There’s nothing worse than loading up the 4WD for an early start—only to find your battery's given up before you’ve even left the driveway. Whether you're heading out past Kimba, tackling a track up north, or just trying to get to work on a frosty Eyre Peninsula morning, a flat battery can bring everything to a halt.

At Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre, we know the demands outback travel puts on your gear. That’s why we offer proper battery testing and reliable replacements, so you’re not left stuck in the middle of nowhere—or even just on your front lawn.

In our part of the world, batteries cop it from all sides. Hot summers, corrugated roads, dust, vibrations, and then winter mornings where the mercury drops fast. Cold air slows the chemical process inside your battery, while rough conditions and heavy loads (like fridges, lights and winches) speed up wear and tear. That combo can spell trouble—especially if your battery’s already seen a few seasons.

Why Cold Starts and Country Driving Can Drain Your Battery

Don’t wait until you’re stranded beyond phone reception. Watch for these signs before your battery calls it quits:

Warning Signs Your Battery’s on the Way Out

Engine turns over slowly, especially in the morning

Headlights flicker or seem weaker than usual

Battery or engine warning lights showing up on your dash

Electrical accessories like radios, UHF, or fridges playing up

Battery is over 3 years old or hasn’t been checked in ages

When you roll into Cleve for a battery check, we’ll sort it quickly and properly:

What You’ll Get at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre

Full load and voltage testing with professional gear

Inspection of terminals and wiring—often the hidden culprits

Honest advice from locals who know the country

If needed, we’ll fit a high-quality, heavy-duty battery built for 4WDs, campers and off-grid rigs

We stock batteries tough enough for corrugations, cold mornings, and long distances between towns—because out here, reliability matters.

Whether you’re heading up the Gawler Ranges, down the coast, or just across the paddock, make sure your battery’s up for it. Drop into Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre for a quick check—and hit the road with confidence.

Don’t Get Caught Short Off the Beaten Track

In our part of the world, batteries cop it from all sides. Hot summers, corrugated roads, dust, vibrations, and then winter mornings where the mercury drops fast.

Car Battery Checks and Replacements in Cleve

Battery Gone Bush? Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre Will Get You Back on Track

As your local Mechanic in Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre take great pride in offering our clients the very best in car servicing and automotive repairs.

Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre take great pride in providing a high level of customer service and quality workmanship

Conveniently located in Cleve, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre specialise in car servicing for all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles, light trucks, caravans, trailers, 4x4 campers, 4WDs, diesels, utes, buses, vans and specialise in 4x4 servicing and 4x4 products. 

Here at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre we are proud to be an Australian owned and operated workshop servicing our local community of Cleve. We believe that motorists in Cleve deserve the very best in customer service and technical expertise, that's why we choose to be a part of Australia's largest independent network of mechanical workshops, proudly backed by the biggest name in the business - Repco.

Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre care about the environment and have ARC Tick Authorisation to reliably and responsibly conduct automotive air conditioning service (AU08791). ARC Tick Approved Car Air Conditioning Servicing reduces Fuel Costs and protects your health, in addition helping to ensure technicians have the skills and knowledge to correctly undertake service and repairs of refrigerated air conditioning to minimise environmental impact. 

Our fully qualified log book servicing ensures your car is in safe hands.

We run the most up to date electronic test equipment and our motor engineers attend frequent training workshops to keep up with technology and modern servicing methods.

Specialising in solving Car and 4WD Wheel Alignment Issues, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre has a Computer Wheel Aligner and a dedicated Tyre Bay, ready to inspect your vehicle.

For your complete outback adventure, come stock up at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre, as we have all you need to make your holiday remarkable. Our showroom welcomes you to try and buy fridges, tents, swags and more camping gear.

We also stock, recommend and install EFS and Iron Man four wheel drive accessories., Mickey Thompson performance tyres and wheels, Rhino Rack aerodynamic and heavy duty roof rack systems, Manutec Trailer parts, bull bars, shackles, springs, tyres, rims, solar panels, Waeco Mobile solutions and 4wd terrain tamers for any vehicle you drive - car, truck, motorhome, caravan or boat.

