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Bips Automotive Service Centre take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times.

Conveniently located in Kirwan, 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.

Bips Automotive Service Centre have a wealth of experience in servicing most makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Please note our new trading hours - We are Closed permanently on Fridays. 

Our new trading hours are: Monday to Thursday 7AM to 5.30PM.

Whether you're planning a weekend exploring North Queensland's tracks, towing the caravan up the coast, or simply heading away for a camping trip, there's one part of your vehicle that often gets overlooked until something goes wrong—your suspension.

Have you ever noticed your vehicle feels less stable than it used to? Perhaps it bounces more over bumps, leans further around corners, or just doesn't feel as comfortable on rough roads. These changes often happen gradually, making them easy to ignore.

A suspension check before and after an off-road trip is one of the simplest ways to make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey and to identify any damage or wear before it turns into an expensive repair.

At Bips Auto Service Centre in Kirwan, our experienced technicians regularly inspect suspension systems for everyday drivers, touring enthusiasts and serious four-wheel-drive owners to help keep their vehicles safe, comfortable and ready for wherever the road—or lack of one—takes them. What Does Your Suspension Actually Do? Many people think the suspension simply makes the ride more comfortable, but it does much more than that.

Your suspension system includes components such as: Shock absorbers Springs Control arms Bushes Ball joints Sway bars and links Together, these parts keep your tyres in contact with the road, absorb bumps and vibrations, help maintain steering control and support the weight of your vehicle.

Without a healthy suspension system, even good tyres and brakes can't perform as effectively because the tyres may not stay firmly planted on the road surface.

Modern four-wheel drives are also heavier than many older vehicles thanks to added safety equipment, accessories and technology. Bull bars, winches, roof racks, long-range fuel tanks and drawer systems all place additional demands on the suspension. Why Suspension Checks Matter Before an Off-Road 4WD Trip Off-road driving places far greater stress on suspension components than normal city driving.

Corrugated roads, rocky tracks, creek crossings and uneven terrain force the suspension to work constantly. Every bump creates heat inside the shock absorbers and places extra pressure on springs, bushes and joints.

A pre-trip inspection helps identify problems such as: leaking shock absorbers worn suspension bushes damaged ball joints sagging springs loose suspension components uneven tyre wear that may indicate suspension issues. Finding these problems before you leave can help avoid breakdowns or poor vehicle handling hundreds of kilometres from the nearest workshop.

Even if your vehicle feels fine around town, hidden wear may only become noticeable once it's carrying camping gear or towing a heavy load. Why Another Suspension Inspection After Your Adventure? Many drivers assume that if they made it home without any obvious problems, everything must still be fine.

Unfortunately, suspension damage isn't always immediately noticeable.

After an off-road trip, components may have: developed small oil leaks from shock absorbers suffered bent or damaged parts loosened mounting bolts worn bushes due to constant vibration collected damage from rocks or impacts A post-trip inspection allows these issues to be identified early before they lead to poor handling, uneven tyre wear or more costly repairs later.

Think of it as giving your vehicle a health check after working hard. A suspension inspection before your trip helps prevent problems. A check afterwards helps catch the ones you couldn't avoid. Are Your Shock Absorbers Older Than You Think? Shock absorbers don't usually fail overnight.

Instead, they slowly lose their ability to control the movement of your suspension.

Many manufacturers recommend considering replacement around 150,000 kilometres, but there's no single number that suits every vehicle.

It depends on how the vehicle has been driven.

For example: A vehicle that spends most of its life on smooth suburban roads may see its shocks last well beyond this distance. A four-wheel drive regularly travelling on corrugated roads, beaches or rocky tracks may require replacement much sooner. Vehicles that frequently tow caravans or trailers place extra stress on both springs and shock absorbers. Regular inspections allow experienced technicians to monitor wear over time and recommend replacement when performance begins to decline—not simply because the odometer reaches a certain number. Thinking About Suspension Upgrades? If you're planning more serious off-road adventures or regularly tow a caravan, horse float or work trailer, your factory suspension may no longer be ideally suited to how you use your vehicle.

Suspension upgrades can improve how your vehicle handles additional weight while maintaining stability and ride comfort.

Depending on your needs, upgrades may include: heavy-duty springs upgraded shock absorbers suspension designed for constant loads suspension matched to touring accessories. The key is choosing the right suspension for your vehicle—not simply the highest lift or stiffest springs.

An upgrade should suit your typical driving, whether that's daily commuting, weekend camping or long-distance touring around Australia.

At Bips Auto Service Centre, we can discuss your driving habits and recommend suspension solutions designed to match how your vehicle is actually used. Signs Your Suspension May Need Attention Because suspension wears gradually, many drivers simply adapt to the changes without realising.

