Catalano Auto Repair Services take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times.
 
Conveniently located in Red Cliffs, 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. 

Catalano Auto Repair Services have a wealth of experience in servicing all 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.

If your car feels sluggish, struggles to accelerate or simply doesn’t have the power it used to, it’s worth having the problem investigated. A loss of engine power can develop gradually or appear suddenly, and there are many possible causes. At Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs, we provide professional vehicle diagnostics, servicing and mechanical repairs for a wide range of makes and models. If your vehicle isn’t performing as it should, identifying the cause early may help prevent a relatively minor problem from developing into a more serious repair. Why Does My Car Feel Sluggish When Accelerating? Poor acceleration can be caused by anything from restricted airflow to fuel delivery, ignition, exhaust or electronic issues. You might notice that your vehicle: Takes longer than usual to accelerate Struggles when driving uphill Hesitates when you press the accelerator Feels underpowered when towing Runs roughly or inconsistently Uses more fuel than usual Displays a check engine or other dashboard warning light These symptoms shouldn’t automatically be blamed on one particular component. Modern vehicles contain numerous mechanical and electronic systems that work together, which is why proper diagnosis is important. Common Causes of Engine Power Loss 1. A Dirty or Blocked Air Filter Your engine needs a steady supply of clean air to operate efficiently. A heavily contaminated air filter can restrict airflow and potentially affect engine performance. Vehicles frequently driven on dusty or unsealed roads may require particular attention to their filters. 2. Fuel System Problems Your engine also needs the correct amount of fuel at the right pressure. Problems involving fuel injectors, pumps, filters or other components can contribute to hesitation, rough running and poor acceleration. If the engine seems to struggle when you ask for more power, particularly under load, the fuel system may be one of the areas that needs checking. 3. Ignition Problems On petrol vehicles, worn spark plugs, ignition coils and related components can cause misfires and reduced performance. You may experience rough idling, hesitation, difficult starting or a noticeable reduction in engine power. 4. Exhaust or Emissions System Issues Problems within the exhaust or emissions control system can also affect performance. A restriction or malfunction may make it harder for the engine to operate efficiently. Diesel vehicles can have additional components that require attention, particularly when vehicles regularly undertake short trips or demanding driving conditions. 5. Sensor or Electronic Faults Modern engines rely on sensors and computer-controlled systems to manage fuel delivery, airflow, ignition timing and other functions. When a sensor provides incorrect information or a fault develops in the engine management system, the vehicle may run poorly or enter a reduced-power mode. A warning light on the dashboard can provide an important clue, but diagnostic equipment is often required to investigate the underlying fault. 6. Diesel Engine Problems Diesel vehicles can experience their own performance issues, including problems relating to fuel delivery, air intake, turbocharger systems and emissions components. If your diesel passenger vehicle, SUV, AWD or 4WD has become noticeably sluggish, professional diagnosis can help determine what's causing the change in performance. Why Does My Car Lose Power Going Uphill? Driving uphill puts your engine under additional load, which can make an existing performance problem much more noticeable. A car that seems relatively normal around town may hesitate, struggle or feel underpowered when climbing a hill, overtaking or towing. Rather than assuming this is simply because the vehicle is getting older, it is worth having the vehicle inspected. Can Regular Car Servicing Help Prevent Power Loss?  Regular servicing is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle performing properly. Following the appropriate servicing schedule allows important components, fluids and filters to be inspected or replaced when required. It also provides an opportunity for developing problems to be identified before they leave you with poor performance or an unexpected breakdown. At Catalano Auto Repair Services, we can carry out general servicing, logbook servicing and mechanical repairs for most makes and models. Car Diagnostics and Mechanical Repairs in Red Cliffs Guessing which component is responsible for poor engine performance can lead to unnecessary repairs. Professional diagnostics allow technicians to investigate the symptoms, check relevant vehicle systems and determine what is actually causing the problem. If your car is losing power, hesitating, running roughly or displaying a warning light, bring it to . Our qualified team has access to modern diagnostic equipment, technical information and ongoing training through the Repco Auto Tech program.

Car losing power or struggling to accelerate? Discover common causes of poor engine performance and book professional diagnostics in Red Cliffs.

