The car battery, an oft-forgotten yet critical component of any vehicle, provides the necessary power to start the engine and maintain a steady voltage to ensure optimal performance. With the added responsibility of powering other key features like headlights and radio, it’s no wonder that a car battery is a crucial component that should not be taken for granted. But despite its significance, a car battery can often be neglected by drivers until it’s too late. In fact, a battery can still function even when it’s not in optimal condition, making it difficult for drivers to spot potential issues ..read more

Let’s talk about why tyre rotation is so important. Tyres go through a lot, and while they are designed to handle it, it doesn’t hurt to give them a little extra care. Tyre rotation is a super simple yet critical part of tyre maintenance that we should all be a bit more diligent about. What is tyre rotation? So, what exactly is tyre rotation? It’s not about the tyres spinning as the car moves. It’s about changing the position of the tyres on the car, like moving them from the front to the rear or switching them from left to right. Why is it important? Now, why is it so essential to rotate your ..read more

So your car needs a little TLC. But what kind? Logbook service or basic service? Minor or major? What are the differences and will your warranty be affected? There are a lot of questions when it comes to the types of car services available, so let’s get to the answers. The logbook service A logbook service is when your car is serviced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific make and model of vehicle. It’s like a recipe that tells the mechanic how to take care of your car. It’s usually done every 15,000 km or every 12 months, whichever comes first (it’s written in the logbo ..read more

Unbeknownst to the average driver, tyres are doing a remarkable amount of work during every trip. Not only are they dealing with rough surfaces, potholes, curbs and continual braking and accelerating, they’re also dealing with the dispersal of water in order to maintain grip. During heavy downpours, a tyre in good condition is clearing a bucket of water every seven seconds. It sounds like a lot (and it is), but if a tyre can’t perform at this level, your car is in danger of aquaplaning. What is aquaplaning? Aquaplaning occurs when one or more tyres cannot adequately disperse water. When this h ..read more

Tyre speed ratings and load ratings are important aspects of your tyres’ capabilities that you should be aware of. What top speed can your tyres safely maintain? How much weight can they carry? Not only is this important for your safety, your insurance could be void if you’re not using the correct tyres. Tyre speed rating The tyre speed rating refers to the maximum speed a tyre can safely maintain when carrying its maximum load. It’s indicated by a letter which corresponds with the maximum speed. See the table below. Speed Symbol Max Speed (km/h) Speed Symbol Max Speed (km/h) Speed Symbol M ..read more

Cruise control transformed the long-distance driving experience. Its benefits have grown alongside its evolution, but there’s one in particular many drivers are interested in. Is it fuel efficient, or does cruise control use more fuel? The short answer: it depends (c’mon, you knew that was coming). The long answer takes a little longer, and it starts with an explanation of how cruise control actually works. How cruise control works When cruise control was first introduced, the system used a cable to hold the accelerator in a certain position to maintain a constant speed. In your modern car, th ..read more

Buying a new set of tyres isn’t the most exciting thing, we’ll admit. It’s not like shopping for the latest gaming console or a bottle of whiskey from a small Tasmanian distillery. We buy tyres because we need to, which means we tend to look for the cheapest on offer. So, if you’re due for a new set of tyres and you’re thinking of buying something cheap, here’s our number one tip: DON’T. Don’t think ‘cheap’; think ‘less’ It’s totally understandable that you don’t want to spend too much on your tyres. And, believe it or not, we support that. But instead of buying cheap tyres, we recommend simpl ..read more

Drivers who don’t use their cars a lot often ask this question, and it’s a fair one. Car tyres are worn down by constant use, bad roads, potholes and curbs. However, they’re also worn down by the sun, the air and poor maintenance – none of which entail driving the car much. Yes, drivers who use their cars more will most likely need to replace their car tyres more frequently. But those who don’t drive much can still expect to replace their tyres every five years – and the same goes for owners of caravans and trailers. Here’s why. Car tyre rubber has a use by date It’s fair enough to think that ..read more

The range of tyres available for your 4WD these days is incredible. While this means that there is the perfect set for all scenarios, it also means it’s hard to make a final decision. Narrow the field by thinking about what sort of driving you plan on doing. Will you be mainly city-based, rarely tackling the unsealed road? Do you have some decent road trips planned that take you away from the beaten path? Perhaps you plan on seeing some remote areas of our country and need tyres capable of handling roads that barely deserve the title. Basically, how much time you spend on bitumen compared to u ..read more

We may not like it, but there comes a time in most drivers’ lives when the spare tyre has to be pulled out. All we can do is hope it’s not raining at the time, we’re not on the way to the most important meeting of our life, and the passenger isn’t in the full throes of labour. When we do hear a pop, or the soft flapping of a punctured tyre, and it is our time to pull out the back up, it’s important that we know its capabilities and how long it can be driven on. Given the range of spare tyres available today, there’s no all-encompassing rule. So let’s break it down. How long can I drive on a ..read more