by stopngoservicesca on November 1, 2011
Some insurance companies are offering discounts for using Winter Tires.
Stop N Go Automotive Centre offers these great services:
The Benefits of Winter Tires
The facts about winter tires and why all-season tires just won’t do.
Ever since the introduction of the all-season tire, Canadian drivers have slid and spun their tires through the coldest months of the year. Here’s the kicker: it doesn’t seem to matter whether there’s snow on the ground or not.
Unlike all-season tires, severe-condition winter tires (identified by mountain and snowflake symbols on their sides) have tread patterns and rubber that are tailored for colder conditions. And that helps them perform better than all-season tires once temperatures plummet, whether or not they have to dig through the white stuff.
In contrast, all-season tires can turn into four round black rocks when the cold hits. Even on dry pavement, at a balmy 5 degrees C, a severe snow-rated tire outperforms an all-season tire. And a study conducted by the Quebec Ministry of Transport showed that a proper winter tire can improve braking by up to 25 percent over an all-season radial and CAN IMPROVE COLLISION AVOIDANCE BY ABOUT 38 PERCENT!
Drivers should also not be tempted to skimp and buy only two tires. Do you want to slide off the road forward or backward? Four winter tires are necessary to maintain proper handling and balance.
Regardless of where you drive, you need to keep a close eye on the condition of your tires. Ensure that your tires still have deep treads to help with snow traction. And pay attention to their inflation. In winter, temperatures can drop rapidly. Tire pressure varies by approximately 1 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch) for each 5 degrees C rise or fall in air temperature.
In winter the temperature can easily slide from 5 degrees to -15 degrees overnight, dropping tire pressure as much as 4 p.s.i. In an already under-inflated tire, that could put you into the danger zone. Tires, therefore, should be checked monthly. If you’re not up to keeping track of the pressure of your tires when winter’s chill sets in, consider stopping by Stop N Go Automotive Centre.
by stopngoservicesca on October 28, 2011
by stopngoservicesca on May 30, 2011
Air Conditioning, which was once considered a luxury, is now a common feature on most cars and vehicles today.
While the servicing of modern car air conditioning systems is best left to professionals, you can get the most enjoyment from your A/C system if you know a bit about how it works and what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.
1. Odd smells coming from the air conditioning may be caused by bacterial build-ups in the A/C system.
As your car becomes older, or when the air conditioning system is used infrequently, bacteria, micro-organisms, mold and fungi may start growing, just behind the dash panel on the evaporator causing some very unpleasant odors. Some even claim this can result in headaches and flu like symptom sometimes referred to as “sick car syndrome.”
This problem can be solved by using an anti-bacterial treatment that destroys the bacteria growth and leaves your car smelling fresh again.
2. If your automobile does NOT feel cold enough, then you may need to recharge your system.
If you feel that your car doesn’t feel as cold as your friend’s car, then your system may need servicing. The air conditioning system in your vehicle is not usually covered by most manufacturers servicing schedules and the refrigerant gas that is used to operate the system depletes over time. This leakage can be caused when the system is not used during the winter months. Thus allowing the small “O” ring seals to dry out resulting in a gradual deterioration in system performance. If this continues, eventually the system will not be able to operate at all.
Most problems of this type can be put right fairly easily by a leak check of your system followed by a complete refill of your air conditioning refrigerant, this is sometimes referred to as a re-gas.
3. Running your air conditioning year round will help maintain the automobile A/C system.
If you run the air conditioning in the winter it will help to keep the system well lubricated and leak tight. This is because the refrigerant actually carries the oil that lubricates the system and most importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying out and cracking which can lead to leaks. Note: A/C usually is on when the defroster is activated.
4. Strange noises coming from the air conditioning should be attended to immediately.
If your air-conditioning system suddenly starts making noises you have not heard before it is very advisable to have a qualified vehicle air conditioning specialist to have a look at it. Some noises could be early symptoms of a compressor failure (the compressor is the air conditioning pump). The compressor is usually the most expensive part on the system and if the bearings in your compressor break down or if the compressor seizes up it also means that other components can become contaminated with metal particles A flush of the system would then be needed as well as replacement of the compressor, the receiver/drier and the expansion valve – quite a hefty bill.
5. Don’t worry too much about a pool of water forming under your automobile after using the A/C.
If you see a puddle of water on the ground, usually under the passenger area don’t be alarmed. This is a normal feature of the system as it is only water dripping from the air conditioning evaporator. The evaporator has a drain tube fitted to allow the condensation from the evaporator to drain away from the vehicle.
6. Excessive moisture inside the car can be fixed easily.
Sometimes the drain tube from the evaporator may become blocked or detached allowing the condensation to build up inside your evaporator. If this occurs water will just build up inside your car to a point where there are damp carpets or misting / high humidity type problems. These problems can be solved with low-cost servicing.
