Today we had a Toyota Rav 4 come in for a service and when we removed the
wheels we found that the front strut was leaking oil so bad that the front
tyre was covered in it ! [very dangerous]
Regards,
Grant Payne – Director
Mechanic Horror Story
Simple Battery Test
This simple battery test is carried out each and every time we service a customer’s vehicle, from this test we can see how well your battery is working and how much longer it will last for.
Importance Of Replacing Your Timing Belt
This engine damage is the result of not replacing your timing belt when your
vehicle manufacturer has recommended it !! To many times I have seen severe
engine damage like this as a result of poor or no vehicle servicing. This
vehicle was due to have a new timing belt fitted 12,000kms ago but it didn’t
get replaced and now the engine will have to be replaced costing the owner
$11,500
The Importance Of The Car Battery
These days we are finding more and more problems with vehicles caused from poor batteries. Batteries are now the brain in the centre of the vehicles electrical system and now that all vehicles speak in voltages, if the battery is in poor condition then the vehicles components are unable to communicate correctly causing serious issues. For example a week ago we had a Proton which would start and idle but its engine would not rev ? After checking the vehicles engine/ECU codes we found that there was several ‘low voltage ‘ codes ? We then checked the battery to find it was in poor condition, we then replaced it and the vehicle ran fine and the engine would again rev! Another one was a Holden Viva which would not idle and again on further investigation we found the battery was faulty, after replacing the battery the vehicle would now idle correctly. The battery should be checked each service by an accredited technician every six months or 10000kms to prevent any possibility of battery related problems.
Dodge adding AWD to their Journey range
Dodge is adding an AWD model to its Journey range this spring to appeal to shoppers who like all-wheel drive.
Awd is optional, but Dodge is adding content and lowering the cost of awd on the Crossroad model to make it more appealing. The 2014 Crossroad has extra chrome and popular interior goodies such as leather seats and an 8.4-inch touch screen.
Journey sales were up 6 percent in 2013 to a record 83,933 units, but sales fell 27 percent in January.
The Crossroad’s exterior styling uses glossy black accents and a greater use of chrome than other Journeys. It has a redesigned front fascia with chrome accents and a glossy black grille, chrome roof rails and glossy black taillight bezels. The crossover rides on 19-inch, five-spoke black wheels.
Inside the cabin, in addition to the leather seats and Uconnect infotainment touch screen, the Crossroad has standard power front seats and a push-button starter. Rear seats come with a built-in toddler booster seat.
Car Battery Locations
CMM Automotive is now offering car battery delivery throughout the Perth metropolitan area. Furthermore over the next few weeks there will be multiple car battery pages included in our site with the main suburbs in perth we are going to service. Please click on the suburb you would like more information on.
Cars to watch at Delhi Auto Expo 2014
* Maruti Suzuki Celerio: Expected to be the most popular launch of the year. It will introduce to India the Auto Gear Shift technology
* Datsun Go: The Datsun Go just might change the way small cars are viewed in India. It is among the largest small cars
* Honda new Jazz: The Jazz had a good design but poor pricing, so the car was taken off the shelves. Honda may not repeat the mistake
* Volkswagen Taigun: With the Taigun, Volkswagen will try not to repeat what Skoda did with the Yeti. It
What does a log book service include?
A log book service is a service performed every 10,000kms. The service is designed to examine your vehicle in the way that the manufacturer intended. All safety checks, measures and replacement service items are carried out in exact accordance with how the manufacturer intended.
Different manufacturers require different services to be carried out with every 10,000km, however here are common checks, measures and replacement items that should be carried out and guaranteed to be done with perfection here at DL Mechanical and starting at as little as $99.
- Change engine oil & oil filter
- Brake inspection and adjustment
- Check steering and suspension
- 40 point vehicle inspection
- Check and top up under bonnet fluid levels
- Computer battery test
- Check tyre pressures
- Check radiator hoses
- Check fan belts
- Check lights
CMM Automotive 2014
Happy New Year Guys
Come down to CMM Automotive this new year for great deals on your vehicle servicing, repairs and batteries.
