Car Service Tips and Tools Used in Australia

Servicing your car regularly is a must! However, one thing is for certain – keeping your car in top condition shouldn’t mean you have to do constant trips to the mechanic. In Australia, there are consistent external factors that put a lot of strain and pressure onto vehicles (i.e. long drives, varied terrain, unrelenting heat), and understanding basic car servicing and having the right car service tools can save you countless hours, money, and stress.

In fact, most repairs and servicing, with the right knowledge, can be completed entirely at home! As long as you have all of the right equipment, you can complete it simply on your driveway. Research highlights that almost 30% of standard servicing jobs take less than 20 minutes, so all of that extra that you are paying is for additional labour fees. 

To save you money, our team at Joel’s Garage Gear have constructed a detailed guide that breaks down all of the essential car servicing processes, the tools you need to DIY them yourself, and where more advanced equipment like mobile car hoists and car hoist tools can come in really handy and take your servicing to the next level! 

How Do Car Service Processes Work in Australia?

Before embarking on your personal car servicing journey, it is important to understand the differences between basic servicing and professional requirements, as they vary quite significantly. In Australia, servicing generally falls into two separate categories: Logbook Servicing and DIY Maintenance. Logbook Service is just your standard mechanical servicing – it is manufacturer-specified servicing that must be completed by a qualified mechanic at a licensed business. This is to help maintain warranty and make sure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy to drive. DIY Maintenance is much more simple, and it includes checking fluid, inspecting tyres, and replacing wipers – very much just the standard checks!

Having a clear understanding of this knowledge is key. Whilst you can complete DIY maintenance and regular checks at home, more advanced safety inspections should be completed by a professional mechanic. 

Essential Pre-Checks Every Australian Drive Should be Aware Of 

Conducting pre-checks before heading off on a road trip or even on your daily commute can help to prevent costly breakdowns and extend the life of your car. Some quick inspections that are noteworthy include tyre checks, fluid levels, and air filter conditions. Below is a breakdown of each of these components to help you get a better understanding of what exactly it is you need to do.

Fluid Levels 

Fluid levels are by far the most important pre-checks that should be completed before heading off on a drive! It is one of the easiest and most effective car service tips, and being able to do these yourself will save you both time and money in the long run. 

• Coolant: the coolant helps to cool your car down, and the way to check this is via the reservoir only! Do not open a hot radiator!
• Brake Fluid: break fluid is incredibly important, because if you run out, you can’t break! Make sure to read your vehicle’s component manual to find the right levels. 
• Washer fluid: washer fluids are essential as they help to clean your windshield. These typically need regular topping up, as they are used quite often. Again, refer to your vehicle’s component manual for exact location. 
• Engine Oil: engine oil is the powerhouse of your car! Without it, your engine won’t run. To check engine oil quality and quantity, use the dipstick and ensure proper levels. 

Fluid levels are a major component of ensuring safety and usability of your vehicle. Regularly check these levels to see if they are at the proper and recommended levels. 

Tyre Checks 

A quick and easy way to check your vehicle’s tyre tread depth is the 20-cent coin test. If the platypus bill is visible, your tyre is worn and needs urgent replacing. Other important pre-checks to inspect on your tyres include tyre pressure checks, visible damage/cracks, and uneven wear patterns.

Air Filters 

A clogged air filter drastically reduces engine performance and fuel efficiency. If it looks visibly dirty and worn, replace it as quickly as possible. It is an inexpensive and quick upgrade that will improve your driving experience and ensure longevity of your car!

 

Some of the Essential Car Service Tools That All Australians Need

Walking into Supercheap Auto or Repco and seeing all of the different parts and components that they have on offer can often be an overwhelming experience, particularly if you have limited knowledge of cars. These are some of the basic servicing tools you can start with that are at the core of all maintenance processes. 

1. Jack and Stand 

Safety always comes first! A trolley jack combined with a quality jack stand is much safer than just a standard emergency jack. Always invest in high-quality products to ensure you complete your service safely. 

2. Metric Socket Set 

Most Australian vehicles use metric sizing. A good set with common sizes such as 10mm and 12mm will cover most jobs. 

3. Torque Wrench 

Torque wrenches ensure that bolts are tightened to manufacturer specifications. Proper use prevents damage and keeps components secure.

4. Catch Pan 

Catch Pans are essential for oil changes or any other fluid work. It helps to keep your workplace clean, safe, and allows for proper disposal. Never complete an oil change without a proper catch pan. 

5. OBD2 Scanner 

Modern cars often rely on onboard diagnostics. A basic scanner can help you read faults across your entire vehicle and detect problems quickly. 

These tools can help you to establish a proper DIY maintenance set up and allow you handle the most basic car servicing from the comfort of your own driveway. 

Take it One Step Further and Invest in a More Advanced Workshop Setup

If you are serious about your car servicing or you are interested in creating your own little workshop, upgrading your setup can make a huge difference to your existing space. There are two popular forms of hoists worth investing in if you want to establish a more advanced working space, and these are car hoists and mobile car hoists. 

Mobile Car Hoists for Car Servicing 

The best thing about mobile car hoists is that they can be moved around, and they are ideal for workshops that need spatial flexibility. Home garages and mobile mechanics can also benefit greatly from a mobile car hoist set up, as they can be repositioned incredibly easily whilst still offering professional-grade lifting capability.

Standard Car Hoists 

Standard car hoists are a much more permanent solution, and they can provide faster and more efficient servicing with better access to undercarriage components. They also help to increase safety as opposed to working on stands as they are a fixed structure. 

For semi-professionals or people who want to advance their mechanical knowledge, investing in a high-quality car hoist from Joel’s Garage Gear can save you time, money, and stress, and allow you to complete servicing with more ease and efficiency from your own home. 

Invest in Good Quality Car Equipment from Joel’s Garage Gear!

Whether you are just embarking on your personal DIY maintenance journey, or you are already a semi-professional ready to upgrade your existing workshop – whatever the situation, Joel’s Garage Gear is here to help! Our team of dedicated professionals will help you to achieve your dream mechanical setup and complete your car’s servicing with both ease and confidence.

From standard equipment to specialised car hoist structures, we can guarantee that you will find what you are looking for! All of our equipment is made to adhere to Australian safety standards, so you can rest assured that you will get the most out of your service and seriously enhance your car’s performance. 

Ready to take the next step? Explore our wide range of car hoist tools and equipment and take your home garage to the next level!