We Are Still Open

We Are Still Open

We are still open for all your servicing, repair and registration needs. We are following the guidelines set by the government, observing social distancing, sanitising your car before and after we work on it and our office after each customer. If you are isolating we can pick your car up and deliver it back to you *conditions apply.  Please follow us on facebook for the latest updates or call us on 47323676. Stay safe everyone.

Aaron’s Career

Aaron’s Career

With Finley starting his apprenticeship with us this year, it’s interesting to note that Aaron’s career started with his apprenticeship in 1991 less than a minute around the corner in Able Street at what was Don Pellatt repairs but is now known as Able Auto Repair/Repco Service Penrith. It was under the watchful eye of Steve Kennett-Tribe, that Aaron was shaped into the great mechanic he is. Steve became more than just a boss, he is a mentor and friend of Aaron’s.

Aaron & Steve are still close and collaborate often on car problems and race car setups, Steve has also taken on the role of mentoring Finley, the next generation of mechanics. It’s sad to note that after so many years of operation the business has now closed.

Workshop Team

 

After completing his apprenticeship Aaron worked for various mechanics in Penrith such as Col Parry Automotive and Penrith Brake & Clutch and it was here that Aaron first pursued go-karting. Aaron then progressed to working as a mechanic in a V8 supercar team in the late 90’s. Aaron also worked at Lube Mobile for a short time, where he learned the art of customer service.

Aaron has also been involved as a Mechanic in Aussie Racing Cars and with Conroy Motorsport at the Bathurst 12hr. Fast forward and Aaron’s son Finley pursued go karting for many years. For the past 3 years Aaron & Finley have co-driven Mazda’s in the NSW Production Touring Cars series.

In 2006 Aaron and his wife Claire purchased Angus Mechanical Repairs, in 2013 they changed the name to Angus Car Service and earlier this year took their Son Finley on as an apprentice. It is now solely a family business as they  head into their 13th year in this business with Aaron as head Mechanic, Finley as a 1st year apprentice and Claire as Office Manager/Admin and Bookkeeper.

Perenso Top View  Fin Race Car

The Truth About New Car Servicing

The Truth About New Car Servicing

New Car Servicing

New Car Servicing

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have recently provided updated information regarding consumer rights and new car servicing under warranty.

There is no requirement under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) for a vehicle to be serviced by an authorised dealer in order for the consumer guarantees to apply.

FAQ’s

What is a warranty?

A warranty is a voluntary promise offered by the person or business who sold the product or service to you. A warranty is in addition to any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Click here for more information on warranties  https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/warranties

A dealer told me I’ll void my warranty if they do not service my car, is that right?

There is NO requirement to service your car at a manufacturer’s dealership to preserve:

  • Any manufacturer’s warranty (that may apply to your vehicle)
  • Any state or territory based statutory warranty (that may apply to your vehicle);or
  • Your rights to Consumer Guarantees (formerly known as implied statutory warranties)

Can my preferred repairer stamp my log book?

The logbook in some vehicles includes a box which indicates that it should be stamped by an ‘authorised dealer’. The ACCC have confirmed that even if a logbook is labelled in this way, an independent repairer may sign or stamp the relevant page of your service logbook (once they have completed the service) without it affecting the manufacturer’s warranty, provided all essential requirements are met.

These essential requirements are as follows:

  • The repairer must use quality spare parts from reputable suppliers
  • Perform the service in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Staff must be trained, supervised and suitably qualified
  • Fluids and lubricants must meet manufacturer’s specifications

At Angus Car Service we only use quality parts, approved fluids/lubricants, our staff are fully qualified and we follow the manufacturer’s service schedule. We are able to provide all your new car servicing needs.

How long should my Consumer Guarantees apply?

It’s a common misconception that your Consumer Guarantees have a specific time limit. Whilst a manufacturer may choose to put a time limit on their warranty, this cannot replace your Consumer Guarantees. Protection provided under Australian Consumer Law will take into account the purchase price, realistic time expectations of when a failure may occur, any advertising claims and the conditions under which a vehicle should operate. A manufacturer’s warranty is in addition to, not in lieu of your Consumer Guarantees.

