With the winter finally being over – at least officially – our automotive pets surely can’t wait to be properly cleaned, to have their fluids checked and replenished and other major systems being examined by your trusted mechanic. However, the first thing that comes to mind for most drivers when the season change is replacing seasonal tires. Given the size of the investment, high-quality tires can, and it’s important to store tires properly after taking them off to make sure they don’t lose their characteristics and thus prolong their lifespan. 1) During normal use, tires accumulate brake … [Read more...]
How to Repair a Punctured Tire on the Road (updated)
There’s hardly a driver who has never been through that distressing episode when a tire (or two, god forbid) gets a little iron buddy stuck in it. The buddy gets in, and the air starts getting out. As bad luck would have it, it usually happens when you’re a long way from civilization. As if nails and screws and all kinds of bolts were raining from the sky and falling right to the motorways. Many a mechanic would shudder at the thought of plugging an injured tire without patching it from the inside, but sometimes it’s the only solution if you want to actually make it to the mechanic. … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Used Tires (updated)
Every driver knows that the car's cost 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 a bad … [Read more...]
13 Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques
Driving in a fuel-efficient manner is good not only for your car and other traffic participants, but also for your wallet and the environment. Yes, the Carbon Tax also gets the latter two points across, but every individual must be willing to go through with the change in order for it to be successful. In that sense, adjusting our driving habits can go a long way. With modern cars, you are already driving more fuel-efficiently as they cave certain features and capabilities previously unavailable and nature-friendly. However, that in itself is not enough. Here is how to save fuel when … [Read more...]
5 Best All-Season Tires You Can Drive With in the Winter (updated)
Winter is here! Regardless of whether or not you enjoy the snowy delights of the white season, you must prepare for it by getting the best all-season tires in snow conditions. Get winter tires, have the battery tested, check the fluids, keep the windshield clear, inspect all car lights, add a coat of wax, build an emergency kit and you are all set for winter! If you dread spending too much time meddling with your car, just remember that taking care of all of these little things will lessen the influence cold weather has on your car during the winter months. Moreover, it will also help you … [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...]
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 Cambridge, … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Car Is Hydroplaning in the Rain
Rainy (fall) weather can be a particularly difficult time for drivers, especially if they are less experienced in driving in this kind of conditions (or in general). Nearly half of all traffic accidents - 46% - happen because of wet driving conditions. The main problem is not the ponds that are created in the streets whenever it rains, whether it’s a downpour or a sprinkle, but the fact that any kind of damp film between the tires and the road surface can cause the vehicle to “float” or hydroplane. This can lead to the inexperienced driver panicking and making a serious mistake which can lead … [Read more...]
How to Tell Your Car Needs Alignment (Infographic)
Regular car maintenance is a must if you want to avoid vehicle malfunctions and road accidents, and one of the things to pay attention to certainly is alignment. It can be caused by a variety of things - potholes, curbs, worn suspension, problems with the steering system, etc. During a visual check of your car, you can even spot the signs of misalignment by simply looking at your tires, but the feel of the car itself during the drive is a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. However, leave the diagnosing to pros, and drive your car over to your trusted mechanic for a check-up the moment you … [Read more...]
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