. The team strongly encourages you to undertake a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before agreeing to buy a car, reminding you that a current Safety Certificate only means a vehicle is safe to drive on the road; it does not tell you a vehicle’s service history or any upcoming costs.

If you're looking for a reliable Logan auto service and repair shop where the staff are just as passionate about your car as you are, look no further than Steve Sorensen Mechanical.

When your car speaks in a foreign language…

For those of us who aren’t trained mechanics, it can be confusing and difficult to understand the inner workings of a vehicle. Gone are the days of lifting the hood and doing a bit of tinkering when things go wrong. In fact, most people don’t realise they have a problem until the car begins to run badly or the dreaded engine warning light turns on. The modern car is a complex engineering system that requires the skills of a qualified professional to diagnose and restore.

The modern car features an engine control unit (ECU). This closed-loop control system performs millions of calculations each second and is responsible for everything from deciding on the best spark plug timing to determining how long the fuel injector is open. It gathers data from dozens of sensors, manages emissions and fuel economy, and even knows coolant temperature and the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. When something goes awry with this intricate control system, your car may experience some of the following:

• difficulty starting
• loss of performance
• poor fuel efficiency
• engine misfires or overheating
• illumination of the ‘check engine’ light.

While these are the visible signs that something is amiss, your car’s ECU has probably been trying to communicate these warning signals for some time in what is known as engine code – the language of your vehicle diagnostics system. Don’t speak engine code? Don’t worry; when it comes to vehicle diagnostics, the team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical has you covered.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical offers full electronic vehicle diagnostics among its comprehensive suite of vehicle maintenance services. Their technicians use the latest diagnostic equipment and scan tools to provide real-time diagnostics and troubleshooting data. This specialised equipment listens directly to you car in its own language which is then translated by the expert technicians who will talk back to the on-board computer and adjust the programming. This allows the team to narrow down potential causes for problems and offer the best and most cost-effective solutions to ensure you get back on the road sooner.

To stay ahead of the game when it comes to the latest in vehicle maintenance services, the team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical frequently attends specialised training programs. This means you’ll always receive the most cutting edge service available to your vehicle, no matter the make or model.

If your car is acting strangely, running rough, making unusual sounds or just not driving the way it felt before, leave vehicle diagnostics to the experts. Chat to the team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical today.

Finding the right mechanic is the key to staying on the road

In an era when few people understand their vehicle’s workings, it pays to know how to find the right local auto repair shop to keep you up and running.

With more than 30 years experience in the business, Browns Plains auto shop owner Steve Sorensen knows that finding the right mechanic can be as important as finding the right doctor. Steve, who runs Steve Sorensen Mechanical, has gained a reputation as an honest and hard-working tradesman and businessman. He knows what it takes to win customers and keep them coming back.

So, what sets local auto repair workshops like Steve’s apart from the rest? And when should you call upon your local mechanic? It’s a good idea to start looking around for an auto shop before you actually need one. You are more likely to make reasonable and sound decisions when not faced with the stressful situation of a broken down car in need of urgent repairs.

Check the phone directory for a listing of local auto repair shops and ask family and friends for recommendations. A business bustling through word-of-mouth recommendations usually has a sterling reputation for a reason. Don’t be afraid to visit the workshop and chat to the staff about the business and what it offers. Is the workshop clean and orderly? What equipment is available and how up-to-date is the technology? Are the mechanics willing to take the time to answer questions and talk to you about your car and any repairs in terms you will understand?

Ask about parts. Some mechanics only use factory parts, others use aftermarket parts. Both come with a different price tag, so ask the mechanic their preference and why. While you’re at it, ask about warranty? A great mechanic has no problem backing up their work with a warranty or guarantee.

Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as awards and ratings, as well as evidence of qualified technicians in the form of certificates and diplomas.

Test drive the local auto repair shop you’re leaning towards. Bring your car in for something minor such as an oil change or tyre rotation before you commit to a complete overhaul. This will help you gain a better feel for the quality of the shop’s work and how staff treat their customers.

