Burnaby Car Repairs
How To Find a Good Burnaby Auto Mechanic
Purchasing a vehicle is just one part of the journey; keeping the car in a roadworthy condition is the only way you can guarantee that your vehicle will serve you efficiently when you need it. Car owners and enthusiasts recognize and can attest to the importance of regular diagnosis and maintenance.
An auto mechanic is a specialist with the technical know-how to diagnose and repair a specific vehicle system within a particular automobile model. Their main job involves repairing a specific malfunctioned part or replacing one or even more parts as assemblies. Repairing cars involves diagnosing a problem as accurately and as promptly as possible.
The next step is fixing the problem by either repair or replacing parts.
Who is Karl Benz?
Born in 1844 as Karl Friedrich Michael, Benz was a renowned German automotive engineer and engine designer who is famously known for his Benz Patent Motorcar (1885). If it were not Karl Benz, automotive technology would probably not be where it is today.
He originally designed and built the first practical car that was powered by an internal combustion engine. The vehicle he created was the three-wheeled Motorwagen that first hit the road in 1885. In 1893 his company developed its first four-wheeled car.
How often should I get a tune-up or oil change?
In order to keep your car running smoothly, regular oil changes are very crucial. This begs the question; how do you tell when it’s time to take your vehicle in for a tune-up?
For older vehicles, a tune-up was required after every 30,000–45,000 miles. However, for cars today, a tune-up is a significant service that involves spark plug replacement, oil changes, engine air filter replacement, and several other services.
So how can you tell that your car needs a tune-up? For modern vehicles, a tune-up is usually recommended when your car starts running abnormally or when the spark plugs are due for replacement.
Battery
Has it been a while before you replaced your battery? If the battery is getting weaker and not functioning like it’s supposed to, it’s probably time to take your car in for a tune-up.
Your mechanic will run a test on the battery and charging system. If the battery capacity is lower than recommended, they will probably suggest that you get a replacement.
Spark plugs
The spark plugs are some of the most critical components of the combustion engine. Spark plugs play a crucial role in that they initiate the combustion process. If you have faulty spark plugs, you will have problems with starting your engine, lack of power, and reduced fuel economy.
Air filter
The air filter keeps dust and sand particles from entering the engine, which causes damage to the cylinder walls. When the filter is clogged, it strains the engine and produces an irritating sound. The air filter usually needs replacement after every 15,000–30,000 miles or even sooner, especially if you frequently drive on dusty roads.
What is the most common Burnaby car repair?
According to research conducted by IMR Inc., an industry leader in automotive research, the most common car repairs performed by Burnaby repair shops and vehicle owners are:
• Air filter replacement
• Oil filter replacement
• Tire replacement
• Engine tune-ups
• Wheel aligning and balancing
• Adding a coolant
• Brake system maintenance
• Wiper blade replacement
• Battery replacement
What is the average cost of car repairs?
According to comprehensive research carried out by AAA, the average auto repair bill comes in at between $500 and $600. The routine maintenance and repairs could set you back an average of $1,100 per year.
How often should I have maintenance on my car or truck?
For proper maintenance of your vehicle, you should create a maintenance schedule you should regularly follow to avoid major issues from escalating. With a maintenance schedule, you also get to keep a detailed record of your maintenance history, which helps increase the vehicle’s resale value.
Most vehicle models use a 30–60–90 maintenance schedule. This means that certain parts need to be inspected, changed, or replaced after every 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles. However, other parts will wear out at irregular intervals. These include the tires, rubber gaskets, and windshield wiper blades. These parts need a regular inspection by your trusted mechanic or through visual inspection.
Oil filter
The oil filter is one of the parts that need regular replacements to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Every time the engine runs, small pieces of dirt, metal, and carbon end up in the oil, causing wear.
Parts that require inspection, maintenance, or replacement before 30,000 miles include:
• Air Filter
• Fuel Filter
Parts that require inspection, maintenance, or replacement before 60,000 miles include:
• Battery
• Brake fluid and pads
• Brake rotors
• Transmission fluid
• Coolant
Parts that require inspection, maintenance, or replacement before 90,000 miles include:
• Hoses
• Spark plugs and the ignition system
• Power steering fluid
• Timing belt
How often should the brakes be serviced?
Cars are made up of several intricate systems that are all necessary for the vehicle to run correctly and efficiently. The braking system is one of the most critical systems. Imagine driving at 100 miles on the freeway, and suddenly the brakes fail! This would be an ideal recipe for disaster.
Regular maintenance, however, keeps the braking system in a working condition at all times. Most car owners and enthusiasts know that they should replace the brake pads as soon as they start to show signs of wear. So how often should you service your brakes?
Brakes need frequent inspection between replacements to ensure they are working efficiently at all times. Most car manufacturers specify in the vehicle maintenance schedule that the brakes need to be inspected after every 4–6 months or 5,000–7,000 miles, typically whichever comes first.
If you experience issues or unusual sounds emanating from brakes when applied, it could also indicate that there is an underlying problem. It is advisable to track down the source of the strange sound or issue before it escalates to a more significant problem.
When to replace brake pads and do I need new rotors?
There are common signs that tell you when it’s time to replace your brake pads. These include:
1. A squealing noise when the brakes are applied.
2. The indicator light is on.
3. A grinding metal sound.
4. A vibrating brake pedal.
5. The Brake pad appears to be less than a ¼-inch thick.
What are the ten most common vehicle repairs?
• Air filter replacement
• Oil filter replacement
• Tire replacement
• Engine tune-ups
• Wheel aligning and balancing
• Adding coolant
• Brake system maintenance
• Wiper blade replacement
• Battery replacement
• Scheduled maintenance
What are the most expensive auto repairs?
