by silsautocom on July 21, 2010
It’s relatively easy for most vehicle owners to determine when their tires, brakes and windshield wipers are worn out. Shocks and struts, on the other hand, aren’t nearly as simple to inspect, in spite of the fact that these safety-critical components are highly susceptible to everyday wear and tear.
Experts recommend replacement of automotive shocks and struts at 120,000 kilometers. Testing has shown that original equipment gas-charged shocks and struts degrade measurably by 120,000kms kilometers*. For many popular-selling vehicles, replacing these worn shocks and struts can improve the vehicle’s handling characteristics and comfort.
*Actual mileage may vary, depending upon driver ability, vehicle type, and the type of driving and road conditions.
STEERING
Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive body roll when turning, which affects the vehicle’s ability to safely steer around objects in the road.
STOPPING
Worn shocks and struts can allow too much weight transfer to the front wheels during braking, which could result in a measurable increase in stopping distance.
STABILITY
Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive roll, sway and bounce while the vehicle is in motion, which reduces the driver’s control.
Like most safety-critical chassis components, shocks and struts do wear out over the course of normal operation. The rate of wear depends on a wide range of variables, such as road and environmental conditions, your driving style and vehicle load.
In general, however, shocks and struts wear so gradually that the negative effects – reduced steering precision, stopping performance and/or vehicle stability – might not be easily recognized in normal driving conditions. In addition to these safety concerns, worn shocks and struts could negatively affect:
- passenger comfort
- rate and pattern of tire wear
- dynamic wheel alignment
- brake life
- durability of other chassis parts
Sils Complete Auto Care wants you to Ride Safe.
The next time you get in your vehicle – check your odometer and also check to see if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. Are you possibly driving on worn shocks and struts?
by silsautocom on July 20, 2010
We perform expert service on shocks, struts, and coil springs for your car or truck. Make sure your vehicle is both safe and handles properly by allowing us to service your suspension system!
Visit Monroe Save a Squirrel for more interactive information on shocks and struts.
by silsautocom on July 6, 2010
Congratulations to Cynthia Harrison, our Spring Promotion Grand Prize BBQ winner!
Look for future promotions from Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre!
by silsautocom on June 24, 2010
We are about $10,000 away from being able to ship the mobile auto repair training facility to Burkina and we need yor help.
Sils Complete Auto Care adds $1000.00 towards the finishing line.
Auto-Repair Shop In A Box Ready For Africa!
Take one 40 foot container and imagine one side of it hinged so that it lifts up to provide access to the whole container. Now imagine that the inside of the container is equipped with a workbench complete with all the tools and machines necessary to repair and maintain all the makes of cars, trucks, vans, motorbikes you can think of. Now imagine shipping that container overseas to Burkina Faso where not only do youth from the Village of Hope receive vocational training but where local vehicle owners can get their vehicles serviced thus providing an income generating opportunity for the school.
This project, coined the Auto-Repair Shop In A Box, is the vision of Glenn Colling of Eastside Auto Service in Oakville, ON. For 2 years he has been planning and equipping the shop, and it is almost finished. Glenn’s vision has nearly become a reality, for the benefit of the children of and community around the Village of Hope.
The last step in completing this project is to raise the necessary funds for shipping. The total amount we are looking for is $25,000 and we have almost raised half of it already! If you would like to help with these costs – and we really need you to – please go to www.careforceinternational.ca click the “Donate Now” button and go to “Auto-shop in a box” on the drop down menu. Remember, you’re not shipping a container overseas, you’re giving a young person a career and providing others with an education
Thanks
Carlo sabucco
Owner Sils Complete Auto Care Centre
by silsautocom on May 5, 2010
Just wanted to let eveyone know that it’s been now over 6 months since starting our new Customer Care Program program here at Sil’s Complete Auto Care. Customers have really enjoyed the benefits in knowing that for every dollar they spend here they’ll earn 3% rewards dollars back and that they have peace of mind knowing they are covered for road side assistance if anything occurs. Many clients are enjoying the benefits of our new referral card program with some already over $200.00 in referral dollars accumlated! That’s like having FREE oil changes for the rest of the year or a FREE brake repair. How do you become part of the referral program, it’s easy just tell someone to come in and mention your name. If they have work performed on their vehicle will load your referral card up with $25.00 to $100.00 for your referral.
In addition our Fluid Maintenance Protection Plan Program has been another added success. Recently a customers 2005 Toyota Camry required brake calipers to be replaced as they were malfunctioining. Since the customer had been on top of their fluid changes for their brake fluid system the needed parts were approved and covered as part of our protection plan saving the customer over $900.00. That’s what I call peace of mind driving.
These programs that have been rolled out and implemented here at Sil’s are not only here to earn your business and build loyality, but to follow the vision of the company by reducing the worry and fear of vehicle servicing and provide you and your family the safest , longest lasting transportation possible.
I appreciate your business and look forward to seeing the sucess of these programs and more in the coming year.
Carlo Sabucco
Sils Complete Auto Care
by silsautocom on April 13, 2010
All our clients, Facebook fans and all others are invited to a No Charge vehicle maintenance / education clinic, along with training on child seat installation and information. A certified individual from the CAA – Canadian Automobile Assocaition will be hear to review and discuss child seat safety and answer any questions.
