by silsautocom on January 11, 2012
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.
by silsautocom on October 17, 2011
Here’s How!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
by silsautocom on August 29, 2011
It’s a MYTH That Only New Car Dealers Can Service Vehicles Under Warranty
Sil’s can perform service on your new vehicle AND keep your warranties in effect.
There are many benefits to having your new vehicle serviced with Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre:
- Sil’s works like your new car maintenance manager
- You receive a closer/trusting relationship with your mechanic
- Your vehicle will be maintained to reach over 250,000 kms (versus just being maintained until the end of the vehicle’s warranty)
- Having your vehicle maintained and updated as work is needed, not only when the usual “warranty items” need addressing
- Sil’s stores all your records electronically
- When you complete your fluid services throughout Sil’s BG plan, we provide unlimited mileage and coverage for the remainder of your vehicle’s life (versus the average manufacturer’s warranty which covers only 3-5 years and 60-100 kms)
Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service such as Sil’s Complete Auto Care. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.
The Maintenance Schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual specifies how often you should have your car serviced and what areas need attention. It is essential that you have your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance and maintain your vehicle’s value.
Our independent service technicians are qualified to meet your service requirements. Continue to bring your vehicle into Sil’s and build a long-term relationship with our service technicians, and we will ensure maintenance is done thoroughly and on a timely basis to keep your vehicle running and your warranty in effect.
Article by www.carcarecanada.ca
by silsautocom on July 28, 2011
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!
by silsautocom on July 26, 2011
Regular oil changes are necessary to ensure the proper performance of a car’s engine. An oil change, which involves installing a new engine oil filter and draining old engine oil and replacing it with fresh, clean oil, offers a myriad of benefits.
Cleaner Engine
Oil changes help to keep car engines clean and running smoothly. As an engine operates, microscopic wear and debris particles flake off from various internal engine parts and enter a car’s oil. Regularly changing a car’s oil eliminates these particles and ensures that an engine is bathed and lubricated with clean, quality motor oil.
Longer Engine Life
Wear and friction are the two leading causes of engine wear and failure; regular oil changes reduce engine wear and result in a longer lasting car engine.
Lower Vehicle Emissions
Clean oil enables an engine to run cleaner, and a cleaner running engine emits less exhaust than a dirty engine. An oil change replaces old, dirty engine oil with fresh, clean engine oil, oil that is better able to absorb harmful engine particles and engine by-product emissions.
Better Gas Mileage
An oil change infuses an engine with clean, quality engine oil that provides better lubrication and friction-reducing capabilities than old, dirty engine oil. Increased engine lubrication results in less engine friction, which enables an engine to run easier and smoother and leads to increased gas mileage.
Better Engine Performance
Clean engine oil allows an engine’s internal parts to operate easier and smoother, enabling an engine to maximize its mechanical output. This leads to not only an increase in gas mileage, but also an increase in engine performance.
by silsautocom on April 13, 2011
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.
by silsautocom on March 21, 2011
by silsautocom on November 29, 2010
Toronto Star Wheels
Saturday, October 30, 2010.
Now is the time to buy winter tires. Not tomorrow, not next week and certainly not next month.
The reason for this is that by mid-November, there will be nary a winter tire in the manufacturers’ warehouses. All of the 2010 winter tires will be at dealers and tire distributors. The racks will be empty waiting for next spring’s tires to start trickling in.
For the consumer, that means choices in brands and haggling ability over price diminish as the clock ticks. This is especially true if you have a size that is not common. By mid-November, the tire dealer will be telling you what brand you can have and what price you will pay.
When you start shopping for winter tires, arm yourself with some basic information. Start by knowing what your tire size, speed rating and load index numbers are. READ MORE
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 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
