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 Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre.

Before you flick those wipers on, make sure your wiper blades are not frozen to the windshield.   If they are, you may damage the blade rubber, the blade frame itself or cause enough tension on the wiper arm components to break  linkages under hood.  

Today I have had over 15 calls  for this issue. So here are some tips.

1) Purchase good quality wiper blades. Winter blades are preferred. However some newer designed windshields do not have the ability for winter blades to bend enough and clean properly. Keep the rubbers clean. Little rubbing alcohol does the trick.

2) Use your palm and lightly push down on the blade and move it back and forth gently, loosening it from the glass. Then lift the arm up if possible and scrape the glass clean underneath. Make sure to properly clean all the way around  the bottom of the wiper arm. This prevents the wiper arms from jamming when too much ice is present. Damages to wiper arms can be costly. If your arms do not come up, and there is lots of ice, open the hood and try cleaning it now. Toyota Camry, Chev Malibu, Pontiac Montana are all common cars in here for wiper issues, due to freezing wipers being used.

3) Clean the rubber blade with your gloves or use the washers to help melt some of the ice buildup on them.

4) Use a good quality washer fluid, some cheap fluids freeze are hazy on the glass the moment you use them.

5) Leave the wiper arms in the upright position. This prevents the issue in the first place. However I have had several customers get their wiper arms  damaged by vandals walking by.   Watch where you do this then.

6) Have lock de icer in the vehicle, not only good for the locks but squirt some on the blades if you really have a stubborn situation.

7) Get the vehicle warmed up if possible ahead of time. The defrost will warm the front glass and loosen the ice. 

8 ) If your blades are old, replace them. Your visibility is critical at this time of the year, and the last thing you need is an accident due to poor wipers. When you see streaking, tearing, missing spots it’s time for some attention.  

Other Car Freeze Tips

• Avoid car washes when freezing cold, unless you dry off really well the door seals, hood seal, trunk seal, and lubricate all locks and hinges after exiting the wash.
• Avoid hot water to thaw things out – it’ll just freeze again and make it worse.
• Avoid brute strength if things are frozen. Key cylinder frozen may break plastic clips, door handles will break off ( Toyota Sienna ) and door seals can rip on older vehicles.
• Use lock de icer on frozen door cylinders. ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure if you’re an avid key fob remote user, to make sure your door cylinder works. If the electric lock actuator or battery fails in your remote and then the key does not work – we’ll you’re stuck!
• Avoid use of power windows if frozen. Power motors are strong and can create enough tension on the glass track mechanism to damages clips, rods or components inside the window track area. Again costly repairs.  

Any other tips let me know.

carlo sabucco

Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre

Toronto Star Wheels
Saturday, October 30, 2010.

Now is the time to buy winter tires. Not tomorrow, not next week and certainly not next month.

The reason for this is that by mid-November, there will be nary a winter tire in the manufacturers’ warehouses. All of the 2010 winter tires will be at dealers and tire distributors. The racks will be empty waiting for next spring’s tires to start trickling in.

For the consumer, that means choices in brands and haggling ability over price diminish as the clock ticks. This is especially true if you have a size that is not common. By mid-November, the tire dealer will be telling you what brand you can have and what price you will pay.

When you start shopping for winter tires, arm yourself with some basic information. Start by knowing what your tire size, speed rating and load index numbers are. READ MORE

While most new vehicles are equipped with all-season tires from auto manufacturers, there is a definite difference between all-season and winter tires. In light snow road conditions, all-season tires provide enough traction, but in heavy snow, slush, and ice conditions, winter tires are the proven answer to better road grip, cornering, braking and overall handling.

In one recent independent tire test, a BMW equipped with ani-lock brakes and winter tires stopped in 17.28 meters (59 feet) on a snow-packed road, while the same vehicle with all-season tires did not stop for another 9.17 meters.

Testing of acceleration and cornering determined that vehicles equipped with tires designed specifically for winter driving out-performed all-season tires in every test. Even vehicles equipped with traction control and stability systems achieved safer and more efficient handling with winter tires.

Winter tires simply provide better traction and vehicle control, as well as safer winter driving. So consider these factors as the season changes and take advantage of our October specials on several quality brands of winter tires!!

Learn more by watching Winter Tire Demonstration videos here!

