The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the promise of road trips, family visits, and festive adventures...

Whether you're planning a journey to visit relatives or just to enjoy a holiday getaway, ensuring your vehicle is in top shape is crucial. The Christmas holidays are not only one of the busiest travel periods of the year, but they also present unique challenges to your car. In this article, we’ll explore why regular car servicing is a must before hitting the road this holiday season, and how you can get a head start by booking early.

As the holiday season approaches, many workshops experience a surge in demand, with some even closing over the Christmas period. This makes it essential to plan ahead and book your car service early. By doing so, you can avoid the last-minute rush and ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition for any long drives you may have planned.

Regular car servicing is akin to a health check-up for your vehicle. It keeps your car running smoothly, reduces the risk of breakdowns, and can even improve fuel efficiency. But what exactly happens during a regular service that prepares your car for the road ahead?

During a regular service, a range of mechanical tasks are performed to ensure your vehicle is safe and reliable for holiday travel:

Key Mechanical Tasks for Holiday Readiness

1. Oil and Filter Change: 
Regularly changing your car's oil and filters ensures that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Clean oil reduces engine friction, which can improve fuel economy and engine longevity.

2. Brake Inspection: 
Ensuring your brakes are in good working condition is essential for safety, particularly when driving on busy or unfamiliar roads.

3. Tyre Check and Rotation: 
Tyres are crucial for vehicle safety. A service will typically include a check of tyre pressure, tread depth, and rotation to ensure even wear and optimal grip.

4. Battery Test: 
Cold weather can affect battery performance. A service will often include a battery test to ensure it has enough charge and is in good condition.

5. Fluid Levels Check: 
From coolant to brake fluid, ensuring all fluids are at the correct levels is essential for the smooth operation of your car.

6. Lights and Wipers: 
Ensuring that all lights are functional and that wipers are in good condition is crucial for visibility during winter driving.

Choosing a professional mechanic backed by a nationwide warranty provides added peace of mind. When you're embarking on a long journey, knowing that your car has been serviced by experienced technicians can alleviate stress. A nationwide warranty means that if anything goes wrong during your travels, you're covered, and can access support wherever you are.

Peace of Mind with Professional Mechanics

Beyond the mechanical checks, regular servicing helps maintain your car's overall health, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently. It can also help identify potential issues before they become major problems, saving you from unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.

Why Regular Service should be considered Non-Negotiable

When you choose a service provider like Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre in Dianella, you're opting for expertise and reliability. As part of a larger network, such service centres offer benefits like experienced technicians, state-of-the-art equipment, and a comprehensive understanding of various car makes and models.

The Benefits of Choosing a Trusted Service Provider

As you prepare for the festive season, don’t forget to prioritize your vehicle's health. Regular servicing is not just about maintaining your car; it's about ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones during your holiday travels.

Book early, trust in professional mechanics like Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre in Dianella, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your car is ready for the road. Happy holidays and safe travels…

Discover why regular car service is essential for a safe and smooth holiday journey. Learn how to ensure your vehicle is holiday-ready with expert tips…

Prepare Your Car for the Christmas Holidays with Regular Servicing

How Regular Car Service Prepares Your Car for the Christmas Holidays

Drive Safer this Winter with a Vehicle Inspection Report

Our Vehicle Inspection Report is free with every service at Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre in Dianella. Our qualified mechanics will visually check over the important components of your vehicle and provide you with a written report on the condition of your vehicle. We can then help you understand any concerns which may need to be attended so that you can drive safe this winter with Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre and Repco Authorised Service.

While half of Australia is enjoying their dry season up north, the southern half of the country is bracing for a wet winter.

This could mean there are very different ways to get your vehicle ready for winter; however the basics of safe winter motoring stay the same. So how can you make sure your car is ready for safe winter motoring? 

Don't you hate that moment when you switch on the wipers at the first spot of rain and realise they haven't been replaced in years! Your wipers are exposed to the full force of the Australian sun all year round and wear out. A good quality wiper blade like Trico is essential to help you see your way clear regardless of the weather. Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Fluids and other workings in your car can be impacted by cold weather; such as coolants, oils and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. It's essential to get your vehicle regularly serviced by a qualified mechanic who understands the best products and parts to keep your car in top condition. We use high quality NGK glow plugs and Penrite oils and fluids that are designed for Australian conditions.  

