5 Things Your Mechanic Wishes You Knew

A little insider knowledge from the workshop floor.

Mechanics see a lot. Strange noises, mysterious smells, questionable DIY repairs and cars that have somehow survived years of neglect .

And while we love a good mechanical mystery, there are a few things we wish every car owner knew.

So we asked Shaun, what five things are he feels everyone should know.

1. Servicing your car on time can prevent major repairs

We get it. Life gets busy and booking your car in for a service isn’t exactly the most exciting thing on your to do list. Especially when it seems to run totally fine.

But here is the thing : Just because nothing feels wrong, doesn’t mean nothing is wrong.

Regular servicing isn’t simply about changing your oil and sending you on your way. It is an opportunity to identify worn components, fluid leaks and developing mechanical issues before they turn into something much more expensive.

That small issue you could have fixed today> It might become a considerable bigger repair bill six months down the track.

Shaun’s advice: Stick to your manufacturers recommended service intervalls. A little preventive maintenance now can save you a lot of money and headaches later.

2. Don’t let your fuel level run too low

We have all played the game. The fuel light comes on, you look at the distance to empty and think that you have easily another 30 km to go.

But regularly running your fuel tank close to empty is not a great habit.

Many modern vehicles have an electric fuel pump inside the tank, where the fuel helps keep the pump cool, Consistently running very low can increase the risk of overheating or premature wear in some fuel systems.

Shaun’s advice: Don’t make a habit of driving around on fumes. Refuel before scraping the bottom of the tank.

3. Check your water, oil and tyre pressure regularly

You do not need to be a mechanic to give your car a little TLC.

In fact, a few simple checks can make a surprisingly big difference.

Engine oil: Running low on oil can cause serious engine damage. Check your oil level according to your vehicles handbook and do not assume it is fine just because there is no warning light.

Coolant: Your engine needs a properly functioning cooling system to maintain a safe operating temperature. Low coolant can lead to overheating and potentially expensive repairs.

Tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres can affect handling, fuel consumption and potentially expensive repairs.

And no , giving your tyres a quick kick does not count as checking the pressure ;)

Shaun’s advice: Make these checks part of your regular routine.

4. If your car starts driving differently , don’t ignore it

You know your car better than anyone.

You know how it normally sounds, how it handles and how it feels when you are driving.

So when something changes, pay attention.

Maybe the steering feels heavier than usual. Perhaps there is a vibration that was not there last week. Or your brakes suddenly feel a little different.

Your car does not need to break down completely before there is a problem worth investigating.

And wile we are on the subject , turning up the radio does not actually fix that problem . Disappointing, we know ;)

Shaun’s advice: If something feels different, get it checked. And if you notice a serious change in braking, steering or handling stop driving and seek professional advice.

5. Know your limits when it comes to DIY repairs

We love a bit of enthusiasm . There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to learn more about your car or tackling basic maintenance yourself.

But there is a difference between replacing your windscreen wipers and attempting a complicated repair after watching a 7 minute YouTube tutorial.

Modern vehicles are complex and what might look like a straight forward job can quickly become something much bigger.

Sometimes the money you thought you were saving ends up being spent fixing the original problem and the additional damage.

Shaun’s advice: Know what your are comfortable and competent doing and recognise when a job needs professional attention. Particularly when it involves safety critical systems like brakes, steering or suspension.

And one more thing : THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS

Here is something we genuinely wish more people understood. We would much rather answer a silly question than repair an expensive mistake.

You do not need to know the difference between different belts or whats happening under the bonnet.

And you definitely do not need to apologise for asking what you think might be a stupid question.

Whether you are wondering about a dashboard warning light, a strange noise, an upcoming service or something that just does not feel right .

JUST ASK US !

A good mechanic should be able to explain what is happening with your car without making you fell like you need a mechanical engineering degree just to understand the answer.

The Bottom Line

We know not everyone lives and breathes cars. Some people love them, others just want theirs to start every morning, get them where they need to go and that is it.

And that is completely fine.

Our job is not just to repair and maintain vehicles. It is to help you understand what your car needs, why it needs it and what your options are.