Owning a vehicle is a considerable expense. From the moment you put a down payment on a car, you will continue to put money into that vehicle until the day you sell it. However, you can control the amount of money you need to put into to your car with regular automotive maintenance.
Autumn is a perfect time to have your vehicle serviced. Canadian winters can be very tough on a car, so you should be taking proper steps to adequately prepare it for the harsh winter season. In fact, it is the extreme opposites the Canadian climate features that can cause serious wear on your automobile.
Form the freezing, snow, and ice of winter, to the hot, baking sun and UV rays of summer, your vehicle needs protection if your want it to last. With each extra year you are keeping your vehicle on the road, you are saving thousands of dollars in expenses that you would be paying if you had to buy a new car.
Due to these polar opposites in weather conditions from summer to winter, it is an ideal practice to have your vehicle serviced twice a year. Once in the fall to prepare for the horrors of winter driving, and once in the spring to wipe away the winter elements and get ready for summer road trips.
An excellent way to help get your car ready for winter is having rust protection done by a professional rust proofing service.
Valvoline Express Care Brampton
If you live in the Brampton area and are looking to have your vehicle serviced before the upcoming winter season, Valvoline Express Care is a perfect solution.
Valvoline Express Care offers a well-trained staff of automotive technicians that can take care of basically any type of car maintenance you are looking to have done. With over 20 years experience in automotive care, you can count on exceptional and efficient service every time.
Rust Proofing services are offered by a team of rust proofing specialists. Only the best products and most effective methods will be used to treat your vehicle, protecting it from rust and corrosion. A specialized chemical compound is used that will provide long lasting protection for all the components of your vehicle.
Why have rust proofing done to your vehicle?
Rust proofing is good for your car for a number of reasons. It is an excellent preventative measure to protect your vehicle. By taking the initiative to safeguard your vehicle before a problem even starts, can save you huge money down the road. It can help you avoid sizeable mechanic bills and purchasing a new vehicle before it is necessary.
The majority of your vehicle is most likely made of metal. When these metal parts of your car are exposed to air and moisture for extended periods of time, rust will begin to form. In the Canadian winter, your vehicle will be constantly exposed to these conditions. Throw in the road salt you will driving over every day, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Rust proofing will help protect the metal elements of your vehicle from these severe conditions. The reason you should be rust proofing your car regularly is that once rust have formed, it is very difficult to reverse the process. The nature of rust is to eat away at the metal until there is nothing left. So, logically, once rust has disintegrated some of the metal components on your vehicle, there is no getting that disappeared metal back.
Professional Rust Proofing Services
Sure, it is possible to rust proof your vehicle on your own, DIY style, but unless you are an expert it will likely be extremely time consuming with less impressive results than if you had it done by a professional. If it is cost you are worried about, it probably won’t be that much more expensive than a DIY job, once you factor in the cost of products and other expenses. Also, do you have access to a car lift, so you properly get at the bottom of your vehicle?
Some strong advantages of using a professional rust proofing service are:
• Comprehensive protection
• Money saver
• Skill
• Warranty
Protection
Employing the services of a rust proofing professional ensures that will get optimal protection. A trained and experienced rust proofing specialist assures comprehensive protection.
Money Saver
Rust Proofing is an investment. Professional rust proofing will save you money in the long run, and will give longevity to your car.
Skill
The rust proofing specialists at Valvoline Express Care Brampton have years of experience behind them to assure quality and efficiency.
Warranty
Some warranties may stipulate that rust proofing must be done by a professional, in order for that warranty to remain valid.
Tire rotation is a substantial part of regular vehicular maintenance. Getting your tires rotated on a regular basis helps keep your car running at optimal performance, and increases the life of your tire set.
An ideal time to have your tires rotated, is before the winter season begins. Many vehicle owners wonder if it is necessary to rotate winter tires the same way you would rotate your regular tires. The answer to this question is, yes, winter tires should be treated in the same fashion as normal tires.
Winter tires do look different, with thicker treads and varying rubber compounds. It may seem like winter tires would not wear the same way summer tires would. But, if not rotated on a regular basis, winter tires will wear unevenly, just like any other tire.
Whether you have summer tires, winter tires, or all-season tires, the same rules of rotation apply.
How often should you rotate your tires?