7. Have your air conditioning serviced regularly, even if there are no visible problems.
Just as the other systems of your car need servicing on a regular basis, the same is true for the air conditioning system. The compressor needs oil, or else it will seize up. The filter collects debris and moisture. If the filter becomes blocked, then the performance of the system will deteriorate and it can even quit working entirely (probably when you need it most!)
Normally the refrigerant gas in a car air conditioning system has to be recharged completely within four years from the manufacture date and thereafter every two to three years.
An annual servicing of your car’s air conditioning system will guard against malfunctions in the compressor and other vital parts of the system. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and guarantee you comfort in the hottest months.
Schedule your A/C Appointment Online today!
www.autorepairtips.org
by stopngoservicesca on May 18, 2011
Record Gas Prices Make it Perfect Time to “Be Car Care Aware.”
“Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gasoline is wasted every day by motorists, because simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance is neglected,” says Car Care Canada’s Marc Brazeau. “Loose or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, worn spark plugs and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy.”
Car Care Canada offers these fuel-saving tips:
Vehicle gas caps – In Canada, the provinces with emissions testing programs suggest that this is a common cause for failing an emissions test – yet it is simple and inexpensive to fix. According to US studies, about 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether. - Under inflated tires – When tires aren’t inflated properly it’s like driving with the parking brake.
- Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,500 km, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
- Dirty air filters – An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture – too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Other fuel-saving driving tips include:
- Don’t be an aggressive driver – Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which results in 2 to 15 cents per litre.
- Observe the speed limit - Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 100kph. Each kph driven over 100 will result in an additional 3 cents per litre. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.
Click on Car Care Minute #11
Article by carcarecanada.ca
by stopngoservicesca on April 21, 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.
Book your appointment with Stop N Go today!
by stopngoservicesca on April 12, 2011
Bring this coupon in and save $100 off
our no-obligation 150 point Inspection!
by stopngoservicesca on April 12, 2011
Saving you a lot of money is what it’s all about
For most of us, money matters. A lot! So let’s explore the real costs of vehicle ownership. According to Canadian Black Book1, the average vehicle in Canada will loose about 70% of its value in the first five years. On average, that’s about $18,000 in depreciation; and it’s just gone – you can never get it back.
With Re-Ride, you can save most of this cost by extending the life of your vehicle, versus trading it in prematurely. From “Bumper to Bumper – Rubber to Roof”, we bring your vehicle back to Like-New condition, complete with warranty. Re-Ride gives you back the reliability, drivability and safety you and your family need – without taking a huge hit on depreciation all over again. It’s your money, so you can decide what you’d rather have. Depreciation, or money in the bank to do what you really want to do!
With Re-Ride, there are no more costly surprises.
In fact, there are no more repair costs, period, for the next 3 years or 60,000 kilometres!
Each Re-Ride begins with an in-depth, no obligation 150 point inspection. We take you through the report, and provide you with a Re-Ride program tailored specifically for you and what your vehicle needs. And with each Re-Ride comes our 36 month/60,000 kilometre Mechanical Protection Plan2 on all parts and labour-not just with the parts we replace during a Re-Ride, but protection on the entire vehicle, very similar to a new car warranty. We even include all the oil changes your vehicle requires for the next 60,000 kms!
No more costly surprises! Isn’t that a refreshing idea?
Book your appointment today and start planning what you can do with the money you’ll save!
Bring this coupon in and save $100 off
our no-obligation 150 point Inspection!
®Re-Ride is a Registered Trade Mark of Re-Ride Automotive Corporation.
1Canadian Black Book is used by dealers as a pricing guide to help them determine trade-in value. To find out the trade-in value of your vehicle visit www.canadianblackbook.com.
2Re-Ride Mechanical Protection Plans are available for most personal use vehicles. Some conditions apply. Visit www.re-ride.ca to download our brochures or ask for details at any authorized Re-Ride Dealer.
3Financing available on approved credit.
by stopngoservicesca on March 18, 2011
Re-Ride Automotive is a car-care company that will prolong the life of your vehicle and save you a lot of money along the way. Re-ride has partnered with Stop N Go Automotive. LEARN MORE HERE!
Stop N Go Employees Jenn & Todd with Jeff Kish from Re-Ride.
by stopngoservicesca on February 11, 2011
$50 Off Any Service Over $300!
OR
SAVE 10% off any deferred work!
When you were last in for service we recommended some maintenance and repair items coming due. NOW is the time to take care of them and save an extra 10% plus still get your rewards dollars!
THIS OFFER EXPIRES IN JUST A FEW DAYS SO PLEASE BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW! BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT BY February 18 for service anytime between now and March 17th to receive this offer.
by stopngoservicesca on October 18, 2010
With the winter season fast approaching, it’s that time of year to get your car geared up with Winter Tires. Winter tires’ treads have more biting edges for better grip on snow and ice, while their softer compound remains flexible even in extremely low temperatures.
Learn more by watching Winter Tire Demonstration videos here!
