Brake fluid plays a crucial role in the safety of your vehicle by transferring the pressure you apply to the brake pedal to the actual brakes. Without it, your brakes simply wouldn’t function, and as everyone knows, a car without brakes is incredibly dangerous. Even slightly compromised brakes can pose a serious risk.

Brake fluid has a tendency to absorb moisture over time, which can compromise its effectiveness. Brake systems generate high temperatures, and brake fluid is specifically designed to have a high boiling point to prevent it from evaporating. However, when too much moisture builds up, the boiling point is lowered, making the fluid more prone to boiling under heat. This can lead to reduced brake fluid levels, ultimately affecting your vehicle’s braking performance and increasing stopping distances.

Why Is Brake Fluid Replacement Necessary?

In addition to reducing effectiveness, moisture-contaminated brake fluid can lead to corrosion within the braking system. Over time, this can damage components such as the callipers, wheel cylinders, and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Regular replacement helps to extend the lifespan of these parts and maintain optimal braking performance.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it actively absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment, even through microscopic openings in the brake system. This is why regular maintenance is essential to ensure safety.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer will specify how often the brake fluid should be replaced—typically outlined in the logbook service schedule. At Prestige Car & Truck Repairs, we recommend replacing it every two years as a general guideline. However, it’s equally important to have it checked during each routine service. A professional mechanic can assess the moisture content in the fluid and check for any leaks or other signs of wear that might require earlier attention.

How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Replaced?

Yes, at Prestige Car & Truck Repairs, we provide a comprehensive 65-point vehicle inspection upon request with every full service. This includes a detailed review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and rear discs and pads, callipers, cylinders, and more. Our expert mechanics will assess the condition of your braking system and notify you if the brake fluid needs replacing or if any additional brake system repairs or maintenance are required. Regular checks can catch problems early, ensuring your safety on the road.

Maintaining your brake fluid is an essential part of car ownership, and neglecting it could lead to costly repairs or, worse, compromised safety. If you’re due for a brake fluid replacement or simply want peace of mind, book a service with Prestige Car & Truck Repairs in Wodonga. Our team will make sure your braking system is in top condition, so you can drive with confidence.

Learn why brake fluid is essential for your vehicle’s safety, how it works, and why regular maintenance by Prestige Car & Truck Repairs is crucial for optimal braking performance and to prevent costly repairs.

Brake Fluid: What It Is and Why It Matters

Brake Fluid: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

Do you drive an Automatic vehicle? Then you might not even be aware that there is a clutch in your vehicle. Without it, the gears in your car will not change.

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs in Wodonga know all about repairing and servicing these systems including clutches, cables and fluids. Learn more below.

The clutch is one of the most important elements of your vehicles driving operation. Your engine is what causes your wheels to spin, but what happens when your car needs to stop? The engine shouldn't stop spinning but the wheels need to. It's the clutch that allows this to happen. The clutch allows the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels to be interrupted while a gear is being changed or while the car is stationary and the engine continues to run.

Some vehicles have hydraulic clutches - when you press the clutch pedal, the clutch fluid moves the pressure from the pedal through to the clutch and disengages the power transmission. Leaking clutch fluid can cause all kinds of problem in your vehicle so it is very important to monitor it regularly. At Prestige Car & Truck Repairs in Wodonga we check your clutch fluid, hydraulic system or clutch cables for you in the course of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection - which you can request as part of every car service.


You should have your clutch inspected if:

What signs to look for if your clutch is not performing

You notice a burnt ‘toast' or ‘burning rubber' smell in your car, or smoke from under vehicle

Your vehicle is slipping out of gear for no reason

Your clutch is not disengaging fully, or your clutch is sticking or shuddering

If your clutch is showing any of the problems above - it could mean any number of faults. Clutch problems are difficult to diagnose by symptoms alone because many issues cause the same symptoms, depending on the vehicle and type of engine. The best way to deal with clutch shuddering, slipping or noise is contact your local mechanics at Prestige Car & Truck Repairs today.

We can perform clutch diagnostics, service and repairs on most makes and models right here in our Wodonga workshop.

The clutch is one of the most important elements of your vehicles driving operation.

Grinding Gears? - It could be your Clutch Fluid

Local Wodonga Mechanic Prestige Car & Truck Repairs take great pride in offering only the very best in car servicing and automotive repairs

Conveniently located in Wodonga since 2014, Prestige Car & Truck Repairs specialise in car servicing for all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles and are VACC members. Prior to opening in Wodonga we were located in Albury.

