You don’t need us to tell you that when one of your work vehicles is off the road, business slows down. Deliveries are delayed, appointments need to be rescheduled, and your staff sit with nothing to do but wait. Every hour counts!

At Angus Car Service in Penrith, we’ve seen time and time again how a proactive approach to fleet servicing saves businesses time, money and a whole lot of stress.Plus, for businesses with 5 or more vehicles, we offer special fleet pricing to make regular servicing more affordable and stress-free.

Here are some practical, road-tested tips from our workshop floor that could save you serious downtime.

1. Ask the Loan Car Question

Every fleet manager knows the sting of having staff standing around because a vehicle’s off the road. The thing is, not every mechanic offers loan cars.

Before you commit your vehicles to a service provider, ask if they can keep your team moving while cars are in the workshop.

At Angus Car Service, we endeavour to provide complimentary loan cars with every fleet service, so your team can stay on the move while we take care of the maintenance.

2. Sync Servicing with Your Work Cycles

We bet we know what’s on your mind. How are you going to make time for any downtime, even if it’s necessary?

Our tip is, instead of booking services ad hoc, look at your busiest and quietest business periods. Align your servicing schedule with those quieter stretches so downtime is built in instead of being disruptive.

Even better, try to stagger vehicles so you never have more than one or two off the road at the same time.

3. Think Beyond the Basics

Sure, tyres, brakes and fluids matter, but the small “hidden” things are often what strand a vehicle on the side of the road. Battery health, belts, hoses, and suspension components can all quietly wear until they suddenly fail. And, as luck would have it, they will always fail during your busiest period.

Our team builds these proactive checks into every fleet service because prevention is a whole lot cheaper than calling a tow truck.

Running a fleet can feel like herding cats. The second you’ve got one under control, another one’s got something wrong with it. Allow us to take one headache off your plate.

With complimentary loan cars and exclusive fleet pricing for businesses with 5+ vehicles, we’ll keep your wheels turning, your people moving, and your day running a little bit smoother.

You’ve got better things to do than chase down service lights, so book your fleet in with us. It’s quick, easy and all online.

You can feel it in the air, right across Penrith and the Blue Mountains. The days are getting longer, the footy season is wrapping up and conversations are turning to plans for the long weekends and school holidays ahead.

But before you pack your car and hit the M4, there’s one family member whose health is super important for a smooth trip: your vehicle.

Leaving the technical details to a professional car service company, your favourite Penrith mechanic, is the most surefire way to make your trip memorable for all the right reasons.

Your Pre-Trip Checklist

A quick weekend escape shouldn’t be derailed by a preventable issue. Before you head off:

• Check beyond the dipstick. Your car has several vital fluids. Check your engine oil, of course, but also your coolant (to prevent overheating on long climbs) and brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and it might have absorbed moisture and need replacing. Don’t forget the windscreen wash for clearing away road grime and bugs.
• Look at more than just air pressure. Check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold for an accurate reading and don’t forget the spare. Generally speaking, the recommended pressure is often higher for a fully loaded car; check the placard on the driver’s door jamb for the correct ‘laden’ PSI. Also, inspect the tread for uneven wear, which could signal an alignment issue.
• Get your lights and wipers ready for action. Test all your lights: headlights, high beams, brake lights, number plate light and indicators. Clean the headlight lenses to remove road film, which can significantly dim their brightness on a dark country road. Check the rubber on your wiper blades for any cracks or perishing.

The lead-up to any holiday is the busiest time for workshops. We recommend that you book your pre-trip check a few weeks in advance to secure your spot.

A Word on Your Furry Co-Pilots

For many of us, a family adventure isn’t complete without our pets. Their safety and comfort are just as important as everyone else’s.

• Make sure they’re safely secured. A proper, crash-tested seatbelt harness for a dog or a secure, well-ventilated carrier for a cat is a must. It keeps them safe and stops them from becoming a distraction. For smaller pets like birds or rabbits, their travel cage should be placed on a flat, stable surface away from direct sunlight and draughts.
• Keep water on the go. Keep a bottle of water and a bowl handy. They get thirsty too, especially when they’re excited.
• Here is an insider tip for different pets. Vets advise against letting your dog hang its head out the window, as flying debris can cause serious eye injuries.

For cats, covering their carrier with a light, breathable blanket can help them feel more secure and reduce travel stress.

• Remember the golden rule. Never leave any pet in a parked car. Even on a mild spring day, the temperature inside a car can become dangerous in a matter of minutes.

  At Angus Car Service, we’re a family-run business that has been helping Penrith families stay safe on the roads for over 35 years. Because we believe in giving back, every service with us helps plant a tree and provides five days of education to a child in need.

  We don’t just service cars; we look after the people who drive them… (You know, the busy mums, the seasoned road trippers, the newlyweds on their first vacay and everyone in between.)

  So, before you head off, let our award-winning team give your car a thorough check-up.