Some typical concerns and solutions:

• I’m nervous driving an older car. Maybe little things are beginning to go; a steering part one month and a starter the next. You might simply spend $80 on a CAA membership and carry a cell phone, reminding yourself that even new used cars aren’t immune to mechanical failure. I have seen customers trade in their old reliable car for pennies to get another used vehicle that requires maintenance and repairs months later. Ensuring proper maintenance and routine inspections will increase your vehicle’s reliability.  Take a look at a new program www.re-ride.ca, through which your current vehicle can qualify for a new bumper to bumper warranty, after the manufacturer warranty has expired!
• It no longer fits my life.  Take a moment to consider why you really want a new vehicle. In many cases, renting a vehicle for a short-term use makes a lot of sense. Why buy a gas-sucking pickup because you visit Home Depot twice a year or a $40,000 sport-utility because you take the kids skiing for a week at Easter? Even at $100 a weekend, renting is far cheaper than a car payment. Plus you get to drive the very latest without worrying about annual insurance, license tags, maintenance or depreciation. Or try swapping cars with a friend, returning it gassed-up and clean (with the oil changed, too, if the loan was more than a day or two. You want to be able to ask again next year.)

• Those repair bills are really adding up. Then do the math. Does the cost of repairs exceed the cost of a new car? A typical new car is $21,000, about $350 a month for five years after 20% down. A rebuilt transmission might run $1,500, a huge outlay in one chunk, but far less than the $4,200 a year you’d spend on new-car payments alone. With our clientele we have noticed they trend around $1000.00-$1200.00 per year to operate well maintained vehicle, with 20% of our clientele over 300,000 km. If you can’t afford repairs or maintenance twice a year, it’s unlikely you can afford a new car payment every month. Look at a 2 to 3 year trend. Owners often claim they have put a lot of money into their vehicles but in reality haven’t done much in the last 2 years.  Averaged over several years, this maintenance or repair cost still worked out to be cheaper than a new purchase. Assess whether the repairs are wear and tear or actual age related issues. Tires, fluid, brakes will be there on any car you purchase. Some repairs are totally avoidable; like rust repairs with the usage of a high quality rust protection programs saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the future.
• The repair costs more than the car is worth. A $1,500 repair estimate that keeps your 2002 Toyota on the road still makes good financial sense. It’s at this point, however, that all but the most loyal drivers begin to think about upgrading. Again average over a 12 month period and see what the comparison would be.  Sometimes for several hundred dollars more you can have the vehicle fully brought up to date and in a like-new condition and retain a reliable vehicle. See www.re-ride.ca for an alternative too.
• Get a Physical Check Up. If you still don’t know if it should stay or should go, get a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspection. CAA has one of the best ones out there providing a 300 point vehicle inspection, written report and one on one review with you the owner. CAA non-member charge is only $149.95 and members are only $129.95.  Go to www.caasco.com for your local facility.

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care

Light is the life of our visual capability!

Using your headlights whenever your vehicle engine is running is especially important this time of year when it’s getting darker out sooner and the weather is not reliable. Using your headlights is a safety feature that helps you avoid accidents on the road!

Sil’s Auto Care wants to protect your car and give you the reliability of clear light when you are driving!

Headlights Question & Answer

Have you looked at your lenses?
Do they look faded?
Do you struggle to have clean vision at night with headlights on?
Would you like to save money with a headlight restoration versus complete replacement?

Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre is offering a FREE Headlight Condition Inspection and $20.00 Off Headlight Aiming! Call for details.

BG LenzSaver Headlight Restoration Video

See a quick demo on what Headlight Restoration can do for your vehicle! Click here to watch the video!

Experts recommend replacement of automotive shocks and struts at 120,000 kilometers. Testing has shown that original equipment gas-charged shocks and struts degrade measurably by 120,000kms kilometers*. For many popular-selling vehicles, replacing these worn shocks and struts can improve the vehicle’s handling characteristics and comfort.

*Actual mileage may vary, depending upon driver ability, vehicle type, and the type of driving and road conditions.

STEERING
Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive body roll when turning, which affects the vehicle’s ability to safely steer around objects in the road.

STOPPING
Worn shocks and struts can allow too much weight transfer to the front wheels during braking, which could result in a measurable increase in stopping distance.

STABILITY
Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive roll, sway and bounce while the vehicle is in motion, which reduces the driver’s control.

Like most safety-critical chassis components, shocks and struts do wear out over the course of normal operation. The rate of wear depends on a wide range of variables, such as road and environmental conditions, your driving style and vehicle load.

In general, however, shocks and struts wear so gradually that the negative effects – reduced steering precision, stopping performance and/or vehicle stability – might not be easily recognized in normal driving conditions. In addition to these safety concerns, worn shocks and struts could negatively affect:

• passenger comfort
• rate and pattern of tire wear
• dynamic wheel alignment
• brake life
• durability of other chassis parts

Sils Complete Auto Care wants you to Ride Safe.
The next time you get in your vehicle – check your odometer and also check to see if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. Are you possibly driving on worn shocks and struts?

