There is no denying that rust protection is crucial for any car owner that wants to protect their hard-earned investment.
What is Rust, and What Can It Do?
For most car owners, rust is the last thing they want to encounter since it makes their cars unsightly. However, if not dealt with, rust can cause far more damage than ruin the look of your car. Rust occurs when iron combines with air and water in a process known as oxidization. Usually, road dirt and grime on the exterior can speed up this process since they eat away the paint job.
Also, as we say goodbye to winter, de-icing chemicals like road salt are used to eliminate snow and ice on the road. Unfortunately, this can promote rusting, especially when combined with high humidity. Salt gets into the joints and panels of the car’s body panels, causing corrosion on the metal.
Rust can become a problem when it comes into contact with any metal structure in your vehicle, including trunks, brakes, exhaust system mounts, and more. For this reason, rust-proofing your car is very critical.
Types of Rust Proofing
Quality rust protection can protect the structural integrity of a car’s metal components. Rust protection specialists use different methods of rust proofing to protect vehicles from rust. Here are some of the most common methods used.
Electronic Method
This is the latest rust-proofing technology where a small device known as an electronic module is installed in your car. The device then sends a weak electric current through to avert the corroding effects of the rust.
Undercoating
A tar-based substance is sprayed on a vehicle’s underbody in this method. The tar-based substance acts as a barrier against salt, moisture, and other substances. However, it requires professional installation to prevent cracking as this can allow moisture in.
Dripless Oil Spray
This is a wax-like and less watery substance applied to the car’s body to help prevent rust. For an effective application, you will need to drill holes in the car’s parts so that the oil can get into all the areas you intend.
This is something that not all car owners will appreciate. Another downside of this rust-proofing method is that it may not get into all areas due to its high viscosity. The dripping hardens after drying.
Drip-Oil Spray
Experts highly recommend this rust-protection method since it reaches more car parts than the dripless oil spray. After application, the drip oil will continue to drip until dry, which can last up to 48 hours. However, like the dripless oil spray, this method requires you to drill holes in specific parts of your car to make it effective.
To protect your investment, it’s always a good idea to get your vehicle checked for rust.
Contact us to know more about which rust proofing options are right for you.
One vehicle part that rarely grabs most people’s attention is the windshield. All that most people know is that windshields are made from glass. And also, virtually everyone can tell whether a windshield is tinted.
However, the truth is that there is so much to a windshield – it is more than just a simple vantage point for you as you drive your car. The materials used to make a windshield are specific and designed with strict industry-standard safety measures.
Windshields keep a car’s occupants inside in the unfortunate event of an impact, increase the roof’s strength when a car rolls, and facilitate airbag deployment during an accident. This makes windshields one of the most important safety features in a car. Windshields are very important and should always be kept intact.
The Basics of Windshield Glass
The federal government has set standards for any shop that deals in windshields. They ensure that your car’s windshield is not made from just about any glass. This means that your windshield is not simply made from regular glass.
For glass used to make windshields, heat and chemicals are applied to the glass during its production—the process results in a type of glass that is known as tempered glass. Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) is also added to enhance the ability of the glass to absorb energy during a collision. PVB also provides resistance from damaging objects when you are in a collision.
Tempered glass is also used in windshields for its safety. You see, when tempered glass breaks, it disintegrates into thick, small shapes rather than the jagged shapes produced by the regular glass. And that’s not all there is for tempered glass; it also makes the installation of your windshield easy. Tempered glass is usually bonded to a polyvinyl interlayer which is flexible, clear, and exceptionally strong.
The Protection that Windshields Offer
Thanks to modern-day windshields, people now drive inside vehicles knowing that they are safe. At the turn of the century, drivers sometimes needed goggles or protective glasses on the road.
The main role of a windshield is to protect the occupants of a vehicle. When you are driving, countless flying debris keep hitting your car. Whether or not you are an exceptional driver, there is nothing that you can do about such flying objects because they are all over the roads.
It is important to note that your windshield should be strong enough to withstand both small and not-so-small impacts from materials on the road. Mostly, you will encounter dirt, bugs, flying rubbish, gravel, and small rocks.
Your windshield should remain intact in case you hit another vehicle from behind or find yourself in a fender bender.
Windshields and Airbag Deployment
The windshield of your vehicle has a lot to do with airbag deployment. The speed and strength of a deployed airbag allow it to first bounce off it before heading for the vehicle’s passenger. Your windshield should not detach in the event of an accident. If it detaches, the airbags might not deploy properly, leading to preventable injuries.
