As the summer rolls in, it is time for you to pop the hood, open the vents, and check for these signs of a properly functioning system. From there, you can determine whether your car is due for a tune- up or is ready to cruise in the summer sun. Below are some useful tips for making sure your air conditioning system is up to the task of keeping you cool this summer. Get the most out of your car AC this summer with these tips There are a variety of problems that can crop up in a car’s air conditioning system. Often the defect is minor, but sometimes, the problem is significant. Some of the … [Read more...]
How car services can help you save on insurance
Owning a vehicle can cost a lot of money, but you can bring down the total bill and save on insurance costs by booking your car for a regular car service. CRS Automotive in Hamilton and Stoney Creek, Ontario, has more advice: How regular car services can help you save on insurance Determining the value of your car Did you know that the age of your vehicle can determine its value? Apart from your car's actual age, its general status can also determine how much you pay for your insurance. If your vehicle is no longer brand new, or if it's no longer in the best shape, you might save … [Read more...]
4 Signs it’s Time for New Car Tires
New car tires can be one of the priciest aspects of car maintenance, but worn, cracked or damaged tires are a recipe for disaster. To ensure that your car is road-worthy and safe to operate, you’ll need to check your tires periodically and replace them when they display these following signs: When should I get new car tires? Tread depth The tread depth is what gives your car grip on the road, giving the tires traction to avoid slipping in wet conditions. The tread effectively moves water away from the part of your tires that need to grip on the road, so there is better contact, which … [Read more...]
Spark Plugs: All You Never Knew
Platinum and iridium have become a buzzword for ignition durability - as good conductors of heat and electricity. Both metals also have the ability to resist chemical corrosion and electrical erosion. That is why platinum and iridium are used on the electrodes of many spark plugs today. Some plugs have a solid platinum or iridium center electrode, while others have a small button of platinum welded onto the tip of center electrode or both electrodes (single platinum vs. double platinum). Some even use an alloy of platinum and iridium in the center electrode. Platinum and iridium are … [Read more...]
Highway Car Breakdown: Dos and Dont’s (Infographic)
It’s never pleasant to have your car broken down on the side of the road - especially a highway. You can’t just stop to repair a punctured tire, you may not even be able to call for help depending on your location. Take a look at the infographic to see what you should and what you should never do in such a situation. Should you have any issues with your car or just want a regular checkup, come to our repair shops in Hamilton and Stoney Creek. … [Read more...]
Diagnose: Why Won’t My Car Start
It's a Monday morning, you are late out the door, you get in your car and try to turn it on. Surprise! It won’t start! Do you know how to figure out what’s wrong with your automotive pet? If you have no idea where to begin, it sure will be difficult to repair it. There are a lot of reasons why your car won’t start: - Faulty starter motor - Low voltage/Bad car battery - Bad fuel pump - Faulty crankshaft sensor - Faulty ignition coil - Faulty ignition switch - Faulty ignition relay/main relay. Here is what you can do to get to the bottom of why your car won’t start. 1) Is … [Read more...]
Bumper-to-Bumper: Dangerous Driving
There are many things that get annoying while driving and increase stress, like taking phone calls while driving, speeding in a school area, taking a turn without giving the signal, but one of the most annoying things is when you are in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic. According to recent research in the UK, as many as 9 out of 10 drivers found that they had such an experience, and a quarter of those surveyed admitted to having personally driven unsafely close to another driver. The crash results show that 1 in 8 road accidents is caused by such driver behavior, leading to the fatal … [Read more...]
20 Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint at Home
If you care about CO2 emissions and want to comply with the Carbon Tax as much as possible, it’s not enough to just drive an electric car or a hybrid vehicle, you ought to implement a whole lifestyle change. You can buy local produce and carry a reusable (cloth) bag, wear clothes for a few seasons and buy new appliances, insulate your home and shift to environment-friendly heating sources, etc. read our new blog post to find all the ways you can make your habits and actions matter. Food 1) Try to eat low on the food chain - mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and the like. … [Read more...]
Do Electric Vehicles Work Well During Winter? (Infographic)
Electric vehicles are an unknown to a lot of people even today - you wonder how far it can travel, how everything works, what maintenance is like, and of course, how much it costs. With winter closing in, one of the questions most frequently asked about cars powered by electricity is also How well can they stand harsh winter conditions (especially in Canada). Take a look at our new infographic for the answer to this question. If you have any issues with your car, or just want to do a checkup, come to our repair shops in Hamilton and Stoney … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Used Tires
Every driver knows that the cost of owning a car will add up over time. Just when you’ve replaced your battery, you learn that it’s time for an alignment. Right after you’ve replaced some belts, you find out that you need new tires. Treating your car well and getting the recommended maintenance on time is the best way to protect your car from unexpected repairs. However, you can’t avoid all these expenses. After all, tires don’t last forever, no matter how often you balance and rotate them, so you may be tempted to try to save money by purchasing used tires instead. However, this is always … [Read more...]
