AUTOMOTIVE
Your Mechanic Knows Best
Here are the things you should and shouldn’t do to keep your auto in tip-top shape.
By Wendy Helfenbaum | Illustrations by Tom Froese
DRIVERS CAN OVERLOOK important vehicle maintenance which may seem minor at the time but, eventually, can land their car in the garage for expensive repairs. Here are some common pet peeves from CAA-approved mechanics, along with some tips on how you can increase the longevity of your vehicle.
“Bottom line? Address problems as soon as they arise.”
1. Procrastinating on recommended maintenance and small repairs Those maintenance and service schedules in your owner’s manual are not merely suggestions. They’re a crucial part of making sure your car runs smoothly and operates safely, says CAA Club Group’s manager of automotive services, Ryan Peterson. For example, putting off regular oil changes can cause carbon buildup on the engine valves. This thick, tar-like substance not only reduces mileage, but also costs money to remove. Bottom line? Address problems as soon as they arise, advises Peterson. “It’s mostly about catching a problem before it gets worse. Otherwise, it’s the old ‘Pay me now or pay me more later.’ ” And later may be much more expensive.
2. Waving off warning lights If you see a Check Engine light on your dashboard, take it seriously. Many drivers assume that if the car seems to be acting normally, they don’t need to get it checked. That’s not true, says mechanic Bob Ward, owner of The Auto Guys in St. Thomas, Ontario. Warning lights come on for a reason, he says. “Don't be fooled if the car seems to be running okay. The underlying issue could affect fuel economy, emissions or the engine performance in the vehicle.” Even if a light comes and goes, get your car checked, adds Peterson. “That light might mean a part is intermittently malfunctioning, so it might be working fine tomorrow, but will it work the day after?”
3. Ignoring noises Are you hearing grinding, squeaking or banging noises? Your vehicle should not be making any of them, says Peterson, adding the general rule of thumb: The louder a sound gets, the more expensive the repair will be. Noises can also indicate safety issues. For example, a rumbling sound could mean your wheel bearing is worn down, and a loud screeching noise often signals a failing fuel pump. Hearing clunking? That could indicate a suspension issue. “If you keep putting off all these problems, you'll end up with bigger problems,” warns Peterson.
4. Overlooking oily stains under your car Make a point to look underneath your car regularly. If there’s a puddle of fluid there, visit your local repair shop. Oily stains could mean your power steering, brakes or transmission are leaking. “Most of those components are driven by fluid, so if that leak gets past a critical point, that component will stop working,” Ward says. “Take the car in and find out whether you need to get it fixed right away or whether it could wait. If you don’t check fluid leaks, you may be driving when that fluid leak stops the car. Then you’re in a pickle.”
5. Dismissing strange smells Notice an odd new smell when you’re driving? Chances are, that odour means something’s wrong. For instance, a burning smell could mean fluid is leaking onto your engine or exhaust, says Ward. “If the air inside the car doesn't smell as nice as it used to, that could be an underlying problem with mould and mildew building up in the heater box, or the cabin air filter’s not doing its job.” A burning rubber smell could indicate the belt-drive system is failing, which can make the engine overheat. “If you smell anything unusual, bring your car in and get it looked at.”
6. Ignoring manufacturer’s recall notices If you receive a manufacturer’s recall notice in the mail, don’t toss it in the recycling bin, says Peterson. “They don’t issue recalls unless there’s a safety issue, so always read the notices and follow up with the dealership.” Transport Canada keeps track of manufacturer’s recalls. Visit tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation and click the link for the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database. Type in your vehicle’s make, model and year to find the most recent information.
7. Damaging your vehicle by driving badly “All bad driver habits shorten the life expectancy of your vehicle — from not coming to a full stop when changing gears to cornering hard or going over speed bumps too quickly. These things all lead to premature component failure,” notes Ward. Shifting gears — say, from drive to reverse — when your car is moving can wear out your automatic transmission 25 to 30 percent faster, while speeding over a speed bump affects your suspension, shock absorbers, ball joints and tie rod ends. “Cornering too hard rips up your tires, and if you turn the wheels while you’re stopped, that’ll stretch and rip the tires,” explains Ward. “If you’re coming into a tight parking spot, always try to be rolling when you turn the wheels because that’s far easier on the tires.”
8. Driving on worn or under-inflated tires Your tires are the only part of the vehicle connecting you to the road, so it’s vital to keep them in top shape. Ignoring worn or under-inflated tires can lead to pricey bills later. “The price of tires is just skyrocketing, so if the tire pressure light comes on, that saves you from destroying a tire — so don't ignore it,” says Ward. “If you take your car in regularly, your trusted repair facility should be maintaining your tire wear and advising you about the condition or, more importantly, the age of the tire, and they’ll make recommendations.”
9. Buying your own car parts Tempted to save money by bringing in parts you found online? Please don’t, says Peterson. “Typically, when the mechanic buys the parts, the supplier provides the parts and labour warranty. If you come in with your own part because you saved 10 bucks, you could very well have no labour warranty — the mechanic only needs to provide 90 days on workmanship. So, if the part fails in a week and it’s not related to the workmanship of the installation, there is no warranty. Then, you’ll pay again to take that part off and have to take it back to the parts store and fight with them for a return while your car is tied up.” Ward notes too that most drivers don’t have the experience to differentiate a good part from a bad one. “I can’t tell you the number of times people bring in parts of very poor quality. So, I ask them, ‘Do you do the same with your doctor or your dentist if you need parts?’ ”
10. Expecting repairs to be done immediately If you come in the day before your vacation to remove your snow tires or tell us your air conditioning doesn't work, don't be surprised if there is a two-week wait, says Peterson. Instead, plan to have your vehicle inspected twice a year, in spring and fall. And, he adds, when you find a trusted mechanic, stick with them. “They’ll have an idea of how you drive and what’s best for your specific vehicle. The maintenance required for a senior citizen that drives 10,000 kilometres a year is very different than the travelling salesperson driving 80,000 all-highway kilometres. If there's a problem, you’re better off to just swing in to see your mechanic. They’ll take a quick test drive and will usually have a pretty good idea what’s happening.” CAA
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