If you don’t control your money, your money will control you. Today let’s focus on getting control over the cost of auto repair and maintenance.

The Cost of Owning a Car

Here’s a look at all the budget categories you may want consider when attempting to nail down your auto expenses:

• Purchase price – payment (cash and/or financing and interest) to acquire the vehicle
• Taxes - paid when you buy or sell the vehicle
• Fuel - the gasoline/fuel you need to make the vehicle run
• Insurance – all levels auto insurance including personal liability, collision, comprehensive, roadside assistance, etc.
• Tags and registration – state vehicle registration, license plates, and renewal tags
• Repair and maintenance - tires, oil changes, and all other repairs and maintenance necessary to keep your vehicle operational

Benefits of Controlling These Costs

Many of the benefits of controlling your auto maintenance costs are similar to those you experience when gaining control over any area of your money, so let’s focus on those that are specific to the topic. Proper budgeting for auto repair and maintenance will allow you to:

• Have a better relationship and better communication with your auto mechanic
• Prepare/plan better so you don’t have to race to get oil changes before your next trip
• Reduce your maintenance expenses going forward
• Relax in the knowledge that you’re prepared

You can achieve all of these things simply by setting aside enough money to cover your expenses. That way you won’t have to stress or worry about where the money is coming from – if it can be found at all.

Here’s How!

1. Aligned wheels reduce rolling resistance. Rolling resistance increase fuel consumption and tread life. This is why car owners from all over the country prefer wheel alignment to maintain the smooth functionality of their vehicle. With such maintenance, you will spend less money on your car’s fuel and it will run perfectly without affecting the environment.
2. Minor alignment problems can be dangerous for the tires of your vehicle. If the tires of your car have excess or reduced toe-in, your tires will wear faster than the usual time required. This in turn, will force you to change your tires prematurely. Wheel alignments will provide longer tread wear and help your car move smoothly along. With the cost of todays performance tires being equipped on economy cars and family sedans getting the most of the tires is critical.
3. Do you think, tires that come with warranties is the best way to replace them once they have been damaged? Think again! Tire manufacturers provide warranties only for poor quality products, they are not going to replace your tires or pay you back for the damage that has been made because of improper wheel alignments or your reckless driving. Failing to maintain your tires is your responsibility and if ignored for long, it will cost you a lot in the long run.
4. Wheel alignment is the best way to reduce wear and tear on other parts of your car. Improper alignment of your tires can be stressful for the other parts of your vehicle. For instance, you have to force your steering wheel to keep your car straight and applying brakes will become more risky. Regular maintenance of your tires will help you drive it easily with peace of mind.

How do I know if I need an alignment?

Test #1:
Hold the steering wheel straight, manufacturer emblem in steering wheel level.
Does the car pull to one side? If yes, alignment is possibly out.

Test #2:
Dive on an even flat road, at a moderate speed lightly let your hands off
the steering wheel does the vehicle tend to drift to one side soon after?
If it goes left or right, possibly alignment required.

Test #3:
You have driven over 60,000kms and it has not been done. Suspension bushings wear,
and loosen, possibly mechanical issues move thus causing the alignment to be out of spec.
Driving over potholes, speed bumps, rough roads all are responsible for this.

Keep an Emergency Kit inside your car

Things you might consider carrying include the following:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Extra clothes and gloves
• Paper towels
• Extra washer fluid
• Food and water
• Basic tools like wrenches, a ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers and pliers or Vise-Grips

Enjoy your Summer!

 For the 2011 model year, GM will introduce dexos1™ certified engine oil as a factory fill and service fill for many engines. The reason for the new engine oil specification is three-fold: meet environmental goals such as increasing fuel efficiency and reducing engine emissions, promote long engine life, and minimize the number of oil changes to help meet the goal of lowering the industry’s overall dependence on crude oil. GM as well of other manufactures like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen have also created vehicle specific oil blend specifications.

dexos is a GM-developed engine oil specification that has been designed to:

Improve Fuel Economy

New technology being introduced in GM vehicles designed to address vehicle efficiency and fuel economy include direct injection, cam phasing, turbo-charging and Active Fuel Management. The demands of these technologies on engine oil also are taken into consideration when determining new oil specifications. Active Fuel Management, for example, can help to achieve improved fuel economy, however, alternately starting and stopping cylinders puts a lot of stress on engine oil.

