10 Secrets That Guarantee Safety Traveling In Your Car

Driving safely is always a top concern for everyone that sits behind the wheel in Ottawa. 

This is specifically true when you plan on driving a long distance for a trip. This means for travelling purposes the vehicle you plan to drive needs to be in top condition before leaving the driveway. Moreover, even when you follow a regular maintenance schedule on the vehicle there is always going to be something that needs replacing or fixing.

The reason this occurs is it is the nature of the beast, so to speak. Even if the vehicle is less than three years old it is wise to have it checked from bumper to bumper, top to bottom for anything that can cause a breakdown on a long trip. The items that follow should make the top listing for being checked before travelling,

• The brakes, brake lines, fluid level
• The battery
• The engine
• Tune up
• Oil change
• Fuel lines
• Antifreeze – cooling  & heating system
• Tires
• Suspension, Ball joints, shocks…
• Running lights

Seeing this list should make you aware that a malfunction with any one of the systems mention  can mean catastrophic consequences will transpire. While these are not really secrets, the idea is to get you, the reader to think before you leap into your vehicle and drive off unaware that there may be a mechanical issue that can cause an accident on an Ottawa roadway, you cannot walk away from. In this light the brake system, running lights, tires and the suspension, all carry a high level of importance in ensuring their condition.

As stated even with following a regular maintenance schedule with an Ottawa mechanic, some things can break down. Flat tires can occur at a moments notice, by having your tire check for tread wear and punctures you can only feel temporarily relieved, unless you are prepared with a good spare tire, car jack, or a reliable roadside assistance service. The suspension, is one aspect that is overlooked, however shock absorbers can malfunction and cause a vehicle to swerve out of control.

Enough with the bad, by now you have the awareness to get your vehicle checked thoroughly before going on that .long awaited road trip, to somewhere other than Ottawa, with your family, college buddies,  or friends.

How To Easily Tell When To Get New Tires

There is a tire condition in  Ottawa known as “rimfrost.” The result of this condition is tire rot and it typically happens to the sidewall of the tire. In addition, this condition is noticeable. The first indications of it is visual cracks in the sidewall of the tire. Moreover, it can appear on either the inner sidewall, (pointing to the undercarriage of the vehicle), or the outer sidewall, visible to the onlooker.

Accordingly, the amount of tread that a tire has, is not affected, it is more a matter of the age of the tire and the amount of exposure the tire has to extreme weather conditions. As to the tread of a tire, if your vehicle has a set of tires rated for 50,000 miles and you diligently rotated them, (not really a necessity in this respect), you can check the tread depth by using an American penny or an American dime.

With the penny inserted between the center treads and they reach below the shoulders of Lincoln it is time to get new tires. On a dime the depth below Roosevelts nose means it is time. On a Canadian dime, here in Ottawa, it would be the nose of the Queen. In any scenario, this is the easiest test for excessive tread wear on a vehicle.

Naturally, it is good to perform this check the width of  the tire when suspected wear is evident causing the vehicle to handle oddly. Nevertheless, theses are two ways to find out if the tires on your vehicle need changing. The age of a tire and the amount of tread factor into a vehicle's ability to grip the road correctly helping it steer and handle easily for the operator. Because of the weather patterns in Ottawa, worn tires can cause issues, so it pays to perform this check periodically during the life of the tires, maybe every 5000 miles or so.

Winter is coming and if you would like to buy your winter tires ahead then contact with Jim Dickinson Auto Tech. They sell tire all year and also provide tire repair services in Ottawa and surrounding areas. 

Motor Oil and the Engine in Your Car

Face it the oil in the engine of your cars, motor is the lifeblood of the vehicle. If the oil is old or lower than it should be, it will affect the operation of the vehicle. This is what makes it important to keep an eye on the oil level as well as the colour. The colour of the oil starts out, for all intent and purpose, clear.

