7 Signs Your Car Needs an Automatic Transmission Service

The transmission is the gearbox of your car. But a lot of people forget just how important a regular automatic transmission service is – and they suddenly remember when they bring it in for an automatic transmission repair!

At Steve Sorensons Mechanical, we always recommend an auto pre purchase inspection. This is because the last thing you want is to buy a second hand car and have to pay for an automatic transmission repair.

So here are 7 signs that your car (or a car you want to buy) needs an automatic transmission service.

1.    Check engine light: Sounds simple but the check engine light goes on for a number of different reasons, and one of them is a problem with your transmission. So an overall check including an automatic transmission service can save you a lot of money down the road.

2.    Slipping gears: In an automatic, if it feels like the gears are changing at the wrong time or too often this can be a serious safety issue. Slipping gears can be a safety issue.

3.    Slow engagement:  When you put your automatic in Drive and hit the gas, if there is a delay in moving - then there could be a problem with your transmission. Avoid a costly automatic transmission repair bill and have a check up soon.

4.    A burnt smell: This could be your transmission fluid. And means that your transmission is overheating and the fluid is getting very hot. Book it in and get it checked.

5.    Leaking fluid: This is one of the easiest problems to notice. Automatic transmission fluid is bright red so spotting a leak is easy. Another sign of a leak is if you need to top-up your transmission frequently.

6.    Jarring transmission changes: In an automatic, the gear changes are very smooth. If you feel anything other than a smooth transmission – get it checked out.

7.    Car does not move: This is another easy one! If you put your car in Drive or Reverse and hit the gas – if the car stays right where it is (you did take the brake off didn’t you?) – then you might just have a problem with the transmission.

So call us for your next auto pre purchase inspection or automatic transmission service or repair on 07 3809 2711, fill in our online enquiry form or drop in for a chat at Unit 1/7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains, QLD 4118.

The Beginner’s Guide to a Car Brake Service

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, our clients ask us a lot of good questions. But there tends to be three common themes – leaks, weird noises and brakes. And it is the third topic we are going to take a look at today. Specifically – a car brake service or an auto brake service.

A car brake service comes under the umbrella of vehicle maintenance services and can also be part of a good pre purchase inspection.

So let’s talk about the common brake jobs we do here at Sorensen’s:

 Replacing brake pads: This is a quick job and many people try this at home. The problem with just replacing the pads is that this can be only half of the problem. That squealing you hear when you put your foot on the brake can be caused by a combination of worm brake pads and rotors. So just replacing the pads might not fix the problem.

 Replacing brake pads and rotors: The brake pads are seated on the rotors and depending on how worn they are, they may also need to be replaced. But sometimes they are too worn and they just have to be replaced as part of your auto brake service.

If you leave it too long to replace your brakes, then they will eventually fail. Here are 5 signs you need a car brake service:

 Your brake light comes on! But quite often this is only for the front brakes – so if your back brakes are the problem you the break light won’t tell you this.

 You are taking longer to stop than usual.

 Your brake pads are less than 6mm thick – you might need to remove the tyre to see this. Check both the inside and the outside pads for wear.

 At first you will hear a high pitched squeal when you touch the brakes, but as they continue to wear you will hear a grinding sound.

 Your car pulls left or right when driving or braking. This could indicate a problem with the brake system, the tyres or your suspension. Best to have an auto brake service to find out for sure.

So give a call for all your pre purchase inspections and vehicle maintenance services or if you think you need a car brake service.

Please Call us on 07 3809 2711, fill in our online enquiry form or drop in for a chat at Unit 1/7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains, QLD 4118.

How To Tell IF You Need Your Car Breaks Repaired

Most of us have been in that dreaded situation where you’re driving your car through town, go to stop at a sign or stop light and hear a loud, sharp screeching sound coming from your breaks. Many people will try to carry on through their day, ignoring the sound that they had heard earlier, as they might think its not a big deal or a hassle to take the car in to be checked. Unfortunately, the longer you go without having a mechanic look at your car, the more damage you may be causing to your breaks and your vehicle.