We also sell Tyres, Batteries, Automotive Parts and Accessories, 4WD Equipment and Accessories and a range of Practical Camping Equipment. 

Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre is also a Bridgestone Service Centre. We stock, supply and fit all major brands of tyres, including Bridgestone, Kumho, Firestone, Toyo, GT, Radial, Maxxis, SuperCat, Pirelli, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Event, Mickey Thompson, Cooper and more. 

Family owned and staffed, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre has been in business for over 35 years, gathering a loyal base of customers in the rural heart of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. The team of mechanics at Cleve car service has around 100 years of total automotive experience.

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care. Our service and fitted quality parts are backed by our Nationwide Warranty. Our Cleve car service is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring each mechanic is kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods.

For friendly service from a trusted independent, you can rely on the team at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre

Automotive Servicing and Repairs in Cleve

Drive Safe this Winter with a 65 Point Written Vehicle Inspection Report

Our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report is free with every service at  in Cleve. Our qualified mechanics will visually check over the important components of your vehicle and provide you with a written report on the condition of your vehicle. We can then help you understand any concerns which may need to be attended to. So that you can drive safe this winter with Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre and Repco Authorised Service.

While the Southern half of the country is bracing for a wet winter, the Northern half of Australia is enjoying their dry season.

That could mean there is totally different ways to prepare your car for the season; however the fundamentals of safe winter motoring stay unchanged. So how do you make sure your car is equipped for safe winter motoring? 

We've all experienced that moment where you turn on the wipers on the first rainy day and only then remember you should have replaced them! Wiper blades age and become less effective - especially after a long hot summer. A good quality wiper blade like Trico is essential to help you see your way clear regardless of the weather. Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Fluids and other mechanisms in your car can be impacted by cold weather; especially coolants, oils and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. It's important to have your car serviced regularly by a professional technician who understands the best parts and products to keep your car in peak operating condition. We use high quality NGK glow plugs and Penrite oils and fluids that are designed for Australian conditions.  

Conditions change - and your driving style should too. In wet weather or poor visibility, slow down and leave a larger than normal stopping distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Drive on the safe side and book in today for a service or a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

There are warning signs that your brakes need to be inspected, like vibrating, spongy or slow responding brake pedal, strange sounds or difficult handling when applying pressure to your brakes. If you notice any of these it's best to have a qualified mechanic check it out. Brake inspections form part of our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report, so if you have concerns call us today and book in.

It's dangerous to drive on bald tyres, or tyres with incorrect inflation. Now is the time to check how worn your tyres are. If your tyres are wearing unevenly, this could indicate that your shock absorbers or some other vital part of your steering and suspension systems are due for service or replacement. Find out more about the components that affect your tyre wear on the links below: 

Driving on incorrectly inflated tyres won't just cost you money on additional fuel; it can also impact your braking ability. You can usually find manufacturers recommendations on a panel inside the driver side door.

Book in today for a service or a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

65 Point Written Vehicle Inspection Report in Cleve

Whether it is called a major car service, a basic car service or a log book service, or a major or minor repair we can service your car here in our Cleve workshop.  Come and visit the car servicing experts at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre today.

For the best car service, book online now or call us today to make a booking. Our Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre technicians are qualified to carry out car servicing and repair work on all makes and models using quality parts and the latest diagnostic equipment. You can rest assured that car service work performed by our Auto-Tech trained staff will keep your car in top condition and will maintain your statutory new car warranty.

For the best car service, book online now or call us today to make a booking.

Log Book service in Cleve

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Family owned and staffed, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre has been in business for over 30 years, gathering a loyal base of customers in the rural heart of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre specialise in 4WD Modifications, Accessories and servicing.
As your local Mechanic in Cleve, Eyre Peninsula, Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre take great pride in offering our clients the very best in car servicing and automotive repairs.
For your complete outback adventure, come stock up at Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre, as we have all you need to make your holiday remarkable. Our showroom welcomes you to try and buy fridges, tents, swags and more camping gear and custom camper trailers.

Cleve 4WD & Camping Centre

Full Car Service and Log Book Service

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Drive safe this winter