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Sunshine Steering is your local car service mechanic in Palmwoods. As a family owned and operated business, we take great pride in offering our customers the very best in automotive care and we are committed to providing personalised and friendly service at all times. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we participate in the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring our technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. We have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. For reliable car maintenance, service & repairs in Palmwoods and the surrounding areas, please use our online booking form or give us a call.

Brake fluid transfers the pressure you put on the brake pedal through to the actual brakes.
Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work. As everyone knows - not having brakes is a huge problem! In fact even slightly affected brakes are very dangerous.
 Why is brake fluid replacement necessary? Brake fluid absorbs moisture very easily. Brake fluids are also subject to very high temperatures and so they are designed to have a high boiling point to stop them from boiling and evaporating- when brake fluid has accumulated too much moisture- this lowers its boiling point and it can boil off more easily causing low levels. Low levels of brake fluid affect your braking performance and could mean your car will fail to stop.
Brake Fluid that has absorbed too much moisture will also shorten the life of your braking system including damaging the callipers, wheel cylinders and anti-lock braking systems. How often should I replace my brake fluid? Your manufacturer's log book will advise how regularly your brake fluid should be changed or flushed, we recommend a drain and replacement every two years however it is wise to have it regularly checked by an expert at every service to make sure the levels are not reducing too fast (a sign of a leak) or that the moisture levels have not reached a point that could be damaging your system. Do you check my brake fluids during a car service? At Sunshine Steering we offer a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, upon request, with every full car service which includes a written review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and back discs and pads, callipers and cylinders and more. This inspection helps to identify any issues in your vehicle which should be addressed and our mechanics will certainly advise you if they feel your vehicle might need a brake fluid replacement, or an out of schedule brake system service or repairs.

Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work.

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it? 

Sunshine Steering are well placed to take care all of your Car Air Conditioner Re-gas, Service, Repair and Inspection needs (AU49451) You ought to send your vehicle to a reputable workshop such as Sunshine Steering regularly to make sure the air conditioning system continues performing efficiently as well as having the mechanics advise you on the condition of the entire car. Repco Authorised Service mechanics perform a 65 point Vehicle Inspection with every service and can give you a heads up about any items that may need renewing in the near future or those that are already damaged beyond repair. Sunshine Steering care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU49451) to reliably and responsibly conduct automotive air conditioning service in and around Palmwoods and the surrounding areas. Air conditioning FAQ's How does car air conditioning work so efficiently? An automotive air conditioner system can be classified into four basic parts - a belt driven pump called a compressor to compress and circulate gas, a radiator like unit called a condenser (removes heat and condenses gas to a liquid), an expansion device, either an orifice tube or a thermal expansion valve (TXV) (dependent on the kind of A/C system used). Systems using orifice tubes also have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator to perform the same crucial task. Both the accumulator and receiver-drier are also used to store refrigerant. An automotive air conditioning is designed to absorb the heat from the air in the inside of the vehicle and transfer it to the exterior, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be recirculated. Hot air is passed across a gas filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car. The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to quickly extract the heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the flow of refrigerant going to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the cold fins of the evaporator produces the cold air being blown into the car and the entire process then begins all over again. What is included in a car air conditioner service? A typical air conditioner service may include some of the following items; Evaluate air vent temperature Check condenser temperature correct  Assess suction line temperature  Confirm operation of drive belt & pulley ok  Ensure correct operation of valves and thermostats  Condenser fins cleaned  Ensure good condition of components and hoses  Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)  Test system lines and components for leaks with an electronic leak detector Why do i need a car air conditioner system service? Avoiding compressor seizure is achieved by checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant. Should the air filters get choked with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to fail to operate completely. Aside from degrading air conditioner performance, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too. An air conditioner should be checked for problems annually for any signs of decay in the connections, seals and hoses and ensure there is no reduction of refrigerant over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard and this in turn protects the system from damage and reduces the amount of fuel being used up. Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced? An automotive air conditioning is designed to absorb the heat from the air in the inside of the vehicle to the exterior, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be recirculated. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid. Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being in use occasionally rather than being 'Always On' can cause issues with the connections, seals and hoses. Your automotive air conditioning system should be examined on a regular basis to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points. Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the filters of the air con get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time and should be recharged where required to keep the air con system in peak running condition. Can i service my own air conditioner? Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to be able to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where regas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing. Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if handled incorrectly. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website. What is the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning systems? The evaporator core can be subject to the development of microbes, bacteria and even fungus. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, the addition of extra fins leads to an increased ability to trap moisture, allowing micro-organism development. Sunshine Steering mechanics can use specialised ultrasonic technology to eliminate any micro-organisms that may cause bad odours or health issues. Just ask about our MIST service, which will kill any bacteria that may be lurking in your car's air system. These bacteria can cause odours and even make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. A MIST service doesn't just make your car smell better - it makes it healthier for you and your family.

