Screeching tires, crunching metal – it’s an accident! If you’ve ever been in a car accident in Mississauga, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It’s hard to think straight and know what to do.
Let’s review what you should do in case of an accident:
When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident in Oakville is considered a crime – even if it’s not your fault. And hit and run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your Ontario driver’s license or even jail time.
Your jurisdiction may require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able. Warn other Burlington and Milton motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood. Call Mississauga emergency services as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed.
Always file a Oakville police report. It’s tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy can say whatever he wants about the accident later, and you’ll not have an objective report to help defend yourself. Discuss the accident only with the police. Emotions are strong after an accident and we naturally want to talk about it – don’t. Never admit fault or guilt to anyone including the police officer. Sometimes we may feel at fault, but in the eyes of the law, the other guy is responsible.
Truthfully give the officer the facts: such as “I was going thirty miles an hour” not “I wasn’t speeding”. Remember, anything you say to the officer or anyone else can be used against you.
Also get the officer’s name and ID number and ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.
Get the facts on the driver and owner of the other vehicle:
Name
Address
Phone number
Date of birth
Driver’s license number and expiration
Insurance information
Also take down a description of the other Oakville vehicle, license plate and vehicle identification number. Most Ontario auto insurance companies don’t record license plate numbers, so the VIN number is the best way to track the vehicle.
Ask witnesses, including passengers, to wait for the police. If they can’t wait, ask for contact information and request that they write a brief description of what they saw. If someone refuses to leave their name, write down their license plate number so the police can track them down later if necessary. Always call your insurance agent or your insurance company. Call or see a physician if you think you may have been injured. For vehicle repairs, call Eastside Auto Service Limited at 905-844-9641
Contact Eastside Auto Service Limited to learn more about what do do in case of an auto accident. You can find us at: 573 Chartwell Road Oakville, Ontario L6J 4A8 Or call us at 905-844-9641
Eastside Auto Service Limited and AutoNetTV hope that you never have to use this information and wish you happy Oakville travels.
Don’t you hate it when you hear that squeal from under the hood when you’re driving aroun Mississauga? It usually means there is a problem with the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine accessories. It runs the alternator-which charges the battery, the water pump-which cools the engine, the air conditioning and the power steering pump. All pretty important parts. It is called a serpentine belt because it snakes around a bunch of engine components.
Serpentine belts are especially tough. They can last for years and go for tens of thousands of miles. But, with time they wear out. If your belt breaks while you are driving, everything will come to a halt within minutes. You have to stop the car or it will overheat, potentially causing major engine damage. And it probably won’t be at a convenient time or place. You might even need to get your car towed to a service center. That is why manufacturers recommend a belt replacement on schedule. You really should get it done on schedule because a belt failure will definitely take you off the road.
If you hear a squeal when accelerating or a slow, slapping sound at idle, you should have your serpentine belt looked at. Your Mississauga area service technician at Eastside Auto Service Limited will visually inspect your belt to see if it needs to be changed sooner than scheduled. If the belt has more than three or four cracks an inch, has deep cracks that penetrate half the depth of the belt, is frayed, is missing pieces or has a shiny glazed look, it needs to be replaced regardless of age or mileage.
Today we’re talking about shocks and struts. They’re so easy to forget about because they last so long and wear out so slowly. But your shocks are really responsible for keeping your tires on the road – so they’re very important.
Without shocks, your wheels would be bouncing over bumps and lifting in corners. The shocks push the tire down to the road to maximize traction. Good shocks equal good ride quality and safe handling.
Visit Eastside Auto Service Limited to have your shocks and struts inspected by a professional. You can find us at 573 Chartwell Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 4A8 Or give us a call at 905-844-9641 to make an appointment.
There’s a difference between shocks and springs. Springs support the weight of the vehicle, keeping it suspended up off the axles. The shocks moderate the rebound motion as wheels hit bumps. Now a strut combines a shock and a coil spring in one compact unit.
When your shocks are worn out you may notice degraded handling as you drive around our Oakville streets. Your vehicle feels squirmy around corners and floaty over bumps.
