Frequently Asked Questions

Oil Changes

Q: My owner's manual tells me to change my oil every 8,000 km but some independent repair shops recommend every 3 months or 5,000 km. Why are independent repair shop intervals lower?

A: Many vehicle manufacturers today are recommending extended oil drain intervals for their vehicles. However, if you regularly make short trips in your car, drive in stop-and-go traffic, idle for extended periods, drive in dusty or dirty air conditions, tow a trailer or live in a cold-weather region, it's best to stick with a 5,000 km/3-month interval. Changing your car's oil regularly is the most cost effective way to ensure that your car continues to run well.

Q: My owner's manual says I should use 5W-30 oil in my engine. Can I use 10W-30 or 10W-40 instead?

A: Many vehicle manufacturers recommend a lighter weight oil be used in newer cars because newer engines are built to tighter tolerances than before. This requires a lighter weight oil for proper lubrication when the engine is cold. Lighter weight oil also helps to improve fuel economy.
Most manufacturers will list a range of oils that can be used for different conditions, such as temperatures below 30°C, temperatures above 40°C, or while towing. These weight ranges will be listed in your owner's manual. 

Q: Should I be using synthetic or conventional oil?

A: Synthetic oil helps promote longer life and better performance in most vehicles. It bonds to engine parts providing a layer of protection that surpasses the protection afforded by conventional oil. Synthetic oil also will continue to pump through your engine when conventional oil would start to thicken in cold temperatures or break down from heat.
Synthetic oil is particularly recommended for vehicles that are driven in cold climates – it will help you start your engine, even when the temperature drops to -40°C. Remember, you can always switch back to conventional oil after using synthetic.

Q: Why is synthetic motor oil more expensive than regular motor oil?

A: Synthetic oils are man-made in a chemical plant and cost more to produce. They provide better protection at extreme temperatures than regular or conventional motor oils. Conventional oils are mineral-based; they come from crude oil that is removed from the ground and run through a refinery.
While synthetics can improve engine performance, they don't eliminate the need for regular oil changes. Synthetics can handle the heat longer than regular oil, but additives can only work for so long and the engine will still contaminate the oil.

Q: What happens to the used oil from my car?

A: Our repair shop recycles all used oil. It is treated and reused as burner and bunker fuels for industrial applications, e.g., in mills, asphalt paving, cement plants and cruise ships. As well, some used oil goes into re-refined oil.

Filters

Q: When should I change my fuel filter?

A: The fuel filter is very important, especially on a car with fuel injection. A fuel filter removes the dirt from the fuel that can get into the fuel injection or carburetor and cause driving problems. Replacing the fuel filter once a year is preventive maintenance.

Q: What is a cabin air filter and why do I need it?

A: During the hot summer months, contaminants, such as pollen, dust, mold spores and smog, can easily enter a vehicle's passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems. This can make the air in the car up to six times dirtier than the air outside.
Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens. You can protect yourself and your passengers from contaminants by replacing the vehicle's cabin air filter annually or more often in areas with heavy contaminants, or whenever heating or cooling efficiency is reduced. If your vehicle is model year 2000 or newer, there's a good chance it is equipped with a cabin air filter. Check your owner's manual. 

General Vehicle Care & Maintenance

Q: How do I find out if there's a recall or service bulletin on my car?

A: There are several ways to do this:

• Contact Transport Canada: http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/Recalls/search_e.asp
• Contact the dealer or manufacturer of your car
• To determine if your vehicle was involved in a recall and has not been corrected, you should contact the manufacturer providing the vehicle's make, model, year and vehicle ID number (VIN).

Q: My "Check Engine" light is coming on, but there's plenty of oil and water in the car. What's wrong?

A: When the Check Engine light comes on, your car is telling you that it has detected a problem. You should have the car checked by us at the earliest possible opportunity. A Check Engine light means that your car's computer system has recognized a fault in one of its sensors.  

Q: How can I prevent my car from rusting?

A: A major cause of vehicle rust is the salt that is used on winter roads. To minimize rusting, be sure to wash your vehicle whenever the temperature is warm enough, or at the very least when the spring thaw starts. Washing should include an undercarriage rinse (available at most car washes) to remove salt from hard-to-reach areas that are likely to rust, such as inside the wheel wells. If you’re washing your vehicle at home, be sure to spray the hose under the car and around the wheel wells .

Q: My car isn't starting or performing like it used to, and I'm getting reduced fuel economy. What does this mean?

A: Maybe all that's wrong is that your fuel system isn't as clean as it should be. Our Fuel System Cleaning Service cleans and conditions your fuel injectors, intake valves, combustion chambers and exhaust emissions by removing harmful deposits and moisture. This can help reduce hesitation and sluggishness, as well as improve fuel economy.

