The Gap's roads and weather
Waterworks Road
Waterworks Road is the main arterial in and out, widened to four lanes over the 8 km to Red Hill between 1999 and 2003. Outbound, it drops quickly into the Enoggera Creek valley, and a T2 lane runs from 7 to 9am on weekdays on most sections.
On up the range
At the end of the suburb, Waterworks Road becomes Mount Nebo Road, the way up to Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious. Climbs and descents like that work the brakes and the cooling system much harder than flat suburban streets do.
Storm country
On 16 November 2008 a microburst brought trees down onto homes and major roads across The Gap. Brisbane's storm season runs from November to March, and the severe storms can bring large hail. If a storm damages the car, photograph it before anything is moved, and don't drive with a cracked windscreen or broken lights.
Hillside driveways
Brisbane City Council's local law keeps repairs off the street, so a mobile job happens on your property. RAA says mobile work needs a flat spot, and on a sloping block that can mean the carport rather than the driveway.
What do the hills do to a car?
Brakes are the obvious one. Pads and discs wear faster on long descents, and brake fluid that has soaked up moisture boils sooner when the brakes get hot. RACQ says most makers want the fluid changed roughly every two years, whatever the kilometres. Brakes explains what the mechanic checks.
Then the cooling system. A climb on a hot afternoon is when a weak radiator, hose or water pump gives up. If the temperature gauge rises, find a safe place to stop, switch off and leave the bonnet shut until it cools. Car overheating goes through it step by step.
Where we'd start
We'd ask for the brake fluid to be tested and the pads measured at every service, and the coolant checked each spring. On the way down from Mount Nebo, we'd drop a gear and let the engine do some of the braking.