Canada Auto

08/24/2022

Car Maintenance Fun Facts

Nearly 900 Million Oil Changes Are Performed Each Year
Getting your oil changed regularly is very important. We recommend changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.

The Average Car Owner Spends About $400 On Diagnostics, Scheduled Maintenance, and Tune-Ups Every Year
If you own a vehicle, odds are you will be spending about 400 a year on maintenance. These maintenance services are very important to the longevity of your vehicle. Avoiding these services could lead to breakdowns or other expensive services.

Cars Are Made Up Of Approximately 30,000 Parts
There are so many different parts in a car, it is almost impossible for the average car owner to know all of them. That's why it is so important to hire a knowledgeable technician to repair your car when there is a problem. You might know of a few of the more common auto parts such as the battery, engine, headlights, brake pads, and more. But there are hundreds of parts you may have never even heard of, like the combination valve, distributor, spacer ring, fuel injector, and more.

In 2019, The Most Common Reason For An Illuminated Check Engine Light Was A Problem With The Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converter replacement services are more common in older vehicles, and since the average age of cars on the road is becoming older, this service is needed more often.

08/21/2022

Little humour for you this morning...

08/16/2022

If you have been or live in Ottawa, you've likely seen this wildly decorated 1994 Honda Accord decked out in sports memorabilia, neon lights, and "Canada" placed right on its front grill. It’s owned and driven by Ismael Ibg - a.k.a. the Neon Cowboy. Ismael came to Canada in 2007 after escaping war-torn Congo. He bought the car for $100 - a "garbage car," he calls it - which he began repairing and customizing soon after. Why go through all that effort to repair and customize a $100 car? His answer was simple: "To make people happy." Here in Canada, Ismael said he is thankful for his new life, his Canadian rights and, of course, his one-of-a-kind car.

08/14/2022

Don't forget to book your FREE brake inspection -
Special ends August 31

08/14/2022

From the weird car news department...
Rats are making homes under car hoods in increasing numbers
This sounds like a big-city problem, but rats are everywhere!

Cars are complicated. A seemingly simple problem can stump even experienced mechanics, and the costs can add up quickly for the vehicle owner. Mechanical issues, damage from collisions and accidents, and replacing worn items like tires are all common and expected parts of owning cars. What isn’t expected, however, are rodents, which can cause big-dollar problems under the hood of your vehicle.

The New York Times reported that a surprising number of people in cities are experiencing major car problems from rats and other rodents. The animals nest under their hoods and chew wires, leave debris and other items, and make a mess.

The number of reported rat sightings skyrocketed between 2020 and 2021. Michael H. Parsons, a Fordham University research scholar, told the New York Times that restaurants shutting down and the subsequent proliferation of outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the shift. Without dumpsters full of fresh restaurant food, rats have been forced to move to other food sources, and outdoor dining has provided streetside meals to the hungry scavengers.

Couple that seismic shift in rats’ everyday lives with the fact that many cars have organic wiring insulation that smells like food, and you start to see why there’s a problem. There is debate over whether organic materials like soy-based wiring insulation attract rodents. Still, the reality is that many people find their wires chewed in addition to evidence of rodents living in the engine bay.

Parsons believes improvements in “urban hygiene,” as he calls it, will help curb the rodent problem. Food scraps, trash, and other waste present a smorgasbord of aromas and tastes for animals of all types, so for a city the size of New York, the solution will require significant effort and investment.

While there are certainly more rats living in New York City than in smaller towns, like, say, Winnipeg, Manitoba, people in other areas are just as susceptible to chewing and damage from rodents. Many vehicles from Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, and even luxury brands like Audi and BMW have soy-based wiring. Those that don’t are still at risk because wild animals of all types are attracted to warm, safe spaces, which is precisely what an engine compartment feels like after living on the street.

If you’re experiencing an infestation, you don’t have to burn down your car, despite the temptation. One of the best ways to prevent chewing is to spray the wires with a bitter apple or another deterrent. The smell and awful taste should keep teeth off your wires, but you’ll need to reapply periodically to retain effectiveness. You could also try an under-hood rodent repeller, that uses LED lights and ultrasound to deter pests. You can also place traps or park your car in a garage away from areas where rodents roam.