Some common warning signs include: excessive bouncing after hitting bumps nose-diving under braking vehicle leaning more around corners steering that feels less precise knocking or clunking noises over bumps uneven tyre wear increased vibration the vehicle sitting lower than normal. These symptoms don't always mean major repairs are needed, but they do indicate it's time for a professional inspection. Built for Australian Conditions Around Townsville, vehicles often experience conditions that are much tougher than everyday city driving.

Whether you're travelling inland on dusty roads, exploring North Queensland tracks, towing a boat to the coast or heading away with the caravan, your suspension works much harder than many drivers realise.

Heat, heavy loads, corrugations, water crossings and long highway distances all accelerate wear.

That's why regular suspension inspections are particularly valuable for vehicles driven in Australian conditions. 4WD Suspension FAQs How often should my suspension be inspected? If you regularly drive off-road or tow, it's worth having the suspension checked before and after major trips. For everyday driving, your suspension should also be inspected during routine servicing. Can suspension wear affect tyre life? Yes. Worn suspension can cause tyres to bounce or wear unevenly, reducing their lifespan and affecting handling. Do I need new suspension just because I've reached 150,000 km? Not necessarily. Distance is only one factor. Driving conditions, vehicle load and maintenance history all influence how long suspension components last. Is a suspension lift necessary for off-road driving? Not always. Many drivers benefit more from quality heavy-duty suspension matched to their vehicle than simply increasing ride height. Will towing damage my suspension? Towing doesn't automatically damage suspension, but it places additional stress on springs and shock absorbers. Regular inspections help ensure everything continues to perform safely. Can worn suspension affect fuel economy? Indirectly, yes. Poor suspension can increase rolling resistance through uneven tyre wear and reduce overall vehicle efficiency, although safety and handling are usually the more noticeable concerns. Ready for Your Next Adventure? Whether you're planning your next camping trip, preparing to tow the caravan or simply want peace of mind before heading off-road, a professional suspension inspection is a smart investment.

The experienced team at Bips Auto Service Centre in Townsville, can assess the condition of your suspension, identify worn components before they become major problems and advise whether your vehicle would benefit from repairs or a suspension upgrade tailored to your driving needs.

As an independently owned Repco Authorised Service centre, we're committed to providing honest advice, quality workmanship and practical recommendations that help keep you travelling safely—on the highway, around town and wherever your next adventure takes you.

Book Now

Planning an off-road adventure or towing a caravan? Learn why suspension checks before and after your trip can improve safety, comfort and help prevent costly repairs. Book with Bips Auto Service Centre in Kirwan.

Before You Hit the Tracks... Will Your Suspension Get You Home Again?

Get ready to experience the thrill of the Supercars Gold Coast 500 - on us! Simply replace your car battery with a Repco battery at Repco Authorised Service and you could be heading to one of Australia’s most exciting motorsport events with your family. This is your chance to combine essential vehicle maintenance with an unforgettable holiday experience. What You Could Win One lucky winner will receive: Return flights for 2 adults and 2 children (if required) 3–4 nights accommodation 4 x General Admission Tickets to the Supercars Gold Coast 500 $500 spending money allowance Supercars merchandise pack Theme park tickets for 2 adults and 2 children Airport transfers (if required) From high-speed track action to theme park fun and beachside relaxation, this prize package delivers the ultimate family getaway. How to Enter Entering is easy: Have your car battery replaced with a Repco battery at Bips Auto Service Centre between 1 June and 31 July 2026. Then, complete your entry online here. That’s it! You’ll be in the draw to win an incredible Gold Coast Supercars experience. Why Wait? A new battery keeps your vehicle reliable and ready for the road — and now it could also put you on track for an unforgettable family holiday. Book your battery replacement today at your Bips Auto Service Centre and get your entry in before 31 July 2026. View full terms and conditions here. Don’t miss out - start your engines and enter today!

Enter for your chance to win a family trip to the Supercars Gold Coast 500! Replace your battery with Bips Auto Service Centre between 1 June and 31 July 2026 to go in the draw.

