* 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A build-up of dirt may suggest poor maintenance or mechanical problems.
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.
The engine should idle smoothly. Listen for irregular running or any unusual noise such as any knocking or rattling noises.
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.
Should be clean and brightly coloured. Oil in the coolant may indicate a cracked cylinder-head or a leaky gasket.
Check for corrosion or damage.
Check for acid corrosion.
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:
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
Uneven wear may indicate worn or misaligned steering or suspension. Check that there is at least 5 mm of tread.
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.
Fumes or excessive noise may suggest there is a hole or rust in the pipes or the muffler.
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 makes a car difficult to insure. Check the horizontal panels such as the bonnet, roof and boot lid.
Loose panels may indicate accident damage or that the car has been driven over rough roads.
Catches should close firmly and lock. Rubber seals can perish over time.
Look for colour variation, overspraying, dents or ripples. These may indicate that the car has been in an accident.
Check for wear and tear.
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.
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.
Check air-conditioning, ventilation fan, electric windows, sound systems, horn, windscreen wipers etc. Inoperative items can be expensive to repair or replace.
These items should be in place and in serviceable condition.
As part of a thorough inspection many people test-drive the car. The following are some things to check when test-driving.
Excessive ‘free travel’ or wandering on straight roads can indicate worn suspension or misaligned steering.
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.
Blue smoke indicates oil is burning.
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.
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.
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
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??
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It is very convenient to have a CMM Automotive Mechanic come to your home or workplace, which will save you time, money and the general hassle of dropping your vehicle off at the workshop. We will pick your vehicle up in the morning, take it to the workshop, service it, and then return it to you. All of this will be done with eftpos payment being available at your front door.
Dealing directly with the mechanic you will get all the information you need and any queries you may have will be answered by the Mechanic working on your vehicle, not someone at the front desk. This will give you confidence in the repair/service of your vehicle.
The most obvious indicator your brakes need replacing is the squeaking sound you can hear when you apply the brakes. This noise usually indicates that the brake pads have worn down. Don’t be alarmed, the repairs are not too expensive at this early stage. If you wait too long, you may need to have the rotor or the drums replaced. A serious brake failure or repair may occur when the pads make contact with the metal drums causing metal on metal friction.
Check to see if you have a service light in your car. Some cars with disc brake pads have sensors that trigger the service light on the dash board. When the service light comes on this is a warning that your car needs to be serviced as soon as possible. However, do not panic as the service light is very sensitive so the problem will be caught early. This will usually just involve having your rear brakes checked and possibly repaired. Once the brakes are repaired the light should go out. If the light remains on you may have other problems causing it however your mechanic should be able to identify this.
Check your brake fluid levels. If you press down on your brake pedal and they feel slow and unresponsive, your levels may be low. Adding brake fluid will often solve the problem. If a large amount of fluid had to be replaced there is a good chance you have a leak in one of your front or rear brake lines. Have your vehicle checked by your local mechanic for an oil leak.
Furthermore, when pressing down on your brake pedal, check for resistance against your foot. If the master cylinder has deteriorated, when you press down on the brake pedal, it could go straight to the floor, and the car will take much longer to stop. This could become very dangerous and must be checked by your mechanic preferably a mobile mechanic as soon as possible. The master cylinder is where the brake fluid is stored and sent to each cylinder. The brake fluid is what applies force to the front brakes, rear brakes, and drums. A deteriorated master cylinder would interrupt the fluid’s flow into the cylinders causing the loss of break power.
Do I need to service my battery?
Yes. During a service, all batteries should be cleaned, have their terminals checked and the alternator rate checked.
Batteries last longer in hot climates than cold.
NO. Heat increases water loss in batteries and so the battery life in hot climates is usually a third shorter than in cold climates.
I work away and so my car goes for weeks at a time without being driven. Can this flatten my battery?
YES. Unless your battery is plugged into a maintenance charger it will fully discharge. This is because the electrical appliances and systems in your vehicle drain a tiny amount of power from your battery to remain active. For instance when you turn your vehicle on, your clock has remains in time etc.
From the previous answer, should I disconnect my battery if I’m working away or going on holidays?
NO. Disconnecting the battery will affect the cars electrical systems. If this power supply is interrupted it can cause vehicle operation issues including engine, steering, and transmission. A fully charged battery should last several weeks without effecting the operation of the vehicle.
If I forget to turn my lights off and flatten my battery, a forty minute drive should recharge it?
NO. However this depends on the duration of time that your lights were left on. There are a variety of factors that can influence the recharge of your battery. These include:
-Alternator Power
-Alternator Power Diversion
-Temparature
-Size Of The Battery
When a flat battery needs recharging, the correct way of recharging would be through the use of a multi-stage battery charger. The voltage needs to be high enough to mix the battery acid evenly in the electrolyte otherwise stratification will occur.
I accidentally flattened by battery a few months ago and now it has to be jump started every few weeks. Shouldn’t it be replaced under warranty?
No. A flattened battery needs to be recharged on an appropriate charger as no amount of driving will recharge a flattened battery to a reliable level. Recharging your battery on an appropriate charger should restore the battery condition and prevent the need for further jump starting.
I took my car in for a service and the mechanic said the battery needs replacing. I bought a new battery from them. The old battery is under warranty. Can I claim a refund for the battery cost?
NO. To have a battery covered under warranty, you must call your manufacturer and have them come out and test the battery, if you remove it from the car your warranty is void
To save money, I purchased a battery and replaced it with the old one myself. Now the car won’t idle, is this due to my DIY job?