Find out more about how car air conditioning works and why you should get a regular service for your car air conditioner…

Car air conditioning FAQs

Automatic Transmission Flushing in Palmwoods An Automatic Transmission Service and Full Transmission Flush from Sunshine Steering Changes Everything. A standard vehicle generally needs to have a transmission service every 40,000kms under normal driving conditions. If you regularly drive your vehicle under load, such as towing heavy loads like boats, caravans or large trailers, the transmission is under more strain and may need to be serviced at more frequent intervals. Sunshine Steering provide automatic transmission servicing and also offer a full flush service that removes 99% of the oil in the transmission system, replacing it with fresh, clean oil to ensure smooth operation and increase the life expectancy of your Automatic Transmission. A standard transmission system holds approx. 9 litres of oil. A simple oil drain only removes about 3 litres meaning only roughly a third of the oil is actually being changed. As oil is a liquid it goes without saying that you can't choose which third is being changed and replace only old oil next time. Sunshine Steering have the skills and specialist equipment to completely remove all of the old oil and completely flush the automatic transmission system, including the automatic cooler and the automatic transmission itself. We then refill your newly cleaned Transmission with fresh, high quality transmission oil to maximise the life span of your transmission and keep it operating as smooth as silk. We can also perform a Power Steering Flush - very important for the health of your power steering components. To have your Automatic Transmission serviced and fully flushed simply book a service now or call us for an estimate today.

Simply draining a transmission and topping up with new oil only changes about a third of the oil. Sunshine steering can change it all...

Transmission flush palmwoods

Log Book Servicing is a proactive approach to car maintenance where regular inspections and small fixes keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently to prevent small problems turning into major damage and issues which could otherwise be very costly to repair. Every passenger car (and most commercials vehicles) should be issued with a “Log Book” by the manufacturer, which lays out the specified timing and agenda for your regular log book services. You should keep your log book in your glove box for reference and recording any details, but Sunshine Steering can also refer to our database to get the required information if you've misplaced your book. The schedule of the service will be a combination of both time or distance. You may be tempted to delay your next log book service because your car is probably still driveable and it may not have reached BOTH the time and distance measures. While you obviously need to find availability in your budget and schedule, don't delay too long because wear and tear on the car will increase exponentially and could lead to damage which is many times more expensive than the log book service would have been. What's included? Every car is different and the agenda for each service changes according to the schedule, which is why each vehicle is issued with a log book.  Here are some examples of what can be included: Change Oil Check Coolant Check Car Battery Check Transmission Fluid Check Brake Fluid Check the Condition of the Air Filter Check Power Steering Fluid Check Spark Plugs Check Turn Signals Check Brake Lights Check Heating System Brake Check Belt Check Hose Check Tyre Rotation Coolant Sensor Check For a qualified Log Book Service at a competitive price, contact us at Sunshine Steering using the links below. Sunshine Steering are conveniently located at4 / 27 Main Streetand service customers inPalmwoodsand the surrounding areas. Get more information in repco's auto facts videos: Service Intervals New Car Warranties

Every car is different and the agenda for each service changes according to the schedule, which is why each vehicle is issued with a log book. While you obviously need to find availability in your budget and schedule, don't delay too long because...