The general consensus is that tires should be rotated every 3000 – 5000 kms, or every 6 months. It is a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to see what is recommended by the manufacturer. If you are changing your tires over to a more robust set for the winter season, it is a perfect opportunity to have your tires rotated as well.
Consistent tire rotation not only promotes even wear, but also makes your vehicle safer to drive and improves fuel economy.
Valvoline Express Care Brampton
If you are looking for a dependable and experienced automotive service in the Brampton area, Valvoline Express Care can handle all your automotive maintenance needs.
With over 20 years of exceptional service in the industry, the team of automotive specialists at Valvoline will take of your requests with efficiency and competence.
The experts at Valvoline Express Care Brampton specialize in tire rotation, to protect your tires and enhance your driving experience.
Tire Rotation Services
Tire rotation is a service that involves changing the tires on your vehicle on a consistent basis, to promote even wear and longevity. Even wear gives you a boost in gas mileage, and helps ensure your car runs and stops smoothly.
So, by rotating your tires regularly you will save money, not only in gas, but also by avoiding having to buy a new set of tires prematurely.
The automotive technicians at Valvoline can change your seasonal tires over before the winter, and make sure they are evenly rotated at the same time.
Service agents can also check your tire pressure to make sure each tire is inflated to an identical volume. If your tires are all inflated to different levels of air pressure, it can make your car unsafe to drive.
Why Rotate Your Tires?
We have established that it is important to rotate tires regularly for even wear. But why do tires wear unevenly if they are not rotated?
Tires wear unevenly, because in most vehicles, the front tires are exposed to much more stress and pressure than the back tires. They handle more weight because the engine is located in the front of the majority of cars. The front tires also more deterioration when it comes to cornering. The front tires do all the work when rolling into a turn, the back wheels just basically follow in place without a lot of stress to endure.
If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, your tires will wear more evenly, but still should be rotated to make the wear even on the outside of the tires, as well as the inside.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is a good practice to get into to preserve the value of your vehicle. Tire rotation is an excellent example of preventative maintenance. By pre-emptively having your tire rotated, before there is a problem, you are taking steps to avoid large mechanic bills down the road.
People that have regular preventative maintenance performed on their automobiles, will spend less time and money at the mechanic, and will enjoy a higher resale value when it comes time to sell.
Benefits of Consistent Tire Rotation
There are several advantages to be gained by shifting the position of your tires at regular intervals. Some of these benefits include:
• Even wear
• Improved handling and balance
• Better traction
• Improved gas mileage
• Keeps the warranty valid
• Preserved value
For especially efficient maintenance planning, you can opt to have your oil changed at the same time your tires are rotated. For regular or seasonal tire rotation, or any other type of automotive maintenance, stop by the Valvoline Express Care Centre in Brampton today!
Oil changes are a regular and critical part of vehicle maintenance. Oil plays an incredibly important role in your car’s performance. Oil keeps your engine running smoothly and efficiently, by lubricating the engine to avoid friction from metal scraping on metal.
All oil has a shelf life, and must be changed on a consistent basis to continue to be effective.
How do you know when it is time for oil change?
There are several tell-tale signs that your vehicle is in need ofan oil change. Here a few examples:
Color and texture of oil
Engine sound
Check engine light
Low level
Time since your last oil change
Color and Texture
When oil is new and useful, it will be a light honey brown color. The oil will become black and viscous when it begins to deteriorate. Once there is debris and other contaminants floating in the oil, it is time for an oil change, and possibly a filter change as well.
Engine Sound
If your oil is working efficiently, your car’s engine should be purring and fairly quiet. Once the oil gets old and dirty, the engine will become louder and may produce grinding and clunking noises.
Check Engine Light
Most cars will have an oil gauge on the dashboard that will let you know when it is time for a check up. If the engine light coming on, may also indicate an issue with the oil. If any of these lights are illuminated on your dashboard, it is a good idea to take your vehicle in for servicing.
Low Level
You can use the dipstick to check the oil level yourself to ensure there is an appropriate level in the tank. If levels are low, it is a good indication that the oil is too old and is getting burned up more quickly because it is no longer effective.
Last Oil Change
One of the most reliable methods for knowing when to change your oil is by figuring out the last time it was changed. It is recommended to change your oil every 3,000- 5,000 kilometres. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.