What if I have a warranty claim?

If you have a warrantable defect it may be a condition of the warranty that any work to rectify is carried out at the Manufacturers Dealer workshop. Your independent mechanical workshop may also be able to guide you through this process.

Will having my car regularly serviced preserve my resale value?

Evidence of a well maintained car will usually augur well for upholding resale value.

If you have any further questions, give us a call on 47323 676 or you can read more from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association here https://www.aaaa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NCS-DL-Digital-final.pdf

New Car Servicing

New Car Servicing

Holiday Road Trip Checklist

Holiday Road Trip Checklist

It’s that time of year when lots of Australians are getting ready to head off on holidays, many of us on a road trip. A long trip is a serious test for your car, even a small problem such as a worn windscreen wiper or an out of balance tyre can cause a lot of trouble. Whether you are driving a short distance or across the country here are some tips to ensure you and your family are prepared for your next adventure.

  1. About 2 weeks before your trip, either check the basics such as oil, water, battery, tyres, hoses & wiper blades yourself or book in for a check-up with a qualified mechanic. It would also be a good idea to do a quick run up the local freeway to listen for noises, feel for shakes and watch for trouble signs in the gauges. Don’t assume everything is fine because you drive your car every day. Turn off the radio and focus on your car, do you hear grinding or moaning from the wheels? That could be a bad wheel bearing or a worn CV joint.

Does the car pull to one side? Check for alignment problems or worn tyres. Does it shimmy or squeal under braking? Might be warped rotors or worn pads. Does the brake pedal feel soft? Might mean worn pads or bad fluid. Getting new brake pads is fairly inexpensive, but if you wait too long major damage can occur, putting a major dent in your holiday fund.

Checking Brakes

  1. Don’t leave a check with your mechanic till the last minute give yourself at least a week before you set off. If you are within 1000 km’s of your next service and you are going on a long trip, get the service done early. A good mechanic will give you sound advice, using quality parts to protect you and your family.

  1. Save 10% on fuel by changing your air filter. Test results show vehicle air-to-fuel ratios and power output for engines operating with dirty air filters, commonly caused by under servicing, can result in an up to 10% decrease in power and efficiency. So whether it’s up the Pacific Hwy or down the Hume, think about that economy for your next road trip.

  1. Got kids in the car or allergy suffers? The cabin air filter is a vital component that is hugely responsible for the comfort and health of your passengers. The Ryco premium cabin air filters that we use are designed to trap 98% of harmful airborne particles that can cause headaches, nausea, asthma and other respiratory issues. As an added bonus a new cabin air filter can improve the power and efficiency of your air con.

Women Friendly Air Filter Holiday Roadtrip Checklist

  1. Stay charged. Check your battery to make sure it’s strong and has clean terminals. Inspect your tyres for any tears or bulges in the sides, check the tread, for depth (wear indicators) and for any nails or foreign objects. Check your tyre pressures and don’t forget to check your spare.

  1. Check everything works! Check your 12V outlets work, along with (if using) your GPS, power inverter and phone chargers, you will be relying on these on your trip, so best to make sure they work. Go ahead and push all the buttons, make sure your windscreen washers work, check your lights all work. Check your first aid kit, is everything in date, do you know how to use it? Break out the tool kit that came with the car, does the jack work, do you have everything you need to change a tyre, including air in the spare tyre?

  1. What ifs? Consider what you would do if you break down, do you have roadside assistance, does it adequately cover you? Is your licence, registration and car insurance up to date? Are you going to a remote area? Do you need extra water/food in case of breakdown, or a satellite phone or two way radio? Do you need any other appropriate safety gear?

  1. Pack Smart – Check your vehicles load capacity and make sure you aren’t overloading your car. Be aware fuel economy is reduced with extra cargo. Rooftop carriers should only be filled with light bulky items. Heavy loads can make the vehicle more difficult to handle in emergency situations and can increase the risk of a rollover.