It's essential to drive to the road conditions Slow down in wet weather or poor visibility and leave a larger than normal stopping distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Drive on the safe side and book online for a service or a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

There are signs that your brakes need testing, including vibrating, spongy or slow responding brake pedal, strange sounds or difficult handling when applying pressure to your brakes. If you are experiencing any of these it's best to have a qualified professional check it out. Brake inspections form part of our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report, so if you have concerns call us today and book in.

It's dangerous to drive on worn tyres, or tyres with incorrect inflation. Now is the time to check that your tyres have plenty of tread left. If your tyres are wearing unevenly, this could indicate that your shock absorbers or some other vital part of your steering and suspension systems are due for service or replacement. 

Driving on incorrectly inflated tyres won't just cost you money on additional fuel; it can also impact your ability to stop. You can usually find manufacturers recommendations on a panel inside the driver side door.

Our Vehicle Inspection Report is free with every service at Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre in Dianella. Our qualified mechanics will visually check over the important components of your vehicle and provide you with a written report on the condition of your vehicle...

Safe winter driving with Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre

Brake fluid transfers the pressure you put on the brake pedal through to the actual brakes.
Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work. As everyone knows - not having brakes is a huge problem! In fact even slightly affected brakes are very dangerous.


Brake fluid absorbs moisture very easily. Brake fluids are also subject to very high temperatures and so they are designed to have a high boiling point to stop them from boiling and evaporating- when brake fluid has accumulated too much moisture- this lowers its boiling point and it can boil off more easily causing low levels. Low levels of brake fluid affect your braking performance and could mean your car will fail to stop.
Brake Fluid that has absorbed too much moisture will also shorten the life of your braking system including damaging the callipers, wheel cylinders and anti-lock braking systems.

Why is brake fluid replacement necessary?

Your manufacturer's log book will advise how regularly your brake fluid should be changed or flushed, we recommend a drain and replacement every two years however it is wise to have it regularly checked by an expert at every service to make sure the levels are not reducing too fast (a sign of a leak) or that the moisture levels have not reached a point that could be damaging your system.

How often should I replace my brake fluid?

At Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre we offer a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, upon request, with every full car service which includes a written review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and back discs and pads, callipers and cylinders and more. This inspection helps to identify any issues in your vehicle which should be addressed and our mechanics will certainly advise you if they feel your vehicle might need a brake fluid replacement, or an out of schedule brake system service or repairs.

Do you check the brake fluids during a car service?

Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work.

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it? 

As I aim to try to keep things fairly simple, and just start with the most commonly fixed parts on the car, I decided to talk brakes.

Now, most would agree that having brakes that work well is fairly important for a car. But when your mechanic rings you and says that your brakes need replacing, and gives you a few options - which is the right one for you? To help you make this decision, I would like to break it down a little so you can make an informed decision.

There are a few different components that make up the braking system. One part that rarely needs work on, so I won't go into too much detail about (although it is still an important component), is the brake master cylinder.

The brake master cylinder holds the brake fluid, that allows you, when you depress the brake pedal, to send fluid down the lines to the brake calipers, (will talk to you about these in a bit), that makes the brake pads grip the rotors to stop the car.

Complicated - I know, but when the brake master cylinder goes, it needs to be replaced. It is located in the engine bay, so I won't have a photo of it for you. This also houses the brake fluid you may be asked to pay for to get changed (always a good idea!!).

Ok, so let's get into the bits and pieces you will hear about most. The first is brake pads. Now, I would be surprised if you hadn't heard of these. Without good brake pads your car will not stop. Brake pads wear down over time due to friction when gripping the rotors to stop. In the picture below on the left is a worn brake pad and on the right is a new one - big difference!

The next part is the brake pad cradle. This holds the brake pads in place on the rotor to stop them from moving around.