In the process of driving your car or truck around Ottawa the engine generates heat and the oil eventually looses its properties resulting in it getting thinner and darker. Another result is, it begins to burn. If this is left alone the internal part of the engine begin to wear leaving minute metal shavings in the oil causing further damage.

 No one in Ottawa wants to deliberately do this to their own vehicle. Another thing that occurs is black sludge begins to build up inside the engine and eventually affect how smooth the engine will run. This is why engine cleaners are found on the market and some actually well, but they do not compare to keep the engine clean like getting the oil changed properly and in a timely manner according to the manufactures specifications.

To reiterate not changing the oil in your car can lead to black sludge building up that can eventually cause the engine to stop. This takes place because the sludge becomes thick. Imagine trying to walk knee deep in a pool of mud. This is what it is like inside the engine when the oil is not changed regularly.This means that stopping in at a local Ottawa mechanic to have this done is simple and easy enough to do to keep your car running in good shape.

Auto Repair Ottawa and Sterling Ford can help your car running smoothly in good shape with oil change, engine check up, auto tuning and other auto repair services. 

Keeping your Vehicle Operational with Inspections

Cars and trucks, both commercial and private need to be 100% operational in Ottawa and throughout the rest of Canada, at all times when it comes down to the level of carbon emissions that a given vehicle may emit. This means that the brake system, muffler and catalytic converter must be operational. This not only affects the air it also affects road safety.

When you purchase a brand new car here in Ottawa, there is no obvious need to have it inspected. However, used vehicles pose a higher risk of not meeting the emission standards for road worthiness. Once the used vehicle passes an inspection, along with a newer vehicle it pays to keep a regular maintenance schedule with oil changes, brake inspections and tune ups to keep the vehicle operational throughout the ownership.

What you can discover

With an inspection, there are things that can be found that may not affect the operation from a driver's point of view. Moreover, it is the little things that begin to show wear and tear that will eventually lead to serious issues. One example might be the condition of the brakes, or the state of the exhaust system. The brake pads may be worn almost completely away and rust might be eating into the exhaust system.

Furthermore, if the vehicle is in need of a tune up it can cause the emissions to be out of range of the provincial specifications in Ottawa. Catching these things early also helps with repair costs. If your brakes squeal when you try to stop it means that replacing the pads and the smoothing or replacing the rotors is necessary to get them back to normal operating condition.

This proves the importance of staying on top of a maintenance schedule. For all intent and purpose, knowing a mechanic here in Ottawa, specifically with all of the technology installed on vehicles that is certified to work on the make and model you own helps. At any rate, once a vehicle is inspected and it fails, it cannot be driven until it can pass, after the need repairs have happened.

Have a regular Mechanic to go to for issues

Not everyone realizes how this can play an important role in keeping their vehicle in good operating condition. Having a regular mechanic is like working with the same dentist, or family doctor here in Ottawa. When dealing with these doctors you expect to get great care because they are familiar with you and your health.

Quit simply the same thing applies for an auto mechanic. Therefore, it makes sense to have a mechanic who is familiar with your vehicle. Whenever you get a different used vehicle, they can inspect it and fix what may be failed by a certified inspection. What would work out even better, is knowing a mechanic certified as an inspector for the province, this way you can rest assured that the vehicle will meet the standards of the inspection.

If you would like to keep your vehicle operational, consult with Ottawa Auto Repair specialist Jim Dickinson Auto Tech or Sterling Ford for vehicle inspection. 

Why getting Regular Oil Changes can save on Auto Repair

To begin with a large percentage of automobile issues, in Ottawa, stems from poor maintenance and, the lack of attention to detail. Cars, Trucks, Vans, and SUV’s are all designed to operate for extended periods as long as the operator/owner pays attention to the suggested maintenance schedule listed in the manual that comes with every vehicle made. Moreover, a good part of this number originates with engine trouble.

The best way to avoid having a vehicle breakdown is to follow a regimen of regularly scheduled oil changes. Most of us in Ottawa can understand that during normal operation an engine gets hot. This heat will eventually cause the oil inside to loose its properties by collecting deposits and thinning.