You may notice the rear end squatting when you accelerate or the front end diving when you brake. Your car might even be sagging at one corner.
Uneven tire wear can also be a sign of worn shocks. Of course, if your shocks are leaking or have a big dent, they need to be replaced.
Your owner’s manual will have a recommendation for when to replace the shocks and struts on your vehicle. It’s usually between thirty and fifty thousand miles. Of course, if you tow a lot, regularly carry heavy loads or do a lot of driving on poor roads, your shocks might wear out faster.
If those driving conditions apply to you, you can get special shocks that are better suited to your driving.
The shocks that come from the factory are designed for the way most consumers are expected to drive that particular vehicle. If you have different needs for your driving around Oakville Ontario, you can get premium shocks that improve performance handling, off-road abilities or towing comfort. Your Oakville Ontario service consultant at Eastside Auto Service Limited can help you determine your needs and then give you some options.
It’s best to replace all four shocks at the same time. That way you’ll have even, predictable handling at all four corners. Anything less could be dangerous.
Our May Charity of the Month is AUTO REPAIR SHOP-IN-A-BOX.
Eastside Auto Service will donate $5.00 to Auto Repair Shop-In-A-Box for every online appointment scheduled this month. Book your Online Appointment Here.
When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.
Click here to learn more about Auto Repair Shop-In-A-Box.
Warm weather or cold, Oakville drivers still need to think about their Sedan’s air conditioning. Most Oakville people don’t service their air conditioning until after it fails. At Eastside Auto Service Limited, we can advise you on your vehicle manufacturer’s preventive maintenance schedules for air conditioning service, just as we do for transmission service, oil changes and so on.
Maintaining your air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the Sedan’s air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can’t cool the air as well. We see that a lot at Eastside Auto Service Limited in Oakville.
The refrigerant also contains a special oil that lubricates air conditioning components, and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and all Oakville car owners know that air conditioning repairs can be costly. At Eastside Auto Service Limited, we recommended that the air conditioner be run regularly, even during winter months, to keep the parts and seals lubricated.
Corrosion is what leads to many air conditioning system failures for Oakville motorists. The small leaks mentioned earlier also mean that air and water can leak into the air conditioning system. This can lead to rust and dirt in the internal workings of the air conditioning components. This greatly accelerates wear and, ultimately, failure.
Air conditioning service at Eastside Auto Service Limited starts with a visual inspection of the components for signs of damage or leaks. The compressor is driven by a belt from the engine, most often the serpentine belt, so it’s inspected for cracks or wear. The air conditioning compressor and other components are checked for proper operation. Then comes the leak test. If a leak is detected, often in a hose or connection, it’s repaired and the system is retested.
Then the old refrigerant is evacuated and the system is recharged with clean, fresh refrigerant. A final test insures that the Sedan’s air conditioner is working, and you’re on your way.
How often this should be done varies from vehicle to vehicle. Your Sedan owner’s manual will have the manufacturer’s recommendation and, of course, your Eastside Auto Service Limited service advisor can tell you. It’s typically every two years.
If you’re not getting enough cool air you know something’s wrong. Also, if you hear strange sounds when you turn the air on, there might be a problem with the compressor and you should get it checked out at Eastside Auto Service Limited. Replacing a bad A/C clutch in a Sedan is cheaper than waiting for it to ruin the compressor.
Oakville drivers need to be aware that there’s one more thing that isn’t directly related to air conditioning service, but does impact the quality of the air in your Sedan. And that’s your cabin air filter. This filter cleans dust, pollen, pollution and other impurities in the air that comes from the heater and air conditioner. The cabin air filter needs to be replaced when it’s dirty. If you don’t it’ll start to smell. Not all vehicles have one, so ask your Eastside Auto Service Limited service advisor to check your cabin air filter at the same time they’re doing your air conditioning service.
Do you ever shop for shoes in one of our Mississauga area shoe stores? When buying a running shoe, is quality important? Does durability matter as long as the shoes look fabulous? Would you rather have one pair of long lasting shoes or two pair of lower quality shoes at the same price?
Is the warranty important when buying tires?
