If you don’t control your money, your money will control you. Today let’s focus on getting control over the cost of auto repair and maintenance.

The Cost of Owning a Car

Here’s a look at all the budget categories you may want consider when attempting to nail down your auto expenses:

• Purchase price – payment (cash and/or financing and interest) to acquire the vehicle
• Taxes - paid when you buy or sell the vehicle
• Fuel - the gasoline/fuel you need to make the vehicle run
• Insurance – all levels auto insurance including personal liability, collision, comprehensive, roadside assistance, etc.
• Tags and registration – state vehicle registration, license plates, and renewal tags
• Repair and maintenance - tires, oil changes, and all other repairs and maintenance necessary to keep your vehicle operational

Benefits of Controlling These Costs

Many of the benefits of controlling your auto maintenance costs are similar to those you experience when gaining control over any area of your money, so let’s focus on those that are specific to the topic. Proper budgeting for auto repair and maintenance will allow you to:

• Have a better relationship and better communication with your auto mechanic
• Prepare/plan better so you don’t have to race to get oil changes before your next trip
• Reduce your maintenance expenses going forward
• Relax in the knowledge that you’re prepared

You can achieve all of these things simply by setting aside enough money to cover your expenses. That way you won’t have to stress or worry about where the money is coming from – if it can be found at all.

Vital fluids checked and double checked?

Vision is good shape with wipers, lighting and aquapel ready?

Winter tires ready to go to by enhancing your braking and vehicle safety?

The mechanics here at Sils Comlpete Auto Care in mississauga are ready to ensure their professional skils are ready to go when your vehicle comes in for its physical. Schedule your vehicle in for a Seasonal Maintenance Package. Including warranty approved Oil change (4.5L oil), Tire Rotation and pressures set, 50 Point ++ Vehicle Inspection, No Charge Top Up all Fluids, Test Full Charging System including Battery, Alternator, and Starter draw. Lubricate chassis, door hinges and under hood components. Technician Road Tested vehicle and reset any maintenance reminder monitors.

Seasonal package is only $99.95 and it ensure your safety, reliability and budget for this winter season.

Carlo Sabucco ( Photo – Dr.Brian, Dr.Corey, Dr. Gabriela)

I just wanted to say Thank you to our customers thus far with almost $200.00 in rewards dollars offered for the Toys for Tots campaign and for those who have passed by our office.  Niki from Peel Region Police representing The Toys for Tots camping is being joing by several other automotive repair shops in the GTA and southern Ontario regions. As a group we hope that this Christmas will be enjoyable for all families.

Please pass by our shop or donate your rewards dollars or Canadian Tire money towards the campaign. Maybe there is a family out there that last year they did not need a service like this but this year they do. I asked myself “what would happen if I was in this situation” Sils Complete Auto Care is here to assist with the community whenever possible.

Many Thanks

Carlo Sabucco

Properly maintained headlight lenses and aimed headlights reduce driver fatigue and increase safety.

Light is the life of our visual capability!
Without light, our eyes are useless. Most drivers have experienced taking on the wheel during low visibility periods such as night time and precipitation.

Exterior lighting on your vehicle is an important part of your vehicle operation and is a major contributor to road safety. According to a recent study, one of every five auto accidents caused by technical failure is a result of defective lighting.

Head lamps that are burned out or not aimed properly can cause accidents as drivers do not have full road vision during night time driving. Deer and other animals, pedestrians, and traffic entering the roadway are up to 10 times more difficult for drivers to see when head lights are not fully operational.

Burned out tail lights are also a hazard as vehicles approaching your car need to see your tail lamps and brake lights clearly, especially inclement weather.

You also want your turn signals to work properly so other drivers know what your intentions are when making left or right hand turns.

Another common problem due to moisture, degeneration, and rock/debris damage, is the loss of high beam head lamps. High beams can be vital during night time road driving, particularly on unlit roadways or during rain storms.

In virtually all states and Canadian provinces, defective lighting is against the law and fines can be more than $100 in some cases.

So, with fall and winter weather approaching, make sure all your exterior lighting is functioning and head lamps are properly aimed for maximum night time road vision.

It’s a MYTH That Only New Car Dealers Can Service Vehicles Under Warranty

There are many benefits to having your new vehicle serviced with Sil’s Complete Auto Care Centre:

• Sil’s works like your new car maintenance manager
• You receive a closer/trusting relationship with your mechanic
• Your vehicle will be maintained to reach over 250,000 kms (versus just being maintained until the end of the vehicle’s warranty)
• Having your vehicle maintained and updated as work is needed, not only when the usual “warranty items” need addressing
• Sil’s stores all your records electronically
• When you complete your fluid services throughout Sil’s BG plan, we provide unlimited mileage and coverage for the remainder of your vehicle’s life (versus the average manufacturer’s warranty which covers only 3-5 years and 60-100 kms)

Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service such as Sil’s Complete Auto Care. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.