We have a team of highly experienced staff ready to help you with any problems or enquiries you may have.
So come down to 3/51 Berriman Drive Wangara and get your free car appraisal today.
Ford updates F-450 with a Power Stroke Diesel V8
In 2015, Ford will be giving it’s F450 super trucks some upgrades, one of these being a new Power Stroke Diesel V8. The turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 is already rated at 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque, and now Ford tells us the new Power Stroke will “produce power beyond today’s” engine capabilities. There will be output increases with the new turbo setup, but since the new turbocharger operates at a lower peak pressure than the old one, the automaker was able to eliminate the waste gate system and reduce the engine’s complexity. An interesting point to note is a by-product of the larger turbo is better engine exhaust braking, which is controlled manually by a button on the dashboard.
The Power Stroke also gets a new high-pressure fuel pump and injectors that deliver more fuel and improve combustion. To help the engine cope with the added power, it gets a new five-layer head gasket, a new four-layer exhaust-manifold gasket, material added for durability to the cylinder heads, valvetrain and exhaust manifold, stronger piston assemblies and a stronger crankshaft. The six-speed automatic transmission is equipped with a stronger torque converter.
The Super Duty King Ranch Edition F-Series remains largely the same, except for some cosmetic updates. The “Running W” emblem that adorns King Ranch trucks – and the ranch that inspires them – has received extra attention for 2015. The W is cut out and stitched into the seat backs and center console in a way that makes the emblem look branded. Ford also says that a “richer, lighter shade of Mesa leather” is used for the seats, center console lid, armrests and steering wheel, while the exterior gets a new, darker shade of Caribou paint for the wheel lips, bumpers and lower body.
Vehicle Inspection Checklist
When buying a second hand vehicle it is very important to inspect it thoroughly. The NSW government fair trading department has released a vehicle inspection checklist that is very useful.
Under The Hood Inspections
Engine number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
VIN is an International system of identifying motor vehicles and is required under ADR’s. It is a combination of letters and numbers to identify its individual characteristics, for example model code, series, luxury level and body style.
The numbers shown on the Certificate of Registration must match the engine and VIN numbers on the car. Be wary of any signs of interference such as scratches, grind marks or drill holes. These may indicate illegal tampering with the numbers and the vehicle.
Built plate
A motor vehicle’s built date is the date during manufacture when the engine is fixed to the chassis. This is usually determined as the date of manufacture. This date is usually stamped on a metal plate fixed to the motor vehicle.
Compliance plate
A motor vehicle’s compliance plate will define the date on which the vehicle was confirmed to comply with certain Australian Design Rules (ADR). With some imported vehicles the date of compliance will vary from the date of manufacture.
Engine appearance
A build-up of dirt may suggest poor maintenance or mechanical problems.
Engine oil
Dirty/thick oil and a build-up of sludge in the engine may suggest poor maintenance. Grey or milky coloured oil may suggest the presence of water, which would indicate serious problems.
Engine idle
The engine should idle smoothly. Listen for irregular running or any unusual noise such as any knocking or rattling noises.
Oil fumes
Remove the oil filler cap while the engine is idling. Fumes may signify worn piston rings or cylinders. Thick, black smoke coming from the exhaust can signify problems as well.
Radiator coolant
Should be clean and brightly coloured. Oil in the coolant may indicate a cracked cylinder-head or a leaky gasket.
Radiator cooler fins or core tubes
Check for corrosion or damage.
Battery mounting platform/bracket
Check for acid corrosion.
Odometer Alteration Inspection
Check that the odometer is working during the test drive. Note the number of kilometres travelled which can indicate when a major service will be required. The Motor Dealers Act (The Act) makes it illegal to interfere with an odometer. It states that the following actions are deemed to be interference:
- altering the reading of the odometer
- removing or replacing the odometer
- rendering the odometer inoperative or inaccurate by any means whatsoever
- fitting a device capable of rendering the odometer inoperative or inaccurate.