As a business, our primary objective is to provide an exceptional level of customer service, which we believe distinguishes us from other mechanics and dealerships. We consistently strive to exceed expectations by offering a superior level of service and a comprehensive package for vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Our fully qualified log book servicing ensures your car is in safe hands, and we provide quality car service and repairs on all models... including four wheel drive and Diesel vehicles. Our qualified mechanics are able to service a range of vehicles, including cars, trucks and caravans, in fact we can service pretty much any type of vehicle.

We have expanded our workshop and added 5 New Vehicle Hoists (2 specifically designed for larger vehicles, American trucks & Tradie vehicles) & a 100 tonne press.  We are always looking to expand & grow our workshop plus our high level customer service and broad range of capabilities allows us to offer a complete vehicle service & maintenance package for our customers. 

We regularly service all makes & models of cars, including diesels, AWD's, 4WD's, caravans, campervans, trailers, light trucks, off-roads, utes, vans, buses, minibuses, motorhomes, hybrids, racing cars, tractors, earthmovers, forklifts, ATVs, boats, horse floats, motorbikes and scooters.

Our Wodonga Workshop is well placed to service vehicles in Albury - Wodonga, Baranduda, Killara, Lavington, West Wodonga and the surrounding areas.

Why get vehicle service from Prestige Car & Truck Repairs:

We have a fully air conditioned customer waiting room with tea & coffee. We offer a free shuttle service & have vehicle collect & drop off services available*. We are a stones throw from the Wodonga CBD & walking distance to parks, lakes & food facilities.
*Conditions apply, please speak to our friendly service team.

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, Prestige Car & Truck Repairs have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care. Our Business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring each mechanic is kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods.

We sponsor several local community & sporting groups. We are proud Sponsors of the Wodonga Bulldogs All Abilities Football Team – Wodonga Jets, Barnawartha Tigers Football Netball Club & Wodonga Warriors Baseball & Softball Clubs. We believe in building strong ties with the community we serve.

Ensuring your vehicle's reliability hinges on proactive maintenance. By conducting regular inspections and servicing, you can steer clear of breakdowns and failures. Don't wait until your vehicle starts making noises or leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Entrust our team of fully qualified and dedicated mechanics to uphold your vehicle's performance to the utmost standard.

So rest assured - your car is in safe hands.

For friendly car service from a trusted independent mechanic, you can rely on the team at Prestige Car & Truck Repairs

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Automotive & Truck Servicing and Repairs in Wodonga

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 Prestige Car & Truck Repairs 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.

Why get tyre and wheel services from Prestige Car & Truck Repairs?

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs 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 Prestige Car & Truck Repairs 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.

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs 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 which 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 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 which 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 is 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.

3. 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. Prestige Car & Truck Repairs 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.

5. 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 safety, comfort and fuel economy of your car is to have the tyres replaced, such as when they have reached the minimum tread depth. Prestige Car & Truck Repairs supply and fit a range of tyres suitable for most vehicle types in our Wodonga car service workshop

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs offer some advice on keeping these crucial components of your vehicle in the best condition for when you need them the most…

Tips on tyre safety and maintenance in Wodonga

Tyre care tips from Prestige Car & Truck Repairs

When it comes to brakes, you should never wait until brake repairs are necessary.  

Proper testing and routine checkups, such as our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection which we provide with all full car services, are important to ensure your vehicle's brake system is in top condition. Our expert team of technicians will be happy to advise you when they suspect that service or repair of your brake system is indicated to stop it becoming a bigger issue.

Brake services we perform at Prestige Car & Truck Repairs include:

Brake Disc/Rotor and Drum Resurfacing or Machining

If you recognise any symptoms that your car's braking system could possibly need service or repairs simply book online with us and have the brakes of your vehicle assessed through our Wodonga workshop today.

When it comes to brakes, you should'nt wait until brake repairs are necessary, get tested regularly.  

Brake and Clutch Service in Wodonga

Brake and Clutch

AAAA

VACC

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times.

Conveniently located in Wodonga, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods.

Prestige Car & Truck Repairs have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.


Prestige Car & Truck Repairs

Brake and clutch

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Brake Fluid: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

Grinding Gears? - It could be your Clutch Fluid

Car & Truck Service and Repairs Wodonga

Tyre care tips from Prestige Car & Truck Repairs