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COVID-19 UPDATE

YOUR SAFETY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

In light of the current Corona virus COVID-19 we have implemented strict measures for the health and safety of our guests and employees. We have taken some serious measures for sanitation and cleaning procedures to keep our guests and employees safe.

All the high traffic areas that come in contact with the public are regularly disinfected and cleaned. They are wiped down with disinfecting wipes, all door handles, seating area, including chairs and tables are cleaned and wiped down with disinfecting wipes. The vehicles that are in for service are wiped down with disinfecting wipes when taking in and bringing out of the garage.

The washrooms are frequently cleaned and sanitized, handles and dispensers are wiped down. Pin pads, counter tops and the refreshment area are also rigorously cleaned and sanitized.

All the team members are regularly washing hands and using a new pair of gloves before and after handling guests vehicles along with disinfecting the steering wheels, door handles, keys and any other area they come in contact with.

We are regularly monitoring the situation and getting updates from public health officials. Any change or updates in the current situation or any new development arising from the public health officials, we will be reassessing our procedures and protocols and will make appropriate changes at that time.

We Will be operating on reduced hours and our guests may experience delays due to the additional measures implemented and due to our suppliers working on shorter hours and reduced deliveries. We request your cooperation and patience in these difficult times.

We would like to thank you for your loyalty and continued support. We have made every effort to make your visit for your vehicle service as safe as possible and hope to see you soon. We wish you the best of health.

Thank you

Management
Mr. MechaniQ & Tires
(905) 780-0123

If you don’t take good care of your car, you make yourself prone to costly repairs in the future. You have to be responsible for your vehicle. One way to do that is to ensure that you follow routine checkups for your ride. Here are some of the things that must always be in your list: 

Follow Maintenance Schedule 

Every car comes with its own maintenance schedule. Make sure that you follow this as much as possible. The schedule comes directly from your car manufacturer, which means that it’s the best time to have the car scheduled for maintenance. 

Check Engine Oil

Your car’s engine oil is crucial, so make sure that you check it form time to time. Your engine oil lubricates the car’s internal combustion engine. If it doesn’t get its proper lubrication, it will overheat and lead to other serious problems. If you’re not sure how to check the oil, you can always ask a mechanic to do it for you. 

Check Transmission Oil

The transmission oil is essential for vehicles, especially the ones that run on an automatic transmission. It’s not necessary to change your transmission oil, but making sure that there’s enough is important. The vehicle manual includes guidelines on checking the transmission oil, and you can follow them easily. 

Check Radiator Coolant

It’s essential to check the level of the radiator coolant that your vehicle has, especially prior to a long trip. The radiator coolant helps prevent your engine from overheating. Check the radiator coolant when your vehicle is cold, and keep in mind not to open the radiator cap when it is still hot.

Check Your Brake Pads

Be mindful of any squeaking or squealing sounds that you hear every time you hit your brakes. This is an indicator that there might be a problem with your brake pads. In most cases, it could signal that you need to change or adjust your brake pads. You can take your vehicle to a mechanic for brake pads replacement or adjustment. 

Check Your Tires

Without your tires, your car will be completely useless. So, make sure to check your tires from time to time, including tire pressure. Refer to your tire pressure monitor to see which tires have adequate air and which needs more. Doing regular tire inspections will save you a lot of time and money in the long run and keep you and your car safe when you travel. 

Wrapping Up

These are some of the routine checkups that you must do for your vehicle if you want it to last longer and if you want to save money. Car repairs can be expensive, and it can be such a hassle. Depending on the car issue, you might not have a car for a couple of days. 

Aside from these routine checkups, it’s also important that you always trust your instinct. If you smell something funny or hear a weird noise, it’s best that you take it to a mechanic. DIY-ing your routine checkups is not wrong, but if you have little knowledge about engines, better let an expert take a look at it. 

If you’re in looking for a tire shop in Richmond Hill, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Just like how you need to go for a checkup once in a while to ensure your body is healthy, your car needs routine checking as well to ensure every part of it is functioning well. However, if there is one part that you need to check thoroughly, that’s the tires.

That said, how do you know when the tires need replacing? Here are the signs:

1. The Tread Wear Bars Appear

If you’re using a new set of tires, there’s most likely tread wear bars implemented into the grooves of the wheel. 

What is the purpose of these bars? They show up when your wheel has experienced enough wearing down. If you look at the grooves of the wheel and notice rubber grooves that run perpendicular to the grooves, it means that the tires are wearing down significantly. Once they’re on the extremely near or even same level as your trades, you’ll need to get the wheels replaced immediately.

2. The Ride Vibrates Abnormally

Every driver who has driven their car long enough will learn how much vibration is normal and how much vibration means they need to get the vehicle checked out.

There are many causes of vibrations, such as misaligned wheels, failing shock absorbs, and so on. While the wheel itself might not be the main culprit to a bumpy ride, the vibration will damage the treads. If you still experience the abnormal vibrations after you’ve realigned the wheels or replaced the shock absorbs, or done everything else other than changing the wheel itself, it might be because the tires have already sustained substantial damage.

In that case, you’ll need to replace the tires altogether.

3. The Sidewalls Start to Leak

While tires are built to be durable, they can still start leaking. However, whether you have to replace the tires or not will depend entirely on where the leak occurs. 

If the leak is happening on the treads of the tire, you can have it patched in safely if the hole isn’t too big. However, if there is a leak on the sides of the tire, it is highly recommended that you replace the tire rather than try to patch it. That’s because the structural integrity of the tire is now compromised, and driving on tires like that will only put you at risk of an accident.  