A dealer is also prohibited from advertising or specifying that the reading of an odometer is accurate if the dealer knows or has reasonable cause to know that this is not the case
Underneath The Car Inspection
Tyres (don’t forget the spare)
Uneven wear may indicate worn or misaligned steering or suspension. Check that there is at least 5 mm of tread.
Oil leaks
Check the engine, transmission, axles, brakes, power steering and shock absorbers. A leak in any of these areas could indicate a problem and could possibly be a danger.
Exhaust system
Fumes or excessive noise may suggest there is a hole or rust in the pipes or the muffler.
Body Of Car Inspection
Rust/accident damage
Check inside the boot, the floor wells, doors and lower sills for red or other dark stains, dimpled or bubbled paint. Use a soft fridge magnet to check panels for plastic body filler.
Hail damage
Hail damage makes a car difficult to insure. Check the horizontal panels such as the bonnet, roof and boot lid.
Panel fitment
Loose panels may indicate accident damage or that the car has been driven over rough roads.
Doors and boot lid
Catches should close firmly and lock. Rubber seals can perish over time.
Paint
Look for colour variation, overspraying, dents or ripples. These may indicate that the car has been in an accident.
Interior Inspection
Upholstry, trim, carpets
Check for wear and tear.
Seat-belts
Check that the belts are not frayed or damaged, and that the belts, buckles and adjusters and child restraint anchorage points are in good condition.
Lights
Check that all lights, both inside and outside the car, are working. If the car is fitted with ABS and/or SRS (air bag), check that the dashboard warning light/s illuminate for a short time when the ignition is turned on.
Equipment and accessories
Check air-conditioning, ventilation fan, electric windows, sound systems, horn, windscreen wipers etc. Inoperative items can be expensive to repair or replace.
Jack and tool-kit
These items should be in place and in serviceable condition.
Vehicle Driveability Inspection
As part of a thorough inspection many people test-drive the car. The following are some things to check when test-driving.
Steering
Excessive ‘free travel’ or wandering on straight roads can indicate worn suspension or misaligned steering.
Brakes
The car should stop smoothly and in a straight line. The pedal should not sink to the floor or feel spongy and the steering wheel should not vibrate.
Exhaust
Blue smoke indicates oil is burning.
Engine
Should run smoothly (accelerating, decelerating and cruising) and the water temperature gauge should stay in the safe range. Rattling or knocking could mean incorrect tuning or excessive wear.
Transmission
Gear changes (manual and automatic) should be smooth, without any rattles or knocking noises. On front-wheel drive vehicles, these noises could indicate worn constant-velocity joints.
Suspension and bodywork
Listen for rattles when you drive over bumps. It is also wise to have the car inspected by a reputable mechanic.
Note: Before taking the car for a test drive, check with the seller that the seller has an insurance policy that covers you if an accident occurs.
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumers/Motor_vehicles/Vehicle_inspection.html
Is Your Mechanic Ripping You Off
CMM Automotive have been around in Perth’s automotive industry for over 20 years. One of the hardest hurdles to overcome in the industry is the level of corruption. In the last 20 years, we have seen hundreds of Australians being ripped off through ridiculous mark-ups, false advertising and blatant lies. We have just recently revamped our website with a new blog that will discuss many of these issues and provide you with some basic information to allow you to make informed decisions and keep your car on the road.
The level of corruption goes from the small white lies to the large customer rip offs. Below is a list of the many popular scams run by mechanics that are costing you money.
– Regularly we have customers coming in asking for quotes for their brakes to be changed as they have been told they need to be replaced ASAP, when in actual fact there is nothing wrong with the breaks at all.
