ABH Car Sales & Service Centre

ABH Car Sales & Service Centre In the heart of beautiful southern BC, you find an independent car dealership like no other. ABH Ca

🚗 “Self-driving cars are here!”…sort of.Movies make it look like you can climb into the back seat, take a nap, eat tacos...
06/05/2026

🚗 “Self-driving cars are here!”

…sort of.

Movies make it look like you can climb into the back seat, take a nap, eat tacos, and let the car handle life for you while it flawlessly dodges traffic and pedestrians.

Reality is a LOT less glamorous. 😅

Most “self-driving” vehicles on the road today are not truly autonomous.
They’re better described as:
🧠 Driver assistance systems.

That means the vehicle can HELP with certain driving tasks — but the human is still expected to pay attention and take over at any moment.

Modern systems can include things like:

👀 Lane Keeping Assist
Helps nudge the vehicle back into the lane if you drift.

🚘 Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatically adjusts speed to maintain distance from vehicles ahead.

🛑 Automatic Emergency Braking
Can sometimes detect obstacles or sudden stops and apply brakes.

🅿️ Parking Assist
Some vehicles can steer themselves into parking spots.

🧭 Highway Assist Systems
Certain vehicles can combine steering, braking, and acceleration assistance on marked highways.

Sounds awesome, right?

Well… here’s where the movie fantasy falls apart.

⚠️ These systems can struggle with:
• Poor weather
• Snow-covered lane markings
• Construction zones
• Dirty cameras or sensors
• Glare from sunlight
• Unexpected obstacles
• Faded road paint
• Heavy rain or fog

And sometimes?
The car just gets confused.

Modern vehicles rely on a combination of:
📷 Cameras
📡 Radar
🌐 GPS
🧠 Software calculations
⚡ Electronic control modules

—all trying to interpret an unpredictable world in real time.

Humans are messy. Roads are messy. Weather is messy.

That’s why even the most advanced systems still require driver supervision.

The technology IS impressive.
It can absolutely improve convenience and even safety in some situations.

But we’re still a long way from:
“Hop in, take a nap, arrive safely every single time.”

For now, the best safety system in the vehicle is still an attentive driver.

⛽ “The ethanol in today’s fuel is destroying engines.”We hear this one a LOT — and while there’s a tiny grain of truth b...
06/04/2026

⛽ “The ethanol in today’s fuel is destroying engines.”

We hear this one a LOT — and while there’s a tiny grain of truth buried in it somewhere… the full story is very different.

For MOST modern vehicles, the ethanol content in regular pump gas is NOT causing engine damage.

In fact, vehicles sold in Canada and the U.S. for many years have been specifically designed to run on fuel blends containing ethanol, commonly up to 10% (E10) and sometimes higher depending on the vehicle.

So what’s actually happening?

🌽 Ethanol itself isn’t automatically bad.
It’s an alcohol-based fuel additive that:
• Raises octane
• Helps fuel burn cleaner
• Reduces certain emissions
• Is already accounted for in modern fuel system design

Modern fuel systems use materials, seals, hoses, injectors, and engine calibrations designed to handle it.

Now… where DOES the myth come from?

⚠️ Older Vehicles & Small Engines
Classic cars, carbureted engines, lawn equipment, generators, boats, and older motorcycles can absolutely have issues with ethanol-blended fuel because:
• Older rubber components may deteriorate
• Ethanol absorbs moisture easier than pure gasoline
• Fuel can separate during long storage periods
• Carburetors gum up easier when fuel sits

But that’s VERY different from saying:
“Ethanol is destroying modern car engines.”

Another important point:
🧠 Higher ethanol fuel actually REQUIRES more fuel volume to make the same power because ethanol contains less energy per litre than gasoline.

That’s why vehicles not specifically designed for high ethanol blends (like E85) can run poorly if the wrong fuel is used.

So yes — using the WRONG fuel matters.
But regular fuel from reputable stations? Your modern vehicle was built for it.