Frequency Factors
How often you get your oil changed, can be determined by 3 basic factors:
Maintenance Schedule in Owner’s Manual
Driving conditions
Environmental conditions
Maintenance Schedule
The most important factor is following recommendations laid out in the owner’s manual. You don’t want to stray too far from the suggested schedule, as there may be conditions set in the manual that will void the warranty if not followed correctly.
Driving Conditions
The conditions you drive in on a daily basis will also be a factor. If your drive in severe conditions, you should be getting your oil changed more frequently. Severe conditions include:
Stop-and-go traffic in high temperatures
Short drives in freezing temperatures
Driving at slow speeds for long distances
Driving on dirt, sand, or gravel roads
Dusty, muddy, or salty conditions
Towing something behind your car, or strapping something heavy to the roof
Frequent stops and starts
Environmental Conditions
The climate you live in will also play a role in determining how often your oil should be changed. Extreme cold, especially if only driving for short distances, can cause moisture to build up in the engine and lead to quicker contamination of the oil. Hot temperatures can also be detrimental, even more so in stop-and-go traffic.
There are several filters throughout your vehicle that should be changed regularly to maintain performance and preserve value. These filters include:
Air Filters
Cabin Air Filters
Fuel Filters
PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) Valve and Filters
Air Filters
The main job of the air filter in your car is to help keep the engine clean. The filter is there to block damaging substances like dirt, dust, leaves and other debris from getting into the engine. Air from outside the vehicle passes through the air filter and into the cylinders of the engine. The air then mixes with the fuel, in order to give your vehicle the power it needs to run.
A dirty or clogged air filter can allow, or already has allowed, contaminants to enter the fuel system. This contamination of the system can have detrimental effects on your vehicle, like:
Inefficient fuel economy
Decreased engine power
Reduced life of the engine
Increased harmful emissions
Cabin Air Filters
As you may have guessed, cabin air filters are designed to keep the air inside the cabin of your vehicle clean and breathable. They help guard your lungs and respiratory system against airborne infections and allergens that can be harmful to your health.
More vehicles on the road, as well as longer travel times to and from work, contribute raised levels of noxious gases, bad smells, and dangerous substances you are exposed to on a daily basis.
Consistently changing out old filters for new ones, keeps you breathing clean and healthy air inside your car. This can be very beneficial to people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues. It is also beneficial for your air conditioning system. Less strain on the air conditioner means it will last longer and work more efficiently.
Fuel Filters
The fuel filter is used to block dirt, dust, and other debris from getting into the engine. When you apply pressure to the accelerator in your car, it is the fuel system that regulates the level of power from the engine that is needed for operation. The fuel system controls the movement of air and fuel, ensuring the balance between the two is accurate. The correct combination of fuel and air will make the vehicle go at the desired speed based on how much pressure was put on the gas pedal.
If the fuel filter gets too dirty or gets obstructed, it will compromise the engine’s performance. Replacing the fuel filer regularly keeps your car performing at optimal levels and maintaining good fuel economy.
PCV (Positive Crankcase Valve) and Filters
The PCV valve (also called the emissions valve) and filter work in tandem to return harmful fumes generated by the engine to the combustion chambers. These toxic fumes then get burned again to further reduce their toxicity. The PCV and filter should be changed regularly to prevent wear on the engine and reduce noxious emissions.
Filter Services Brampton
Valvoline Express Care Brampton has been providing professional automotive services in the Brampton area for over 20 years. They can handle all your filter service needs, as well as any other vehicle maintenance required.
Regular automotive maintenance is suggested all year round, but there are certain areas to focus on before each season to optimize the payoffs. In this article, we are going to take a look at some helpful ways to prepare for the summer season.
Summer Car Care
Summer is a great time to get out for a road trip, so it is good idea to make sure your vehicle is safe for the road before heading out. Getting your vehicle fully inspected by an automotive professional may help put your mind at ease.
Depending on what kind of upkeep your vehicle saw in the spring, it may be time to do general maintenance on your car by taking it in for an overall tune-up. After being exposed to Canada’s long and harsh winters, your vehicle will likely have experienced some wear and tear.
The summer can be just as tough on a vehicle, especially if you are going on long trips in the intense heat of the sun.
Here are some areas to focus on, to help keep your car from breaking down out on the road.
• Oil
• Coolants and fluids
• Filters
• Air conditioner
• Wiper blades
• Tires
• Brakes
Oil
Getting your oil changed is something you don’t want to avoid before going on an extended trip. Long drives, plus hot weather, can equal your engine overheating. If your oil is dirty, the engine has to work that much harder and can result in a breakdown. An oil change will keep the engine running smoothly and maximize fuel economy.
