CRS Automotive

CRS Automotive | Hamilton & Cambridge, ON Auto Repair

4WD vs. AWD: What’s the Difference? (updated)

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What is the difference between 4WD vs. AWD, and where CR fits in? In this article, we delve into the similarities and differences and how to decide which suits your vehicle needs best. Traction is Vital in Canada When buying a car in Canada, you have to expect to drive it in bad weather for most 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 normally spin while you’re driving, your car moves the way it should without any … [Read more...]

Spark Plugs: All You Never Knew (updated)

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Spark plugs are a critical component of your vehicle’s engine ignition system. Their primary function is to create an electrical spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture inside the engine's combustion chamber. When the fuel and air mixture is compressed inside the combustion chamber, the spark plug generates a high-voltage spark* that ignites the mixture, creating a controlled explosion that drives the engine's pistons. This process is repeated thousands of times per minute to keep the engine running. Want to guess how many volts in a spark plug? The voltage required to create a … [Read more...]

What to Do When Skidding on Ice (updated)

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Driving in the winter can be highly dangerous, especially if you are not a seasoned or even a skilled driver. To avoid collisions with other vehicles or random trees, you must take the necessary precautionary measures. First, you must know how cold weather affects your car and prepare it for harsh winter driving conditions. And second, you need to know how to drive safely in the winter to avoid skidding on ice. The danger of your car skidding on ice is greatest when the ice takes you by surprise. Since not all vehicles respond the same way to icy, slippery roads, learn how to handle your … [Read more...]

Car Corrosion: The Hazard of Road Salt (updated)

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It’s common knowledge that snow and icy road conditions can cause car accidents. That is also why salt is used on the roads since it helps to melt snow and ice and provides some extra traction when combined with sand. That is why washing your car in the midst of winter is important aside from it looking clean, but also to removing the salt that accumulates. Cleaning road salt from your car’s surface is the best practice to help prevent rust damage. The car's undercarriage is often the worst affected by road salt corrosion. Brake lines are typically another of the areas affected, so … [Read more...]

7 Dashboard Lights You Don’t Want to Ignore (updated)

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How awesome would it be if we humans had warning dashboard lights that would glow when something is wrong with our bodies? If blood pressure too high or too low – the BP light turns on. Aha! It’s clear what I need. I’ll immediately take medicine to adjust the pressure and go visit a doctor as soon as possible. Although there are no lights, our bodies have their ways of showing some symptoms. But it’s not always easy to interpret them. Even a common headache can have hundreds of reasons that only doctors are able to determine. That’s why you should appreciate the fact that your car has … [Read more...]

What Is the Lifespan of Your Car? (updated)

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One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new or pre-owned car is its longevity. It’s important to consider how long you want to drive the car: is it going to be yours for a year or two, or is it your retirement car that will need to last ten or more years? What Influences the Longevity of a Vehicle? A car’s longevity and reliability depend on many factors – only some of which you – as the owner – have any control over. Manufacturing quality is out of your hands, but it is prudent to research this before buying a vehicle. Information about a vehicle’s build quality … [Read more...]

How to Store Tires Properly (updated)

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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...]

6 Mistakes to Avoid While Cleaning Car Wheels (updated)

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There’s hardly a more serene feeling than having a freshly washed car that shines like a diamond in the morning sun. And there’s hardly a more disturbing sight than spotting four dirty, muddy, dusty rims that spoil the idyll. It seems you haven’t paid proper attention. We told you to start washing the car body only when you’re done with the wheels. Not vice versa. And that’s our first common mistake. 1) Washing the body first Although it may seem obvious, it’s worth noting: the rubber legs of your car are its dirtiest part. It’s not just the mud that ruins the fancy looks of the wheels. … [Read more...]