08/11/2022

10 Most Important Parts of a Car and their Maintenance...

Car maintenance in today’s times has become more rigorous than before, because of the increase in industrialization and recreational activities. Cars today are built with advanced technologies and improved mileage to withstand many kilometers.
Let’s browse through the crucial maintenance components.

Lights
Night travel has become common today and is longer a non familiar scenario; cars are engineered to offer optimum safety during day and night times. There are headlights, fog lights, brake lights and tail lights, for a secure drive, it is important to check the functioning of lights.

When is high-time to change a bulb?
When the turn signal light is turned on, observe the blinker, if it flashes at a faster rate and turns off sooner than normal, there is an issue with the bulb. A car service station will be familiar with the kind of bulb that needs to be replaced, as there are different bulbs for each car.

Replacing Bulbs
Most headlights bulbs have halogen lights, and there is a lear coating on the exterior of the glass. Don’t use bare hands to pick up the bulb, it will leave behind a residue of grease and oil, the oil will then spill on to the hot bulb area and will wear out. While changing bulbs hold it at the base, or make sure you wear gloves.

Tires & Wheels
Bald tires are good on race tracks, but not suited for normal road conditions, almost all tires have tread wear bars. Examine them and if low, replace it.

Tire Pressure
Tire pressure should be checked regularly, at least once a week, bad tires are dangerous; apart from being unsafe it affects mileage, comfort and handling.

Clean brakes regularly
Brakes have to be cleaned frequently, if left unmonitored there will be heat, moisture and dust collection, and the consequences are dangerous.

Electrical-Check battery terminals
Most cars run on a powerful 12 Volt negative ground electrical system; ensure that your batteries are cleaned regularly. If not maintained, then it hinders the passage of current. Remove the battery switches, the instructions will be provided in the manual and wipe the battery gently with clean cloth or wire brush.

Coolant level
An engine cannot move smoothly without a coolant, check the coolant normally located on the side of engine. It is a white semi transparent bottle; look at it only when engine is cooled to an appropriate level. To be able to measure this, look at the readings on the outside and inside. The outside should have high and low marking and on the inside it should be somewhere in between low and high reading.

Check oil level
It is easy to determine if your engine needs to be topped up, the oil level has to be moderate, and it can cause problems if it is too high or low. To check the intensity of oil, park on level field, wait till engine cools to required level, find the dipstick, remove it and wipe it and place it back. Repeat the procedure till the level of oil is between high and low denoted by H and L symbols.

Paint
The modern demographic is conscious about the premium appearance of their cars. Besides the desire to create a good impression it is also imperative to maintain paint quality. There are so many powerful waxes available and Turtle Wax is among the best, recognized by global standards. It is unhealthy for you and your car to allow sticky particles to adhere, which could lead to the onset of dust and pollen. Have a safe journey!!

08/06/2022

Top 10 Most Annoying Things Other Drivers Do

It's a known fact that everyone reading this is an above-average driver — and that each of us always displays deep and abiding civility toward our fellow travelers. So we're sure you won't recognize yourself in any of the items listed below.

But what about all those other jerks on the road?

What things do other drivers do that annoy you most?
Here's our list.

1. Talking on a cell phone

When you're talking on your cell phone, you're as likely to cause an accident as when you're legally drunk. Now, what's your excuse? What's more annoying than a driver who's willing to risk your life so he can pick up his Chester's chicken without waiting? Even when distracted drivers don't cause a wreck, they weave from lane to lane, create confusion in intersections and generally drive slower than other drivers around them while they're trying to do two things at once, leaving a gang of irate drivers in their wake.

Don't Be a Jerk: Put the phone down while you drive. You know about voice mail, right?

2. Driving too fast for road conditions

Just because a speed limit is 100 kph doesn't mean that's always the right speed. Snow, ice or rain can dramatically reduce your car's braking and handling abilities, as well as limit visibility. The right top speed for those conditions is that at which you feel safe and in control and able to react in time to anything that happens up ahead. That could be 40 kph. Or zero kph.

Drivers who fly past you at 100 kph when conditions call for 50 kph are not just risking their own lives — they might take you with them. If they lose control, they could easily spin into you, knocking you off the road and down an embankment. Or, at the very least, they could cover your windshield with a thick film of slush or rain, leaving you temporarily blinded. Annoying? We'd say so.

