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.


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.

Why is brake fluid replacement necessary?

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.

How often should I replace my brake fluid?

At Peter Mann Automotive 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.

Do you check the brake fluids during a car service?

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

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

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 Peter Mann Automotive we check your clutch fluid, hydraulic system or clutch cables for you in the course of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report - which you can request as part of every car service.

If we suspect a problem or leak in your clutch we will include this in our written report or let you know directly if we feel it needs immediate attention.

What signs to look for if your clutch is not performing?

You should have your clutch looked at if:

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 can 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 call us at Peter Mann Automotive today.

We can perform Clutch service and repairs on most makes and models right here in our Cessnock workshop.

Learn more about the clutch on your vehicle.

Clutch Service and Repairs in Cessnock

Brake repairs are what many people discuss when it comes to being safe, but considering brake maintenance is much more vital to your safety. Properly maintained brakes shouldn't need repairs. Brakes with poor maintenance affect your ability to stop swiftly and safely, putting lives at risk. Regular brake maintenance means that you can be confident that your brakes will be working correctly when you need it most; in an emergency! When it comes to Brake Maintenance, you should never take a risk. If you're not sure if you're brake maintenance is 100% - call Peter Mann Automotive today.

Your brake pads are a vital factor of your braking system and they are a part that you you shouldn't neglect. Brake pads compress against your brake rotors to create friction which causes your car to stop. Which means brake pads work really hard, really often. The force needed to pull up a moving vehicle is huge and creates a lot of heat that causes wear on the brake pads. Worn brake pads means impaired braking which is dangerous for you and others. And so regular testing and inspection of your brake pad's condition is crucial.

Are there signs my brake pads need replacing?

Squealing brakes can be an indicator that your brake pads are wearing thin; many pads have a small metal piece embedded in them which scrapes on the disc when your brake pads are getting thin, causing that high pitch noise. However, you should never wait until you hear noises to get your pads looked, we recommend having your brakes inspected at every service.

It is important to remember that noisy brakes are not only caused by normal wear and any unusual noises anywhere in your car should always be investigated by a qualified professional mechanic.

At Peter Mann Automotive we offer a free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report with every car service. As part of our Vehicle Inspection Report we inspect the brake pads for wear and inform you if they require replacing. We can also advise the right pad for your driving conditions.

How regularly should my brake pads be replaced?

Brake Pads can last anywhere between 15,000 to 70,000 km's. This can vary because of a number of causes such as; driving conditions, driving style, if you are carrying heavy loads or towing. If your brake pads are wearing out ahead of time your mechanic might advise using a special heavy duty brake pad more suited to your vehicle.

Some things are best left to trained technicians and this is one of them. You should never let anyone but a qualified professional touch something as important to your safety as your braking system.

Peter Mann Automotive are qualified to perform a wide range of brake services and repairs using quality parts, all covered by our nationwide warranty.

We can provide inspection, repair or replacement of many brake components such as:

Learn more about the brakes on your vehicle.

Brake service, repairs and testing in Cessnock

Your car needs to have clean Brake Fluid.

Moisture can build up in the fluid which limits braking efficiency, increases the corrosion of brake system components and can possibly lead to total brake failure. Clean brake fluid not only protects your safety it also prolongs the life of your braking system components by preventing corrosion.
Peter Mann Automotive are qualified to perform a wide range of brake services and repairs using quality parts, all covered by our nationwide warranty. 

Cost of a brake fluid flush changes according to vehicle type, and if there is additional parts, repairs or maintenance required to complete the task. While we have the wheels off, for your safety we will also check the calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, brake lines, and master cylinder for any faults or signs of wear that need to be addressed and advise you if necessary.

If you would like to know costs - give our friendly staff a call to discuss your car and get a quote. If during the procedure we do notice something that needs extra attention that will affect our quote we will always call you to confirm before proceeding.

