Oakville Auto Repair

Mrs. Jones Asks: Why does my book say change my oil at 8,000 Kms and my trusted repair shop is recommending it sooner at 6,000kms?Mark Says: Well I find that the oil change interval (time and KMS) between oil changes in the book are great if you don't plan to keep your car after the warranty runs out. Why? Well motor oil is the main lubricant and also a cleaner for you internal engine parts, and when oil is driven up to and over 8,000kms/ 6 months we find that deposits build up inside and can cause issues later on. New technology in engine designs like: Variable Valve Timing, Twin Cam overhead valves, Turbo Charging, Direct Fuel Injection, VCT transmission, Hybrid engines are all designed to give us: more power, use less fuel, reduced tail pipe emissions; All rely on clean quality oil and filter, and maybe some help from additives. Some of the Problems we see due to extended oil change intervals are ... read more

Seasonal car care planning and preventative maintenance can save you money and time as the weather changes. Article from Mobile1 Timely maintenance does more than keep your vehicle running smoothly. It will save you money in both the short- and long-term because you are improving your vehicle's trade-in value, getting the most out of its mileage, and preventing costly repairs down the road. In addition to keeping cash in your pockets, performing routine maintenance and using quality products can help drivers stay safe through even the nastiest of conditions. Maintenance plays a big role in staying safe - according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one in eight crashes can be attributed to mechanical defects due to neglected vehicle maintenance.To avoid costly repairs and ensure your safety, prepare for harsh conditions in advance by following a few simple guidelines:Early Fall ... read more

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Canada’s long, harsh winters not only add stress to our lives, but also to the systems that keep our vehicles safe and reliable and that means a spring makeover should include more than just cosmetics. While your immediate focus will likely be on restoring your car, van, SUV or truck’s exterior and interior to pristine condition, make sure you also give its mechanical systems a careful once-over to ensure they’re ready to deal with the hot summer weather ahead, particularly if its an older or high mileage vehicle. You can have your service technician do this for you – and many service shops offer spring service special deals - but by following some basic procedures you can spot potential problem areas yourself and then have them dealt with if necessary by a pro. You should have been keeping your vehicle washed regularly to help keep rust at bay, but if you haven’t you need to do so before checking it over as it will be easier to s ... read more

Drive Clean Modernization Drive Clean plays an important role in safeguarding Ontario's air quality by identifying excessively polluting cars and trucks with emissions problems and requiring them to be repaired. While today's vehicles are cleaner through advances in emissions technology, all vehicles require regular maintenance to keep them operating properly. Learn more>> Over the past decade, Drive Clean has tightened emissions standards and focused the program on the vehicles that are most likely to pollute. On January 1, 2013, Ontario introduced changes to the emissions test to make the Drive Clean program even better. The new test takes advantage of the computerized monitoring equipment in today's technologically advanced vehicles The modernized Drive Clean program will provide significant benefits by: Providing a faster, more accurate ... read more

MYTH 1- Driving an SUV or CUV Since my vehicle has 4WD (or AWD) that delivers great traction power, I do not need winter tires. FALSE These systems do provide optimized power transmission delivery but provide minimal assistance in transverse handling and braking situations. Important weight combined with higher ground clearance are other factors that affect negatively the stability and control of these vehicles. With the installation of winter tires, the driver can feel optimized levels of traction during all maneuvers including acceleration, braking and handling situations. MYTH 2 - Electronic devices With modern electronic systems such as ESC (electronic stability control), TCS (traction control systems), or ABS (antilock braking) I do not require the use of winter tires. FALSE These advanced systems are designed for vehicle stability, power transmission, and controlled braking and alone are not substitutes for optimized traction grip during all typ ... read more

September Means Back to School Driving 7 Car Maintenance Signs Your Teen Needs to Know for a Better, Safer Car SIGN #1 - Car AlignmentPotholes. There are many things that can cause car misalignment. One of these causes is constantly hitting potholes. We all hit them, but if your teen just got access to a car and the car was perfect beforehand, then he/she might need to be told about avoiding potholes. Hitting Curbs. There are also alignment issues from hitting curbs. There aren't many reasons why your teen should be hitting the curb. Perhaps your teen is in need of some more parking lessons. Speed bumps/Railroad Tracks. Another cause of misalignment is going over speed bumps and railroad tracks too fast. Even after many years of being on the road, adults also tend to forget there's a speed bump until it's too late to slow down. You might let that one slip a little except driving too fast is dangero ... read more

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Every region has its version of spring. Spring time usually means spring cleaning, a “fresh” start, out with the old in with the new. Cleaning the house, cleaning the car, an cleaning the dust of the bikes in the garage. Many of us just look forward to that day when they instinctively know that the last severe winter storm has come and gone. But that doesn't mean there won't be a late freeze or surprise snow flurry. It does mean, however, that these hardy souls can start attending to their cars after a too-long winter, a process shared by everyone in varying degrees. Cleaning Up As you're putting those heavy coats back into mothballs, it makes sense to do a little post-winter clean up on your vehicle. After all, it takes the brunt of winter's misery, whether in the form of torrential downpours, freezing rain, or mountains of snow. Tires First, tend to your tires, even if you drive on what the industry refers to as "all season" tires. Heavy, consiste ... read more