I have a new car, do I have to take it back to the dealer for servicing to keep my warranty?
The ACCC stipulates that vehicles with new car Statutory Warranty must be serviced in accordance to the manufacturer’s specifications, using genuine or appropriate quality parts where required, by qualified personnel.
Where parts used are non-genuine, but interchangeable with the genuine part, they must be fit for purpose and meet the required manufacturer specification. So in short, no you don’t have to take it back to the your dealer for servicing – all parts and lubricants we use meet or exceed manufacturer specifications.
What parts should be replaced and at what intervals should these services be performed?
For the best guidance on this topic, check your owner’s manual. It will give you all of the information you need regarding specific parts and service intervals. Make sure to read it thoroughly and note any exceptions or severe service notations. Warranties are there to protect the consumer, but you must follow the requirements and time frames specified.
What if my car has faults found whilst in for service?
Fear not, we will always quote for repairs once an issue is found with your vehicle. We will never carry out any repair work without your prior authorization.
How does the quality of aftermarket parts compare with original equipment parts?
At CMVS we pride ourselves on quality, not only on our workmanship but also in the parts we supply. Where possible we use parts manufactured by the same supplier as the genuine part and may even be warrantied longer than original equipment parts. Aftermarket parts supplied to us meet or exceed manufacturers specifications and stipulate their own guarantees and warranties.
It is not in our interest to use cheap inferior parts as this will likely lead to a job needing to be done twice, causing you to be off the road for longer.
What is a timing belt and how do I know when mine needs replacing?
A timing belt is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine’s valves. Your timing belt should be changed at the interval as stipulated by the vehicles manufacturer. Over extending the service interval of your timing belt can result in timing belt failure. Unfortunately in today’s modern engines when a timing belt fails it is likely to cause catastrophic internal engine damage, which can be significantly costly. You should consult your owners manual to determine the correct replacement interval, or feel free to contact us for additional information regarding your manufacturers replacement intervals.
Does brake fluid really need to be changed?
The average driver uses their brakes 75,000 times per year and takes for granted that they’ll work every time. Today’s brake systems are hydraulic and use brake fluid which is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture. Any more than 2% water content within the brake fluid can severely lower the boiling point of the brake fluid and dramatically effect the braking system. Once the hydraulic system has moisture in it, corrosion takes place and brake components fail. Brake fluid should be flushed periodically to keep corrosion under control. This procedure is not expensive and is included in many preventative maintenance schedules. We check your brake fluid upon logbook service to assure that it has no contamination and can quote for a flush and replacement of the fluid using manufacturer specified brake fluid.
How often should coolant be replaced?
Engine coolant should be replaced when recommended due to oxidation and deterioration of important additives within the coolant. These additives lubricate the water pump and protect metal parts from rust and oxidation. They also help keep coolant hoses soft and flexible. Coolant is very toxic and is not environmentally friendly so it should always be handled with care and disposed of in an appropriate manner.
We can chemical test coolant ratios and quality upon logbook service and will advise when your coolant requires replacement. This is to keep the inside of your engine free from oxidation and allows components like your water pump to continue running for as long as possible without premature failure.
When I apply my brakes, why does my steering wheel shake and/or brakes judder?
This is likely to be caused by the disc brake rotors having an excessive amount of run-out AKA warped discs. We can measure your discs, both for thickness and for run-out to with an accuracy of 0.01 of a millimeter. We can then compare the measurements to manufacturer specifications and quote to replace the discs accordingly coupled up with premium quality brake pads. We always measure brake discs to confirm the run-out of the disc, as the judder can also be caused by failure of some suspension components.
What oil should be used in my car?
Oil is oil right? Wrong!
Many years ago oil wasn’t very specific and only the oils viscosity mattered.
These days when modern engines are designed, they are designed to match the specific characteristics of particular oils and more importantly, their additives and friction modifiers.
At CMVS we are proud to use Castrol Professional oils as they have an extensive range of manufacturer oil approvals. To give an example of this, Castrol currently have 14 different 5w-30 oils to meet the specifications of different engines/manufacturers plus many more in other oil grades.
We stock most common oils but can always get the right oil matched for your engine and also transmission, unlike a lot of chained/franchised service providers who only look at oil grades when servicing your car.
Has your mechanic put you on a shorter service schedule than what is specified in your owners manual? Unfortunately, this is all to common in the industry and is likely to be due to the fact that they are using a cheaper, lower grade semi-synthetic/mineral oil, that doesn’t hold its lubrication qualities for as long.
Whether your engine is new or getting on in age, we assure we use the correct oil/additive packages to give your engine the best chance of a long and healthy life.