4. The Car Tires are Old

Different car tire manufacture will take different times when you should replace the tires. Some will recommend a change after six years, while some recommend after ten. In reality, there is no exact time we can tell you that you need to change it. That’s because everyone has different driving habits and are driving in different conditions. For example, a person that operates in rough terrain will change tires more often than another that drives on smooth, paved roads.

As a good rule of thumb, however, replacing the car tires after four or five years is a great idea, especially if you drive often. That way, you don’t put yourself at risk of the tires giving way, damaging the car, or even leading to a severe accident. You should also perform routine auto diagnostics or maintenance, such as correcting tire pressure, conducting tire rotations, and the likes. That way, you can extend the life of your tire and ensure that you ride on safe tires.

Wrapping Up

While we all wish that tires last forever, they, unfortunately, don’t. Because of this, you’ll need to run routine checks on the tires, as well as the other aspects of your vehicle. Pay attention to the signs we’ve shared with you and replace the tires when you start noticing them. That way, you ensure that the wheels are providing the smoothest and safest driving experience.

If you’re in looking for a tire shop in Richmond Hill, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Leaks and compressor issues are not the solitary culprit to the malfunction of your car’s AC unit. Several other factors lead up to that, and you need to be acquainted with all of them so that you will know how to fix them. Here they are.

There is a mold and mildew build-up, and it clogged your car’s AC vents

Mold and mildew are bacteria that can block the vents and affect the cooling process that happens inside your car. When bacteria build-up, you won’t be able to shake it off the unit easily. It will be so hard to remove that you’d be forced to buy a new AC unit instead. Car servicing helps avoid this problem. 

Let your car mechanic check your AC vents every six months to prevent mold and mildew build-up. The periodic checkup not only clears the duct lines of your car’s AC unit, but it also expels dust particles and other microorganisms that can wreak havoc to your auto AC unit. 

A short circuit damaged the electrical unit of your car’s AC

If you live in an area where the climate can go as hot as 45 degrees, the electrical wires may short-circuit, causing damage to the internal wiring of your AC. It’s easy to fix this mess. All you need to do is look for the damaged wiring and wrap electrical tape around it. You may then connect it with the other wire that’s been dislocated or misplaced. However, if you do it incorrectly, you will cause more damage than cure. What you need to do is to take it to your car mechanic and let the experts get their hands on the tiny wires.

An accident caused a refrigerant leak without your knowledge

When encountering vehicle-related accidents, drivers often focus on the exterior damage of the cars without considering the internal aspects that came unhinged because of the impact. Leaking refrigerant is one of the main reasons that your AC is not working. When a vehicle is involved in a collision case, some car aspects, such as the AC hose, become disconnected to the source and then start leaking. If this happens, you must get it repaired by qualified mechanics straight away.

A faulty compressor blows hot air

It’s easy to know if the compressor is broken—your AC unit will start blowing hot air. It will feel like being baked inside an oven. This is a common problem for cars that weren’t used for three months. If you experience this problem, switch the AC off and on for 20 minutes. Experts say it helps. However, if you want to remove that inconvenience, you can always take your car to a highly recommended car mechanic shop. 

There are many reasons your car’s AC unit isn’t working. You can fix the problem on your own. Unless you’re a grease monkey and know your ins and outs with cars, you should instead hire the services of the professionals. They can fix the problem in no time. The best way to avoid the problem, however, is to have your car checked every six months.

One of the most crucial skills a driver needs to develop is the ability to recognize components that are in dire need of a repair or replacement. Having a keen eye can make a world of difference in the quality of your driving, as well as your safety. That said, it helps to do your homework on a car’s maintenance requirements. 

The brake pads, in particular, play a crucial role in the safety feature of your vehicle. Ignoring the signs of wear-and-tear can lead to costly or fatal consequences, so be on the lookout for any red flags that can steer you off track. 

With that in mind, the list below explores the recognizable warning signs that reveal your brake pads need a major upgrade: 

Sign #1: Your Hear a Squealing Noise 

If you ever notice a squealing or screeching noise every time you lift your foot off the brake pads, it’s highly likely that it’s your car’s version of a call for help. Brake pads are designed to produce feedback when it wears down to a certain degree, and a high-pitched, squealing noise is typically one of its obvious forms. 

Keep in mind that the screeching noise can also be an indicator of built-up rust over the rotor, which typically happens if moisture seeps in while the car is idle. If you notice the noise persisting even if the corrosion is removed, then it’s a clear sign that you need to replace your brake pads. 

Sign #2: You Hear a Clicking Noise

Not all brake pads are installed the same way. Some vehicles keep the brake pads steady using clips, bolts, or pins, while others keep it in place using a special holding device. Either way, clicking noises are a distinct sign that your brake pads are loose. 

Brakes that are wobbling around the holding device will produce a rattling noise, which happens every time the pedal is pushed or released. 

Sign #3: Visibly Thin Brake Pads

A glance at your brake pads can determine whether on not they’re on the brink of breaking down. Brake pads shouldn’t be any thinner than a quarter-inch, so anything thinner than that is a tell-tale sign that you’re running on worn brake pads. 

Sign #4: You Hear a Grinding Noise

The grinding noise comes from the sound of metal on metal, which spells trouble for you. It means that the brake pads are completely broken down, which could compromise your rotors. Driving in this condition can be extremely dangerous as worn-down brake pads eliminate the option for stopping entirely, which puts you and other road users at high risk.

The Bottom Line

Brake pads are designed to produce friction, which is a critical component in automobiles as it is what slows down the car until it reaches a complete stop. Unfortunately, many car owners overlook the importance of brake maintenance until they run into problems while out on the road. Don’t wait to crash into issues and get a head-start on your maintenance checks by using the list above as a handy guide. 

We’re an auto repair service in Richmond Hill, get in touch with us to see how we can help.