Individuals attending will become familiar with vehicle maintenance issues, become more familiar with warning lights and how systems function, and vehicle safety. As vehicle costs rise and vehicle care becomes ever more important this clinic allows you the opportunity to ask questions and become more familiar with your vehicle.
Attendees will receive a gift bag and certain promotions for attending. Beverages and light food will be provided.
SATURDAY MAY 15th, 2010. 9:00am to 11:00am.
@ Sils Complete Auto Care Centre, 2133 Royal Windsor Drive #29
Reserve @ info@silsauto.com or call (905) 823-2626 ask for Carlo
Did You Know?
Child Seat Safety
- A properly installed child safety seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 75%.
- Car crashes are the number one cause of death for Canadian children.
- Over 80% of child safety seats are not used properly. Common errors include not tightening the seat belt and harness enough, and not properly using a tether strap when required.
| Make sure your child is safe and secure, and is buckled up right. Children under 13 years of age are safest in the back seat away from all active air bags.By law, drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 years of age are secured properly. It is mandatory for anyone transporting children to make sure they are properly secured in a child car seat, booster seat or seat belt. This applies to all caregivers, from babysitters to grandparents. Failing to do so may result in a $110.00 fine, plus two demerit points |
Thank You
Carlo Sabucco
by silsautocom on April 7, 2010
Win a Sterling Propane Barbeque!
This awesome BBQ has tons of features and is ready for you to start enjoying and grilling when the summer rolls around! Stop by our shop and take a look at this BBQ in our waiting room.
- 44,000 BTU stainless steel tube burner system
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 635 sq. in. total cooking area
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids
- Stainless Steel Flav-R-Wave cooking system
- Sure-Lite electronic ignition system
Become a Fan on our Facebook Page to get five entries into the BBQ Giveaway!
No purchase necessary, all of our customers and Facebook Fans are entered automatically. Grand prize winner will be announced on our blog and Facebook Page June 1, 2010.
Spring into Savings Now!
- $10.00 off any purchase over $100.00
- $25.00 off any purchase over $200.00
- $40.00 off any purchase over $300.00
- $75.00 off any purchase over $400.00
- $25.00 off Alignment with purchase of 4 tires
- $139.95 CAA Approved Inspection (reg. $149.95) – BONUS: CAA Members receive additional $20.00 off promo price!
Above offers expire June 1, 2010. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Discount excludes tire sales.
by silsautocom on March 10, 2010
Tires are not the same anymore!
So you find out you need new tires for that car of yours. No big deal, last car you had several years ago prices were around $100.00 each and you had lots of options to choose from. Wait – let’s take another look again at those tires. Consumers like you are being met with a surprise about the replacement cost of their tires and the complexity that goes into tires.
Many cars come from the factory with what’s considered to be a performance tire. Now your average family sedan or compact car comes equipped a performance rated tire. Why is that? Significant advances in vehicle designs require tires to have better road control, reduced tire noise, while ensuring safe braking distances are met along with maintaining proper fuel efficiency. That’s a lot of technology that goes into the rubber that connects your car to the road.
Tire Size
For most purchases make sure they are the same size. For example P205/60R16. The exception may be when modifying the vehicle from the manufacturer specifications by lowering the vehicle and adding larger wheels as seen on some Honda Civics out there.
Tire Weight and Speed Rating
This is important! This is where I see many people not comparing “apples to apples” when pricing out tires. After your tire size, you will see several other characters. Example P205/60R16 91H. The 91 number is the load index (how much weight tire can support), which in most cases should be the same or higher number when replacing tires. The “H” is the speed rating of the tire. Consequently people may purchase a less expensive tire in the same size but with a lower speed rating. Consumers must be aware that it’s not a question of how fast they drive, but rather how the manufacturer designed the vehicle for how safe it must remain.
Recently we had a vehicle in the shop for a road handling diagnostic and the customer complained that they had a sloppy feeling, and it didn’t feel right on highway or lane changing. Upon initial inspection, we noticed new tires had been installed on the vehicle, which lead to some questioning. The tires were much cheaper than most other places the customer said. After reviewing his P225/60R16 tires, what was installed were economy “S” rated tires but the vehicle called for an “H” rated tire. Same tire size, same weight rating but different speed rating. It wasn’t speed the customer had an issue with, it was the handling. The H rated tire has a firmer side wall, more technology in the development of the tire which provides a firmer more responsive handle. It was what the car was designed for. After a trip back to the original tire shop and a different tire set was being installed, voila! Problem solved – nice ride, nice feeling, higher price!
Brand and Quality
There are so many options to tires now because we live in a global economy. Korea, China and several other countries now supply to the North American market with often lower priced tires with varying quality levels some that are at best a basic tire and others that are competitive with brands that consumers are familiar with like Goodyear and Michelin
Ask your service advisor for some information on the tires and in some cases check the online reviews on those tires. Comparing a P225/60R16 91H from one imported brand to lets say a Michelin tire can see almost be a 50% jump in price. The tire should match not only your budget but the manufactures requirements of the vehicle and ultimately your safety. As a tire installer I’ll ask myself these questions when selling a tire. 1) What is their budget 2) What are the specifications for the tire 3) Are they name brand purchasers 4) What mileage are they wanting from a tire and then slow down and educate the customer on a good, better best option for replacement.