Why Is My Car Losing Power? Common Causes of Poor Acceleration

It's your car and it's your choice!  Catalano Auto Repair Services is fully qualified to service your new car and maintain your log book schedule whilst the car is within the warranty period. Maintaining your car’s warranty shouldn’t mean limiting your options when it comes to servicing. At Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs, we understand that keeping your vehicle in top condition is important and so is the freedom to choose who you trust with its care. With expert knowledge, high-quality parts and a commitment to professional service, we provide a reliable option for servicing your new car without compromising its warranty.  As a car owner in Australia, you have the freedom to choose who services your vehicle without jeopardising your new car warranty. This assurance comes under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which protects your rights and provides clarity for drivers. According to the ACL, you can have your car serviced by an independent mechanic, provided that the service meets the manufacturer’s specifications and uses quality parts. At Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs, we ensure all services are carried out to these standards, giving you confidence in both our work and your warranty’s validity. Get the facts about New Car Servicing and watch our AutoFacts Video These protections mean that you can benefit from personalised service, competitive pricing, and the expertise of your local independent workshop, all while maintaining your car’s warranty. At Catalano Auto Repair Services, we take these responsibilities seriously and are proud to uphold the highest standards of service, ensuring your car stays in excellent condition for the road ahead. Why Choose Catalano Auto Repair Services for New Car Servicing? Expertise you can trust - Our team undergoes continuous Auto-Tech training, ensuring we stay ahead with the latest techniques and technology to keep your car running smoothly. Dependable quality - We use high-standard parts that are built to last, giving you reliable performance and peace of mind every time you drive. Nationwide support - With warranty-backed service and a vast network of Repco Authorised Service locations, you’re covered wherever your journey takes you. Trust, Experience, Knowledge At Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs, we take pride in offering a level of service that is built on trust, experience, and knowledge. As a trusted Repco Authorised Service Centre, we bring together a team of highly skilled technicians who are dedicated to providing exceptional care for your vehicle.  Our experience in the automotive industry means you can rely on us to handle your car with the utmost professionalism and expertise. We understand that maintaining your vehicle is about more than just servicing – it’s about ensuring your safety and comfort on the road. That’s why we combine technical know-how with a genuine commitment to delivering quality workmanship every time you visit.  Whether it’s routine maintenance or log book servicing, our priority is to keep your car running smoothly while preserving its value and warranty. At Catalano Auto Repair Services, we’re here to provide you with the confidence that your vehicle is in capable hands, allowing you to focus on the journey ahead. Book Your Service With A Local Ready to book your car service? Contact Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs today to schedule an appointment with our trusted team. Whether it’s maintaining your log book, ensuring your warranty remains intact, or simply keeping your vehicle in top condition, we’re here to help. Call us or visit our workshop to experience reliable, professional car servicing you can count on. Let us take care of your car, so you can enjoy the drive.

Expert car servicing in Red Cliffs. Maintain your warranty with high-quality, manufacturer-approved service from the trusted team at Catalano Auto Repair Services. Book your service today!

New Car Service in Red Cliffs

Engines that operate through internal combustion rely on large amounts of clean air to ensure the fuel burns properly and generates the power needed to drive the vehicle. At Catalano Auto Repair Services in Red Cliffs, we understand how vital it is to keep your car's air filter in good condition as part of protecting your engine's health. Your engine requires extremely clean air to function efficiently. Dirt, dust, and other particles entering the engine can cause serious damage. That’s where the air filter comes into play. It ensures the air entering the combustion chambers is clean, shielding key engine components such as the pistons and cylinders from wear and damage. Why Replace Your Air Filter? Save on Fuel Costs: Your engine requires the correct balance of fuel and air to run efficiently. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, causing your engine to run inefficiently – often referred to as ‘running rich.’ This not only puts additional stress on your engine but can also increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. No one likes spending more on petrol than necessary!   Protect Your Engine: Over time, air filters become clogged and weaker, increasing the risk of damage. A damaged or overly dirty air filter can allow harmful particles to enter the engine, potentially leading to expensive repairs.   Benefits of Replacing Your Air Filter: Extends the life of your engine Improves fuel efficiency Reduces vehicle emissions At Catalano Auto Repair Services, we always check the condition of your air filter during every full car service. Whether it’s a major or minor service, or one that follows your manufacturer’s handbook or logbook guidelines, you can trust us to keep your engine running smoothly.

Keep your engine healthy with clean air filters. Improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend engine life. Visit Catalano Auto Repair Services for expert maintenance and reliable car servicing.

Air Filters

Win a share of over $8,000 in prizes with Catalano Auto Repair Services and Repco Authorised Service From 1 June to 30 September 2026, service your vehicle at Catalano Auto Repair Services and you can enter the Love Your Car promotion and win from a pool of exciting prizes. Prizes to Be Won 5 x $1,000 Repco Authorised Service vouchers
Redeemable at any participating Repco Authorised Service centre nationwide. 20 x $100 fuel gift cards
Perfect for your next road trip or daily drive. 5 x Supercars merchandise packs
Valued at $100 each. 10 x car care gift packs

Total prize pool valued at up to $7990 including GST. How to Enter To participate: Book and complete a vehicle service at any Repco Authorised Service centre during the promotional period. Visit repcoservice.com/win Tell us in 25 words or less why you deserve to win a Love Your Car prize. Upload your receipt Submit your entry online before 11:59pm AEST on 30 September 2026.

From 1 June to 30 September 2026, service your vehicle at a Repco Authorised Service centre and YOU could win big in the Love Your Car promotion

Love Your Car & Win

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 Catalano Auto Repair Services 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 Catalano Auto Repair Services 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 Catalano Auto Repair Services 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.

Catalano Auto Repair Services

Cars are our passion.

Why Is My Car Losing Power? Common Causes of Poor Acceleration

New Car Service in Red Cliffs

Air Filters

Love Your Car & Win

Win a Family Gold Coast Experience

Nationwide Warranty