  1. Consider checking off car maintenance items before you leave, because if your car acts up later, it could ruin your whole holiday. Nobody wants to be stranded in the heat on the side of the road or at a grimy service station waiting for a radiator hose to be delivered from Japan! Not to mention the cost of towing and the repair bills. Take time, take care and drive safely.

Trip Preparation Holiday Roadtrip Checklist

Why Should I Service My Car?

Why Should I Service My Car?

Regular servicing prolongs the life of mechanical components, helps to maintain roadworthiness and contributes to greater reliability, economy and resale value. Without regular servicing you increase the potential of breakdowns and expensive repairs. Refer to your owner’s manual for maintenance information specific to your car. You should service your new car as often as is outlined in your owner’s manual.

For older cars, you need to have at least an oil and filter change every six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. All cars have different service requirements but a service should at least contain: an engine oil change, an engine oil filter replacement, and a safety check.

A safety check would include operation of lights, condition of tyres, exhaust and operation of brakes and steering. It’s a good idea to wash your car often, polish it at least twice a year and vacuum it as required.

Regular servicing will  extend the life of your engine, save you money in the long run and most importantly makes sure your car is safe.

Women Friendly Service

Service

Why Choose us?

Servicing your car can be a minefield! How do I get my car to the mechanics, how do I know I can trust them, will they do a good job, will they use quality parts, will I void my warranty?

At Angus Car Service we make having your car serviced pain free, by offering a free pickup and delivery service. Our technicians have a wealth of experience and we are an award winning family business. We treat all clients fairly, equally and with respect. We are female friendly and provide family friendly waiting rooms and restroom facilities.

We can service your car without voiding your warranty The ACCC says “your preferred mechanic can service your new car without voiding your warranty as long as the vehicle is taken back to the dealer for repair of any warranty items and the service is performed by qualified staff and is done using genuine or appropriate quality parts”

At Angus Car Service we only use quality parts such as Castrol Oil, Ryco Filters and Bendix brake pads

Our family’s commitment to your family:

We look after your vehicle as if it is our own

We listen to what you need

We report on what we see

We only do work that you approve

We explain what needs to be done and why

We can show you the completed work and old replaced parts

If you would like a quote or more information don’t hesitate to give us a call on 47323 676

 

 

Tyres – What we check for your safety

Tyres – What we check for your safety

Well maintained tyres are paramount to your safety and are a legal requirement. Every time your car is serviced we will inspect your tyres including the spare as part of the safety check. The first thing we check is the tread depth, the minimum tread depth in NSW is 1.5mm. A tyre with less than 1.5mm will result in greater stopping distances, reduced grip and more chance of aquaplaning or sliding in wet weather. Remember only a small amount of rubber touches the road at any one time.

A visual inspection will be done of the sidewalls to check for bulges, bubbles, cuts or other damage to ensure that you are safe from tyre failure or blowouts. The tyres will be inflated to the correct manufactures specified level. To find the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle check the owner’s manual. Some information may also be marked on the vehicle, for eg: inside the driver’s door or fuel flap.

Checking for uneven wear and under inflation on a monthly basis (or weekly if driving long distances) can save you money on fuel and help to preserve your tyres for longer. Under inflation of tyres can also affect the vehicles handling and braking. Excessive wear on the outside of your tyre tread indicates under inflation. Excessive wear on the middle of your tyre tread indicates over inflation.

If uneven wear is noticed it could also be from misaligned steering which can be corrected by performing a wheel alignment. Other indicators that you may need your wheels aligned are road vibration, which not only causes premature wear but can also harm your suspension. A wheel alignment every 12 months or 20,000km is a good form of preventative maintenance.

Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle especially the tyres can not only keep you safe on the roads but can save you money.

For any questions call us on 47323 676, message us on Facebook Angus Car Service  or email us from our website.

Happy motoring!

Tyres

Tyres – Angus Car Service