Q: What happens when tires are not inflated to the proper level?

A: Tires that are under- or over-inflated can:

• cause uneven tread wear
• reduced the life of the tire
• reduce traction
• impact gas mileage

Check your tire pressure at least once a month and adjust to the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual. You can also find this information on a sticker in the trunk, on the door pillar, in the glove box, or on your fuel door.

Q: How can I prevent my car from overheating in the summer?

A: Radiator coolant, or anti-freeze as it is commonly known, works to combat both heat and cold - ensuring that your engine doesn't freeze or over-heat. Over time and with exposure to winter cold and summer heat, the protective components of this fluid are weakened and its effectiveness can be dramatically decreased. Check and service your car's cooling system at the intervals recommended in your owner’s manual. Our Radiator Fluid Change will thoroughly flush your radiator and engine block, draining exhausted anti-freeze and replacing it with fresh, warranty approved coolant.

Q: How often should I have my air conditioning checked?

A: Your air conditioner will not operate as efficiently when air and moisture make their way into the system. An annual inspection of the air conditioning system will ensure peak performance and may help prevent costly repairs.

Q: Is premium gas better for my car than regular or mid-grade?

A: Automotive experts, such as the Alberta Motor Association, say that only a small percentage of vehicles sold in Canada require premium gasoline.  For most vehicles premium gas will make little or no difference in terms of how well they perform. Follow the recommended octane requirement from the manufacturer and your vehicle will run properly.

Driving

Q: My owner's manual refers to Severe Driving Conditions. What does this mean?

A: Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you service your vehicle more frequently if you drive in "severe" conditions. Most drivers are surprised at what counts as severe driving. In fact, for most drivers, "normal" driving habits are actually "severe." In Canada, because of the extreme heat and cold, all vehicles operate in severe driving conditions. Severe driving conditions include one or more of the following:

• driving in stop and go traffic
• driving in extremely hot or cold temperatures
• driving at prolonged higher engine speeds
• taking multiple trips averaging 8-12 kms in length
• frequent cold start-ups and shut downs
• extensive engine idling
• towing and/or hauling heavy loads
• driving in dusty or muddy conditions
• driving in mountainous terrain

Protect your car with proper maintenance, such as oil changes every 5,000 kms, to counteract the effects of severe driving conditions.

Q: I do a lot of city driving, but I’ve heard it’s good for my vehicle to take it on a long highway drive from time to time. Is this true and why?

A: Driving short distances often make an engine dirtier than driving long distances at high speeds. Engines create carbon from the combustion of air and gasoline. Some of this carbon is emitted through the exhaust, but some of it remains in the engine. This remaining carbon is cleaned and circulated in the engine oil.
As the engine heats up, more of this carbon is burned up and blown out through the exhaust. If you only drive short distances, the engine may never get hot enough to exhaust the carbon, so it will remain in the engine. This is why it’s a good idea to drive your vehicle on the highway every once in a while.

Brakes

Q: When I have to stop quickly, my anti-lock brakes vibrate or pulsate. Is there something wrong with them?

A: No, there’s nothing wrong with your brakes: this is what an anti-lock braking system (ABS) does. When you brake hard on a car without ABS, you will often lock up one or more wheels depending on speed, road conditions, etc. This wheel lock-up results in longer stopping distances. On a car without ABS, you should manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup.
On a car with ABS, the computer keeps your brakes from locking up. Your foot should remain firmly on the brake pedal, allowing the system to automatically pump the brakes. This on and off pressure to the wheels is felt in the brake pedal as a vibration or pulsation.

Q: How often do I need to change or service my brakes?

A: Depending on driving habits, most cars need a brake service between 30,000 to 50,000 km. However, this is merely a guide. Both parts and labour costs can rise dramatically if, for instance, the braking system needs an overhaul. Disc pads need to be checked regularly - about every 10,000 kms.

Other Services

Q: What is a differential and when should it be serviced?

A: When rounding corners, a vehicle's outer wheels travel further than the inner ones. The differential gear set prevents skidding by letting the wheels rotate at different speeds. Result? Safe, smooth turns.
Our Differential Fluid Change Service replaces old gear oil containing harmful metal fragments with new lubricant to reduce wear and prolong the life of the gears and bearings within the differential.

Q: Why does my owner's manual suggest getting a regular automatic transmission fluid change?

A: It takes a complex set of pumps, valves, pistons and clutches to make your car shift gears. The manufacturers know you'd rather replace fluid than the transmission. Our Automatic Transmission Service replaces 100% of the old fluid with clean new fluid to improve performance, prevent repair bills, and extend the life of your transmission.