Another industry trend for meeting tough fuel economy mandates has been a shift toward lower viscosity oils. Testing has shown that thinner 0W-20 oil can provide as much as a 4% improvement in fuel economy than 15W-40 oil. .

Emission System Operation

Oil contains Phosphorous, an additive for wear, corrosion and oxidation it’s critical that it needs to be retained within the oil to prevent poisoning of the catalytic converter, and air fuel sensors. As well as the oil must contains additives for keeping internal engine parts clean. Deposits are not beneficial to fuel economy, wear issues, timing knock concerns and compression concerns. Additives must clean enough to prevent deposits but not too much to clean away the additives that help protect against metal friction wear.

Engine Sealing Materials

Compatibility of the oil with sealing materials is critical not only for the consumer but for the manufactures as reducing potential oil leaks is a costly concern.

 Engine Sludge Protection

Most manufactures are now providing longer warranties on the engine assembly, thus the need for oils that prevent sludging and deposits are required. With longer oil drain intervals being introduced dispersants are used to control sludge effects and lubrication.

 E85 Rust Protection and Emulsion Retention

An increasing number of vehicles are now flex fuel compatible, able to run on ethanol. GF-5 oil must be able to protect against rust and corrosion that environmentally friendly ethanol causes when it is burned. The by products of E85 are water and acids that end up in the engine oil.

 Oil Life Monitor Systems

Some oils are designed and formulated to meet the monitoring conditions of the Oil Life Monitor system. Usage of other oils may prevent the accuracy of the management system thus triggering the light on too late or too early. A cost increase will most likely be seen with the usage of these oil as much as 20-30% more.  However with the operation of the oil life management system and proper vehicle maintenance GM estimates that more than 100 million gallons of oil could be saved annually.

TIP: The oil level and quality should be inspected regularly, as we have seen vehicles with higher mileage 150,000kms plus begin to exhibit mechanical failure due to increased drain intervals with incorrect oils, or operating an engine with worn, sludgy oil.

 Industry Standardization

Ensure worldwide availability of high quality oil for factory and service fill needs. Prevent the concerns with non OEM approved oils from being used in a GM vehicle. Many oil manufactures are ensuring they are compatible with the GM dexos1 and dexo2 standards. However there are some concerns about trade licensing fees and requirements.

TIP: The oil specified in prior model years remains acceptable for previous models; however, dexos1 is backward compatible for older vehicles.

TIP: Using the right viscosity grade oil is critical for proper engine performance. Always check the appropriate vehicle owner manual for the proper viscosity grade for the vehicle being serviced.

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care Centre ( Using the right oils – every time )

My technicians and I over the last staff meeting were talking about new belts and a special tool used to measure the wear on new belts. I thought it would be interesting to post a blog explaining these new belts and that it’s not like the old days where looking for cracks is the time when they get replaced.  I saw this write up in Gates belts website and thought it hit the point.

  Neoprene vs. EPDM

Until recently, most belts were constructed of Neoprene material. Today, most serpentine belts feature EPDM construction, which stands for ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber. Visually, it’s hard to tell the two types of belts apart, but EPDM belts far outlast and outperform any of their predecessors.

Older Neoprene belts have a life expectancy of 50-60K miles, and as they wear out, cracks and chunk-outs will occur, as shown below. EPDM belts rarely show these symptoms, even at very high mileage.

As EPDM belts age, they gradually lose rubber material—similar to the way tires wear out. Over a period of 100,000 miles, a belt can lose up to 10% of its rib material. While this may not seem like a lot, the consequences can be significant.

Belt wear after 100,000 miles

EPDM: Signs of Wear

The diagram below shows how EPDM belts wear as they age. Although the ribs have not become shorter, material has been lost in the valleys of the ribs (indicated in red), making the space between ribs wider. As more material is lost, the pulleys ride deeper into the belt valleys resulting in slip, noise and hydroplaning.