Individuals attending will become familiar with vehicle maintenance issues, become more familiar with warning lights and how systems function, and vehicle safety.  As vehicle costs rise and vehicle care becomes ever more important this clinic allows you the opportunity to ask questions and become more familiar with your vehicle.

Attendees will receive a gift bag and certain promotions for attending. Beverages and light food will be provided. 

SATURDAY MAY 15th, 2010.  9:00am to 11:00am.

@ Sils Complete Auto Care Centre, 2133 Royal Windsor Drive #29

Reserve @ info@mechanicmississauga.com or call (905) 823-2626 ask for Carlo

Did You Know?
Child Seat Safety

• A properly installed child safety seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 75%.
• Car crashes are the number one cause of death for Canadian children.
• Over 80% of child safety seats are not used properly. Common errors include not tightening the seat belt and harness enough, and not properly using a tether strap when required.

Thank You

Carlo Sabucco

So you find out you need new tires for that car of yours. No big deal, last car you had several years ago prices were around $100.00 each and you had lots of options to choose from. Wait – let’s take another look again at those tires. Consumers like you are being met with a surprise about the replacement cost of their tires and the complexity that goes into tires.

Many cars come from the factory with what’s considered to be a performance tire. Now your average family sedan or compact car comes equipped a performance rated tire. Why is that?  Significant advances in vehicle designs require tires to have better road control, reduced tire noise, while ensuring safe braking distances are met along with maintaining proper fuel efficiency. That’s a lot of technology that goes into the rubber that connects your car to the road.

Tire Size

For most purchases make sure they are the same size.  For example P205/60R16.  The exception may be when modifying the vehicle from the manufacturer specifications by lowering the vehicle and adding larger wheels as seen on some Honda Civics out there.
Tire Weight and Speed Rating

This is important! This is where I see many people not comparing “apples to apples” when pricing out tires. After your tire size, you will see several other characters. Example P205/60R16 91H.   The 91 number is the load index (how much weight tire can support), which in most cases should be the same or higher number when replacing tires.  The “H” is the speed rating of the tire. Consequently people may purchase a less expensive tire in the same size but with a lower speed rating. Consumers must be aware that it’s not a question of how fast they drive, but rather how the manufacturer designed the vehicle for how safe it must remain.

Recently we had  a vehicle in the shop for a road handling diagnostic and the customer complained that they had a sloppy feeling, and it didn’t feel right on highway or lane changing. Upon initial inspection, we noticed new tires had been installed on the vehicle, which lead to some questioning. The tires were much cheaper than most other places the customer said. After reviewing his P225/60R16 tires, what was installed were economy “S” rated tires but the vehicle called for an “H” rated tire.  Same tire size, same weight rating but different speed rating. It wasn’t speed the customer had an issue with, it was the handling. The H rated tire has a firmer side wall, more technology in the development of the tire which provides a firmer more responsive handle.  It was what the car was designed for.  After a trip back to the original tire shop and a different tire set was being installed, voila! Problem solved – nice ride, nice feeling, higher price!

Brand and Quality

There are so many options to tires now because we live in a global economy. Korea, China and several other countries now supply to the North American market with often lower priced tires with varying quality levels some that are at best a basic tire and others that are competitive with brands that consumers are familiar with like Goodyear and Michelin

Ask your service advisor for some information on the tires and in some cases check the online reviews on those tires.  Comparing a P225/60R16 91H from one imported brand to lets say a Michelin tire can see almost be a 50% jump in price.  The tire should match not only your budget but the manufactures requirements of the vehicle and ultimately your safety. As a tire installer I’ll ask myself these questions when selling a tire. 1) What is their budget 2) What are the specifications for the tire 3) Are they name brand purchasers 4) What mileage are they wanting from a tire and then slow down and educate the customer on a good, better best option for replacement.

Performance tires are now becoming the industry standard for many vehicles, but motorists are just starting to realize it. When you’re buying a vehicle, be aware of the tire that is equipped with the vehicle and its replacement cost. Also in many cases the requirement of winter tires as those performance tires are not sufficient enough for premium traction and safety during winter driving.

There is a science behind tires, there is a significant amount of technology going into that tire and no tire is 100% perfect. For every application make sure you do your homework and trust your tire advisor.

As an added note as I finish this blog, I just received an email discussing a new Michelin product out from Michelin that may be coming to a vehicle near you some day soon. Check it out.

Look No Air

These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these.
Just think of the impact on existing technology: 
A. No more air valves…
B. No more air compressors at gas stations…
C. No more repair kits… 
D. No more flats… 
These are actual pictures taken at the South Carolina plant of Michelin

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care