The car is placed on the hoist and the wheels are removed in preparation, we begin the brake system flush by removing the old fluid from the master cylinder. We then replace it with fresh new, quality brake fluid of the correct type. Then, the brakes are 'bled' and the new fluid flushes through the system, completely replacing the old. We will also check over the brake system for any signs of damage or wear that needs attention and advise you if necessary.

A brake fluid flush can be done as part of a scheduled service - but sometimes we may suggest you need one outside of a regular schedule if we feel it's necessary. We are always happy to discuss the reasons why with you.

My brake fluid looks fine to me - why tell me it needs a flush?

Checking your brake fluid colour is good, but don't rely on it, just because it looks clean - that doesn't mean it's safe. When there is water in the brake fluid, it might not be evident, but it still could make the fluid boil. This boiling causes loss of braking pressure or even sudden and unexpected brake failure. A visual inspection is not always going to tell you if there is dangerous amounts of water in your brake fluid, only a professional boiling point test can tell you this.

How regular should i have my brake fluid changed ?

The general guideline is every two years - still these are recommendations and so it is advised to observe the condition of your brake fluid on a regular basis.

When it comes to brake safety - we don't stop - so you do when you need to.

At Peter Mann Automotive 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, calipers and cylinders and more. This report lets you know if there is immediate or future need for repairs to your vehicle allowing you to budget in advance.

Need a brake fluid flush ? Call us TODAY!

Brake fluid flush in Cessnock

Secure your safety on the road with the expert brake testing services from Peter Mann Automotive in Cessnock. 

Is your car unsteady when you corner? Not stopping the way it used to? A Safe-T-Stop test will soon fix all your braking issues.

We take safety very seriously, and so have invested in state of the art Safe-T-Stop testing equipment, making us an approved Safe-T-Stop Testing Centre.

The Safe-T-Stop test offers an enhanced level of security to keep you and your family safe, providing an examination far beyond a regular check and road test to analyse your car's braking performance and make sure you stop as soon as possible when needed. 

Our PlateTronic test system precisely measures and simulates the vehicle's brake performance under actual road conditions.

Safe-T-Stop test provides added economic benefits, helping you to save on petrol and tyre wear, due to minimising tyre drag. Our experts provide you with an accurate, detailed printed report of your vehicle's condition, which you can trust and depend on for essential brake system adjustments.

Along with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your car will stop straight and in the shortest possible distance in an emergency, having your braking and suspension system in peak operating condition help you save money by minimising tyre drag and tyre wear which can increase petrol consumption.

A Safe-T-Stop check will give you a detailed and accurate printed report that will enable the qualified technicians at Peter Mann Automotive to advise you on any critical adjustments that should be made.

Safe-T-Stop - Committed to Safer Motoring

For more information, visit the Safe-T-Stop website.

At Peter Mann Automotive, we make sure you can travel with peace of mind, secure in the knowledge that your car can make emergency stops with confidence.

Secure your safety on the road with the expert brake testing services from Peter Mann Automotive in Cessnock.

Safe-T-Stop Brake Testing in Cessnock

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 Peter Mann Automotive 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 Cessnock workshop today.

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

Brake and Clutch Service in Cessnock

Brake and Clutch

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We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Friday the 22nd of December and reopening on Monday the 15th of January

We advise that the workshop will be closed over the Easter long weekend reopening on Tuesday the 11th of April

We also advise that we will be closed Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th of April for ANZAC Day reopening Wednesday the 26th of April.

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the public holiday on the 2nd of October. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Peter Mann Automotive (LIC# MVRL19288) takes great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 	
Conveniently located in Cessnock , 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. 		

Please be advised that our workshop is currently booked out weeks in advance and this booking form is a request for a booking date only. THIS IS NOT A CONFIRMED BOOKING until we have called you during business hours to confirm. 
We cannot guarantee that the date you request will be available. If you require a service in the next 14 days please call us first to discuss. 


Peter Mann Automotive

Brake and clutch

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

What is a clutch?

Brake FAQ's

Brake fluid flush

Ready, Set, Brake!