With sufficient material loss, the pulley ribs “bottom out” in the valleys and ride on the belt cord. This reduces the surface contact on the valley sides, where the traction is generated. Wear also increases the effective belt length, lowering the tension in the system, which also reduces traction.

Obvious Signs of Wear

Although EPDM belts do not tend to crack with age, they can still exhibit other symptoms that are caused by problems with the accessory drive—such as tensioner misalignment or failure, pulley misalignment, excessive heat, or bearing failure in one of the other components.

If the belt exhibits one or more of the symptoms depicted, it needs to be replaced. If it fails, it could damage other system components in addition to stranding the motorist. Many warranty-claim failures o alternators and other parts are actually caused by worn or improperly adjusted belts.

Other Belt Wear Symptoms

When a belt wears out, several problems can occur that reduce performance of the Accessory Belt Drive System.

BELT SLIP–LOSS OF TRACTION
Like a tire, a worn belt can lose traction (slip) on the pulleys, particularly in high-load and/or wet conditions. Slip can cause belt/pulley temperatures to rise by up to 50%—leading to early accessory bearing failure.

HYDROPLANING
This occurs when water cannot be effectively channeled away between a worn belt and the pulleys. The belt then “hydroplanes” on a film of water, resulting in loss of power transmission to the accessories. This can often result in the “Check Engine” or “Alternator Charging” warning lights to come on.

ELONGATION
Material loss can also cause a change in the effective length of the belt, which can move the tensioner beyond its take-up range. This will reduce overall system tension, also lowering accessory performance.

MISALIGNMENT
Misalignment wear can also be an indication that the internal components of the tensioner have failed. Material loss and subsequent changes to effective length on belts can also cause belt slip, resulting in noise, vibration and high heat, which can damage accessory bearings and cause accessories to fail.

See Gates corporation for more information

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care

Preserve Your Vehicle’s Resale Value
by Detailing Your Car!

Just like preventive maintenance on brake, engine, transmission, and other systems, maintaining the interior and exterior of your car is also important – and it can vastly improve the resale value of your vehicle!

Your car’s exterior gets hit with all sorts of nasty stuff during the year – dust, snow, rain, bug spatter, bird droppings, and harsh UV sun rays, as well as scratches. And the interior of your vehicle gets its share of dust, dirt, moisture, and odors.

Having your vehicle detailed regularly accomplishes two things – it improves the appearance and comfort, and in the long run it can improve the retail value of your car or truck up to 20% or more according to industry experts. A car that appears to have been well maintained probably was well serviced by its owner.

Getting The Most From Your Service Provider

• Make an appointment whenever possible – delays are less likey if your service provider can schedule his or her time. Plan on leaving the vehicle for the day and arrange alternative transportation.
• Describe the symptoms your vehicle is experiencing. Give as much detail as possible and consider accompanying your service provider on a road test.  Do not attempt to diagnose the problem, you may lead the technician on a wild goose chase costing you time and money then necessary.
• If you are new to the location, provide vehicle history service records.
• Never authorize work without receiving an estimate. Know what you’re buying before hand. Ask for an explanation if necessary as to charges and how services may be performed.  Not all jobs are the same. Sometimes lowest price does not mean best quality. Ensure you compare apple to apples, especially with maintenance work.
• Don’t ask service provider for a “ball park”  estimate, give him or her the chance to properly investigate your options.  Allow for correct diagnosis of the problem.
• Expect to pay for diagnostic charges to properly identify your vehicles prblems. Short cuts taken often lead to ineffective and inefficicent repairs that could have been avoided. No doctor would ever perform a surgery with out diagnosing first.
• Communicate with your service provider once the vehicle is in the shop. Dont place un realistic deadlines to have your vehicle back if complicated or large vehicle services.
• Understand the warranty on the work that you have had completed. Go back to your service provider if you have any problems or are not satisfied. They dont mind. It’s their job to meet your expectations. All service facilities have problems, but it’s the good ones that promptly address your concerns. Keep cool and count on them to take the appropriate and necessary steps to solve the problem.
• Make sure you understand the repairs and service being perfomred. Used parts should be available to see if requested before hand.
• Providing your own parts usually results in weaker warranty coverages. Look to the experts to acquire the right parts for the job.  Understand if you do provide your own parts and it’s incorrect there may be shop time charged for holding your car in a bay while you source another part.
• Make sure that youre service provider properly disposes of hazardouis materials from your vehicle.
• Build a strong lasting relationship with your service provider. Over time that will provide many benefits, such as priority service, after hours assistance or help when you need it.