Finally, reward good service with repeat business. Your local auto repair shop will appreciate the feedback and you will both reap the rewards of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between mechanic and customer.

Browns Plains Mechanic Provides One-Stop Shop for Car Lovers

If you are searching for a high-quality, low cost car care centre, Browns Plains business Steve Sorensen Mechanical may have what you’re looking for. From a simple car brake service to the most complex of mechanical repairs, Steve Sorensen Mechanical has it all.

Built on a strong foundation of top quality work at a reasonable price, the business is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to keep their car in top condition.

Operating out of a clean and modern workshop featuring the latest diagnostic equipment, Steve Sorensen Mechanical specialises in minor, major and logbook servicing, repairs and maintenance, brake and clutch repairs, safety certificates, timing belt replacements and automatic transmission servicing. The friendly, reliable and hard-working staff can also help with steering and suspension repairs, batteries and cooling systems.

With modern vehicles incorporating an ever-growing number of computer systems, Steve Sorensen Mechanical’s theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic vehicle diagnostics is also crucial. Using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and scan tools to diagnose these complex systems, the staff ensure today’s vehicles stay on the road – and off the hoist.

Another special feature of the business is its pre-purchase inspections, offering potential vehicle buyers valuable piece of mind. As part of the inspection, Steve Sorensen Mechanical technicians will thoroughly inspect any vehicle and give an honest opinion of its condition. Safety Certificates only guarantee the vehicle is safe to drive on the road and do not take into account how well the vehicle has been serviced and cared for or identify any upcoming maintenance costs or issues.

The Steve Sorensen Mechanical team also stress the importance of regular vehicle maintenance. While many people try to save money by skipping regular services, including some specialisations such as a car brake service, it ends up costing them more in the long run. With the business’ technicians given ongoing training to ensure they are constantly kept up to date with the latest industry developments, there is no shortage of knowledge inside the workshop.

The quality of the workmanship is reflected in the business’ induction into the Logan West Leader Business Achiever Awards Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Quite simply, the trusty team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical prides itself on professional workmanship and excellent customer service. It is the smart, cost effective alternative to sterile, money-grabbing dealerships.

If you’re looking for a car care centre, Browns Plains workshop Steve Sorensen Mechanical is the ideal choice.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical Team Makes Life Easy

It can be hard finding a top notch local auto repair business to look after your pride and joy. I had the same problem – until I found Browns Plains car service centre Steve Sorensen Mechanical.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been to a few different mechanics over the years. Across Brisbane and southeast Queensland in general, there are hundreds of car service centres itching to snare your business and take you for a ride. I’d tried a handful through things like shop-a-dockets and found none that took my fancy. They all seemed impersonal and only wanted to get you in and out as quickly as possible so they could work on the next vehicle. Most importantly, their communication skills were terrible – I could have been paying for heart surgery for all I knew.

That’s why I like the team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical – a local auto repair centre that cares about more than just making a quick buck. From the first time I walked in there I could see the business was friendly, well-run and highly professional, while the staff members were knowledgeable. It took just a few minutes for me to realise this was a local auto repair shop like no other. I could even see it in the reception, where they proudly displayed a host of Logan West Leader Business Achiever Awards.

I think one of the things that impressed me most was the clean and modern workshop. I’m no expert but I could see it had all the latest diagnostic equipment and one of the staff mentioned to me that the people employed in the workshop received on-going training to ensure they were always up-to-date with the latest developments within the industry. Steve Sorensen Mechanical was quite simply a Browns Plains car service with a difference.

There was certainly no shortage of services on offer either. From major and minor services and repairs and maintenance work to electronic vehicle diagnostics and pre-purchase inspections, there seemed to be nothing the staff couldn’t do. Brake and clutch repairs, safety certificates, timing belt replacement, batteries, cooling systems and automatic transmission servicing also formed part of the business. The Browns Plains car service centre used parts or lubricants which met or exceeded original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards, which allowed me to maintain my new car warranty and gave me valuable piece of mind.

The staff kept me updated on the progress of my car every step of the way, which was a welcome change to previous experiences I’d had at other businesses. I was given all the information I needed to feel at ease that my vehicle was in safe hands. When I picked up my car, it ran like a dream and crucially, the service did not cost me an arm and a leg.