The next component that you might hear about is the brake rotor or disc. Both terms are correct (so not really sure why they have 2 names for it). These are what the pads grip to, to stop the car. These also wear down over time and they have a legal thickness to them. So what that means, is when they get too thin they have to be replaced.

You may also get offered a machining of the rotors to prevent a brake shudder. This will always cost you more than just replacing the brake pads, but it is important for a couple of reasons. The first is to prevent a brake shudder. Now, I don't know about any of you, but if you have had a brake shudder before you will never want another one again.

Interestingly, they are not actually dangerous - Michael left me driving my old Toyota Prado (big 4WD) around with very young kids, with the worst brake shudder that came through my steering wheel and made me think my wheels were going to fall off! If the rotors are thick enough then the rotors can be machined, or smoothed off, to prevent the shudder or any squeaks. Smooth rotors also prevent premature brake pad wear.

So, in short, if it is recommended to machine the rotors or replace them, it really should be done. Below is a picture of an old rotor that has a bit of rust on it and should be machined or replaced when the brakes pads need replacing.

The last item I will talk about, but also generally doesn't need a great deal of work on, are the brake calipers. People who do a lot of off-roading will have the most issues with these. These are part of the hydraulics that make the brake pads grip the rotors. It sits over the brake pads and cradle.

So, when it is all done and put back together it will look something like this.

The rotors in this picture have actually been replaced, not machined as they were too thin to be done.

So, hopefully I haven't confused you and have made understanding the braking system a little easier, so when you are called, and generally put on the spot, you can decide how far you want to go with the options they give you.

Please if you have anything you would like me to write a blog on, send me a message and I will make it happen!

The Author, Gabbi is a mum who helps to run a family owned car service workshop in Dianella WA. Gabbi also produces her own blog called Mechanical Mums

Want to know more about Brakes? See or Frequently Asked Brake Questions below;

Having brakes that work well is fairly important for a car. But when your mechanic rings you and says that your brakes need replacing, and gives you a few options, which is the right one for you?

Brake service in Dianella

Need to know - brake service, brake pads and rotor machining

When it comes to brakes, you should never wait until brake repairs are necessary.  

Proper testing and routine checkups, such as our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection which we provide with all full car services, are important to ensure your vehicle's brake system is in top condition. Our expert team of technicians will be happy to advise you when they suspect that service or repair of your brake system is indicated to stop it becoming a bigger issue.

Brake services we perform at Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre include:

Brake Disc/Rotor and Drum Resurfacing or Machining

If you recognise any symptoms that your car's braking system could possibly need service or repairs simply book online with us and have the brakes of your vehicle assessed through our Dianella workshop today.

When it comes to brakes, you should'nt wait until brake repairs are necessary, get tested regularly.  

Brake and Clutch Service in Dianella

Brake and Clutch

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IAME

MTA-WA

We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Monday the 23rd of December and reopening on Monday the 30th of December. Please send an email to admin@schneidermechanical.com.au if you have an emergency and it will be checked daily.

We advise that the workshop will be closed over the Easter long weekend reopening on Tuesday the 11th of April

We also advise that we will be closed Tuesday the 25th of April for ANZAC Day reopening Wednesday the 26th of April.

We advise that we will be closed Monday the 5th of June for Western Australia Day reopening Tuesday the 6th of June.

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the Monarch's Birthday on the 25th of September. Apologies for any inconvenience.

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the public holiday on the 4th of March. Apologies for any inconvenience.

We advise we will be closed for the New Years Day public holiday Wednesday 1st of January

Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre (MRB10380) is your local car service mechanic in Dianella. As a family owned and operated business, we take great pride in offering our customers the very best in automotive care and we are committed to providing personalised and friendly service at all times. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we participate in the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring our technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. We have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. For reliable car maintenance, service & repairs in Dianella and the surrounding areas, please use our online booking form or give us a call.

Schneider Mechanical & Tyre Centre

Brake and clutch

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How Regular Car Service Prepares Your Car for the Christmas Holidays

Drive safer this winter

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it?

Need to know - brake service, brake pads and rotor machining