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These tips can help you determine whether your vehicle has major engine problems or just a loose gas cap.

We’ve all been there before. You’re driving along when you notice a yellow light out of the corner of your eye. A quick glance at the dash confirms your fear. It’s the check engine light. If you’re like most car owners, you’re not sure if you should continue to panic or not, and you have little idea what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react.

The often misunderstood check engine light or “service engine soon” message can mean many different things. It could be a misfiring engine, a broken oxygen sensor or simply a loose gas cap.

When you see the check engine light it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck. It does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. If you ignore the warning, you could end up causing further damage. It could also be a sign that you’re getting poor fuel economy and emitting high levels of pollutants.

In any case, if the check engine light is on in your car, it’s time to schedule a service appointment. At our service centre, we have factory-trained technicians who can easily check and diagnose what’s behind your check engine light message, at a cost that is nearly always lower than a private garage.

Changing your vehicle’s oil at the recommended intervals is the best thing you can do to ensure it has a long life. As simple as this task may sound, many people are confused about exactly how often their car’s oil needs to be changed.

While you can always change your oil on your own, at our dealership we offer fast oil change service at a fair price, allowing you to go about your day without breaking your wallet.

• In the past, it was standard for oil changes to occur every 5,000 kilometers, or three months, whichever came first. Now, that standard does not always apply. Oil quality has improved over the years, and the automotive industry has begun to take driver’s travel and driving habits into account when making recommendations. As such, how often you change your oil should depend on you personal driving habits.
• If you use the car only for short trips on city streets, particularly in cold weather, you probably should have the oil changed every three months. Why? On short trip, the engine doesn’t reach its proper operating temperature, which can cause condensation of water inside the crankcase and oil can be diluted by gasoline.
• If you mostly use your car for occasional longer trips, it is acceptable to wait six months or more to change the oil.
• One thing you should absolutely consider when deciding when your oil needs to be changed is your car warranty. Many manufacturers specifically require warranty holder to change the oil based on time. If this is the case for you, it is worth it to change the oil according to the guidelines until the warranty expires. If your engine needs a warranty-covered repair in the future, your manufacturer might decline to cover it if you didn’t follow their recommended timeline for oil changes. To avoid a headache, follow their recommendations.
• Another reason why the manufacturer’s recommendations are worth considering is that the automaker has done extensive testing on your vehicle’s engine to define the recommendation. Their recommendations are based on lab and real-world driving to determine how it performs under many conditions. Through that testing, they have developed a set of guidelines for maintenance and the frequency of oil changes.

There are several reasons that may explain why your air conditioning system is blowing warm instead of cool air.

• The first possibility is that there is a refrigerant leak. The leak may be found in the evaporator, condenser or hose in which case you should bring your car to a mechanic to be repaired.
• Another reason that your air conditioner may not be blowing cool air is because the compressor has gone bad. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant and pumps it throughout the AC’s necessary components. Because everything revolves around the compressor, if it is faulty then the air conditioning will not work correctly. Usually there will be a loud noise when you attempt to turn on your air conditioner if the compressor is broken.
• Finally, another problem that may be occurring with your air conditioning system is that there is a clogged orifice tube. This is located between the condenser in the front of the radiator, and the evaporator in the passenger compartment. If there is an obstruction in the tube then it will stop the refrigerant from reaching the evaporator, causing your system to blow warm air.

• A vibration or pulsating brake pedal is often a symptom of warped rotors (but can also indicate that your vehicle is out of alignment). The vibration can feel similar to the feedback in the brake pedal during a panic stop in a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes.
• It is a sign of warped rotors if the vibration occurs during braking situations when the anti-lock brakes are not engaged. Warped rotors are caused by severe braking for long periods, such as when driving down a steep mountain or when towing. Tremendous amounts of friction are created under these conditions, heating up the rotors and causing them to warp. The vibration is felt because the brake pads are not able to grab the surface evenly. If you drive in these conditions, make sure to stop periodically to allow your brakes to cool off.

The cost of repairing your brakes depends largely on what is wrong with your brakes, and which garage you choose to have them repaired at. There are often costs associated with the initial inspection of your brakes, repairing the damaged brake system, and replacing brake parts. If your entire brake system needs to be replaced, this is commonly a more expensive procedure. It is a common myth that a dealership service department is more expensive than a private garage. However, at our service centre we offer affordable and professional service performed by factory trained technicians. Contact us today to get started on your brake repair.

An extended warranty is like an insurance policy on your car, it is a safeguard against unforeseen repairs. An extended warranty may be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle; it’s also possible to purchase one later. If you’re the type who likes to be prepared for all possibilities, an extended auto warranty may be just what you’re looking for. With the ever-increasing cost of vehicle repairs, these can make a lot of sense.