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

The result of that could be very different ways to get your car ready for winter; however, the fundamentals of safe winter motoring don’t change. So what do you do to make sure your car is prepared for safe winter motoring?

Don't you hate that moment when you switch on the wipers at the first drop of rain and realise they're worn out and basically useless! Wiper blades age and become less effective - especially after a long hot summer. A good quality wiper blade like Trico is essential to help you see your way clear regardless of the weather. Bips Auto Service Centre can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Fluids and other mechanisms in your car can be affected by cold weather; especially coolants, oils and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. Getting your car regularly serviced - especially by a qualified mechanic who understands the right parts and products for your particular vehicle make and model. 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 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

Be aware of the symptoms that your brakes need inspecting, like 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.

Driving on worn or incorrectly inflated tyres can be dangerous. Now is the time to check how worn your tyres are. If your tyres are wearing unevenly, this could indicate that your shock absorbers or some other vital part of your steering and suspension systems are due for service or replacement.

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

Bips Auto 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.

Find out more about the components that affect your tyre wear on the links below:

• Tyres and Wheel Service
• Shock Absorber Auto Facts
• Steering and CV Boots
• Braking and Disc Pads