Win a Family Gold Coast Experience

Repco Authorised Service is Australia's largest network of independent car service workshops and with that comes the reliability of a Nationwide Warranty. Each independently owned Repco Authorised Service workshop offers you an Australian-wide warranty ensuring the goods and services you receive are free from defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. If something does go wrong or you have a question about our Nationwide Warranty, please get in touch with us here. With over 500 Repco Authorised Service centres Australia wide, there are few places you won't find one of our workshops within easy reach. Warranty Period For services provided by any Repco Authorised Service workshop, the warranty is for a period of 12 months or 20,000kms (whichever comes first) from the date of your invoice. Claims If you need to make a claim under the warranty, please contact the Repco Authorised Service workshop that originally completed the work on your vehicle. The workshop where the work was originally performed will be responsible for responding to and accepting claims. If the original workshop can't help, they may authorise another workshop in the network to assist. Terms and Conditions What does the warranty cover? The Repco Authorised Service workshop will have the option of reperforming, replacing or repairing the good or service if it is or becomes defective during the warranty period, at no additional charge.
a.       Where the good or service is replaced, repaired or reperformed pursuant to this warranty, the replacement good or reperformed service will be subject to the terms of this warranty commencing on the date of the original invoice.
b.       If you request for a good to be repaired, your Repco Authorised Service workshop may choose to replace the good with a refurbished good of the same type. The warranty will cover any reasonable diagnosis or scanning fees conducted by the relevant Repco Authorised Service workshop, if such goods or services are later found to be defective. If the work done on your vehicle involves the supply of services from another service provider nominated by the Repco Authorised Service centre, the warranty offered by such service provider will replace this Nationwide Warranty to the extent of such goods .  The Repco Authorised Service centre will advise you of the terms and conditions of such warranty. The rights and obligations under this warranty remain solely with the original Repco Authorised Service workshop that provided you with the product or service. The benefit of this warranty is personal to you and is not transferable. What does the warranty not cover? This warranty does not cover: normal wear and tear and consumable goods such as globes, wipers, and fluids; loss of any data stored in your vehicle like music or phone numbers; and any incidental loss or damage caused by the defect, such as towing fees, loss of profits, loss of use and loss of goodwill or other loss or damage that cannot reasonably be considered to arise normally. This warranty is void if the defect is a consequence of misuse, neglect, abuse, incorrect operation or improper maintenance of the vehicle, accident, or other use that is not otherwise caused by a Repco Authorised Service workshop. How to submit a warranty claim Step 1: Have your original invoice ready. Step 2: Ensure that you make your claim within the warranty period. Step 3:  Please contact the Repco Authorised Service centre that carried out the relevant repairs or maintenance on your vehicle. Their contact details are on  your original invoice.  Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law The goods and services acquired from a Repco Authorised Service workshop comes with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled: to cancel your service contract with us; and to a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value. You are also entitled to choose a refund or replacement for major failures with goods. If a failure with the goods or a service does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have the failure rectified in a reasonable time. If this is not done, you are entitled to a refund for the goods and to cancel the contract for the service and obtain a refund of any unused portion. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage from a failure in the goods or service.

Enjoy peace of mind with the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. Quality parts and labour covered at over 500 locations across Australia.

Nationwide Warranty

We offer EV and Hybrid car servicing in Kirwan, Townsville. It’s important for all cars to be serviced regularly, it can ensure small problems don’t turn into big issues, resulting in more costly repairs down the line. With petrol prices at record highs, investment in vehicles running on alternative power sources is becoming more and more attractive. To ensure electric vehicles run at peak performance, both regular and special maintenance services are necessary. Routine checks should be conducted on traditional service items like: Brakes Cabin air filters Shock absorbers Fluids and Filters Steering and suspension systems Tyres Additionally, electric motor components require less maintenance, while spark plugs, tyres, wiper blades, lights, air and fuel filters must be checked and replaced regularly. To ensure optimal operation, the 12-volt battery must also be assessed and changed as needed. Hybrid and electric vehicles rely on advanced battery systems that require regular servicing and testing to maintain performance, reliability, and safety. Bips Auto Service Centre provide routine inspections and specialised diagnostics which are essential to detect issues early, extend battery life, and ensure your vehicle continues to operate efficiently. Contact us today at Bips Auto Service Centre to book in your Hybrid car or EV for service or repair or speak to one of our fully qualified and friendly staff with any questions.

Hybrid & Electric vehicle servicing now available at Bips Auto Service Centre in our prosessional Kirwan worshop.