The Maintenance Schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual specifies how often you should have your car serviced and what areas need attention. It is essential that you have your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance and maintain your vehicle’s value.

Our independent service technicians are qualified to meet your service requirements. Continue to bring your vehicle into Sil’s and build a long-term relationship with our service technicians, and we will ensure maintenance is done thoroughly and on a timely basis to keep your vehicle running and your warranty in effect.

Article by www.carcarecanada.ca

dexos is a GM-developed engine oil specification that has been designed to:

Improve Fuel Economy

New technology being introduced in GM vehicles designed to address vehicle efficiency and fuel economy include direct injection, cam phasing, turbo-charging and Active Fuel Management. The demands of these technologies on engine oil also are taken into consideration when determining new oil specifications. Active Fuel Management, for example, can help to achieve improved fuel economy, however, alternately starting and stopping cylinders puts a lot of stress on engine oil.

Another industry trend for meeting tough fuel economy mandates has been a shift toward lower viscosity oils. Testing has shown that thinner 0W-20 oil can provide as much as a 4% improvement in fuel economy than 15W-40 oil. .

Emission System Operation

Oil contains Phosphorous, an additive for wear, corrosion and oxidation it’s critical that it needs to be retained within the oil to prevent poisoning of the catalytic converter, and air fuel sensors. As well as the oil must contains additives for keeping internal engine parts clean. Deposits are not beneficial to fuel economy, wear issues, timing knock concerns and compression concerns. Additives must clean enough to prevent deposits but not too much to clean away the additives that help protect against metal friction wear.

Engine Sealing Materials

Compatibility of the oil with sealing materials is critical not only for the consumer but for the manufactures as reducing potential oil leaks is a costly concern.

 Engine Sludge Protection

Most manufactures are now providing longer warranties on the engine assembly, thus the need for oils that prevent sludging and deposits are required. With longer oil drain intervals being introduced dispersants are used to control sludge effects and lubrication.

 E85 Rust Protection and Emulsion Retention

An increasing number of vehicles are now flex fuel compatible, able to run on ethanol. GF-5 oil must be able to protect against rust and corrosion that environmentally friendly ethanol causes when it is burned. The by products of E85 are water and acids that end up in the engine oil.

 Oil Life Monitor Systems

Some oils are designed and formulated to meet the monitoring conditions of the Oil Life Monitor system. Usage of other oils may prevent the accuracy of the management system thus triggering the light on too late or too early. A cost increase will most likely be seen with the usage of these oil as much as 20-30% more.  However with the operation of the oil life management system and proper vehicle maintenance GM estimates that more than 100 million gallons of oil could be saved annually.

TIP: The oil level and quality should be inspected regularly, as we have seen vehicles with higher mileage 150,000kms plus begin to exhibit mechanical failure due to increased drain intervals with incorrect oils, or operating an engine with worn, sludgy oil.

 Industry Standardization

Ensure worldwide availability of high quality oil for factory and service fill needs. Prevent the concerns with non OEM approved oils from being used in a GM vehicle. Many oil manufactures are ensuring they are compatible with the GM dexos1 and dexo2 standards. However there are some concerns about trade licensing fees and requirements.

TIP: The oil specified in prior model years remains acceptable for previous models; however, dexos1 is backward compatible for older vehicles.

TIP: Using the right viscosity grade oil is critical for proper engine performance. Always check the appropriate vehicle owner manual for the proper viscosity grade for the vehicle being serviced.

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care Centre ( Using the right oils – every time )

If your AC is running on R-12, you may not top up the system. If your AC is running on an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) such as HFC-134a or other halocarbon you may top up if a leak test has been performed to confirm there is no leak in the system.  Once a leak test is performed, the system must be tagged with the results of the test, including:

1. the date of the test,
2. the name of the person who conducted the leak test,
3. the ODP number and expiry date appearing on the person’s ODP card,
4. the results of the test, and
5. if there is a leak in the vehicles system, a statement that no refrigerant shall be added to the vehicles system until the leak is repaired

Is there a standard for the type of leak test that needs to be performed before a system can be tagged as not having a leak?

Leak tests are to be performed in accordance with the practices set out in the Environmental Code Of Practice. Tests consist of a visual inspection, nitrogen inspection, or electronic leak detection tracer method, and ultra light dye tracer methods.  Depending on the experience level and skill of the facility some places may not have the proper equipment to detect a leak properly.  Electronic leak testing is by far the most accurate means of testing and using a tracer dye as a back up after service is complete.

