You drag yourself out of the driver seat to inspect a flat, and then you realise the jack’s rusted, the wheel brace is missing, and the spare barely keeps a pump. As cars fly past, you’re standing there, head scratching and cursing.

Our Angus Car Service team hears similar stories weekly. Let’s simplify how you handle a flat tyre, assess tyres and have your car towed smartly.

How Often to Check Your Spare and Tools

Check the pressure on your spare tyre at least every three months and before any long trip. A flat spare is the world’s most useless safety feature. At Angus Car Service we check your spare at every service as part of the safety check.

While you’re at it, pull out your jack and wheel brace and make sure they actually work. Rusted jacks and missing tools are far more common than people think, and they only show themselves at the worst possible time. You may also like to add a pair of gloves and something to kneel on to your kit.

How to Change a Flat Tyre With Confidence

First things first: secure yourself and the vehicle.

1. Pull over somewhere safe and find a level spot to park.
2. Turn the vehicle off and switch on your hazard lights. Engage the parking brake, or leave it in first gear if you have a manual.
3. Next: check the spare tyre is inflated and gather your tools – jack, wheel brace.
4. Refer to the owner’s manual for your specific car’s lift point. According to the NRMA, following correct lifting procedures and tool use dramatically reduces risk.

Once you’re ready:

1. Place the wheel brace onto a wheel nut and slightly loosen the nuts. You want the wheel to still be held into place when you jack the car up.
2. Next, crank up the car with the jack so that the wheel is about five centimeters above the ground.
3. Loosen the nuts fully by hand and remove the wheel, fit the spare and hand-tighten the nuts in a star pattern to ensure the wheel is evenly centered and seated against the hub.
4. Lower the vehicle and then fully tighten the nuts.
5. Remember: never crawl beneath a car that’s only partially supported. If you’re using a space-saver spare, know its speed limit. The specs may be less friendly than a full-size replacement.

When to Repair Versus Replace a Tyre

You might be tempted to patch a tyre and carry on, but some damages are red flags.

Repairs are acceptable only when the puncture is small and in the tread area – not on the sidewall or shoulder.

Tyres are legally unroadworthy when tread depth dips below about 1.5 mm in Australia.If you notice uneven wear, bulges, sidewall tears, or a blowout, replacement is the smart move. An old tyre may not cause a breakdown immediately, but the hidden risk is there. It’s always best to check with a trusted tyre centre to confirm if the tyre can be repaired.

Towing Smart: Save Money, Stress Less

If your car can’t be repaired on the spot, don’t assume you’re helpless. If you have it, call roadside assistance first, as they will be able to tow your car a certain distance for free. You can also call your trusted mechanic. Many workshops have discount towing partnerships and can bypass expensive storage yard fees.

Arrange towing only after your vehicle is safely stopped and away from traffic. That first call can spare you a second one, a bigger bill and an extra stop in the dark, wondering why you didn’t pick up the phone earlier.

Check your car before trouble strikes. Need a service before you head out on a trip? Contact us now. We’re here to help!

The holidays are just around the corner, and if your family car’s about to clock up some serious kilometres, it’s time to make sure it’s ready for the road. Your vehicle will be working overtime, handling the summer heat and holiday traffic. A little prep now means a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable drive later.

Here’s how to get your car summer-ready (and road-trip approved).

1. Is Your Family Car Ready for the Chaos of Summer?

Between school runs, sports drop-offs, and weekend getaways, your family car definitely deserves a little TLC before the heat really sets in. A full pre-summer check will help you avoid unwanted surprises during your travels. We recommend paying extra attention to:

✔ Cooling system – keep the engine from overheating in summer traffic.

✔ Battery health – heat can accelerate wear and tear.

✔ Brake safety – very important for long trips and stop-start driving.

Pro tip: December bookings fill fast! Beat the rush and book your family car in early so you can hit the road without the stress.

2. Smooth Out the Ride with a Suspension and Alignment Check

Feeling every bump lately? After a wet winter and rougher roads, your suspension and wheel alignment might need some attention.

If you notice any one of these signs, please don’t put off a service:

• Your car pulls to one side
• Uneven tyre wear
• A bumpy or “floaty” ride
• Steering that feels off

Good suspension makes for a smoother drive and is also key for safety, handling, and tyre life. A quick check can make a big difference before your next road trip.

3. Don’t Miss Your End-of-Year Service

We mentioned it before, but if your car’s due for a service, now’s the time to secure your spot. Regular servicing keeps everything running as it should, including engine oil, filters and fluids, giving you peace of mind before you set off.

4. Drive Away Feeling Fresh

There’s nothing quite like that feeling of driving off in a freshly cleaned car, especially when you’re about to embark on a road trip! Every vehicle we service gets a complimentary exterior wash because we know that a car that looks great feels great, too.

It’s all part of giving you that fresh, summer-ready feel for the holiday season.

While we don’t offer interior detailing, we always recommend giving your cabin a quick clean-out ahead of your travels so that you have as comfortable a trip as possible.

Whether you need a quick check-up or your full end-of-year service, our team at Angus Car Service will make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready and looking its best when you pick it up.

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.