Windshield and Roof Support
Windshields are structured to offer support to the roof of your car. In fact, modern vehicles depend on the windshield to prevent the roof from collapsing if the car rolls over from the impact. When your car is involved in a head-on collision, the windshield contributes almost half the structural integrity to withstand the crash. A car could be crushed completely during a head-on collision without the windshield.
Bottom Line
Now that you know the importance of your windshield, you want to keep it in great condition. And that means ensuring that it is intact at all times. It is advisable that you contact your auto glass shop if a visible crack or chip shows up on your windshield. Even a small issue can reduce your car’s windshield ability to protect you during an accident.
Depending on the type of car you are driving, you may need to change your oil between 3000 to 8000 miles. This is to ensure that your car’s engine will always be properly lubricated. Remember, failure to change oil could cause serious damage to your car’s engine or affect the fuel efficiency of your car.
Anyone can change the oil of their cars as long as they have the necessary equipment to do so, but it would be advisable that you get a professional to do it for you instead. Here are five reasons you should hire a professional to get your oil change.
Reasons to Get your Oil Change Professionally
Reason #1: Personal Safety
When it comes to changing your car’s oil, you will certainly need to lift up your car with a jack. Although jacks nowadays are very safe to use, there is still that slight possibility of an accident, especially if you have put the jack in the incorrect spot.
To avoid that kind of problem, it would be best to leave this kind of thing to the professionals since they have undergone all the necessary training to avoid such injuries and accidents.
Reason #2: Best Product Selection
One thing about changing the oil of your car, you will need to buy the oil itself. With hundreds of different brands and types, it would be best to leave it to the professional to ensure that your car’s engine runs smoothly without any problems.
Most auto shops will be able to select which is best for your car and what additional fluids it may require to keep the engine in tip-top shape.
Reasons #3: Save Time
First and foremost, changing your car’s oil by yourself will definitely take some time, especially if you are still new to the process. There are even times when you will lack the necessary tools and products for the oil change, which will further cause delays in the process.
Professional auto mechanics will be able to change your car’s engine oil easily within a few minutes or so.
Reason #4: Avoid Messes
Another thing about changing your car’s engine oil is the mess that it could cause to you and your place. Changing the oil yourself could leave you with stained clothes and hands, and your floor will be pretty messy after the whole process.
At least, if you get your oil changed in an auto shop, then you won’t have to worry about any messes to you and your place.
Reason #5: Find Out Whether Other Issues
One of the best things about hiring a professional to do your car’s oil-change is that they will be able to pinpoint some other issues that your car might have. These issues can range from very small ones to crucial ones that may result in an accident if not fixed.
Other fluids that your car may need, such as steering and brake fluid, are also checked during the oil change. These fluids are essential and might get you into a traffic accident if not refilled.
Final Thoughts
It is undeniable that changing your car’s oil by yourself can save you quite a bit of cash, but it won’t be worth it at all. There is the possibility of you getting into an accident if you somehow got it wrong. The whole process takes quite a bit of time if done by an amateur. The messes and stains it might leave on your clothes and driveway.
So, if you want to get your oil change, your best bet would be to get a professional to do it for you.
When it comes to driving a car, the windshield is your first protection against wind, bugs, and other elements that may come your way. However, your windshield is prone to wear and tear and can sometimes get damaged or cracked. Whichever the case, you need your damaged or cracked windshield fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
For most car owners, it can be challenging to determine whether they need to get their windshield to be repaired or replaced entirely. In this case, there is a need to consult an expert since not all damage is the same.
Generally, windshield damages differ in location, size, and severity. While some cracks may only require a quick fix, others require the whole windshield to be replaced. Usually, damages that are in line with the driver’s sight will need to be replaced to prevent causing an accident. Whatever the crack on your windscreen may be, it is always best to get the advice of an expert to avoid any problems later on.
In this article, you will learn the difference between repairing and replacing a windshield and under which circumstances each should be applied.
When Will a Windshield Repair Suffice?
Unlike replacing your windshield, repairing a damaged windshield is more cost-effective. However, several things are considered when determining whether a windshield can be fixed with a simple repair. Generally, a repair company’s ability to fully repair your windshield can depend on the damage’s size, location, and severity.
Size or Extent of Damage
In most cases, a simple repair will suffice if the damage in your windshield is smaller than 40mm in diameter.
Location of Damage
Another thing to keep in mind is the location of the damage. It is easy to repair windshield damage if it is not in line with the driver’s sight.
Depth of Damage
Something else that repair companies take into consideration is the depth of damage. If the crack or chip is shallow and has only penetrated a single layer of glass, it can be repaired. However, it may need replacement if it has penetrated both the inner and outer glass layer.