Carlo Sabucco – Sils Complete Auto Care Centre

Over the weekend I was reading my local paper and came across an article written about Canadian Black Book values for your vehicle. the website was www.canadianblackbook.ca .

I am asked many times, What do you think the value of my car is? or What do you think it’s worth? I think if you have well maintained, clean and debt free car, it’s priceless. However that doesn’t help with a dollar value.  So try this website if you’re looking for a Retail market value to sell the car or possibly Trade In value for it. 

I have mentioned before, try  www.autotrader.ca for a value too, under the Advance Search feature.   

At the end of the day, if maintain, service and care for your existing vehicle it always pays off to keep it. Leasing a new vehicle inevitably costs more in the long run and still requires maintenance and service to ensure warranty status. With many of our protection programs and extended warranties your vehicle will  drive for many more years to come.

Carlo sabucco – Sil’s Complete Auto Care

STOP and Think…. 

Before you flick those wipers on, make sure your wiper blades are not frozen to the windshield.   If they are, you may damage the blade rubber, the blade frame itself or cause enough tension on the wiper arm components to break  linkages under hood.  

Today I have had over 15 calls  for this issue. So here are some tips.

1) Purchase good quality wiper blades. Winter blades are preferred. However some newer designed windshields do not have the ability for winter blades to bend enough and clean properly. Keep the rubbers clean. Little rubbing alcohol does the trick.

2) Use your palm and lightly push down on the blade and move it back and forth gently, loosening it from the glass. Then lift the arm up if possible and scrape the glass clean underneath. Make sure to properly clean all the way around  the bottom of the wiper arm. This prevents the wiper arms from jamming when too much ice is present. Damages to wiper arms can be costly. If your arms do not come up, and there is lots of ice, open the hood and try cleaning it now. Toyota Camry, Chev Malibu, Pontiac Montana are all common cars in here for wiper issues, due to freezing wipers being used.

3) Clean the rubber blade with your gloves or use the washers to help melt some of the ice buildup on them.

4) Use a good quality washer fluid, some cheap fluids freeze are hazy on the glass the moment you use them.

5) Leave the wiper arms in the upright position. This prevents the issue in the first place. However I have had several customers get their wiper arms  damaged by vandals walking by.   Watch where you do this then.

6) Have lock de icer in the vehicle, not only good for the locks but squirt some on the blades if you really have a stubborn situation.

7) Get the vehicle warmed up if possible ahead of time. The defrost will warm the front glass and loosen the ice. 

8 ) If your blades are old, replace them. Your visibility is critical at this time of the year, and the last thing you need is an accident due to poor wipers. When you see streaking, tearing, missing spots it’s time for some attention.  

Other Car Freeze Tips

• Avoid car washes when freezing cold, unless you dry off really well the door seals, hood seal, trunk seal, and lubricate all locks and hinges after exiting the wash.
• Avoid hot water to thaw things out – it’ll just freeze again and make it worse.
• Avoid brute strength if things are frozen. Key cylinder frozen may break plastic clips, door handles will break off ( Toyota Sienna ) and door seals can rip on older vehicles.
• Use lock de icer on frozen door cylinders. ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure if you’re an avid key fob remote user, to make sure your door cylinder works. If the electric lock actuator or battery fails in your remote and then the key does not work – we’ll you’re stuck!
• Avoid use of power windows if frozen. Power motors are strong and can create enough tension on the glass track mechanism to damages clips, rods or components inside the window track area. Again costly repairs.  

Any other tips let me know.

carlo sabucco

Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre