Monday, 15 December 2014

Browns Plains Auto Shop: The Benefits of an Auto Brake Service

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, Browns Plains auto shop we know the value of a well maintained vehicle. One of the most important maintenance tips we can give you is to have regular auto brake services, because these will help keep your vehicle safe for everyone involved.

Most of us take our brakes for granted, expecting them to work whenever we need them. If a car slows ahead of us, we know exactly when to start braking and don’t tend to question the why’s and how’s. A serious problem exists when our brakes fail, when we press the pedal and nothing happens – then we are in serious trouble.

So what are the real life benefits of an auto brake service?
 
  • Safety concerns: Keeping your family, yourself and other road users safe should be of prime importance to all vehicle owners and a well maintained vehicle is important to achieving this outcome. Having your brakes checked and an auto brake service performed at your local Browns Plains auto shop is just common sense. So if you have any concerns at all about your braking system, come in and chat to us and we can set out a regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle – for your peace of mind.
  • Cost concerns: If you leave it too late and your brakes fail, you can be up for a lot of money fixing the damage. Yes, brake pads will eventually wear out and rotors need to be replaced as well, but an auto brake service can pick these issues up and let you know when they need replacing, so you can plan your finances. It is much better to know that you need to replace your pads and discs in the next 6 months, rather than having to pay for costly repairs or accident damage, because you ignored the problem.
So if you are concerned about the safety of your vehicle and you want to enquire about an auto brake service or any of our other services, call us on 3809 2711 and let’s keep your family and yourself safe on the roads.

Monday, 17 November 2014

How to avoid automatic transmission failure

One of the biggest reasons to have an auto pre purchase inspection is to avoid unexpected and costly repairs once the car is in your name. Apart from needing to replace the entire engine (you did have an auto pre purchase inspection didn’t you?), one of the most costly problems we encounter at Steve Sorensen Mechanical is an automatic transmission repair job.

Of course, depending on what’s wrong, it might not be too expensive, but transmission problems can set you back quite a bit of change, so avoiding these sorts of problems is always the best course of action. The two best ways to avoid spending money on transmission repairs of course, is to have a pre purchase inspection and a regular transmission service.

Auto pre purchase inspections

Your mechanic will check a long list of items on the car to make sure that it is not only currently safe, but there are no hidden problems that may surface within the near future. Some of the issues that are checked include:

•    Making sure the odometer works and matches any service documents
•    Matching the VIN number and the registration
•    Is there any tampering with the compliance plates and any evidence of major accident damage?
•    Is the car on the written-off register?
•    Do the tyres have a legal tread, are the brakes working and safe?
•    Are there any oil, transmission or radiator leaks?
•    All hoses intact, lights and A/C working?
•    Seatbelts working, doors locking, lights working?
•    Is there any rust and is there evidence of previous rust that has been filled?
•    Are there any computer fault codes?
•    Does the car drive well?


Automatic transmission services

The vast majority of transmission failures are due to a lack of servicing and maintenance, so avoiding costly automatic transmission repairs is actually quite easy – make sure you have regular services on your transmission. Your transmission service includes, replacing the transmission fluid, inspecting the old oil for any residue that may indicate internal damage, replacing the filters, checking for leaks and a road test.

So if you want to prolong the life of your car and avoid expensive automatic transmission repairs, call us at Steve Sorensen Mechanical and book your car in ASAP.

Monday, 27 October 2014

5 maintenance tips to keep your car driving smoothly

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, we know that the cost of vehicle repairs and servicing can add up over time. The problem is that if you don’t take care of your car, those expenses can sky rocket and you can be out of pocket sooner rather than later.

Vehicle repairs and servicing
 
If you want to save money on costly repairs, then you need to have regular services to keep your car in tiptop shape. In between services, there are also other actions you can take, which will help to keep your car running smoothly. These are fairly inexpensive, when compared to vehicle repairs and servicing and will help to lengthen the life of your car.

So make sure you incorporate the following 5 tips into your maintenance schedule and help reduce your vehicle repairs and servicing costs.

