FAQs @ Castle Towing & Mechanical

A minor service is a relatively inexpensive way to keep your vehicle in good working order, and also prevent unforeseen major expenses by keeping up important preventative maintenance

During a minor service, we'll inspect your car for wear and tear, change & top up fluids. We will:

• Check the oil and oil filter - dirty oil will affect the running of your car.
• Check the brakes and brake fluid - the depth of the brake pads is measured and brake fluid tested for moisture and is topped up if required..
• Check the leads - they can last up to a decade but should be checked every service.
• Test the air conditioning system - to ensure it is running efficiently.
• Test the steering and suspension - response time & functionality is measured.
• Test the lights - bulbs will need to be replaced if not working.
• Check windscreen wipers and washers - important to ensure visibility.
• Check the air filter - it may need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Test the battery.
• Check your car's tyres (condition and pressure). 
• Check the fuel filter, belts, hoses, the car’s cooling system, exhaust, and transmission. 

If your vehicle requires repair work, we will contact you and provide a video tech check.

A minor service is recommended every 6 months or 10,000kms. 

A major service covers all of the elements in the minor service, with some additional servicing requirements. Here is a list of what is above and beyond a minor service:

• Check and top up all fluids.
• Change all transmission oils.
• Inspect the vehicle for safety issues.
• Check all external engine belts and hoses.
• Test the cooling system and coolant condition.
• Repack all wheel bearings - they take all the weight of your car so it is important to look after them.

A major service will take most of the day on some vehicles. The cost varies depending on the vehicle type and the service which is specified. 

If your vehicle requires repair work, we will contact you and provide a video tech check.

Not sure when a major service is required? Check your vehicle's logbook or owner's manual, or give us a call.

From Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, our towing service operates between Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr & Ingham.  

Non-emergency towing is also available on the weekends (by appointment). Please contact us to book. 

We will assess your vehicle asap and get in touch with you with required work and an estimate to get you back on the road, as quick as possible!

As a quick answer, yes any standard vehicle makes & models are fine! Please get in touch to check about trucks, trailers & machinery. 

There can be a number of reasons why your car's air conditioning is not blowing cold air. The most common reasons could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge (regas) your air conditioning. We can assess your car and let you know what is required to get your car cool again!

*Caution: if your vents are blowing WARM air, that is probably a cooling fan issue. Please see us asap to get it sorted, otherwise your engine may overheat. 

Most preventative maintenance is easy to do at home without special tools or skills. Of course we will check all the below elements during a minor service, but these small jobs can extend the life of your vehicle and help you avoid unnecessary expense:

• Check engine oil. While your engine is cold and with the vehicle parked on a level surface, grab a clean rag, open your hood, and look for the oil dipstick (which generally has a yellow or orange top). Pull the dipstick out, wipe the oil off it with the rag, and reinsert. When you remove the dipstick again, your oil level should be between the two markings on the metal. If the level is below, remove the oil cap on the engine and add the type of oil specified in the manual. If there is no oil on the dipstick, add oil until it falls into the right range and take your car in to be inspected right away. Oil that looks grainy or milky should be checked by a mechanic.
• Check tyre pressure. Under-inflated tires can be dangerous, cause uneven tread wear, and reduce your vehicle’s efficiency. At least once a month, use a pressure gauge to ensure that all four tyres are at the manufacturer’s recommended PSI. You’ll find that  info on the sticker located either on your driver’s side door. To get the most accurate reading, test your tyre pressure first thing in the morning or when your car hasn’t been driven for a few hours, because heat generated by driving expands the air in the tyre and can mask low tire pressure. If any are low, use a tyre inflator at home or at your local servo to bring it up to the recommended level.
• Check your tyres' condition. While you're checking your tyre pressue, have a good look at your tyres' condition. Worn or bald tyres are not only dangerous, they can actually void your car's insurance. Small bars of rubber running across the grooves in between the tread (called tread wear indicators) tell you when the tyre is worn out. If the tread is worn down to these bars on any part of the tyre, it's worn out, unroadworthy, and needs to be replaced. Unsure? We will check your tyres during a service. 
• Check out the belts & hoses under your hood. If any are cracking, leaking or fraying, get them checked by a mechanic asap.
• Replace wiper blades every 6-12 months. Find the correct blades at your local auto store, and follow the instructions to install (a YouTube video might come in handy!)
• Top up washer fluid. Important for visibility! Plain water is ok here in North Queensland, but for better results, you might want to buy proper washer fluid. Use a funnel to help fill the washer fluid reservoir. 
• Change light bulbs as required. Headlights, taillights, brake lights, and indicator lights are critical for safe driving. When these lights go out, most are easy to change. Check your owner’s manual for replacement instructions, or a vehicle-specific YouTube tutorial can help. You may need to remove the bulb to find the number listed on it and match it up with the correct one at the auto parts store. 

Not only can we recommend the correct tyres, but we usually have them on hand in the workshop! This saves you a trip to the tyre shop, or avoids delays while we wait for the correct tyres to be delivered. Speak to us about any current promos or deals on new car tyres.

Premium fuel has a higher RON (Research Octane Number), which indicates the octane rating of the petrol and the fuel’s ability to withstand a combustion anomaly known as detonation.

The higher the RON rating (eg. 98 vs 91), the greater its stability in more high-performance engines.

Depending on the car you own, fuelling up with premium fuel can result in increased performance that will see you produce a little extra power when compared to lower octane petrol. But if you're driving something older that hasn't been tuned to run on high-octane, you'll likely see no tangible benefit.

Each vehicle model has a recommended minimum octane requirement – often printed somewhere near the fuel cap – and owners should not fill up with a fuel grade lower than this, but a higher grade may offer advantages.

The most reliable way to find out if you could be going further on a tank of premium fuel  is to conduct your own test. Make a note of how far a fill of the cheapest option takes you using your normal driving style and habits, then compare the results to a tank of higher-grade fuel during the same typical conditions. You might be surprised at the results.

The most common signs that your battery in on the way out are:

• your engine sounds different or is harder to start in the morning.
• your engine takes a long time to turn over.

 If you notice these signs, please bring it in to be checked to avoid being stranded with a dead battery. 

Batteries usually last 3-5 years. During a regular service, we test your battery power and will let you know if it's running low. You can decide whether to replace your battery then & there, or leave it until a later date.