Sometimes the internet makes it sound like every fuel pump is secretly dispensing liquid engine death.
Reality is usually a lot less dramatic. 😅

📣 Quick PSA: It’s worth calling the dealer every once in a while to check for recalls on your vehicle.A lot of people as...
06/02/2026

📣 Quick PSA: It’s worth calling the dealer every once in a while to check for recalls on your vehicle.

A lot of people assume:
❌ “If there was a recall, they would’ve contacted me.”

…but that’s not always the case.

Vehicles change owners. People move. Phone numbers change. Mail gets ignored. And some recalls don’t get discovered until YEARS after the vehicle was built.

Some recalls are minor.
Others can involve:
⚠ Airbags
⚠ Fuel leaks
⚠ Brake systems
⚠ Engine failures
⚠ Fire risks
⚠ Software or transmission issues

The good news?
Most recalls are repaired at no charge through the dealership.

All you usually need is your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and the dealer can quickly tell you if there are any open recalls on your vehicle.

It’s one of the few free “maintenance checks” out there — and it can genuinely improve safety and reliability.

Even if your vehicle seems perfectly fine, it’s worth checking every now and then. 👍

Another happy client! New truck and new Fuel wheels and Toyo tires! Looks awesome! Enjoy your new ride!
06/01/2026

Another happy client! New truck and new Fuel wheels and Toyo tires! Looks awesome! Enjoy your new ride!

A code reader is kind of like getting a witness statement.It points you in a direction… sometimes a pretty good one… but...
05/28/2026

A code reader is kind of like getting a witness statement.

It points you in a direction… sometimes a pretty good one… but it is not always the full story 😅

That’s where diagnostics can start feeling a little more like detective work.

Sometimes the next step is pulling out an oscilloscope. It lets me actually watch sensor signals and timing patterns in real time while the problem is happening instead of just reading a fault code after the fact.

A code might say something is wrong…
but the scope helps show me how it is wrong.

That is where you start comparing patterns, looking for inconsistencies, and slowly following the evidence.

Some vehicles practically confess right away.

Others…
well…
they lawyer up 😂

That’s why proper diagnosis can sometimes take a little time. Anybody can guess and throw parts at a problem, but careful testing usually saves money, frustration, and repeat visits in the long run.

Honestly, a big part of this trade is just patience, pattern recognition, and not jumping to conclusions too quickly.

05/27/2026

Tomorrow’s work orders! It takes a special kind of person to do this job!
Patience and valued automotive knowledge.

“How Does An Automatic Transmission Actually Work?”Your automatic transmission is one of the most complicated systems in...
05/25/2026

“How Does An Automatic Transmission Actually Work?”
Your automatic transmission is one of the most complicated systems in your vehicle.

Inside that case are clutches, hydraulic circuits, computers, valves, pumps, and gearsets all working together constantly while you drive.

Here’s the simplified version:
🔧 The engine sends power into the transmission through the torque converter — a fluid coupling that allows the vehicle to stay running while stopped without a clutch pedal.
🔧 Inside the transmission, a pump creates hydraulic pressure using transmission fluid.
That pressure applies and releases internal clutches to change gears.
🔧 Planetary gearsets allow the transmission to create multiple gear ratios for acceleration, cruising, reverse, and overdrive.
🔧 Modern transmissions are heavily computer controlled. Sensors and modules decide:

• When to shift
• How firm to shift
• Which gear is needed

That’s why electrical problems can sometimes feel like major transmission failures.
Transmission fluid is also incredibly important.

It doesn’t just lubricate components — it also:
✔ Transfers hydraulic pressure
✔ Helps control heat
✔ Protects internal friction materials

Over time, heat and wear break fluid down.

That’s why neglected maintenance can eventually lead to slipping, harsh shifts, shuddering, or complete failure.

Some of the biggest transmission killers are:
• Overheating
• Low fluid
• Dirty fluid
• Heavy towing
• Ignoring early symptoms

The biggest takeaway?

Modern automatic transmissions are amazing pieces of engineering, but they rely heavily on proper maintenance and early diagnosis when problems appear.