If you hear a squealing sound coming from your breaks, you may very likely need car brake service. That high-pitched squeal is a warning coming directly from your breaks, which may or may not also be accompanied by the feeling of your breaks grinding. The breaks are the most important part of the vehicle and it is essential that they work for your safety and the safety of others who are on the road. Any changes in the way they are sounding or functioning should cause you to seek out a car mechanics service.  

If you have been putting off those brake and clutch repairs due to lack of funds or time to take it in to shop, don’t delay any further. What may be a simple, quick and inexpensive fix could become an expensive job if left unchecked. You may cause extensive, and expensive, damage to your car and break system by neglecting to have them looked at immediately. 

The best way to keep your vehicle in great shape and working properly is to have regular maintenance completed and to promptly take care of any parts of the car that aren’t working as they should. This is extremely important as it will help you to avoid unnecessary accidents while on the road, keeping yourself and other people around you safe. The next time you happen to hear your breaks squealing as you come to a stop, make sure to get them checked out and repaired immediately. It is simply not worth the risk. 

We’ll Help You Stay on the Road with Professional Transmission Services

Neglecting to take care of your vehicle's transmission can causes problems similar to  the kind of medical issues affecting your health when you neglect to eat right, exercise and drink plenty of water. You start to lose steam,  leak fluids and chug along until you can't function anymore.  Since transmissions can't take care of themselves like we can, it is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle receives regular automatic transmission service upgrades so that it doesn't suffer from "chugging". 

While many car parts (including the engine) usually make alarmingly loud noises when needing repaired or replaced, transmissions could be considered an automobile's "silent killer" because they tend to quietly exhibit mechanical problems before totally giving out.  For example, low transmission fluid due to leaky, worn-out hoses can make your car act like it is in neutral. You press on the gas--and nothing. No movement and no noise --only the sound of your engine revving.

Experiencing gear slippage while driving can be frightening, especially when motoring down the freeway and traffic is bumper to bumper.  Finding the reason behind slipping gears requires that an experienced automatic transmission service technician perform manual and diagnostic tests on your transmission to pinpoint slippage problems associated with mechanical distress, parts degradation or lack of sufficient transmission fluid.

Waiting until your transmission is on the verge of gasping for the last time can result in expensive and sometimes lengthy repairs that will leave you without transportation or force you to rent another vehicle. Avoid future transmission problems by taking your car to a dependable and reputable transmission service in Browns Plains. At Steve Sorenson Mechanical, we treat customers like one of the family and understand how important it is to have reliable transportation when you need to get to work, pick up children or do necessary shopping.

Don't let costly transmission repairs and the stress of getting stranded without transportation ruin your day. Call Steve Sorenson Mechanical today at (07) 3809-2711 to make an appointment or fax Steve at (07) 3800-7171. While on Facebook, you can visit our Facebook page or simply stop in at our Browns Plains Centre at your convenience. 

Simplyfying Car Diagnostics

Most motorists know that car engines are controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU), but how many realise that a modern car has more computing capability than the Apollo spacecraft that travelled to the moon. In fact, many cars have up to fifty microprocessors, which control the different electrical systems in the car linked together by a CANbus communication protocol. 

In many cars, almost every electrical piece of equipment is controlled by an ECU, even interior lights and headlamps. When a component malfunctions, it is no longer a case of tracing the wiring back through the switch to the fuse and to the battery. Sadly, all the average motorist can do is to replace a burnt bulb and check the oil. 

Despite this, advances in automotive engineering mean that cars are more reliable as their electronic systems are robust and self diagnostic capabilities alert drivers to potential problems so that they can be repaired before a breakdown occurs. Engine ECUs are so clever that when they detect an unsafe condition they will cut engine power and allow the motorist to get home safely without ruining the engine. 

Does this level of technology mean that motorists have to have their cars serviced and repaired by appointed dealers? Manufacturers would like them to believe that. 

But the truth is that, thanks to the American EPA, nearly all vehicles have standard OBD-II ECU connectors and manufacturers have defined protocols for their cars. This allows local auto repair centres to use universal diagnostic equipment to perform vehicle diagnostics on all makes of vehicle. 

