Vehicle checks for holiday road trip from Lawrence's Garage and Brake Service

Many Australians say that taking a family road trip across the country is a rite of passage. Driving through this vast land brings awareness to just how immense Australia really is. How about your car though?

Motoring holidays are an important and cherished part of Australian culture, but they don't always go smoothly. Making sure your vehicle is in tip top condition prior to taking a long drive can ensure that you are fully prepared to enjoy your getaway.

You can feel confident in knowing that our well-qualified mechanics can inspect every part of your car - regardless of make or model - ensuring everything is working correctly while also offering advice on how to keep it running at its best.

Are you on the level?

Your vehicle needs fluids to function properly. But there are plenty- with so many you can't always keep track of them. It's important to check fluid levels before driving off but during the busiest time of year- this is often overlooked until it's too late. We're here to save the day though- we offer 65 point vehicle inspections! Whether it's engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or even battery water levels; we'll take care of everything for you

Tyres

A regular inspection of your tyres is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle, and your family, safe on the roads. The cost of tyres makes them a major investment and good maintenance will extend their life and save you money. There are three main things to check when it comes to tyres:

Tyre Pressure
Tyre damage and irregular wearing.
Tread depth

Check your tyre inflation pressure

Your car tyres need air too! Check your tyre pressure weekly and always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cool (not after a long drive) and adjust it accordingly. Tyres which are under inflated increase the risk of blowouts due to heat stress and can increase your petrol costs by up to 3%. Tyres which are over-inflated also wear unevenly and have higher safety risks, so make sure they're at the right level. To find out what sort of air pressures you should be aiming for - just take one look in your glovebox or on the driver's door pillar where there will be an indication written down somewhere. Driving on non-fitted car tyres is bad news for both practicality and safety; but driving on less than optimum-pressured ones won't do them any favours either.

Check for tyre damage or irregular wearing

Regular tire inspections are needed to keep you safe and out of harm's way. Without this, there is an increased chance of blow outs or not being able to properly control your vehicle because of damaged tires which leads to a higher number of accidents every year in Australia. A simple way to inspect your tire is by looking for bulges, cracks, cuts or irregular wear such as worn down sides or in the middle only. These can be indicators that your vehicle's steering system, suspension system, or wheel alignment needs some adjustments. When this happens it compromises both your safety and the longevity of your tires which should be fixed immediately.

Check your tyre tread depth

In Australia, the minimum legal tread depth for new tyres is 1.6mm. Anything below this mark can seriously affect your braking and handling capabilities in wet weather - something that could even lead to hydroplaning at a speed as low as 35kmh (the point where one loses contact with the ground while driving). For those who cannot remember when they last changed their tyres, there are wear indicators within them which change color once they reach three millimeters of tread length. And though these are good for checking on levels of life left in a tyre; measuring the actual thickness of its rubber will require an external tool called a tread gauge. Be sure to measure both sides of every tire and keep an eye out for any irregularity within the patterns on all four tires before deciding whether or not it needs changing - because only then will you know what lies beneath and what might happen next!

Stop! Good brakes save lives

Speed limits, wildlife on the road, and towing are some of the many factors that make stopping distances and braking reliability more essential than ever.

Brake warning signs to watch out for:

Swerving While Braking
Vibration When Brakes Are Applied
Brake Pedal Feels Sticky
Brakes Produce Excessive Noise
Swerving While Braking
Vibration When Brakes Are Applied
Brake Light Remains On
Spongy Feel To Brake Pedal
Impaired Stopping Ability
Hard Feel To Brake Pedal

For safe driving, suspension and steering are just as important as good braking.

Your car's suspension system includes struts, shocks, springs and tires. They all work together to keep your car functioning optimally by staying in contact with the road, maintaining direction and reducing stopping distance when needed. A complete Repco 65 point inspection report will highlight any potential issues you may have with your car's suspension system as checks performed include; front and rear shocks, springs, mounts and shackles, suspension brushes and arms, steering rods, CV joints, tie rods etcetera.

Clear visibility is essential

Country driving tends to cover a lot of dirt, which is why it requires special attention when it comes time for a car inspection. You need to ensure that your headlights are pointing in the right direction and your windshield wipers are at peak performance before making any long trips out into the wilderness.

Lawrence's Garage and Brake Service vehicle inspection report

The professionals at Lawrence's Garage and Brake Service in Gunnedah can provide a detailed inspection report whenever they service your vehicle. This comprehensive report includes any issues that could escalate into major problems, providing you with ample time to address them before they impact on you and your family.

Book a vehicle inspection with the team at Lawrence's Garage and Brake Service prior to hitting the road to help prevent unwanted stops along the way!

Let's get started with your booking.

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Top tips for long drives on the open road

1. MINTIES COME IN HANDY - To temporarily fix a hole in your petrol or radiator tank, a half-chewed Mintie can act as a sufficient seal until you can limp to a service station or your local Repco Authorised Service centre.
2. BLOW-OUT - If this occurs, do not make sharp changes in direction, don't brake or use the clutch. Ease up on the accelerator and if the blow-out was a front wheel, use the handbrake (gently) to gradually slow the vehicle.
3. SLEEP AT HOME NOT AT THE WHEEL - Around 30% of serious crashes are the direct result of motorists who insist on driving on, even when they know they're too tired to continue.
4. TAKE YOUR TIME - You will use up to 25% less fuel traveling at 90km/h than you do at 110km/h.
5. CAR SICKNESS - To avoid it, try sitting in the most ‘stable' part of the vehicle. Don't move around too much and look at the horizon, rather than at the road or trees.
6. OVERTAKING - Before overtaking, take a glance over your shoulder to see if a car is in your ‘blind spot'. Remember it can take one and a half kilometres to overtake a truck traveling at 100km/h. Make sure you have a clear road ahead.

Lawrence's Garage and Brake Service

Are you ready for your road trip?