Blog
What a car safety check finds that you can’t see yourself
You feel a fault once it has already changed the way the car drives. A safety check finds it long before that, because most of what it looks at is measured with a gauge or checked with the wheels off the ground. Here is what each check is looking for, what it will not tell you, and the moments worth booking one for.
White smoke and a hot engine: is it the head gasket?
Coolant going down with nothing on the driveway is the sign most drivers miss. White smoke once the engine is warm, milky oil and bubbles in the radiator are the other three. One sign on its own usually is not the head gasket, so this piece sets out which cheaper faults copy each one.
Black smoke and hard starting: diesel warning signs
Black smoke from a diesel exhaust means unburnt fuel. A long crank on a cold morning usually means something else again. The useful part is that diesel symptoms come in clusters, and the cluster is what names the fault. Here is how to read yours, and which ones can wait.
Why does my car smell like burning?
Why does your car smell like burning? It usually means something is hot or rubbing. Here’s what rubber, oil, brake and electrical smells mean.
Why your steering wheel shakes at freeway speed
Steering wheel shaking above 90 on the freeway? Usually it’s wheel balance, alignment, a worn tyre or suspension. Learn how to tell which one.
Brake pedal feels different? When brake repair should not wait
A soft, grinding or vibrating brake pedal should not be ignored. VP Autocare explains when to book brake repair before driving further.
Your car is due for service, but what should the workshop check first?
Booking a car service in Tullamarine? Learn what to tell the workshop before servicing starts, especially if the car feels different.
Do you need a roadworthy certificate or a mechanical safety check?
Most LPG systems need a service every 12 months or 20,000 km. Spot the signs you’re overdue and learn about the 10-year cylinder requalification.
When does your LPG system need servicing?
Most LPG systems need a service every 12 months or 20,000 km. Spot the signs you’re overdue and learn about the 10-year cylinder requalification.
Why your car’s air conditioning isn’t cooling
Why your car aircon isn’t cooling, from refrigerant leaks to compressor failure. Australian repair costs and what to check first. Tullamarine mechanic.
Signs your fuel injectors need cleaning or replacing
Rough idle, poor fuel economy, or hesitation? These are signs of fuel injector problems. Here’s what to look for and what the fix costs.
Car ignition problems – what’s failing and what the repair costs
Engine won’t start or misfiring? Common car ignition problems explained, from coils to sensors, with Australian repair costs.