No matter how small the damage to your windshield is, you need to get it repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, the damage may deteriorate, and you may need to replace it instead, incurring extra costs.
When do You Need a Windshield Replacement?
Several things will make a windshield replacement the only solution. This means getting rid of your old windshield and getting a brand new windshield altogether. You can simply replace your windshield when you experience any of the following damage:
You have an old windshield with several scratches or pitting.
Your windshield got hit by a large rock, and it punched a hole through it.
If your windshield has multiple chips in it beyond the recommended size of repair.
If the glass is tempered and not laminated.
Cracks in your windshield can be solved by simply replacing them rather than repairing them. Cracks will grow over time, and they also weaken the overall integrity of your windshield, making it necessary to replace your windshield.
Conclusion
Again, no matter how small the damage to your windshield is, it is always advisable to get it fixed or replaced as soon as you can. The last thing you want is to get into an accident because of poor visibility caused by a crack or chip on your windshield. Ensure that you research the best windshield repair company near you to evaluate the damage and advice you on the best possible solution.
If you are in search of a fast, affordable, and reliable oil changing service in the Brampton area, Valvoline Express Care is an excellent selection. The Valvoline Express Care Automotive Centre in Brampton has been providing exceptional automotive service for over 20 years. They offer a wide array of oils and filters to choose from, to ensure you get the right products for your vehicle to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Bring your vehicle in for an oil change and get a check up to make sure your car is operating at peak performance, and that it is safe to drive for you and your passengers.
Oil Change Services Brampton
Valvoline Express Care offers a quick and easy oil change solution, so you don’t have to worry about taking too much time out of your busy schedule. Just show up at the service centre in Brampton, no need to make an appointment in advance. The efficient and effective oil change technicians will have you in and out in no time. You can also discuss with them, the best and type of oil and filter for your vehicle.
Why choose Valvoline Express Care for oil changes?
There are several strong arguments for using the services at Valvoline to preserve the value and enhance the performance of your vehicle.
Some advantages of using Valvoline are:
Enhance performance
Save money
Protect the engine
Choose quality products
Preserve warranty
Convenience
Enhance Performance
One of the major reasons for having your oil changed consistently is to keep your car functioning at optimal levels.
Clean oil allows the engine to do its job efficiently and friction-free. Oil gets dirty and ineffectual over time. Eventually unchanged oil will begin to fill up with dirt and debris. If the oil gets too filthy, it can no longer provide proper lubrication, causing friction between the metal components of the engine.
Oil changes can help you save money
This bonus of consistent oil changes that I’m sure every car owner can get behind. Why spend more money than you need to?
The only issue with this approach is that it takes some foresight on the part of the owner. Not everyone is willing to invest short term money, in order to save big in the long run.
Regular oil changes will help you avoid large and terrifying mechanic bills when your car breaks down because it wasn’t properly cared for. The cost repairing an engine is no joke. It is best to avoid that situation altogether if possible.
Not only that, clean oil allows for better fuel economy. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard when it is provided with clean oil on a consistent basis.
Oil changes help you protect the engine
Clean oil can help protect your engine from all kinds of problems like:
Metal-on-metal friction
Build up of dirt and debris
Sludge formation
Overheating
Contaminated oil can severely damage your engine. Lack of lubrication opens the door to the potential for the engine to overheat, and even seize up entirely. If dirt oil is left unchecked long enough it can start to turn to sludge, massively inhibiting engine performance.
Choose Quality Oil Change Products
The option to choose from a variety of products is incredibly beneficial for your vehicle. All motor oils are quite different from one another, so it is important to choose the one that works best with your vehicle. Valvoline offers various different oils, for different purposes. For example, let’s take a look at Valvoline Max Life Synthetic Blend. This type of oil is more geared towards older vehicles, in particular cars with over 75,000 miles on them.
Max Life Synthetic Blend motor oil focuses on minimizing further engine wear by:
Improving engine power
Enhancing fuel economy
Preventing oil leaks
Minimizing total oil consumption
This is just one example of the many product choices on offer at Valvoline Express Care.
Oil Changes can help preserve warranty
With a lot of vehicle warranties, the validity hinges on regular oil changes done by an automotive professional. Check your warranty to see if there are any stipulations outlining required services that are needed to keep the warranty binding.
Convenience
This may be one of the best perks of using a professional oil change service. Trying to change your oil on your own can be very time consuming, not to mention dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Doing the job incorrectly can result in hefty fees to fix it. It is also not safe to do it yourself without the proper equipment and knowledge.