– Spray paint your own vehicle parts and then sell them back to you as brand new
– Extortionate markups on parts
– Joyride customers cars while there in for a service or vehicle inspection
– Ignore faults because the jobs is too difficult or doesn’t pay enough
– Sell you flushes for your vehicle, and then don’t actually put them in
– Offering a full service for less than what the parts cost to do the full service. This means that for starters, you know the right parts aren’t being replaced.
– Reducing the time spent inspecting the car to reduce the time taken by the service. On average, our standard service will take 2-3 hours some competitors have been performing services in 15 minutes!
Hence, it is no surprise that many people are hesitant to trust mechanical servicing and repairs businesses.
At CMM Automotive, we receive a large portion of our new customers from word of mouth. We retain over of our 90% clientele with many clients having been with us over 10-15 years. We are the mobile mechanics in Perth that locals can trust. This is our slogan and we live by it.
We provide;
A detailed prioritized summary of what needs to be repaired/done, how much it will cost and what needs doing first. So you don’t feel pressured.
A cost effective service every time!
We let you know what needs to be done and how much it’s going to cost before we fix it
We will be brutally honest about whether your pride and joy worth the cost of the repairs.
We are fully licensed and insured mechanics with both a workshop and mobile capabilities. We also provide a range of services such as;
– Mobile Mechanic Work, https://cmmautomotive.com
– Car Battery Delivery, https://cmmautomotive.com/car-batteries
– Vehicle Inspections, https://cmmautomotive.com/vehicle-inspection-perth
– Vehicle Air Conditioning, https://cmmautomotive.com/vehicle-air-conditioning
– Servicing & Repairs, https://cmmautomotive.com/car-services-and-repairs
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Lamborghini Egoista 2013 Concept Car
Lamborghini has recently revealed its 600bhp Egoista concept car. This car was designed by Group Design Chief Walter De Silva to celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini. The car is made predominantly of aluminium, carbon fibre ands the style of the car was inspired by an apache helicopter. There is even an option to have ejectable seats put in it for emergencies. Walter De Silva says “It represents hedonism taken to the extreme. It is a car without compromises.”
To produce the 600bhp, a very modified version of the 5.2 litre V-10 Gallardo engine is used. While there’s no aero on top, but flaps in the bodywork that flip open or closed automatically depending on driving conditions. There are two at the back to increase stability, and a series of intakes on the back of the engine hood to increase cooling for the V10. From a mechanics point of view, this is preferred to the turbo charged super cars, as there is less to go wrong.
As mentioned, the body is made up of carbon fibre and aluminium, using aeronautical-spec antiradar material, and anti-glare glass too. Inside, there’s just a single racing seat with a four-point seatbelt and a heads-up display and steering wheel inspired by looking at pictures of jet fighters and apache helicopters. Literally, there isn’t a door on this vehicle, but a domed roof that flips open, meaning the driver must stand up in his or her seat, swivel their legs over and jump out.
This car is made for the wealthy businessman and plays to the ego. There is almost no practicality to this car at all. Where do you put your big briefcase, how do you jump out in a fitted suit? But when it looks like that, does it really matter??
Twin Turbo Cadillac for 2014
March this year, General Motors announced that for 2014, they will be offering a twin-turbo V-6 Cadillac.
This “super” Cadillac will boast a 410-hp, twin turbo, 3.6 litre V-6 engine producing 430 lb-ft at 3 500 rpm. The engine will be completely aluminum and will utilise a direct-injection technology making it the highest output V6 in GM history. This XTS twin turbo will come factory standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. Nineteen inch wheels and brembo front brakes will also be factory standard.
Although Cadillac has not confirmed a price tag for the fastest V-6 they have ever produced, a 2013 factory standard model comes in at just under $45 000. For the 2014 model, there will also be optional upgrades available such as automatic park assist and electric power steering for front wheel drive, rear seat entertainment systems featuring twin fold out DVD screens, wood trim seat rests and sunroof sunshade controls.