Hybrid EV Car Service

When it comes to keeping your vehicle reliable, your battery plays a vital role. At Bips Auto Service Centre in Kirwan, we supply, test and replace car batteries for passenger vehicles, SUVs, 4WDs, hybrid and electric vehicles—helping drivers avoid unexpected breakdowns and stay on the road with confidence. What Does a Car Battery Do? Your vehicle’s battery provides the electrical energy needed to start the engine and power essential systems like lights, air conditioning, infotainment and onboard computers. In modern vehicles, especially hybrids and EVs, batteries also support advanced electronics and energy management systems. Battery Types & How They Differ Different vehicles require different battery technologies to suit their power demands: Passenger Vehicles & SUVs Standard Lead-Acid Batteries: Common and cost-effective for everyday driving. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Stop-Start Batteries: Designed for vehicles with stop-start technology, offering improved durability and faster recharge rates. 4WDs & Touring Vehicles Deep Cycle Heavy Duty Batteries: Built to deliver sustained power over long periods, ideal for running accessories like fridges, lights and camping gear. Dual Battery Systems: Often paired with deep cycle batteries to separate starting and accessory power. Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Starting Batteries: Smaller batteries used to power electronics and assist with system start-up. Hybrid Drive Batteries (Nickel-Metal Hydride or Lithium-ion): High-voltage batteries that work alongside the petrol engine to improve fuel efficiency. Electric Vehicles (EVs) Lithium-ion Battery Packs: The primary power source, delivering energy to drive the vehicle with zero emissions. These advanced systems require specialised diagnostics and maintenance. Signs Your Battery May Be Failing Slow engine crank or difficulty starting Warning lights on the dashboard Dim headlights or electrical issues Battery age over 3 years Swollen battery casing (often from heat exposure) Ignoring these signs can lead to sudden failure—often at the most inconvenient time. Why Climate Matters in Kirwan Australian conditions can be harsh on batteries. While many people think cold weather is the main culprit, both heat and cold impact battery performance: Hot weather (common across much of Australia) can cause internal battery fluid to evaporate, shortening lifespan. Cold weather increases the strain on batteries by requiring more power to start the engine. That’s why regular battery checks are essential for drivers in Kirwan. The Importance of Battery Testing At Bips Auto Service Centre, your battery is checked at every service, with a clear report on its condition. Once your battery reaches 3 years or older, annual testing is strongly recommended. 

We also offer: Free drop-in battery checks Same-day battery replacement (subject to availability) Stock of the most common battery types for quick turnaround Specialised Hybrid & EV Battery Health Checks For hybrid and electric vehicles, Bips Auto Service Centre provides advanced Battery Health Checks. This service tests each individual cell within the battery pack to assess overall performance and capacity.

This is especially valuable when: Buying a second-hand hybrid or EV Selling your vehicle and proving battery condition Monitoring long-term battery health What Other Systems Can Be Affected? A failing battery can impact: Starter motor performance Alternator efficiency Vehicle electronics and sensors Fuel efficiency (in hybrids) Charging systems in EVs Replacing a weak battery early can prevent further mechanical or electrical issues. Benefits of Timely Battery Replacement Reliable vehicle starting Improved electrical system performance Reduced risk of breakdowns Better fuel efficiency (especially in hybrids) Peace of mind for long trips or remote travel Did you know that heat is the number one cause of battery failure in Australia? While cold starts get the blame, it’s actually prolonged exposure to high temperatures that does the most damage over time. Your Local Battery Experts in Kirwan As an independently owned Repco Authorised Service centre, Bips Auto Service Centre combines trusted national support with personalised local service. Whether you drive a family car, a rugged 4WD, or a modern hybrid or EV, our team has the expertise and equipment to keep your battery performing at its best.

Need a car battery in Kirwan? Bips Auto Service Centre supplies, tests & replaces batteries for cars, 4WDs, hybrids & EVs. Free battery checks available.

Power Up Your Drive: A Guide to Car Batteries for Every Vehicle Type

Bips Auto Service Centre are fully qualified to service Electric Vehicles and Hybrids to support the growing numbers of HEVs, PEVs and EVs on the road. We are your Dealership Alternative for Log Book Servicing and Maintenance.  An electric vehicle is lower maintenance than a internal combustion engine (ICE) but still needs to be serviced just as often as any other vehicle. Electric vehicles hold high voltages and specific PPE, special insulated tools and training are required to service them safely due to the risk of electrical shock. Just like with any modern vehicle, you need to choose the right workshop with qualified, trained technicians who have access to up to the minute diagnostic information and the right equipment and quality parts to service your EV or Hybrid car. At Bips Auto Service Centre, we are also equipped to handle your Hybrid and EV battery needs. Whether you require testing or replacement for Hybrid starting batteries or Hybrid and EV batteries, we have the expertise to get you back on the road efficiently. Additionally, we offer Pre-Purchase or Pre-Sale Battery Health checks, evaluating individual battery cells and providing a detailed report on overall performance capacity. Your local Repco Authorised Service centre has access to Repco AutoTech for the very latest in training and information and quality Repco parts and lubricants. So, if you’ve got questions about purchasing or servicing an electric vehicle, Bips Auto Service Centre can help.

Bips Auto Service Centre - Your Dealership Alternative - can service and repair your Electric Vehicle in their State-Of-The-Art Automotive Workshop in Townsville.

Bips Auto Service Centre

Cars are our passion.

Before You Hit the Tracks... Will Your Suspension Get You Home Again?

Win a Family Gold Coast Experience

Nationwide Warranty

Hybrid EV Car Service

Power Up Your Drive: A Guide to Car Batteries for Every Vehicle Type

Electric Vehicle & Hybrid Car Servicing