Performance tires are now becoming the industry standard for many vehicles, but motorists are just starting to realize it. When you’re buying a vehicle, be aware of the tire that is equipped with the vehicle and its replacement cost. Also in many cases the requirement of winter tires as those performance tires are not sufficient enough for premium traction and safety during winter driving.
There is a science behind tires, there is a significant amount of technology going into that tire and no tire is 100% perfect. For every application make sure you do your homework and trust your tire advisor.
As an added note as I finish this blog, I just received an email discussing a new Michelin product out from Michelin that may be coming to a vehicle near you some day soon. Check it out.
Look No Air
These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these.
Just think of the impact on existing technology:
A. No more air valves…
B. No more air compressors at gas stations…
C. No more repair kits…
D. No more flats…
These are actual pictures taken at the South Carolina plant of Michelin
Carlo Sabucco
Sils Complete Auto Care
by silsautocom on March 8, 2010
I started thinking some time ago that we spend so much time on maintaining the health, longevity and care of a person’s vehicle, why don’t we try to help do so with the vehicle owner too? Sils has teamed up with the Ontario Racquet Club in a effort to maintain your vehicle and maintain your body.
When it comes to cars, we know that neglecting routine maintenance eventually catches up with you and it becomes costlier to correct problems down the road. Like that “check engine” light that’s been on for who knows how long because you’ve ignored it, when a year later it builds from one undiagnosed problem to maybe 2 or more that your didn’t even realize until it was too late or led up to your drive clean failure.
So too is the human body, might poor eating, lack of exercise and stress in our daily lives slowly accumulate. Today I feel fine, strong, with lots of energy what’s the big deal if I live a fast food lifestyle. This sedentary lifestyle will catch up with a lack of energy, strength, vitality and perhaps medical issues start coming out of the wood work that could have been controlled with proper maintenance and care (diet and exercise).
We know we can replace parts on a car when they are old and worn out, but you can’t replace all body parts so easily when they’re worn out.
The ORC is providing a special promotion to Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre clients for One Complimentary week trial pass including a 20 minute training session / fitness orientation along with a $35.00 discount on enrollment and 35 days free with annual membership.
If you’re interested in maintaining your body in addition to maintaining your car pass by and pick up our special ORC offer or call us to email you it.
Carlo Sabucco
by silsautocom on March 8, 2010
Recently, the kitchen tap at home starting leaking. Clearly all that dripping water was a waste, and not at all environmentally friendly. As I’m a little handy around the house I started replacing the current one (builder installed). So being a little handy I started sourcing out faucets to replace the current one the builder installed. Low and behold a deal at the hardware store for around $80.00 a nice shiny pull out faucet. “Wow” I thought and it’s like $50.00 less then the next closet faucet but not a recognized brand. So my wife Melanie reminded me about what I preach in my business “Remember Carlo, you get what you pay for”. I should have listened! Instead of spending a little more money for a quality device (after all it will be used on a daily basis) that would have lasted many years I opted to save money. After all, it looked nice, packaged well and when I opened the box it still looked good. Once I attempted installation that was when things changed. Extension pipes were not included, which required another trip to the hardware store. The faucet was missing an important nut. After 2 hours I was still unable to install this faucet. Ok, now I realized Melanie was right. I opted for a lesser price on something that looked the same but was clearly not the same. Cheap assembly, lead to difficult installation and because other parts were not included, it was costing me time to run around. The extras were all adding up! I did some more research online and read reviews and blogs about this product learned many others had the same installation difficulties and the reviews were poor. After a short visit to another hardware store I picked up another faucet by a large brand company with roots in the industry. Yes, it cost me twice as much but what a difference. I learned that not all faucets are built the same. This one felt smooth and easy, installation was completed in under 20 minutes, included extension pipes, and all miscellaneous hardware.
Our automotive industry has the same issues as the plumbing fixtures industry. Yes the box might look the same, the part is to function the same but when it comes down to it, there is always something missing or different when the price changes. The globalization of our business has brought in a flood of “offshore” parts which may not meet manufacturer expectations for quality and longevity. I call it “fit, form, function” issues. Suspension, brake and ignition parts can be at times 50% costlier for premium quality components that have lifetime warranties in some cases, exceed OEM specification or have corrected OEM faults and install perfectly with ease. Economy parts may have pieces missing, parts traditionally may not last as long and in same cases fail within a short period of time. In the short term the cost of the repair is the major benefit, the budget (if any) is still in tact and the car is up and running again. OR is it? What if the part fails again, where will it fail, and who will warranty an economy part? Who will ensure your safety when that part fails at the wrong place and time? If the part fails and damages other components what is the true cost then? What is your time worth to deal with these problems?
In the end, I was reminded that it’s always better to purchase a quality part, which has a reputable warranty and will endure the test of time. Like dad always said “You get what you paid for Carlo”
Carlo Sabucco
