Purchasing your first car can be exciting, but there is a lot to manage. Planning ahead can help make the process much easier—and help ensure you end up with the best car for you. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start shopping for your first car. Buying your first car Shopping for your first car can be intimidating, but there are a few essential tips, tricks, and tools that can help make the process a lot easier. Be realistic about your needs Do you need a car to get to class or work every day, or just for weekend adventures? Evaluate your lifestyle and driving conditions you … [Read more...]
Signs it’s time for new car tires
Smart Cities: What’s the Progress Status?
The idea of smart cities was not on anyone's radar back in 2005, but then New Orleans got a head start on data-driven decision making thanks to Hurricane Katrina. After Katrina hit and the city's levees failed, the city started using data to improve and speed-up decision making to support the city's recovery. Amsterdam was another early adopter with the Amsterdam Smart Cities Initiative in 2009. The team used data to address depression and increase treatment for people who were not getting help. By combining statistics from insurance companies and information about the cost of treatment for … [Read more...]
4WD vs. AWD: What’s the Difference?
When buying a car in Canada, you have to expect you’ll be driving it in bad weather for the majority of the year, so you’d be remiss not to pay attention to how much traction is offered in the models you’re considering. Traction is critical because it determines how well your tires grip the road. When all 4 tires spin normally while you're driving, your car moves the way it should without any surprises. Good traction comes in handy during inclement weather, less-than-ideal road conditions, and when your car travels on dirt or gravel roads. Vehicles come in various configurations … [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...]
Jeremy Clarkson: A Maker or Breaker in the Automotive World
If you follow the car news - even if you don’t - you can’t have ever missed the name the world’s most famous car show presenter, Jeremy Clarkson. His influence measures in the millions of cars sold just because he deemed them beautiful, or unsold since he said they looked like a frog. (Sorry, Ford Ka.) Let’s see who the man is and what makes him so important. Jeremy Clarkson was born on April 11th, 1960 to entrepreneur parents. To raise money to pay for their children’s education, his parents made 2 Paddington Bear toys (one for each child) and sold it through their business. Mr. … [Read more...]
How Prone Are Electric Cars to Catching Fire?
"A battery-powered vehicle having a fire incident is newsworthy. A gasoline-powered vehicle having a fire is newsworthy only if it stops traffic," said Steven Risser, senior research leader at Battelle, a nonprofit research and development firm, and one of the leading experts on the risk of fires in electric vehicles. So, how prone are electric cars to catching fire exactly? Stick with us to find out! With electric cars catching fire being more featured in the headlines than ever, it’s only reasonable to be concerned about safety in this sense. But, the truth is that electric cars … [Read more...]
10+ Quick Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint at Home (Infographic)
In the face of global warming changing the climate and the environmental policies, such as the Carbon tax, being rolled out worldwide, it’s upon every single one of us to change our habits and be more efficient with energy consumption and depleting the Earth’s resources. You can do that in many different ways - by changing your eating and food procurement habits, choosing and maintaining clothes differently, paying attention to the type of appliances in your house and how you use them, and of course, taking cleaner manners of transportation. Take a look at this infographic to see over 10 ways … [Read more...]
Niki Lauda: The Computer Brain of Formula 1
On May 20th, 2019, Niki Lauda, a three-time Formula 1 world champion, had passed away peacefully in his sleep in a hospital in Zurich, surrounded by family members. At that moment, the world was left without a man who gave so much to the racing sport, who revolutionized it and brought so much joy to the fans. We will always remember his bravery, his level-headedness and perseverance. Here is why. Andreas Nikolaus Lauda was born on February 22nd, 1949 in Vienna, Austria to a wealthy paper manufacturing family, that objected to his becoming a racecar driver. He started out with a Mini, … [Read more...]