Don't Be a Jerk: There's always someone driving like a jerk in bad weather. And if you notice you're passing everybody, you're the jerk.

3. Not cleaning snow off their cars

How would you feel if someone heaved a 3-foot-diameter, 40-pound dinner plate at your windshield? Not too swell, we're guessing. Well, that's exactly what happens when a rooftop of snow and ice on the car in front of you goes airborne. In addition to soiling your trousers, such unwelcome crash-landings have been known to shatter windshields. In some provinces, it's even against the law. In all provinces, it's a sign of thoughtlessness.

Don't Be a Jerk: Take five minutes to clean the snow off your car before you drive away. You'll see better, and you won't inadvertently launch an attack on the cars behind you.

4. Not signaling when turning or changing lanes, or leaving a signal on

Signaling your intentions is one of the most basic acts of courtesy one can engage in. If we can't predict what other drivers are going to do, we can't make informed decisions about what we should do, and the result is mayhem. And insurance claims.

But besides being dangerous, not signaling is also downright obnoxious. It says, "Your safety doesn't matter to me, and I'm more important than you are." It's rather telling that signaling one's intentions is pretty much universal in the animal kingdom. And if hyenas can manage it, can't you?

By the way, leaving a turn signal on, while an act of omission, can be just as dangerous.

Don't Be a Jerk: Use your turn signals, Bub.

5. Leaving high beams on

Driving at night introduces a variety of risks, all related to the fact that our vision becomes limited. The less well you can see, the less well you drive. So when someone oncoming cruises past you and shines the equivalent of a 100,000-candlepower lighthouse directly into your retinas, he's definitely being more than a little annoying — he's compromising your ability to drive safely.

If that's not reason enough for you to remember to switch off your high beams when there's traffic headed your way, here are two more reasons: 1) If you blind an oncoming driver with your high beams, he might not be able to judge where your car is and might crash into you. Wouldn't that suck? 2) The driver coming toward you might have been interrogated by the CIA under bright lights, and you might trigger a flashback. Do you want that responsibility? Didn't think so.

By the way, poorly aimed headlights can also be dangerous. If oncoming drivers are flashing their lights at you and you don't know why, first make sure your headlights are on, and then check that the high beams are off. If those two items check out OK, have your mechanic check the alignment of your headlights. It takes five minutes, and it's a thoughtful gesture to future oncoming drivers.

Don't Be a Jerk: Understand that your high beams are a dangerous weapon when aimed at oncoming traffic. Remember when you've turned them on, and always be prepared to turn them right off.

6. Faulty equipment

Saving money by putting off repairs is a noble act of cheapskate-dom, but when deferring maintenance means that you're starting to compromise your own safety, or others around you, that's when we get annoyed.

It's not uncommon for us to see customers' cars at our garage with bald tires, bad shocks, a turn signal or headlight that's burned out, or poor wiper blades. Blowing off those repairs isn't just dangerous — it might also cost you more money in the end. Look at it this way: Which bill would you rather pay? Four new tires or having to replace 50 of the botanical garden's prized Asian thorn bushes and doubled insurance premiums for the next five years? We rest our case.

While it's less immediately dangerous, driving a car that's burning oil to beat the band is also obnoxious.

Don't Be a Jerk: Maintenance is not just for you. You'll improve your own safety and that of your fellow drivers by keeping up on necessary repairs.

7. Taking two spaces in a parking lot

Is there anything more obnoxious than announcing to the world, "My BMW paint job is more important than your ability to park?" Of course, if the car is a '66 Plymouth Valiant and the driver is currently wearing adult diapers, the issue may be driving ability rather than obnoxiousness. So consider the circumstances.

Don't Be a Jerk:
If you have a car that's so precious that it can't be parked close to anyone else's, park it at the far end of the parking lot. That way, you inconvenience yourself rather than everybody else.

8. Staying in the far left lane

We all need to work together if we're going to get home in time to watch "Jeopardy!" That includes pulling back over to the right after you've passed a slower-moving vehicle. Staying in the left lane forces everyone to go at exactly your speed, or pass you unsafely on the right. It also raises the blood pressure of those who want to go even a little bit faster. You're going the speed limit? Fine. Let the police enforce the law. And remember, some drivers might have very good reasons for driving faster than you on any given day. They might be trying to make sure their mother-in-law catches her plane home.