What is log book service

ADR Vehicle Modifications in Palmwwoods Our highly skilled technicians are fully certified and qualified to make modifications and alterations to vehicles in full compliance with the ADR (Australian Design Rules). We can also check existing modifications for compliance and certify them if correctly completed. If you are looking to have modifications to your vehicle or installations of after market components not fitted during manufacture or want modifcations already applied to your vehicle checked or certified Sunshine Steering can do it all Whether you are wanting a larger than normal engine in your car, want to add extra features such as roll bars, have a vehicle with special requirements such as vintage or racing vehicles or are considering adding a turbo for an extra boost, contact Sunshine Steering for advice. We regularly undertakes such modifications as; •Installation of Child Restraint Anchor Points •Adding or replacing seatbelts •Changing seating capacity •Installing Rollbars and other safety features •Fitting of extra or long range Fuel Tanks •Upgrading or adding Turbos •Upgrading to a bigger or more efficient engine Upon completion of the required modifications Sunshine Steering will see to al the paperwork and notify the Department of Transport, informing them the alterations were completed by a qualified mechanic and meet or exceed the ADR requirements for safety. If you have previously had modifications to a vehicle but are unsure if they meet ADR standards, bring your car into Sunshine Steering. We will check the work has been carried out correctly and in compliance with the Australian Design Rules (ADR's) and advise you as to the quality of the work. We will thoroughly inspect all the safety aspects of any alterations, making sure that welding and engineering practices are fully compliant with the ADR requirements. Provided the modifications pass the inspection we will sign it off and send the paperwork to the Department of Transport. Book an ADR Modification or Inspection or contact us today for a free estimate.

Adr vehicle modifications palmwoods

Services Sunshine Steering Can Perform Sunshine Steering can perform a full range of car service and automotive repair tasks such as Auto Electrical, Brake & Clutch, Child Restraint Fitting, Diesel Repairs, EFI, Engine Recon, Roadworthy Inspections, Safety Inspections, Trojan Authorised, Truck repairs, Tyres, Wheel Alignment, Wheel Balancing. Specialists In Power Steering & Suspension, Log Book Service, ADR Modification and On Car Disc Machining. Air Conditioning Work Can Be Arranged and we offer Pick Up & Delivery service and Loan Cars. We can also undertake a 150 point vehicle inspection of your car and all of our work is covered by the comprehensive Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. Our Repco Auto-Tech trained mechanics are fully qualified to advise you on every aspect of car service and repair across all makes and models of motor vehicles. Book now Contact us Air conditioning service EPA Approved Procedure Including Evacuation & Re-Gas Click here to book a Car Air Conditioning Service now Automatic transmission service Includes Fluid Change & Filter. Sunshine Steering use an Automatic Flush Machine that flushs 99% of all contaminated oil out of Transmission, which we replace with new, quality oil. Click here to book a Car Transmission Service now Brake drum service Includes Machining of Drums & Shoe Replacement Cliack here to book a Car Brake Drum Service now Brake system flush Includes System Check Click here to book a Car Brake System Flush Service now Cooling system service Includes Flush & Cooling System Inhibitor Click here to book a Car Cooling System Flush Service now Disk brake service Includes Off Car Machining and Disc Pad Replacement Click here to book a Car Disk Brake Service now Power steering Come in to Sunshine Steering to get a Power Steering flush - This procedure is very important for the health of power steering components. Click here to book a Car Power Steering Services now Engine diagnostic check Uses specialised scan tool where required Click here to book a Car Engine Diagnostic Check Service now Standard services Minor Service and 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report. Major Service and 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report. Log Book Service Click here to book a Standard Car Service now Tune up Includes injector clean as required and 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report. Click here to book a Car Tune-Up Service now Wheel alignment Including Suspension test report Click here to book a Car Wheel Alignment Service now

Cars are our passion.

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it?

Car air conditioning FAQs

Transmission flush palmwoods

What is log book service

Adr vehicle modifications palmwoods

Our services