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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
All About the Carbon Tax in Canada
As of April 1st, 2019, it’s no longer free to pollute in Canada. This comes after 2 years of the prime minister, Justin Trudeau - who cited international commitments to fight global warming - making it clear he would slap the tax on any of the 10 provinces that did not come up with their own plans by April 1st. In Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, where any sort of carbon pricing scheme was steadfastly opposed, Ottawa will apply its carbon tax on fossil fuels - which starts at $20 per tonne of GHG emissions. In the provinces that already have other carbon pricing measures, … [Read more...]
