Go A Grade

Going away? Everyone wants to get to their destination at a reasonable hour, but if you’re setting an alarm for 3:30am so you can arrive by lunchtime, you might want to reconsider.

To give yourself the best chance of avoiding an accident, aim to hit the road after a solid night’s sleep.

Is it time for clocking up some hours of driving for a learner driver? Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before you start your lessons.

A safe and reliable car comes from regular servicing. Choose a trusted automotive professional, certified A Grade by the VACC.

Go to https://goagrade.com.au/

Put the phone away.
You might think it’s harmless to keep your phone within reach and to check a notification or take a quick call.

But consider this: taking your eyes off the road for longer than two seconds, doubles your risk of a crash.

Maintain a safe braking distance when wet.

As the weather starts to get cooler, so does the rain. Remember it takes much longer to stop in the wet, so don’t follow other cars too closely when it’s raining, or if the roads are wet make sure you increase the gap between you and the car in front to at least four seconds.

Is your car due for a service? You may have recently moved house and are looking for a new local mechanic that you can count on.

All A Grade Members are certified by VACC so you know your vehicle is in good hands. Use our interactive map to find A Grade members near you.

Go to https://goagrade.com.au/

A safe and reliable car comes from regular servicing. Choose a trusted automotive professional, certified A Grade by the VACC.

The A Grade Automotive Network is a network of independent automotive businesses that are dedicated to providing you with a better quality experience across all aspects of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Car owners will generally switch to independent repairers when the warranty on a vehicle has expired, or, they no longer believe that they are getting the best for their vehicle.

That may be the case right now so why not experience the difference and get a quote from your local A Grade business.

When petrol prices get high, it can always be tempting to try to eke out just a little bit more from your car, putting off that dreaded trip to the pump for just that little bit too long.

Many of us are guilty of driving around for surprising amounts of time with our low fuel lights on, but that isn’t always the best choice. There’s a real chance your car could simply putter to a stop at any moment, operating your car with critically-low levels of fuel puts a real strain on your vehicle.

Do you have a young family member who just bought their own car? Point them in the right direction with a trusted A Grade automotive member.

All A Grade members are contractually bound and VACC certified to meet customer service, training and equipment standards.

Go to https://goagrade.com.au/

It may be tempting to fill up on the lower octane (and cheaper) petrol but this may not be the best option.

While some cars may run fine on standard fuel, many cars can benefit from the additional compounds included in premium fuel. Benefits of premium fuel include resistance to knocking or pinging.

Another thing to note is that many premium fuels have cleansers and detergents added, allowing them to clean out build-up and debris from within the engine and fuel system.

You decide what you put in your car. Choose what’s best.

Fuel consumption; Just like an athlete, the harder you work your car the more it needs to consume to maintain its speed.

Aggressive driving – taking off suddenly and slamming on the brakes – can dramatically increase fuel consumption. You could be spending significantly less at the pump each time you fill up by giving your car more time to respond to changing traffic conditions.

Driving tips to save fuel

Make sure your car is serviced correctly.

If you’re concerned about how quickly your car is burning fuel, you may have a mechanical problem. Get it looked at by the people who understand cars best and speak to your local AGAN member business today.

Driving tips to save fuel

Fill up when you see cheaper fuel. Keep an eye out on the roads for cheaper fuel prices, be sure to jump on it when you can.

Driving tips to save fuel

Drive conservatively and anticipate the traffic movement.

Driving tips to save fuel

Alter your air con settings. Every feature that you use, such as your car’s air con puts a load on the engine and makes it work harder. Try to only use accessories for the minimum amount of time that you need.

Driving tips to save fuel - these tips could save a litre or two per tank and over a few months this may be the cost of a tank full.

Petrol Saving Tip - Make sure your tyre pressures are correct.

Driving tips to save fuel

Petrol Saving Tip - Remove unneeded roof racks or accessories. A roof rack will increase vehicle resistance to wind, causing an increase in fuel consumption. That’s why you should ensure you remove it when not

Driving tips to save fuel

Petrol Saving Tip - Remove unnecessary weight from the car – empty the cardrobe of your clothes and shoes and last season’s sporting gear.

Check your tyre pressure
The summer heat can cause the air in your tires to expand. A good rule of thumb to remember is that your tires loose about one PSI every month after you fill them, so checking every month can help you to ensure that they are always inflated to the proper pressure.

Find your closest A Grade Automotive Network Participant with our interactive map. You can search for your nearest mechanic, auto electrician, panel be**er or a specialist repairer by typing in your needs.

Go to https://goagrade.com.au/

Don’t Drive Angry
If you take a minute to take a deep breath before you get in your vehicle it can save your day, your car or even a life.

You'll be happier if you stop taking traffic slights personally, take a deep breath and let the rage subside. If you have to, pull over and get out of your car for a minute until you no longer feel the urge to tailgate, honk your horn, or flash your lights, in revenge for a minor breach of motorist etiquette.

Fix Annoying Little Problems
Has there been a problem with your car for the past couple of months that has been bothering you? Maybe there’s a light on the dash that won’t turn on, or there’s a squeaky hinge or rattling round you may be worried about?

Chances are it’s a quick fix by your local A Grade Automotive Network business, or you’ll catch it before it turns into a bigger problem. Don’t leave it before it’s too late.

Keep Your Car Clean
Do you still have gear in your boot from your summer holiday? Are you keeping boxes around to donate to charity? Is the floor of your car a sea of receipts and old food wrappers?

It’s time to de-clutter your car to freshen it up for the new year.

Weekend car checks.
While there are some maintenance tasks that should be done by a skilled mechanic, there are simple checks you can do each weekend to keep your car maintained this year.

Check certain aspects of your car such as the oil, the tire pressure and the air filter. If there is anything of concern, don’t forget to take your vehicle to your nearest A Grade Automotive Network member business.

Don’t Neglect Car Maintenance
Have you called your mechanic this year yet? Keeping up with car maintenance can be a pain, but when you don’t keep up with it bigger and more expensive problems can arise.

Have your car comprehensively serviced by the team at your nearest A Grade Automotive Network member business and know that your car is ready for 2022!

A Grade Holiday Driving Tips

Driving at night is a learnt skill, and can be very dangerous. Fatigue, unfamiliar roads, wildlife and other drivers can be risk factors. No matter how effective your headlights are, if you don’t know the road then slow down.

Dawn and dusk can be very dangerous times to drive, with many animals on the move.

A Grade Holiday Driving Tips

Getting stuck in traffic is never fun, especially when on holiday. Be patient with the slow-moving caravans, boats and buses.

We all want to get to our destination intact, so wait for the safest opportunities to overtake other cars, using the suitable lanes to do so. The lines painted on the roads are there for a reason, so stay safe!

A Grade Holiday Driving Tips

Road trips are fun, but they come with risks to tired drivers. Don’t wait until you get tired to stop driving, this could be your last mistake. Take a break at least every two hours and change drivers if possible.

Get out and stretch or move about. Remember that driving a car for such a long period may not be something you’re used to and this can make you sleepy.

A Grade Holiday Driving Tips

As the excitement of the family holiday season approaches, a little bit of planning is needed. Try to avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep and definitely don’t head off when you’re already tired.

Plan to leave when the roads are less busy, know which route you will take and have an idea of what the traffic conditions may be like.

A Grade Holiday Driving Tips

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s important to remember not to let yourself drive when you’re tired.

Our qualified A Grade Automotive Network professionals suggest you make sure to get a good night’s sleep before heading off on a big drive. If you’re travelling for a long period of time don’t forget to take frequent breaks and power naps.