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Winter driving - how safe will you be?

Drive Safer this Winter with a 65 Point Written Vehicle Inspection Report

Our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report is free with every service at Southern Highlands Service Centre in Mittagong. Our qualified mechanics will visually check over the important safety components of your vehicle and provide you with a written report on the condition of your vehicle. We can then help you understand any safety concerns which may need to be attended so that you can drive safe this winter with Southern Highlands Service Centre and Repco Authorised Service.

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Safe winter driving tips

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

You might think this means very different approaches to have your car ready for winter driving; however the essentials of safe winter motoring stay unchanged. So what ways can you make sure your car is ready for safe winter motoring?

Seeing your way clear

Who hasn't had that moment when you turn on the wipers during that first rainstorm and realise they're worn out and basically useless! Wiper blades don't last forever, especially sitting under the harsh Australian sun all summer. A good quality wiper blade like Trico is essential to help you see your way clear regardless of the weather. Southern Highlands Service Centre can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Keeping it fluid

Fluids and other parts in your car can be impacted by cold weather; especially coolants, oils and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. It's important to have your car serviced regularly by an expert who recognises the best products and parts to maintain your vehicle in top condition. We use high quality NGK glow plugs and Penrite oils and fluids that are designed for Australian conditions.

Driving to the conditions

Conditions change - and your driving style should too. In wet weather or poor visibility, slow down and leave a larger than normal stopping distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Drive on the safe side and book in today for a service or a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

Could you stop in time?

Be aware of the warning signs that your brakes need to be looked at, including vibrating, spongy or slow responding brake pedal, strange sounds or difficult handling when applying pressure to your brakes. If your car is doing any of these it's best to have a qualified mechanic 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 or incorrectly inflated tyres. Now is the time to check that your tyres have plenty of tread left. If you spot uneven tyre wear, this could indicate that your shock absorbers or some other vital part of your steering and suspension systems are due for service or replacement. Find out more about the components that affect your tyre wear on the links below:

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

Southern Highlands Service Centre has a state of the art Safe T Stop machine that can accurately test for shocker and brake wear and tear and provide you with a detailed report on the state of your vehicles ability to stop in an emergency. Call us today to book in for a Safe T Stop test.

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