Don't Be a Jerk: Use the passing lane for passing. And when you're in it, always keep an eye on your rearview mirror and be aware if someone is coming up faster behind you so you can get out of the way in time.

9. Not acknowledging making a mistake or overreacting to an honest mistake

Driver A makes a stupid mistake, causing Driver B to swerve. Driver B, having just planted his beak directly into his Starbucks Frappuccino, delivers Driver A the one-finger salute. Driver B is offended, and responds in kind.

We all make mistakes. Remember that when someone pulls out without seeing you. Sure, honk if you need to for safety. But do you really have to follow it up with an Al Swearengen-like diatribe? If the person is decent enough to hold up a palm and indicate "Sorry!" can't you say, "That's OK"?

And similarly, when you make a boneheaded move, don't slink off as if you didn't notice that you almost caused a five-car pileup. Acknowledge that you screwed up. Mouth "Sorry." Look a little sheepish. Hold up a palm asking for forgiveness.

If more people apologized for their lunkheadedness and more people accepted their apologies, the roads would be a lot more humane.

Don't Be a Jerk: Remember the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you when you pull out of your parking space without looking.

10. Dangerous loads improperly secured

The laws of physics are immutable. So, unfortunately, are the laws of stupidity. If you're driving at 100 kph, twine, a bungee cord and your left hand will not keep a Sealy Posturepedic from setting sail above the Perimeter. Trust us on this.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of people who — through impatience, laziness or lack of schooling — don't understand the basics of force, leverage and wind loading. As a result, those of us who follow them have to drive with our hearts in our throats until we can get around them and hope the load doesn't let out at that moment. And what about the guy behind you?

Oblivious as they may be, these drivers can leave a trail of chaos behind them. And if their load comes unhinged, they're going to have a bad case of survivor's guilt.

Don't Be a Jerk: If you're carrying something that doesn't fit inside your car, get professional help or advice in securing it before driving. And have all mattresses and 4x8 sheets of plywood delivered.

08/01/2022

Happy August! Call us for your FREE brake inspection @ 204-775-2277

At Canada Auto in Winnipeg, we specialize in import & domestic auto service

07/29/2022

Some long weekend humour. Have a happy one!

07/25/2022

How to brake properly

Sadly, most people don’t know how to brake properly. Brake like a pro!

THE FIRST RULE for braking when road driving is not to. You should be using skilled observation of traffic situations to avoid the need to slow down, or be surprised so that you end up braking harshly at the last minute. If you can do that then you’ll use less fuel, and move from A to B quicker as you won’t need to spend time accelerating again, because you’re already at speed.
For example, see that red light in the distance? Don’t rush up to it and slam the anchors on, cruise up and cruise through as it turns green. What the roundabout? Time your entrance so you don’t need to slow down. And, no, we’re not suggesting you can just blast your way along no matter what, just that observation is everything when driving.
Sooner or later you will need to brake. The right way is smooth… gently apply pressure up to a maximum, and then ease equally smoothly off the pedal. The throttle is not a light-switch, it’s a dimmer switch. Bad drivers just jump off the brake pedal, and everyone feels a momentary jerk as the weight transfers off the front wheels. Good drivers progressively release the brake and transition to the accelerator so smoothly nobody can quite tell when braking has finished. You’re better able to be smooth if you’ve practiced that good observation so you’re looking well ahead at all times.
Coming to a stop also separates the good driver from the bad. The bad way is the taxi stop – constant brake pressure, then the car rocks back on its suspension as it comes to a halt. The good way is the limo stop – as the car is about to halt relax the brake pressure so you almost roll to a stop with no nosedive and rocking backwards. Don’t forget to leave enough space between you and the car in front such that you can see its rear tires – that way you can maneuver out of the way if needs be.

07/23/2022

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Car’s Check Engine Light....

It may cost you more in the long run.

You’re driving along and suddenly your check engine light goes on. But nothing seems to have changed with the way your car is running. It’s OK to let it go for a bit, right? Bad idea. The light is an indicator that there’s something wrong with your vehicle. It could mean anything from a loose gas cap to serious engine troubles.

A check engine light should not be ignored, the system is telling you that something has failed and may immediately cause damage to your vehicle that will be costly to repair.

07/23/2022

Only one more week to get your free computer "check engine light" scan! Come by and let us have a look!