The importance of servicing your gearbox
Within our modern era, the gearboxes of vehicles have become very high tech, with most gearboxes having their own computer to run their systems. These computers need to be set correctly and regularly checked for fault codes. In addition, the gear oil to help the gearbox operate correctly and effectively has also become more advanced. It is no longer to simply put just any type of oil in (most times we will stock a minimum off 10 different gearbox oils.) One of the other major contributing factors to getting a gearbox service, is the price of replacing them. Most people don’t realise that it’s totally possible to be handed a bill for $4000-$5000 just because they never had a gearbox service every couple of years, which would have only cost $225 for the majority of makes and models. So it is our opinion, good sense, and financial reasoning to service your gearbox regularly.
The Importance Of Changing Your Spark Plugs
It is very important to change your spark plugs when they are due for replacement. Today’s vehicles have been designed to travel longer distances from service to service. The components which make up your ignition system have also been redesigned to last longer and in worse conditions. Unfortunately, this gives vehicle owners a false sense of security that because their vehicle is not running rough then everything under the bonnet must be fine. This is certainly not the case, when spark plugs are not replaced at the manufacturers recommended mileage, you put a lot of pressure on the components and when they fail this can lead to huge repair bills. so something as simple as regular spark plug changes will keep your ignition system healthy and keep you on the road, reducing the amount of mobile mechanic perth calls you make.
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The Importance Of Servicing Your Transmission
Most people don’t realise that not only does the engine need to be oiled and serviced to prevent unnecessary wear and tear to its moving components, but so do other areas such as the transmission. Your transmission is made up of hundreds of moving parts and relies on clean oil and correct adjustments. For example, a transmission that is serviced correctly can last up to ten times the distance of one that doesn’t get serviced. This can save you the owner thousands of dollars. So at CMM Automotive, we’ve put together a simple maintenance schedule which will give you as an owner peace of mind, that you won’t have to come up with thousands of dollars to get your vehicle back on the road. A simple transmission service every couple of years will keep you on the road safely and cost effectively.
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About CMM Automotive
I have been the owner of CMM Automotive for almost 22 years. Ive worked very closely with both staff members and customers to build a business that is cost efficient, reliable and keeps your vehicle on the road. I’ve always been very focused on trying to provide the best quality service available for the minimum cost. Both my staff and I are use to going the extra mile to provide the premium service that allows our clients capable to leave the workshop feeling happy and confident in our abilities. They can trust that there will be no issues between services due to serviceable faults with their vehicle. And that if the unforeseen does happen, we will promptly be there to get them back on their way.
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Memo On Vehicle Inspections
Carrying out pre purchase vehicle inspections in Perth the early days, we noticed that an abnormal amount of new customers were coming from people who had just bought a new vehicle from either someone they trusted or from a stranger they had never met. What surprised us as mechanics was that these people were shocked that they had been ripped off. People usually only sell a car when they are not happy with it for one reason or another eg financial, or they know it’s got serious problems which they themselves don’t want to pay for or they know for a fact that what they did to it way back “will definitely be costing them something in the future!!” And some of these repairs are worth thousands. So at CMM Automotive we have produced a used vehicle inspection that will not only give you peace of mind but will put you in the bargaining seat with any minor faults being brought to light. This will make your transition from one car to another as smooth as possible and not the worst decision you have ever made.
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Memo On Car Batteries
Owning CMM Automotive, I have found that most people think that their battery (after a bad experience) just all off a sudden gives up on them. However, at least 95% of the time, we have found that customers batteries were showing signs off not being able to do the job required 6 months before they fail. This is why at CMM Automotive, as part of every vehicle service, we conduct a series off tests and checks to make sure your battery will be up to the task for the next 6 months. For instance, we can test a battery and see that it is working at 50%. Now for the rest of this week, that may be enough to start the car and control all the electrics, but this battery will most definitely fail 8 weeks from now. And seeing how our modern day vehicles are so dependant on their electrics, it can be concluded that a simple check of a customers battery can stop them becoming stranded roadside, where it can become costly and inconvenient.
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