Coolants and Fluids
Check all fluid levels to ensure they are were they should be. The coolants are extremely important to prevent overheating. Make sure there are no leaks or premature drainage.
Filters
Filters should also be checked before hitting the road. Check the Air Filter as well as the Cabin Air Filter. A dirty or clogged air filter decreases fuel efficiency, and has trouble blocking contaminants from getting into the engine. The cabin air filter helps keep the air inside the car clean, to prevent you and your passengers from breathing in harmful substances that cause respiratory problems. Have your filters changed regularly.
Air Conditioner
Get your air conditioning system checked to make sure there is an appropriate level of refrigerant or Freon, and that there are no leaks. Having the air conditioning looked at before the summer will allow for a cool and relaxed ride.
Wiper Blades
Windshield wiper blades should be replaced every six months or so, as they usually develop cracks and start to wear from extreme temperature and weather shifts. Faulty blades can impair vision when driving, reducing safety.
Tires
Changes in temperature can also result in changes in tire pressure. All four tires need to be at the same pressure level to prevent uneven wear and maintain fuel economy.
Brakes
If your brakes are emitting strange squealing sounds or are slow to respond, it may that your brake pads are worn. Having your brakes serviced increases safety for your passengers, and prevents hefty mechanic bills down the road.
Summer Car Care Service
Valvoline Express Care Brampton can offer a full inspection of your vehicle, and handle any type of maintenance and service your vehicle requires.
Most car owners think that rust proofing is only necessary in the winter months. This is not true. In fact, rust can form on your vehicle anytime the temperature is above zero degrees Celsius.
People tend to assume since there is no snow and ice in the summer, there is no risk of corrosion. It is true that the roads are not covered with salt and other road cleaners that can lead to corrosion. However, the summer months present ideal conditions for rust to form:
• Hot
• Humid
• Salty
Optimal conditions for rust and corrosion to develop is in hot and humid temperatures. When the weather is humid, it acts like a trigger to activate any salt that may be stuck in the cracks and crevasses of your vehicle.
Once the corrosion process has begun, high temperatures cause that corrosion to spread more quickly. If this process is not stopped, rust and corrosion will continue to eat away at your car. The longer you let it go, the more damage it will do.
Salt is not the only culprit that generates rust on your automobile. Anything that holds moisture and sticks to your car is a potential agent. For example, let’s say you like to take your vehicle off-roading in the summer. Clumps of mud will likely be attached to the bottom of your vehicle after such an excursion. These clusters of mud hold moisture that can damage the undercarriage of your vehicle in the form of rust and corrosion.
How can you protect your vehicle from rust and corrosion?
There are several steps you can take to safeguard your automobile against the caustic and corrosive properties of rust.
Here are some recommendations:
• Have rust proofing services dome by an automotive professional
• Avoid leaving your car in areas where it is exposed to moisture
• Keep gas tank full
• Wash the undercarriage and wheel wells of your car regularly
Rust Proofing Services Brampton
The most effective way to protect your vehicle from rust is by having rust proofing services performed by an automotive professional on a regular basis.
Valvoline Express Care Brampton has been providing exceptional rust proofing services at affordable prices for over 20 years. Their rust proofing specialists combine experience and knowledge, while using only the best rust proofing products and technology.
Valvoline’s rust proof services focus on treating and minimizing existing rust damage, while taking measures to prevent future corrosion.
Keep Your Vehicle Dry
Another good habit to get into to protect your vehicle from corrosion is to keep it as dry as possible. Park it in a garage when possible, and if that is not an option try to find a dry place to keep it. Covering your vehicle in the rain and winter months is another alternative.
Keep Your Gas Tank Full
Try to keep your gas tank as full as possible. An empty gas tank produces more condensation which can end up rusting the engine and other areas inside the vehicle.
Wash the Undercarriage and Wheel Wheels
After a rust coating has been applied to the undercarriage of your vehicle, you should be diligent about keeping those areas clean. Make sure there is no build up of mud, salt, or other caustic substances that can cause rust and corrosion. These types of materials tend to collect in the wheel wells and underneath the car because they are difficult to see and reach. Taking the time to check these areas regularly can really help protect against rust.