Steve Sorensen Mechanical, an award winning local car care centre in Brown Plains specialises in vehicle diagnostics, car service, log book service, and other repairs. Their highly trained staff excels in the diagnosis and repair of electrical faults on all makes of cars, while their first class auto mechanic service professionally carries out all other car repairs. 

Contact Steve Sorensen Mechanical now. They are located in Unit #1, 7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains, QLD 4118 or make a booking by phoning on (07) 3809 2711 or through their website.

Surviving Major Car Repairs

It's a sad fact in life that even the most reliable car is going to break down at some point and be in need of major car service. Log book watchers who take their car in for every single scheduled maintenance are not completely immune either. Automobiles are simply not built to last forever, and those major car repairs are something that every car owners dreads. These car repairs may consist of repairs to a vehicle's engine, transmission, and more. These mechanical problems always seem to occur at the worst time, and they can take up a lot of time and money. It is no wonder as to why these events are so stressful in life. However, these events don't have to be as stressful! In fact, getting through a major car repair is much easier thanks to repair shops like Steve Sorensen Mechanical.

When taking a vehicle in for a major repair, one of the biggest fears that car owners have is that something will go wrong with the major car service. Logan Qld has multiple auto repair shops, however, not every repair shop offers the same quality of repair. A repair that is performed poorly can make matters worse, and later lead to additional repairs. Taking a vehicle into the right repair shop like Steve Sorensen is important for peace of mind, as Steve Sorensen Mechanical has been in existence for over 15 years.

In addition to performing the job correctly, the other biggest fear that car owners have with any major repair is the overall cost of the service. And while there is no avoiding the fact that some repairs may be quite costly wherever a vehicle is taken to, Steve Sorensen Mechanical stands out as being an auto repair shop that offers excellent service, with prices that are very reasonable, making this business an excellent car care centre. Browns Plains citizens have themselves an excellent mechanic in town.

To learn more about Steve Sorensen Mechanical, check out www.stevesorensenmechanical.com.au. In addition, this business may be reached via telephone or in person from 7:30AM through 5:00PM on Mondays through Fridays.

Alternatives to Major Car Service in Logan QLD

Cars, an essential part of daily life, are more complex than ever before. Gone are the days when car owners could repair vehicles at the side of the road. A car should be well maintained, which is why it’s necessary to choose a reputable service centre for a major car service in Logan, Qld.

Some new car warranties are as long as five years and, as owners are responsible for all service costs during that period, the cumulative cost of dealer servicing can be very expensive. Independent service centres offer a cheaper, more flexible alternative for Logan car service without invalidating the vehicle’s warranty.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical offers top quality work at a reasonable price. They have a clean, modern workshop equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment. Their professional team services vehicles to manufacturers specifications, while offering an independent 6 month / 10,000 km warranty.  All lubricants and parts supplied meet or exceed OEM standards. Their services include:

·       Major service

·       Minor service

·       Electronic vehicle diagnostics

·       Logbook servicing

·       Timing belt replacement

·       Automatic transmission service

·       Brake and clutch repairs

·       Suspension and steering repairs

·       Cooling system inspection

·       Battery service  

Steve Sorensen Mechanical has won the Quest Business Achiever award for Logan auto repairs five times between 2007 and 2012, demonstrating a commitment to service excellence.

They are one of the Logan car service facilities licensed to issue Safety Certificates. As an added value service they will perform a full pre-purchase inspection on any new or used vehicle, giving an honest opinion of the vehicle's condition.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical has an air conditioned waiting room for customers to while away the time during a major car service in Logan, Qld. Alternatively they can enjoy tea or coffee at the adjacent Village Square, or walk through to the Grand Plaza Shopping Centre to do their shopping.

Make a booking by phoning Steve Sorensen Mechanical on (07) 3809 2711, or visit at Unit 1, 7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains, Queensland 4118. Steve Sorensen Mechanical offers a top quality and reasonably priced Logan auto repair and Logan car service for all cars, 4WD and utility vehicles.