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...]
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 what more you can do. 1) … [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...]
How Often Do You Change Your Car Air Filter?
The air filter in your car is a key component of the supply system. As the vehicle’s lungs, it prevents impurities from entering the engine and provides a steady flow of clean air. But when should you change the air filter? And why? When the air filter in your car gets clogged or worn out, this affects the quality and quantity of the air going into your engine. The dirty air obstructs the combustion chambers and prevents proper fuel combustion. The engine has to work harder, which leads to a decrease in gas mileage and engine performance. Just as your lungs can get clogged up from … [Read more...]
6 Car Smells You Need to Pay Attention to (Infographic)
Part of regular car maintenance and driving safety is paying attention to anything strange about your vehicle - be it weird noises when starting the car or during the drive, any vibrations out of place you or your passengers might notice or just smells you think are out of place. However, that is only the first step to solving the problem. The very next thing you need to do is take your vehicle to your trusted mechanic to check it out and do the necessary repairs before something bad happens. We give you 6 car smells you need to pay attention to. Take a look! If you notice your vehicle … [Read more...]
How to Check Oil Level by Yourself (Infographic)
If some or all of vehicle systems aren’t working properly, your car becomes unsafe and expensive for driving, which is why you should make regular maintenance trips to your trusted mechanic. However, should you hear strange noises coming from under the hood and find yourself without the time or ability to go to your mechanic for him to take a look, there are some things you can do yourself - like check the oil level on your own. Take a look at our new infographic to see how to do it. Come to our repair shops in Hamilton and Stoney Creek today! … [Read more...]
How to Avoid Curbsiders
If you are thinking about buying a car, a used one might be a good solution for you if you find yourself without enough money, time and choice in buying. However, before purchasing a used vehicle - or a new one, for that matter - you need to do a lot of homework about both your prospective car and the dealer, so as not to make a very expensive mistake. You need to make sure to avoid curbsiders, here is how you do it. Curbsiders are illegal, unlicensed vehicle dealers that often pose as private sellers, but some operate from small automotive businesses (repair shops, rental companies, … [Read more...]
What Is a Rebuilt Title?
If you’ve ever bought a used car, or you’re thinking about doing that and have started looking and gathering info, you may have heard that some cars come with a rebuilt title. The term might be self-explanatory, but it never hurts to know more, so keep reading to find all about what a rebuilt title is. A rebuilt title refers to a vehicle that had a salvage title and has then been restored to roadworthy condition. Salvage titles are issued for cars that have been damaged in a crash, accident or weather event (like a flood) and are deemed by an insurance company to be totaled and too … [Read more...]
How to Store Tires Properly
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 to most drivers when the seasons change replacing seasonal tires. Given the size of the investment high-quality tires can be, it’s important to store tires the right way after taking them off to make sure they don’t lose their characteristics and thus prolong their lifespan. 1) During normal use, tires accumulate … [Read more...]