If your vehicle starts:
⚠️ Slipping
⚠️ Hesitating
⚠️ Shuddering
⚠️ Banging into gear
⚠️ Delaying shifts
—it’s best to get it checked sooner rather than later.

📍 ABH Car Sales and Service
Transparency – Precision – Integrity

We couldn’t have been in business for 38years without customers like Cathy! Congrats on your beauty Truck!
05/22/2026

We couldn’t have been in business for 38years without customers like Cathy! Congrats on your beauty Truck!

🚗 **You shouldn’t need a mechanical engineering degree to feel comfortable bringing your vehicle to a shop.**Let’s be ho...
05/22/2026

🚗 **You shouldn’t need a mechanical engineering degree to feel comfortable bringing your vehicle to a shop.**

Let’s be honest for a minute:

The automotive industry can feel intimidating.

Most people aren’t mechanics — and they shouldn’t have to be. But when you’re handed a long estimate full of terminology you don’t understand, it can be hard to know:
❓ What’s urgent
❓ What can wait
❓ What’s maintenance
❓ What’s a recommendation
❓ And whether you’re even being told the full truth

That uncertainty creates stress.
And unfortunately, some people have had experiences that make trusting a repair shop difficult.

Here’s the thing:
**What you don't know about cars should never be used against you.**

A good shop should be willing to:
✔️ Explain things clearly
✔️ Show you what they found
✔️ Answer your questions without talking down to you
✔️ Prioritize repairs honestly
✔️ Tell you when something can wait
✔️ Help you make informed decisions — not pressured ones

Our goal has never been to “sell repairs.”
It’s to help people understand their vehicles well enough to make informed decisions confidently.

Sometimes that means recommending repairs immediately.
Sometimes that means monitoring a problem.
Sometimes that means telling you *not* to spend money yet.

Transparency matters.
Education matters.
And trust is earned — not assumed.
If you don't understand, ask. We are always happy to clarify

We know bringing your vehicle in can feel overwhelming sometimes.
Our job is to make it feel a little less that way. 👍

📍 ABH Car Sales and Service
Transparency – Precision – Integrity

🛑 **Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes: Why They Need Different Service**Not all brake systems wear the same way — and they def...
05/21/2026

🛑 **Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes: Why They Need Different Service**

Not all brake systems wear the same way — and they definitely don’t need the same maintenance.

Most modern vehicles use:
🔹 **Disc brakes** on the front
🔹 Either **disc or drum brakes** on the rear

So what’s the difference?

⚙️ **Disc Brakes**
These use brake pads that squeeze against a rotor.

They’re great at:
✔️ Heat dissipation
✔️ Stopping power
✔️ Wet-weather performance
✔️ Easy inspection and servicing

But because they’re exposed to the elements, they’re more prone to:
❌ Rust buildup
❌ Seized caliper hardware
❌ Uneven pad wear

That’s why regular cleaning and lubrication of the hardware is important during brake service.

🥁 **Drum Brakes**
These use curved brake shoes inside a drum.

They tend to:
✔️ Last a long time
✔️ Require less frequent replacement
✔️ Work well as parking brakes

But when they *do* need service, it’s often more involved because they contain:
🔸 Springs
🔸 Adjusters
🔸 Multiple contact points
🔸 Parking brake mechanisms

And since drum brakes are more enclosed, problems can go unnoticed longer.

⚠️ We often see:
❌ Seized adjusters
❌ Sticking wheel cylinders
❌ Contaminated brake shoes
❌ Parking brakes that no longer function properly

🚗 One important thing many people don’t realize:
Rear brakes usually don’t do as much stopping as the fronts — especially rear drums — so they can appear “fine” for years while quietly developing problems inside.

⚙️Another important note:
Drum brakes typically don't self adjust like disc brakes do. This means that once the friction material wears down to a certain point, the shoes no longer contact the drum. This can cause premature front brake wear, front brake shudder, reduced braking power, etc. A rear brake service requires setting the adjustment to get just the right amount of contact.

That’s why brake inspections matter.
Brake life isn’t just about pad thickness — it’s also about how well the entire system is operating.

Address

2913 CENTRAL Avenue
Grand Forks, BC

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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