When you choose new tires in Oakville, what’s the most important factor for you?
Give us a call at Eastside Auto Service Limited at 905-844-9641 for tire recommendations.
You know, buying tires in Oakville is a big deal. It’s a big ticket item so you know you’ll be spending a lot. You’re not only concerned about the price, but you want to know that it’ll be a long time before you need to buy new tires again.
And of course there’s the safety aspect as well. The tires do a lot of work – they carry the weight of the vehicle and you and your passengers. They need to be up to the task. You want to be sure they hold the road and provide good traction. If you carry heavy loads or tow a trailer, the tires need a high load rating to be up for the job.
As a tire professional, I think it’s important that people understand the effect of price on a tire’s performance and durability. When I was a kid, my dad had a saying. He said, “Pay twice as much and buy half as many”.
Dad applied that to a lot of things. He thought that one high quality suit would last longer and look better than two cheap suits. The saying really seems to hold true when it comes to shoes and boots, too.
I buy high-quality work shoes because I spend a lot of time on my feet. They’re more comfortable, have important safety features like steel toes and non-slip soles – and they last at least twice as long as cheap shoes. I feel I get very good value for my money.
I apply the same thinking to tires. The major tire brands that you’re familiar with are known as Tier 1 tires. These tires are well-engineered and very high quality. Comparable tires are usually in the same price range from brand to brand.
Stepping down in price you come to private label tires. Some large tire store chains carry tires with the chain’s own brand. It’s important to know that most private label tires are built by the same Tier 1 brands that you are familiar with – so they are a quality product. You can ask your tire professional who makes their private brand.
The lowest priced tires on the market are Tier 3 tires. These tend to be imported from China or South America. Since you get what you pay for, you can’t expect a Tier 3 tire to deliver the same performance and durability as the others.
So let’s say you need new tires. You’ve determined the features you need. So you have several options, including price options. Now, you’ve probably heard the term ‘it’s a 40 thousand mile tire’ or ‘it’s a 60 thousand mile tire’. Simply put, the manufacturer warrantees the tire for ‘X’ number of miles. If that’s important to you, look for the warranty.
What’s the difference in the tires with higher mileage warranties? It’s the rubber compounds and the amount of tread material. As you might expect, you’ll pay more for the longer-lasting tire.
Now the cheapest tires you can find won’t have a manufacturer’s mileage warranty or if it does, it’ll be relatively low. That brings us back to dad’s saying; if you buy the cheapest Tier 3 tire you can, you will likely go through two sets in the time it would take to wear out one set of good quality tires. And the good tires won’t cost twice as much, so you’ll end up paying more per mile driven with the cheap tires.
Hey, I realize that sometimes the budget will only allow for a Tier 3 tire. I make them available for my customers who need them because I would rather see them driving with safe, new tires than pushing their old tires beyond their safety limits. But I always counsel my customers to buy as much tire as they can afford, because it will be much less expensive in the long run.
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touch the road. You’re only as safe as your tires are well built.
2009 Honda CIVIC DX-G 4-Door Auto Sedan
with ONLY 65,000 Kms
Specially Priced at $13,950.00!
Our Special Offer for the month is a 2009 Honda CIVIC DX-G finished in a Deep Rich Gray Color with a complementing Grey Cloth Interior. It’s fully loaded including features such as Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder Engine (1.8L), Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Air Conditioning, Power Driver Mirror, CD Player and ABS Brakes.
This Honda CIVIC comes with the “Balance of Factory Power Train Warranty” including Roadside Assistance plus a ONE YEAR COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY from Eastside Automobile Service Limited. Plus, if you buy this Honda CIVIC and mention you saw it in our newsletter, we’ll include a years worth of Oil Changes and Reward Points/Dollars towards future vehicle repairs and maintenance!
Every region has its version of spring. Spring time usually means spring cleaning, a “fresh” start, out with the old in with the new. Cleaning the house, cleaning the car, an cleaning the dust of the bikes in the garage. Many of us just look forward to that day when they instinctively know that the last severe winter storm has come and gone. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a late freeze or surprise snow flurry. It does mean, however, that these hardy souls can start attending to their cars after a too-long winter, a process shared by everyone in varying degrees.
