Plan Ahead: The Ultimate Guide to Car Maintenance Before Holidays
Preparing for school holidays, a weekend away, or a big adventure quite often sees those of us in the automotive industry with calls for last-minute repairs, services or performance improvements required.
A suitable workshop that plans around such known events can accommodate that last-minute call requesting assistance, especially when school holidays or long weekends are looming.
Admittedly, some decisions are last minute and opportunistic. At times, on the previous trip away, you could have realised you needed something done and then it slipped your mind before the next trip was inevitably on your doorstep.
Since the focus on travelling within our region and state came into play, some automotive workshops have become quite busy and trying to book your vehicle in two to three days before trekking off on a trip can result in hours on the phone trying to find a vacancy, and a workshop with the skills and capabilities to execute the required repairs.
Planning is key to ensuring you’re not delayed.
Regular routine maintenance set out by the manufacturer can make finding and rectifying any potential issues a breeze. Preventative maintenance is the best defence at always being prepared for adventure.
During routine services, mechanics look at components all over your vehicle to ensure that they are safe and roadworthy. If a particular item looks to be wearing out, for example, brake pads, the repairer can estimate how much time you have to repair it before it fails. This will help you plan your budget too to accommodate the expense. However, in some cases where the repairer may be servicing your car for the first time, you may have items that need immediate attention, and that is a safety issue if left unresolved.
Different workshops offer different services and perks; however, fundamentally, the manufacturers’ requirements need to be followed when it comes to servicing. This begs the question, who do you take your car to for servicing? A dealer or an independent repairer?
Regardless of the myths, please know that this is your choice. Under the consumer law set out by the ACCC, your vehicle can be serviced and have its logbook stamped by independent repairers, as long as the obligations set out by the manufacturer are met. By visiting an independent repairer, you will not void the warranty.
To quote Stuart Charity of the ACCC, “Imagine a car servicing market where consumers are fully aware of their warranty rights and can choose their preferred repairer based on relationships, service, proximity and price, confident in the knowledge that their manufacturers’ warranty will be preserved, regardless of where they get their car serviced. This is not a pipe dream. This is Australian Consumer Law,”
Preventative maintenance keeps your vehicle in good working order and proactively checks for potential fails. Making repairs to items that aren’t working as they should ensures you’re not left in the dark at a time that really isn’t convenient, and conducting performance improvements results in you always being ready for adventure.
The next time you need a repair, a service or a performance upgrade, do business with who you want to do business with, not with who you’re told to do business with.