The deposits, which are byproducts of the internal combustion, cause wear and tear on the internal environment caused by the thinning oil. When this happens, in worse case scenarios, the vehicle stops operating. The purpose of the oil is to lubricate the internal moving parts and help distribute the heat generated from the friction of the moving parts, equally through the engine block.

Changing the oil on a regular basis, for instance, most manufacturers suggest changing the oil every seven to ten thousand miles now. In the past the suggestion was changing the oil every three thousand miles or so. One factor to consider is how the vehicle is driven on the Ottawa roads and highways.

If the vehicle experiences a lot of high speed or highway driving, it means the engine gets and stays hotter longer and wears the oil down faster as compared to a mix of rural and urban road travel here in Ottawa, typically performed at lower speeds. Additionally, operating a vehicle in consistent stop and go traffic puts a lot of strain on the engine. As you are aware by now there are a lot of variables to consider.

This is why changing the oil in your vehicle on a regular basis can help it run for a long time with minimal issues. Make it a point to check the oil weekly and consider adjusting how the vehicle is being driven to extend its operational life. Moreover, anyone can learn how to change the oil on any vehicle if cost is an issue.

You can consult with Ottawa Car Maintenance Specialists  Jim Dickinson or Sterling Ford to change the oil of your car on regular basis.

Prepping Your Car for Winter

Winter is the toughest time of the year. Specifically, cold weather and automobiles do not play well together, so to speak. Therefore, it is wise to check the operation of your vehicle, and make the necessary repairs before another Ottawa winter arrives. Consequently, owning an automobile comes with the responsibility of maintaining and ensuring the normal function of the vehicle. This means changing the oil, windshield wipers, flushing the radiator, and having the proper amount of anti-freeze solution.

Tires

Additionally, checking the integrity of the wheels and tires on the vehicle is acceptable. This means, also, that having an extra set of wheels with winter tires mounted on them, or being prepared to pay to have the tire switched from regular to winter tires every winter, which is costly. Here in Ottawa most of us understand the importance of having the right tire for the possible road conditions that the change in Canadian weather brings.

The Battery

This is maybe the most important part of all vehicles. Without one, none would function. The winter cold can create problems if the battery is old or not designed to handle prolonged exposure to the extreme cold of the Ottawa winter. This makes it imperative to ensure that the battery in the vehicle is up to date, no older than three years, and that it is rated for cold weather.

All Running Lights

Understandably, the lights on the vehicle are of major importance. They allow driving during periods of subdued lighting, such as, foggy days/nights, and heavy rain/snow, during the dusk and dawn. With today’s modern vehicles the running lights come on automatically once the vehicle starts for most models. Nevertheless, making sure that the head lights, tail lights, turn indicators, and the brake lights all function accordingly and properly will help other drivers see the vehicle as well as allowing the drive to see the conditions mentioned.

All ways check the Fluids

The fluids include the engine oil, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and the anti-freeze in the radiator. The two fluids that have a direct effect on the operation of the vehicle during the winter months are the engine oil and the anti-freeze. If the vehicle has no leaks and there is at least a 50 to 50 mix of water to anti-freeze in the radiator the vehicle should be fine. However, if you are not sure, find an Ottawa mechanic and have it flushed and put in the correct mix per the directions of the brand of anti-freeze.

The engine oil can freeze at extreme temperatures, which is why manufacturers make oils with a variable thickness or viscosity. For example, a car with 40 weight oil may not start as quickly as a vehicle using a 30 weight. Some people use the variable 10 w 30, for example, during an Ottawa winter to help the vehicle start in the colder months. The reason is if the oil is thick and cold, the engine will turn slower putting a higher drain on the battery. This can cause the battery to discharge failing to start the car.

You can consult with Ottawa Car Maintenance Specialists  Jim Dickinson or Sterling Ford to prepare your Car for Winter.