YES. Car batteries require a power source at all times. By disconnecting power from the battery, the computer which controls the idle speed can lose its memory and needs to be reset by your mechanic.
Can a flat battery affect my fuel consumption?
YES. When a battery is flat, the alternator will try and recharge it, putting added pressure on the engine.
The battery light has come on, the battery must be faulty?
NO. In fact it means the opposite. When the battery light indicates the car is running on battery power alone and there is a problem with the vehicle charging system
Auto insurance forms an important part of a car owner’s expense on the maintenance of the car every year. Many car owners do not even bother about the features that they get from one kind of insurance policy, as the car sales representative sells them insurance when they buy the vehicle, and it is just a formality for them to renew their insurance every six months or a year. To put it briefly, they do not bother to find out whether there are any other insurance policies available in the market, that are offering them a better option than the one they already have.
To be fair, comparing any kind of insurance policies is a taxing and difficult task. Not many people have the bandwidth to go through the documentation of all the insurance policies pertaining to a vehicle, and some might just find it an information overload. After all, at the face of it all, though insurance runs up a considerable amount per month and year, many car owners just add it up as an expense that they have to make, if they own a car. However, the loss that one incurs when they do not read the insurance document properly becomes clearer when they realise that the insurance company will not reimburse a major chunk of their car repair expenses because of some clause hidden in the fine print of the fine print of the insurance policy document.
It is very important to check what kind of auto insurance you will be taking, because many auto insurance policies are not just cheap, but they also offer various discounts if you have some safety protocols and devices installed, like airbags. Some others give discounts to students who register their policies, and yet other insurance companies decide the total cost of insurance depending on the use of the vehicle, for example, if the vehicle clocks lower amount of miles per month, they will charge you a lesser monthly fee. Therefore, it becomes very important to check the costs of various insurance policies and compare them with the other ones available in the market.
Nowadays, it is quite simple to compare various insurance policies due to websites that provide these services. You just need to in put some information like what features you would like in the insurance policy, and other information like the tenure you are looking for, and some other miscellaneous information and you will get a list of all the insurance policies that are the best for you.
Car insurance has become a necessity today, and in many countries and regions, you will not be able to buy a car if you do not buy insurance. Therefore, it is no longer an optional expense. Since you do pay a considerable amount of money every year on insurance, and there is this chance of any expenses that you incur because or car repairs being reimbursed, you should try to choose the best insurance policy that suits your requirements and budget
CMM Automotive understands a car warranty to be a promise that obligates the vehicle manufacturer to rectify faults that may occur during the warranty period. It is recommended that you make yourself familiar with the specific terms and conditions of your vehicle warranty. This particularly applies to your log-book servicing and maintaining that warranty.
Is my battery covered under warranty?
Batteries are usually covered in new car warranties; however you would need to check the specific terms and conditions of your warranty. If the battery becomes faulty you must have your manufacturer test the charge of the battery in the car, do not remove the battery first or you will void the warranty
What are the different types of warranties?
New car warranty
New car warranties generally provide cover for 12 months or up to 20,000km. However this can usually be extended to 3-5 years for a small fee. This warranty will in most cases cover all defective items on your vehicle.
Used car warranty
Used car warranty is provided to vehicles (usually trade-ins) by dealers that have less than 160,000km and fewer than 10 years old. Furthermore, the vehicle must not break the luxury vehicle tax threshold. The warranty is valid for three months or 5,000km from date of purchase. This warranty will cover most items on a car relating to safety, reliability and roadworthiness. This is basically just a loyalty bond to let you know you aren’t buying a vehicle that’s missing half an engine.
What is usually covered by a warranty?
With a new car, the warranty covers the vehicle itself and all accessories such as electrical equipment. If a defect occurs during the warranty period, the dealer is obliged to fix the defect at no cost to the customer.
Should I purchase extended warranty?
There are various types of extended warranties on the market today. CMM Automotive recommends you carefully read the fine print of your warranty to see if it actually fits your needs.
Understanding warranties on a used car
You can only get a statutory warranty on a used car if you buy through a dealer. Each state has different laws regarding warranties and you need to check up your specific states. However, usually you are not covered for:
Any items listed on the defect notice
Routine adjustments and services
Tune ups
Batteries
Tyres
Defects arising from an accident or misuse of the vehicle
1. Collect all the tools you require to change your oil eg socket wrench and have them within easy reach. Place the car on a level surface to allow the oil to drain properly and to accurately check the oil level when you are finished. Employ the parking brake. You should not have to place the car on a ramp or on jacks, unless you are unable to easily access the oil pan.
2. Remove the old oil. Find the drain plug on your oil pan and set a large container (to hold all of the used oil) under it. Loosen the drain plug (counter clockwise) with a socket wrench and then use your hand to remove it. Be ready for a rush of oil, once the plug has been removed. Let all of the oil drain from your car. After all of the oil is gone, replace the drain plug (and any gaskets if needed) on the drain pan.
3. Get rid of the old oil filter. Remove the oil filter (and gasket/seal) with an oil filter wrench. Coat the new oil filter gasket with a little oil with your finger. Tighten the new filter into place on your car by hand.
4. Add new oil to your car. Remove the oil filler cap on top of your engine and then use a funnel to place the new oil in. Put the oil filler cap back on when finished, warm up your engine and then check the oil level of your car.
If any of these steps are unclear please free-call CMM Automotive on 1800 888 990, the leading mobile mechanics in Perth.