Q&A With a Motorama Technician

Q&A With a Motorama Technician

Every day millions of Australian drivers rely on the skills and expertise of auto technicians to keep their vehicles safe and reliable on the road. Peter Caswell is Workshop Technical Advisor and Master Technician at Motorama Tyre & Service. We get under the hoist with him and discover a lot goes into looking after your ride.

What drove you towards a mechanic career at Motorama?

After working in the industry for a while, I had heard how Motorama was one of the largest family own business with a history of looking after their employees.  This promised to be a fresh change from what I had experienced in other workplaces.

What does a Workshop Technical Advisor do?

A Workshop Technical Advisor is there to support the technicians with any technical issues they may have, and to help resolve mechanical issues as the arise.  A Workshop Technical Advisor is also the one that looks at and resolves all the strange & unusual issues that other tech or workshop mechanics can't resolve.

Over the years, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen car servicing?

The major changes are the necessity of customised tooling, such as diagnostic computers, and specialised training required to carry out the routine maintenance. 

For us, we are seeing a move from normal mechanical repairs, into more specialised electrical diagnostics.

Is this because modern vehicles are more complex & technically advanced?

Yes. With the electronically controlled engine management systems in modern day cars there are many components that need to be scanned, tested and reset at every service interval.  Cars have so many more parts and components than they used to.

What’s the most damaging thing a delayed service can do to your car?

There’s a high probability of oil sludge build up. If oil is not replaced when due, it can create blockages in oil galleries that will ultimately cause major internal engine failure.

What are the impacts of not servicing your car regularly?

Failing to service your vehicle on a regular basis puts additional stress on the engine and causes premature wear.  Many safety checks are performed during regular servicing and our teams are trained to spot issues before they become major problems.

How are you & other Motorama technicians specially trained?

Motorama (and the brands we represent) offer an extensive range of training courses.  This includes everything from new model introductions, right through to individual component diagnosis. As a Motorama Master Technician myself, I know the educational value and skills they provide.

How do you become a Motorama Master Technician?

You need to complete some extensive theory and practical courses in diagnosis and repair.   Like any professional study, these can take several years to complete.

What are the warning signs a service is overdue?

You may start to notice an increase in fuel consumption.  Or cabin air quality may decrease as filters become contaminated between services.  Keep an eye on under-bonnet liquid levels, a low amount of windscreen washer fluid can serve as a reminder to check your service interval.  And regularly check tyres for tyre wear & that they are correctly inflated. 

Finally, finish this sentence: Servicing your car regularly is like…

having insurance.