1.    Check your brakes: Brake pads can be inexpensive to replace, but they can cause a lot of additional damage if you ignore the warning signs and end up with metal on metal.

2.    Check your oil: Not many people check their oil as often as they should. If you engine runs dry then you are really in trouble and I don’t want to tell you the cost of replacing an engine. So don’t go there. Check your oil at least monthly and keep it topped up with the correct oil for your engine.

3.   Check your tyres: Underinflated tyres cause your engine to burn more fuel, so check your tyre pressure monthly. Also rotate your tyres regularly to ensure an even wear.

4.   Check your coolant: If your engine overheats, you can be in big trouble so check the level of your coolant monthly and keep it topped up. 

5.   Check your air filters: Clogged filters can reduce the running efficiency of your engine and result in higher fuel costs. So check your filters and replace them when needed.

So if you want to avoid costly vehicle repairs and servicing, make sure that you keep your vehicle in good shape between your regular mechanical services. Call us on 07 3809 2711 for all your servicing and repair needs.

Friday, 26 September 2014

Benefits of using a local auto mechanic service

Maybe we are biased, but at Steve Sorensen Mechanical in Browns Plains, we believe that a local auto repair shop is a much better investment for vehicle owners, than a large dealership or a large chain. Your vehicle is your pride and joy and needs to be kept running safely with as few costly repairs as possible, so the auto mechanic service you select, must tick all the following boxes:

  • Cost: Without a doubt, car dealerships and large chains will charge a lot more to service or repair your car than your local auto repair shop. Cost, however isn’t always the defining factor on who you chose to service or repair your car. However, knowing that the costs are reasonable and you are not being over charged is a good feeling. I am not saying that car dealerships and large chains deceive you, but it is only sensible to compare costs and decide for yourself, how much you want to pay for services and repairs.
  •  Experience: Your local auto repair shop relies on the local community for their livelihood, so they are going to be highly experienced in all aspects of vehicle repairs and servicing. Most likely, you will find that the owner works in his own shop and gets his hands dirty every day. Compare this to the large chains who hire people with no real investment in the company or in the customers. At Steve Sorenson, we go out of our way to give you the best service and repairs possible and we even suggest ways you can save money and still keep your car running well. That’s because we have the experience and the desire to engage with our customers, unlike a hired hand in a large chain.
  •  Confidence: You need the confidence in knowing that the local auto repair shop you chose, has the experience and the knowledge to do a good job at a reasonable price. Local auto mechanic services remain in business because their customers keep coming back, year after year. They build a solid reputation in their local community and build their customer base via word of mouth and customer referrals. If a local mechanic is not good at his work and is too costly, he will not stay in business for long.

So if you are in the Browns Plains area, pop in and see us at Steve Sorensen Mechanical. We are well known in the local community and very competitively priced.  

How to tell when your car’s automatic transmission needs repairing

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical in Browns Plains, one of the most frequent services we do is an automatic transmission service. This is because our customers know that if they ignore problems and leave it too long, that automatic transmission repairs can be costly.

So it is always wise to have your automatic transmission serviced regularly. In between services however, there are certain signs that all is not well with your transmission and if any of the following occur, you need to book your car in as soon as you can, for at the least a service and at the worst, an auto transmission repair.

  • Engine warning light: If this is on, it doesn’t necessarily indicate something is wrong with your transmission, but if the engine light is on and you also have any of the other problems described below, then you need to book your vehicle in for a transmission check immediately. In fact, don’t ignore your engine light even if you don’t have any of these signs, something is wrong in your engine if this light is on and it needs to be investigated.

  • Vibrations: When the vehicle changes gears, it should be effortless and there should not be a shaking feeling or any vibrations felt at all. This can mean that your clutch is in trouble and is a clear indication that you need the problem investigated by an expert.

  • Leaking fluids: If you notice red oil leaking onto the ground, this could either be from your transmission fluid or your power steering system. So check both levels and keep an eye on them. If the leak is only small and both levels remain within good limits, then you have some time on your hands, but if either level drops below minimum, then it needs to be booked in and checked quickly. 