Cleaning Up
As you’re putting those heavy coats back into mothballs, it makes sense to do a little post-winter clean up on your vehicle. After all, it takes the brunt of winter’s misery, whether in the form of torrential downpours, freezing rain, or mountains of snow.
Tires
First, tend to your tires, even if you drive on what the industry refers to as “all season” tires. Heavy, consistent snow and ice require winter tires, which absolutely should be replaced with the non-winter variety. Winter tires are more expensive than standard tires and are designed with special tread for added traction in icy and snow-packed conditions. Heavily treaded tires wear out faster and should be saved for next winter. If you drive on all season radials, this is the time to rotate them (back to front). The drive wheels will wear more quickly, especially under winter driving conditions. By rotating them seasonally, you extend the life of the set.
Blades
Wiper blades also take a severe beating. Cold temperatures are hard on rubber compounds, and they also get bombarded with dirt-laden slush kicked up by traffic. This slush often carries with it corrosive salt used to melt road ice, which also does a number on your blades. Early spring is a good time to check and replace them if necessary. Replenish your windshield fluid as well since there’s a good chance winter’s dirt has exhausted the reservoir.
Underbody
Next, clean your vehicle’s underbody. There’s no magic cleaning solution that will get rid of the corrosive salt build-up for those who live in heavy winter urban areas. The best tool is a high-pressure sprayer. Pay special attention to the area around the front and rear bumpers.
Rust Check
Once you’ve thoroughly sprayed the underbody, check for signs of embryonic rust (small pits and bubbles) and take the necessary steps to stop any small rust spots from eating away at your vehicle. We’ve all seen those pillars of snow that form around bumpers and wheel wells. That’s the most likely place for road salt to begin the erosion process. While you’re at it, you might as well wash the whole car. Winter is not conducive to leisurely afternoons spent hosing off your vehicle and chances are it’s been a while.
Brakes
Examine your brakes. Like wipers, brakes take on a bigger role during wintertime and should be checked to ensure that they’ve survived. Listen for brake noises such as grinding, chatter or squeals. Even if your brakes aren’t making any distinctive noises, it’s still a good idea to determine the amount of wear on the pads or drums, either by you or your mechanic. We often become accustom to the feel of worn brakes, without realizing what we’re used to is a deteriorated ability to stop.
Fluids
Check all automotive fluids and top off as necessary. Winter driving conditions require your engine to work harder and deplete fluid levels faster. Interior
Go over your vehicle interior with a fine-tooth comb. This includes taking out and washing floor liners. Even if you have those nifty, heavy-duty liners, the volume of melted snow that gets tracked into vehicles can often overwhelm even the sturdiest mats.
Vacuum and clean the carpets, making sure they are bone dry before you put the liners back in. Since most of us tend to scurry out of the protection of a warm car into the protection of a warm building without taking time to tidy up, there’s usually an extra build-up of litter hiding under the seats. Go over interior vinyl with a protective dressing. Car heaters can be as damaging and drying to vinyl as mid-summer sun. Congratulations! You and your vehicle have survived another winter. You can now look forward to months of warm temperatures and snow-free landscapes. Of course, you’ll soon have to be preparing for that long hot summer, but that’s another story.
TRY OUT YOUR AIR CONDITIONING – before the warmer weather gets here!
Our April Charity of the Month is AUTO REPAIR SHOP-IN-A-BOX.
Eastside Auto Service will donate $5.00 to Auto Repair Shop-In-A-Box for every online appointment scheduled this month. Book your Online Appointment Here.
When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.
Click here to learn more about Auto Repair Shop-In-A-Box.
Every region has its version of spring. Spring time usually means spring cleaning, a “fresh” start, out with the old in with the new. Cleaning the house, cleaning the car, an cleaning the dust of the bikes in the garage. Many of us just look forward to that day when they instinctively know that the last severe winter storm has come and gone. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a late freeze or surprise snow flurry. It does mean, however, that these hardy souls can start attending to their cars after a too-long winter, a process shared by everyone in varying degrees.