I really couldn’t recommend Browns Plains car service centre Steve Sorensen Mechanical highly enough. It gave me everything I was looking for in a local auto repair shop.

Knowledge Key to Power at Steve Sorensen Mechanical

The team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical knows its stuff.

From the minor to the major, the Browns Plains mechanic has it covered, stressing the importance of regular maintenance as key to a vehicle’s performance.

While many people try to keep cash in their pocket by avoiding a trip to the mechanic for a service, Steve Sorensen and his hard-working staff know it ends up costing more in the long run. When oil is not regularly changed, contaminates thicken it, causing blockages it critical oil passages and robbing the engine of much-needed lubrication.

But the wealth of knowledge at Steve Sorensen Mechanical does not end there – they know exactly what your car needs to maintain its warranty. Using parts and lubricants that meet or exceed OEM standards, the team carries out services to manufacturers’ specifications at designated intervals to keep the warranty valid. It is simply a more affordable way to get your car serviced than at a costly dealership.

If you’re looking to buy a car, the Steve Sorensen workshop can also lend a hand with its pre-purchase inspections. With their trained technicians running an eye over your potential purchase before giving you some open and honest feedback, they could save you from thousands of dollars of anguish. The team strongly encourages you to undertake a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before agreeing to buy a car, reminding you that a current Safety Certificate only means a vehicle is safe to drive on the road; it does not tell you a vehicle’s service history or any upcoming costs.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical’s know-how is also evident when taking a look at the list of services offered by the business. The seemingly never-ending list includes minor and major services, logbook services, automatic transmission servicing, repairs and maintenance, brake and clutch repairs and safety certificates. Electronic vehicle diagnostics, steering and suspension repairs, timing belt replacements, batteries and cooling systems are also available at Steve Sorensen Mechanical, which is open from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

And the business’ entry into the Quest Newspapers Business Achiever Awards Hall of Fame in 2012, which came after winning five awards in six years, is testament to the quality of the work.

So if you’re in Browns Plains - car service needed – it’s a no-brainer; Steve Sorensen Mechanical is the way to go.

Stay on the Road with Steve Sorensen Mechanical

The true car enthusiast expects only the best when it comes to maintaining their pride and joy. Steve Sorensen Mechanical, Logan’s Auto Service professionals, understands your passion for your vehicle.

Locals Steve and Robyn opened the business in 1996 as a one-man workshop. As an A-Grade mechanic, Steve quickly gained a reputation for hard and honest workmanship. Steve Sorensen Mechanical has since developed into a family business with sons Brendan and Scott joining the trade, while Robyn assists in the office.

With a modern workshop equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, Steve Sorensen Mechanical prides itself on professional workmanship and outstanding customer service. The team offers an economical alternative to dealership servicing and repairs without compromising the level of service.

Scheduled car servicing is vital for keeping your vehicle safe and long-lasting. At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, you can trust your new or used vehicle will be in good hands. The team services most makes of cars, 4WDs and light commercial vehicles. They specialise in logbook servicing and general servicing and maintenance, as well as safety certificates, brake and clutch repairs, cooling system repairs, automatic transmission servicing, steering and suspension repairs, batteries and pre-purchase inspections. All parts and lubricants used meet or exceed OEM standards.

Finding the right mechanic is key to keeping your car running smoothly for years to come. Working with an honest and skilled mechanic will also save you dollars, and unnecessary heartache, in the long term. The team at Steve Sorensen Mechanical are as passionate about your car as you are. Staff take a keen interest in all things automotive and mechanical, taking part in regular ongoing training to ensure they are at the top of their fields and ahead of the industry standard. They’ll keep your ride on the road without taking you for a ride in the process.

If you’re looking for a Logan auto shop offering quality workmanship and honest advice, speak to the professionals at Steve Sorensen Mechanical today on 3809 2711 or stop by the workshop between 7am-5pm Monday to Friday at 1/7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains. Visit them online at www.stevesorsensenmechanical.com.au.