So there you have it. The best way to avoid costly automatic transmission repairs is to be vigilant, check your levels and if any of the signs above appear, talk to your mechanic and have the problem investigated by an expert.

Thursday, 28 August 2014

Expert Auto Repairs: Car Brake Service

Vehicle maintenance services, in particular car brake services, are essential to keeping ourselves, our families and everyone else on the road safe. Too often however, people either forget about having their vehicle serviced or just keep putting it off until a more convenient time.

We all need to find the right balance in life between being too busy and getting things done. It can be hard, especially if you are doing it tough, but sometimes there is no other way than to bite the bullet and book in for a vehicle maintenance service. You know it is the right thing to do, especially if you are due for a car brake service.

CAR BRAKE SERVICE

So how do you know that you need a car brake service? Well one of the best ways is to ask your mechanic – he or she can tell you how often you should have your brakes checked. Failing that, here are 5 reasons why you should definitely book your car in for a car brake service:

Noisy brakes – this can indicate worn brake pads or linings and you need to have them checked before the situation deteriorates to the point where you need major work done on your brakes.

Brake pedal sticks – if your brake pedal stays down when you put your foot on it or it is slow to release there may be a problem with the master cylinder – get it checked.

Vibrations – if your car or steering wheel starts to vibrate when you depress the brake, then it could be a whole host of problems – book it in for a service.

Pulling to one side – if your car pulls to one side when you depress the brakes you might just need a wheel alignment, but it could also be a problem with the calipers – call your mechanic and get it checked.

Locked up brakes – if your brakes lock when you depress the pedal, you might just have some grease or oil on the linings which can be easily fixed. Sometimes it can indicate something more sinister is wrong – so book it in for a check-up.

As you can see, there are many indications that something is going wrong before the point of no return. It’s important to not only your wallet that pick up on these signs, but it’s also vital to avoid serious accidents and injuries in the case of your brakes failing. So make sure to book in for a car brake service and head off any major costly in the future.

Call Steve Sorensen Mechanical in Browns Plains on 07 3809 2711 for all your vehicle maintenance services.

Looking For Vehicle Repairs Services In Browns Plains?

If you are looking for vehicle repairs and servicing in the Browns Plains area, then you have come to the right place. Car mechanics services are essential to the safety of your family and at Steve Sorensen Mechanical we love what we do. Steve Sorensen has been an A grade mechanic for more than 30 years and has been in the area for over 20 years. He owes his success to being honest, to being an expert mechanic and to being there for his clients when they need him.

Car mechanic’s service

If you own a car then vehicle repairs and servicing is just a part of life that we all have to do at some time or another. The good thing about a car mechanic’s service is that it minimises the risk of needing costly repairs. If you make sure to have your car checked and maintained by a reliable and trustworthy mechanic on a regular basis, then you can avoid having to pay for repairs that could have easily been avoided.

Lots of people try and perform their own vehicle repairs and servicing and there is nothing wrong with that – if they know what they are doing. Problems arise when something has been missed that could have been picked up by an experienced mechanic and then they end up emptying their wallets paying for costly repairs, that didn’t need to happen.

Another problem is that we are all so busy in our daily lives and even though we are full of good intentions, we just don’t seem to have the time to get around to servicing the car ourselves. That’s why it is important to know there is an experienced and trustworthy mechanic in the area, that will do the job right and at a reasonable cost.

Vehicle repairs and servicing

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical we provide vehicle repairs and servicing for clients in the Browns Plains and surrounding areas. We strive to excel at everything we do and take great pride in our work. If your vehicle needs a car mechanic’s service, call us and we will fit you in at a time that is suitable for all of us.

Without our clients, we would have no business, so we go out of our way to make sure that we meet your needs. If your car needs repairs, then we will take a look and give you an estimate of the costs involved. We are very reasonably priced and we have clients that have been coming to us for years – because we give value for money, every time.

So if you are searching for vehicle repairs and servicing in the Browns Plains area, call Steve on 3809 2711 and let’s get your car back on the road.