The Keys to See and Be Seen: Lights and Wipers

2 June 2017

Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen. It’s important to make sure your vehicle’s lights and wipers are working properly so your visibility is not compromised and you can be seen by others. From the driver’s seat, you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out. Also, inspect and replace wiper blades so you can see clearly when wet weather hits.

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The lighting system provides night time visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe.  

- Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.

- Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road. The beam must light up objects at least 100m ahead.

- If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you. Always turn on your vehicle’s headlights when driving between sunset and sunrise.

- Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.

The wiper system keeps excessive water and dirt from building up on the windshield, maintaining clear visibility. Many factors can accelerate the replacement interval of wipers, including operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades), frequency of use, material and type of wipers and sunny weather. In fact, wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in dry areas. Don’t forget to check the rear window wiper blade too!

Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment. 

Pre-Winter Checklist

03 June 2017

Checking your vehicle(s) before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid being stranded out in the cold and the unexpected expense of emergency repairs. Although our winters are not as severe as other parts of the world, it does make a difference to take precautions.

Winter magnifies existing problems like hard starts, sluggish performance and rough idling. Whether you perform the check or maintenance yourself or go to the repair shop, it’s a small investment of time and money to ensure peace of mind, and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.

Here are the various things to inspect and handle in order to be prepared for winter.

1. - Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.

2. - Consider winter wiper blades and use cold-weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. This would be applicable mainly to places that get bellow 5° C.   

3. - Check to see that all exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

4. - Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure of all tires, including the spare. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly at least.

5. - Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

6. - Keep your petrol tank at least half full throughout the cold weather to prevent moisture from forming in petrol lines and possibly freezing. Again, applicable to cold places.

7. - Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate.

Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

8. - Have the battery and charging system checked, as cold weather is hard on batteries.

9. - Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

10. - Stock an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, bottled water, non-perishable food and a first aid kit with any needed medication.

Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment.

Signs that your brakes need to be inspected

19 June 2017

Routine brake inspections are essential to safe driving and maintaining your vehicle.

When it comes to vehicle safety, the brake system is at the top of the list, so have your brakes checked by an auto service professional at least once a year. Knowing the key warning signs that your brakes may need maintenance will keep you and others safe on the road.

Watch out for these seven signs that your brakes need to be inspected by a professional:

·         Noise: screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes.

·         Pulling: vehicle pulls to one side while braking.

·         Low Pedal: brake pedal nearly touches the floor before engaging.

·         Hard Pedal: the need to apply extreme pressure to the pedal before the brakes engage.

·         Grabbing: brakes grab at the slightest touch to the pedal.

·         Vibration: brake pedal vibrates or pulses, even under normal braking conditions.

·         Light: brake light is illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard.

Brakes are a normal wear item on any vehicle and they will eventually need to be replaced. Factors that can affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and transmission, the quality of the brake lining material.

 Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment.

Your Vehicle’s Cabin Air Filter

20 June 2017

Before winter sets in is a good time to check your cabin air filter, after it’s been working hard all spring, summer and fall. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens, and it should be replaced every 20,000 to 25,000 kms, or per the owner’s manual.

The cabin air filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s air conditioning and heating and ventilation systems. The filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause musty odors in the vehicle and cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street. A restricted cabin air filter can also impair airflow in the HVAC system, possibly causing interior heating and cooling problems, important for staying comfortable this winter. Over time, the heater and air conditioner may also become damaged by corrosion.

Most filters are accessible through an access panel under the hood or in the interior of the car. Read your vehicle’s owner manual to help find it. Some filters require basic hand tools to remove and install the replacement filter; others just require your hands. Filters should not be cleaned and reinstalled; instead, they should be replaced.

Checking the cabin air filter is a simple preventive maintenance step that goes a long way toward protecting passengers, as well as the vehicle’s HVAC system.

Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Check - don’t end up broken down on the side of the road.

23 June, 2017

When dreaming about your next vacation, the thought of a roadside breakdown can be quite scary. Performing a pre-trip inspection can give you peace of mind by reducing the chance of unplanned, costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by a trusted technician before hitting the road.

Right in your own driveway, you can determine how road ready your vehicle is with a 10-minute vehicle check. If service or repairs are needed, they can be performed in advance to ensure safety and reliability on the road.

- Check the tires including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

- Check the hoses and belts as they can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

- Check filters and fluids including engine oil, power steering and brake, and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

- Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during rainy weather.

- Check the brakes and battery to be sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free and that the brakes are functioning properly.

If you have any questions on how to perform these checks let us know or visit our website to see if you qualify for any of our free checks.

Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment.