Oakville Auto Repair

Similar to your other essential fluids (oil, coolant, wiper fluid, brake, etc.), it's also important to check your transmission fluid to ensure it's proficient to do its job. When your transmission fluid starts to get low, you will need to bring it to a trusted auto repair shop for a transmission fluid flush or change, as well as a proper inspection of the entire transmission system.   Before you can do anything, you will need to find the transmission dipstick. Yes - the transmission has a dipstick! Dipsticks are made to ease the inspection purposes. It looks very comparable to the oil dipstick but is more hidden. It usually has a red handle or transmission/gear symbol top. Front-wheel vehicles tend to have the dipstick placed at the front of the engine near the transaxle. However, it is closer to the back of the engine in rear-wheel-drive cars. You can also refer to your owner's manual for more guidance.    How to Check the Transmission Fluid Level Afte ... read more

We're all suckers for fun road trips! If you are an experienced road trip goer, you know that cruise control can be your most reliable companion. The cruise control feature of most modern cars allows you to drive safely at a steady speed. This tool gives your leg rest time and enables you to drive by just moving the wheel without pressing on the gas pedal. It can be pretty devastating to come across a malfunctioning cruise control system on the day of your big departure. Without it, your drive may leave you feeling tired. Here are some possible reasons behind why your cruise control is not working:   Damaged Speed Sensor The speed sensor is the portion of the system that detects how fast your car moves and is related to your speedometer. Since cruise control needs an accurate speed reading, cruise control will not work correctly if the speed sensor is broken. With inaccurate readings on your speedometer, you're in a hazardous situation by putting yourself at risk of a s ... read more

Keeping your engine at a steady temperature is crucial to preserving your car. If the motor gets too cold, your car won't start, but too hot, and it'll overheat. As a car owner, you should do your absolute best to keep your engine at a stable operating temperature by monitoring its coolant.    You may have heard the term coolant or antifreeze before. They may sometimes be interchangeable for the average person. However, you'd be surprised to know that they are not the same. Below is more information to better understand your car's cooling system to avoid this confusion when you take your vehicle to a mechanic.   Antifreeze is a rich solution consisting of silica and ethylene glycol. Together, the chemical components help lower the freezing point of the liquid that moves around your vehicle's engine.    When combined with water, the antifreeze becomes a coolant. This mixture supports and regulates the engine's temperature to keep it ... read more

Gas prices can look daunting sometimes. But choosing the right type of gas based on saving pennies per gallon may lead to a costly mistake. Here are some possible things that could happen if you put the wrong fuel in your car.   Putting Diesel Fuel in a Gasoline Engine Car  Diesel fuel should not ignite in an engine that requires gasoline. This is due to the fact that diesel doesn’t vaporize the same way that gasoline does. On the other hand, the gas engine is not capable of combusting diesel. Therefore, once your tank runs out of gasoline, the engine will shut off. If this happens to you, parking and leaving the car off will help minimize the damage to your machine. You will then need to drain the gas tank and fuel lines. While some might do this themselves, it is safest to ask for professional help with draining your car’s fuel line.    Putting Gasoline in a Diesel Engine Car  This mistake is far more dangerous for your vehicle. A diesel eng ... read more

Multiple factors can affect the life of your brakes and knowing how to monitor wear can help you determine when to seek replacements. While some experts rate brake pads with a life of 30k to 70k miles, a more definitive recommendation leans toward changing brake pads when the surface reaches 3-4mm (new brake pad linings are 12mm). Which Variables Affect the Lifespan of My Brakes? While brake pads will inevitably wear out over time, daily habits and terrain can have significant effects on the lifespan of certain vehicle components, such as brake pads. Those who enjoy racing off the line, resulting in the need for quicker stops, or stop-and-go commuters, often see faster wear on brake pads than those who drive longer highway commutes or reserve their mileage for leisurely recreational drives. Additionally, the material from which your brake pads are made can have a notable impact on longevity. For example, organic materials are more susceptible to wear, while metals are more durable ... read more

Having issues with your vehicle is no one's idea of a good time. Issues lead to there being a need for maintenance and in some cases repairs. A blown head gasket is something no one wants to deal with, but we do know it can happen. To hear the possibility of a blown head gasket may immediately turn your sights to dollar signs. You may immediately think of just how much it will cost if you're dealing with a blown head gasket, but we want you to think of something else. We want you to think about what leads to a blown head gasket; more specifically we want you to think of the symptoms of a blown head gasket, so you will know when you have a bad head gasket. Symptoms of a Blown Head Gasket You notice leaks: Any time there are leaks, that should be a warning sign for you. Your vehicle fluids are meant to be in a closed system, so whenever there is a leak you are losing fluids that are needed to help your vehicle properly function. When you have an issue with yo ... read more

Your vehicle is a costly possession. It is good that you adopt habits that would make it last as long as possible. Unfortunately, most drivers maintain their cars well but adopt certain bad driving habits that wreck their vehicles in the long run. Here are some of the bad habits and the damage they do to your vehicle. Slamming into Potholes at High Speeds There is a thrill that comes with slamming into potholes at high speeds. However, doing so may cause damage to your tires or even blow them out. It also has a negative impact on wheel alignment, steering, and suspension system. Always be alert and slow down when you approach a pothole. Revving Your Car Engine Soon After Starting If your vehicle has been at the parking bay for some time, much of the oils will collect at the oil pan towards the bottom of the crankcase. It is good that you let the engine idle for about two minutes to allow for oil circulation around the engine. Revving your engine be ... read more

Engine misfires can be frustrating, annoying, and inconvenient. A lot of the information surrounding engine misfires can be misleading and sound worse than they actually are. These misfires can be short-term or long-term problems. Use these facts to learn more about engine misfires and when to take your car to a shop. What Are the Signs of an Engine Misfire? Common symptoms of an engine misfire include: Rough acceleration Rough idle Vibrations Check engine light Slow acceleration Engine sound change Common Causes of Engine Misfire? Bad or Faulty Ignition Coil Some cars have a separate ignition coil located on each spark plug and other cars only have a single coil accompanied by spark cables that connect to each spark plug. A mechanic needs to unplug each coil to determine if one or more cylinders are not responding. Bad or Faulty Spark Plug Engine misfires are often caused by faulty spark plugs. As time progresses, your spark plugs can beco ... read more

It is important to check your tire pressure regularly, at least once a month, or before going on long trips, as tires lose pressure all the time. Remember to check your spare tire also and check the tread on each tire, every time, as an added precaution. It has been estimated that tires lose around 0.069 bar or 6.9 Kpa per month. Loss in tire pressure also rises as temperature rises. Low tire pressure can result in poor handling, bad fuel efficiency, and can affect turning and braking while being a risk to your safety. Here's how to check your tire pressure: Use a pressure gauge. You could either purchase one or you could make use of the one at your local gas station.   Always check tires first thing in the morning, when they are cool and before you drive the vehicle, as this could heat up the tires and give you a faulty reading. The other option is to wait until at least three hours after you have driven your car. &n ... read more