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

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

Some might think this means totally different ways to prepare your vehicle for the winter driving season - however, the basics of safe winter motoring stay unchanged. So how can you make sure your car is prepared for safe winter motoring? 

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. West Car Clinic can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Fluids and other components in your car can be impacted by cold weather - this includes coolants, oils and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. Regular services are important - especially by a professional who recognises the right 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.  

Always remember to drive to your conditions. Slow down in wet weather or poor visibility 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 Vehicle Inspection.

Keep a look out for the warning signs that your brakes need inspecting, including vibrating, spongy or slow responding brake pedal, strange sounds or difficult handling when applying pressure to your brakes. If you notice any of these you should get it checked out by a qualified expert. Brake inspections form part of our Vehicle Inspection Report - so if you have concerns, call us today and book in.

Driving on worn or incorrectly inflated tyres can be dangerous. Now is the time to check how worn your tyres are. 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 incorrectly inflated tyres won't just cost you money on additional fuel; it can also impact your ability to stop. You can usually find manufacturers recommendations on a panel inside the driver side door.

West Car Clinic 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!

Read our article for some great tips on safety and maintenance. If you have any concerns call West Car Clinic today to book in and inspection or a Service.

So how can you make sure your car is prepared for safe winter motoring?

Unroadworthy tyres are unsafe, illegal and basically cost you money.

West Car Clinic are the professionals in Ridgehaven when it comes to the supply, fitting, repair and maintenance of tyres for a range of vehicle types. You should have your tyres checked by a professional on a regular basis to ensure the safety, comfort and reliability of your vehicle in addition to the life span of your tyres.

The braking system cannot work to its maximum performance if the tyres are worn or otherwise unsuitable for the car or type of driving you undertake.

If you are experiencing unusual vibrations, poor handling of the vehicle, have problems keeping tyres at the correct pressure, have low tyre tread or can see obvious damage to your tyres, you should probably have your tyres checked by experts such as the service team from West Car Clinic.

New tyres, wheel alignment and wheel balancing go hand in hand to ensure good handling and maximising the expected lifespan of your new tyres. West Car Clinic are experts at inspecting and maintaining tyres and related components and can give you good advice on purchasing the correct tyres for your car.

If you need new tyres, a wheel balance or wheel alignment or just a simple bit of wheel related advice - it is time to pop in to your local Ridgehaven workshop for some expert advice.

High quality, good condition tyres are an important part of the "Safety Triangle" of shock absorbers, brakes and tyres. As their main role is keeping your car in contact with the road they play a vital role in the stopping power of your car.  Your local Repco Authorised Service mechanics are tyre and wheel professionals…

Wheels, Brakes and Tyre Service in Ridgehaven

As the main role of tyres is to keep your car in contact with the road, they play a vital role in the safety and stopping power of your car.

Regular car servicing will keep your car in good condition - and having the tyres checked at the same time can help you be aware of the condition of your tyres, while alerting you of any potential problems. Your West Car Clinic mechanic can also let you know if your car would benefit from a wheel alignment or wheel balancing. They are relatively low-cost solutions and can greatly improve your driving experience as well as overall vehicle safety.

1. Why get tyre and wheel services at West Car Clinic?

West Car Clinic are independently owned and operated and known locally for our honest service, years of experience and knowledge. We have a range of tyres and specialist equipment to perform your new tyre fitting or wheel alignment and balance. All our work is backed by the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty.

While checking your tyres is something you can do yourself, as professionals West Car Clinic can check out the internal condition of your tyres as well as the entire outside surface and they are well aware of the correct methods of disassembly, repair and reassembly - along with any manufacturer or legal requirements involved.

West Car Clinic can also advise you if there are any problems with your tyres, your wheel alignment, tyre balance or other areas of your car affecting your tyres such as brakes or suspension which you should be aware of to protect you and your vehicle, including the tyres themselves.

Tyres eventually wear out over time, an unavoidable process that is quickened by hard braking and regular high speed driving as well as uneven road surfaces. Unless there are problems causing uneven tyre wear or bald spots or there is other significant damage, the depth of the tread on the tyre is usually the best indicator your tyres are due for replacement. Although the legal minimum tread depth varies, a good rule of thumb is when the tread depth is approaching 1.6mm you should think about buying new tyres.

Tread on a tyre is very important as this is where you get the traction to both move the car forwards and also the friction required to stop safely and efficiently. Tread is also the method by which water is dissipated away from the tyre surface in a way that prevents aquaplaning and maintaining maximum grip and control. The less tread depth you have, the less control you will have in wet driving conditions.