Cars experience all sorts of problems from time to time. Some are easy to repair, and you can even do them yourself. However, other major problems require an experienced technician or mechanic to repair properly.
Some of the most expensive repairs to carry out include;
• Engine and Cylinders
One of the most expensive engine problems to deal with involves malfunctioning cylinders. Cylinder replacements usually mean that the whole engine block has to come out. However, this is not recommended because it can cause even more damage to the engine.
Replacing the whole engine is usually the best way to deal with damaged cylinders.
• Hybrid car battery
Hybrids are more environmentally friendly than traditional combustion engine vehicles, and they are certainly the future of transportation. However, today their parts are not so common, which means they cost significantly more.
The most expensive part of a hybrid is the battery pack, which goes for about $6,000. Like all rechargeable batteries, the hybrid battery pack loses its ability to hold power.
When you replace the battery, you will also need to replace the car’s entire computer system.
• Transmission
The transmission is responsible for the flow of power from the engine to the drive shaft. A malfunctioned transmission means that the wheels can’t turn, which causes the car to stop abruptly.
• Airbags
Airbags are designed for single use only. If they deploy for any reason whatsoever, it simply means they will need replacing. You might even need to replace the glove compartment box and the steering wheel for certain car models.
• Suspension
A functional suspension ensures that the bumps on the road do not rock the passengers. A suspension system includes struts, springs, tie rods, control arms and shocks. Replacing these single parts is not so expensive.
However, when you need to replace the whole suspension system for whatever reason, it will undoubtedly be more expensive.
• Camshaft
The camshaft regulates how much air the engine sucks in. Over time, debris and dust sucked in with the air might clog the camshaft. If you are not changing and cleaning the valves oil regularly, it’ll break.
• Head Gasket
A malfunctioning head gasket causes oil and coolant to spray out. The steam then comes from the engine and exhaust, causing the engine to overheat.
The head gasket is quite affordable; however, replacing it is a labor-intensive process requiring an experienced mechanic.
• Catalytic converter
In a world where environmentally-friendly solutions have become the new norm of the day, most vehicles come with a catalytic converter. It helps convert harmful exhaust emissions into less toxic ones.
• Brake line
Replacing brake pads is an inexpensive repair to carry out. However, when the entire brake line is damaged beyond repair, the price increases significantly. The brake line supplies fluid to the brakes.
When the brake line wears out, your mechanic will most probably recommend replacing the entire system instead of patching it up due to safety reasons.
• Air conditioner compressor
If you live in an extremely cold or hot area, the air conditioner becomes an integral part of every journey make. The failure of the compressor causes most AC problems. The air compressor uses Freon to split up high- and low air pressure.
It is common for the valves and rods inside the compressor to break; this causes them to stop working entirely. If you’re looking to replace the compressor, it will set you back about $500.
What questions should I ask a car repair shop?
Does your car need a tune-up or a major repair? This means you have to engage a trusted auto mechanic.
• Do you have any experience with my make and model of the vehicle?
• What automotive associations the auto garage shop belong to?
• Are there any other customers with whom I can speak for reference?
• Do you provide estimates?
• How much will the estimates cost me?
• Kindly explain to me the details of the necessary repair?
• Can I choose the parts that will be used for the repair?
• Will there be any unexpected expenses during repair?
• Are the parts and services used under warranty?
• Will there be a detailed invoice once all the repair work is complete?
What does it mean when the engine light comes on?
The check engine light is programmed to automatically turn on, whenever the vehicles computer system detects a problem with a certain system. There are many different reasons why the check engine light might come on, some are pretty basic and can even be fixed at home, others, however, will need an experienced set of hands and a larger budget to deal with.
So what are the common problems that trigger the check engine light?
• Oxygen sensor failure
• A loose fuel cap
• Catalytic converter failure
• Spark plug/ ignition coil issues
• Worn out spark plug wires
• Mass airflow sensor failure
• A vacuum leak
• An exhaust gas re circulation valve failure
• A dead battery
The AC stopped working; is it important?
The AC comes in handy, especially on those hot afternoons and chilly mornings. When your vehicles AC is not working, you may want to know what could be causing it. So we have compiled a list of a few of the most common AC problems most people encounter.
• Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant gasses used for cooling the air entering cabin, are stored in the AC system. Over certain periods of use, the wear on the AC compressor, hoses, seals, or the AC condenser could leak.
A significant leak means that the air the system could blow hot air into the cabin, being quite inconveniencing, particularly during hot afternoons.
• Malfunctioning blower motor
The blower motor is usually set behind the dashboard, and its main job is to push air through the vents. A simple electrical problem can prevent the blower motor from turning on.
• Low coolant level
Coolant flows through the engine to absorb heat from the friction caused by the moving parts inside. It then flows to the radiator to swap heat with outside air, cooling it down for re circulation back into the engine.
When there is a leak, or there is not enough coolant, you might not be able to get enough hot coolant sent to the heater. This deficiency means that the air blowing into the cabin will not be warm enough.
• Malfunctioning heater core
The heater core is responsible for heating the air to be blown into the cabin. After long periods of use, the core can corrode, rust, and even clog inside, significantly reducing the ability to exchange heat.
What is the difference between a Burnaby mechanic and a technician?
If you have ever been to an automobile garage, you have probably heard about technicians and mechanics. Many think that these terms are the same thing. However, a technician and mechanic do two different things.
The main difference between technicians and mechanics is that technicians use computers to diagnose a problem, whereas the mechanic uses his hands to fix things.
Crompton Brothers Automotive 7797 Edmonds St, Burnaby, BC V3N 1B9