Tyres generally last between six to ten years and the better you look after them the more chance there is that it will be the latter, rather than the former.

Tyre pressure is not just important to ensure you get the best fuel economy from your vehicle. Incorrect tyre pressure is a common cause of tyre damage as pressure and wear are directed at areas of the tyre not designed to take it. Perhaps most importantly the pressure of your tyres can have a direct impact on the driveability, and therefore the safety, of the vehicle.

4. Why should tyres be checked regularly?

You should check your tyres yourself on a regular basis to ensure they are in good condition. Be on the lookout for bald or flat spots, tears and cuts in the surface of the tyre and any foreign objects likely to cause problems such as stones, nails and other road debris. You should also have a tyre professional give them a check on a regular basis as they have the knowledge and equipment to properly check the entire tyre and may spot issues you simply don't see.

Tyres will suffer from wear and tear at varying rates. The front and rear tyres, for example, will wear at different rates - as front tyres generally carry more weight than rear ones, meaning faster heat build-up and, therefore, increased wear. The tyres on either side of your car will also tend to wear at different rates to those on the opposite side.

Having your tyres rotated regularly, every 8000 to 10,000 km, for example, can help to ensure that all of your tyres wear at a similar rate and in the same places. West Car Clinic will be happy to undertake this task for you and inspect each tyre as they do it, letting you know of any issues that might present a problem or you should otherwise be aware of. We can undertake all types of tyre rotation for you including Cross rotation, straight rotation, 5 wheel rotation and four-wheel drive rotation.

6. Will a regular wheel alignment or balance help look after tyres?

Regular wheel alignment helps to protect against premature or uneven tyre wear, increases the safety and handling of your vehicle and improves ride performance and fuel efficiency. Wheel balancing helps to minimise vibration through the wheels, thereby minimising premature or uneven tyre wear. Either wheel service (or both) will go a long way in helping to maximise the life of your tyres along with safety and handling benefits.

No matter how well you care for your tyres, there will come a time when the only option for maintaining the safety, comfort and fuel economy of your car is to have the tyres replaced, such as when they have reached the minimum tread depth. West Car Clinic supply and fit a range of tyres suitable for most vehicle types in our Ridgehaven car service workshop

Book a tyre or wheel service online or contact us for a quote.

West Car Clinic can advise if there are any problems with your tyres, wheel alignment, tyre balance or other areas affecting your tyres such as brakes or suspension which you should be aware of to protect you and your vehicle.

6 Important tips about your tyres from West Car Clinic

If one section of a tyre is heavier than the rest, then that tyre will rotate unevenly - or be out of balance. To balance a wheel, your mechanic will use a special computer-operated balancing machine that pinpoints exactly where any extra weight is on your tyre or wheel, and he will then place special counterweights on the opposing side - thus balancing the weight around the wheel. Having balanced tyres will extend the life of your tyres and increase their performance and your vehicles safety.

If your car or steering is wobbling, vibrating or your tyres are noisy.

If your tyres are making noises or your steering is feeling a little shaky - it could mean your car needs a tyre re-balance - or it could be a different issue altogether. The best way to diagnose steering issue in your vehicle is to speak to an expert.

Call us today or fill in our handy contact form and one of our friendly staff will contact you to answer your questions.

West Car Clinic know how to balance a wheel. Our Tyre Fitters will use a special computer-operated balancing machine that pinpoints exactly where any extra weight is on your tyre or wheel, and will then place special...

Professional Wheel Balamcing Services in Modbury

Wheel balance refers to how smoothly an individual wheel rotates around its own centre. Unbalanced wheels can cause other parts of your car to wear down faster - such as shock absorbers, struts and steering. If your wheels are not balanced properly it can affect the overall performance and feel of your car. 

Your steering wheel or car vibrates at high speed.

Your tyres have had some rough treatment such as potholes or extremely rough roads. 

West Car Clinic are fully equipped to balance your wheels - if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to make a booking today. 

Wheel balance refers to how smoothly an individual wheel rotates around its own centre.

Wheel Balancing in Ridgehaven

Wheel Balancing

IAME

Engine Bay

We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Friday the 23rd of December and reopening on Monday the 9th of January

West Car Clinic take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times.

Conveniently located near Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre and public transport hub, the business is RAA approved and a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program - ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods.

West Car Clinic have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles.

West Car Clinic

Wheel Balancing

You might need a wheel balance when:

Related articles

Drive Safer This Winter

Tyres and Wheel service in Ridgehaven

6 Tyre tips from West Car Clinic

Wheel Balancing