Can a refrigerant be used during a test?

Yes. Appropriately qualified people certified under s.34 of O. R.463/10 can use refrigerants while performing a leak test but they must follow the rules of the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) However, it is important to note that CFC-based refrigerants (e.g., R-12) cannot be used to refill mobile air conditioners.  Any added refrigerant during the test must be removed upon completion.

What happens if no leak is found?

If no leak is found, then refrigerant may be added to the system after it has been tagged as having no leaks. Tracer dyes may be added to system to guide technician in future if a leak is to occur. Sometimes systems may no cool properly due to low refrigerant levels, but the leak may only occur under high pressure, very humid hot days. As technicians we strive to locate the fault so be aware when you system begins to fails and advise the shop of the conditions it occured under.  In some cases with high pressure leaks locating them can be extremely challenging.

In other cases your system may not have a refrigerant charge level issue but electronic climate control problem, sensor problem, wiring problem or computer controlled circuit issue. So having the proper diagnostic scan tools will be a must with many air conditioning systems diagnostics.

Hope this helps.

Every season air conditioning seems to be a major issue. Remember air conditioning system are a luxury item and no matter what car you drive it may be costly to repair properly.  Unlike other repairs air conditioning system need proper diagnosis, careful, clean, certified ODP technicians and good quality parts.   DO NOT attempt to repair a/c systems yourself, high pressure refrigerant may cause significant harm to you.  Be very careful of shops advertising alternative blends to HFC134a as some may be flammable or mixture blends that void many manufacture warranties. Used parts are not suggested in air conditioning repairs. They pose a vey high possibility of internal rust, debris or other foreign materials that will be costly to correct once installed and re diagnossed.  Only suggestion is when a compressor is required to allow a drive belt to turn properly.

Carlo sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care Centre

  Neoprene vs. EPDM

Until recently, most belts were constructed of Neoprene material. Today, most serpentine belts feature EPDM construction, which stands for ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber. Visually, it’s hard to tell the two types of belts apart, but EPDM belts far outlast and outperform any of their predecessors.

Older Neoprene belts have a life expectancy of 50-60K miles, and as they wear out, cracks and chunk-outs will occur, as shown below. EPDM belts rarely show these symptoms, even at very high mileage.

As EPDM belts age, they gradually lose rubber material—similar to the way tires wear out. Over a period of 100,000 miles, a belt can lose up to 10% of its rib material. While this may not seem like a lot, the consequences can be significant.

Belt wear after 100,000 miles

EPDM: Signs of Wear

The diagram below shows how EPDM belts wear as they age. Although the ribs have not become shorter, material has been lost in the valleys of the ribs (indicated in red), making the space between ribs wider. As more material is lost, the pulleys ride deeper into the belt valleys resulting in slip, noise and hydroplaning.

With sufficient material loss, the pulley ribs “bottom out” in the valleys and ride on the belt cord. This reduces the surface contact on the valley sides, where the traction is generated. Wear also increases the effective belt length, lowering the tension in the system, which also reduces traction.

Obvious Signs of Wear

Although EPDM belts do not tend to crack with age, they can still exhibit other symptoms that are caused by problems with the accessory drive—such as tensioner misalignment or failure, pulley misalignment, excessive heat, or bearing failure in one of the other components.

If the belt exhibits one or more of the symptoms depicted, it needs to be replaced. If it fails, it could damage other system components in addition to stranding the motorist. Many warranty-claim failures o alternators and other parts are actually caused by worn or improperly adjusted belts.

Other Belt Wear Symptoms

When a belt wears out, several problems can occur that reduce performance of the Accessory Belt Drive System.

BELT SLIP–LOSS OF TRACTION
Like a tire, a worn belt can lose traction (slip) on the pulleys, particularly in high-load and/or wet conditions. Slip can cause belt/pulley temperatures to rise by up to 50%—leading to early accessory bearing failure.

HYDROPLANING
This occurs when water cannot be effectively channeled away between a worn belt and the pulleys. The belt then “hydroplanes” on a film of water, resulting in loss of power transmission to the accessories. This can often result in the “Check Engine” or “Alternator Charging” warning lights to come on.

ELONGATION
Material loss can also cause a change in the effective length of the belt, which can move the tensioner beyond its take-up range. This will reduce overall system tension, also lowering accessory performance.

MISALIGNMENT
Misalignment wear can also be an indication that the internal components of the tensioner have failed. Material loss and subsequent changes to effective length on belts can also cause belt slip, resulting in noise, vibration and high heat, which can damage accessory bearings and cause accessories to fail.

See Gates corporation for more information

Carlo Sabucco

Sils Complete Auto Care

We offer complete Air Conditioning & Climate Control System service!

As summer approaches, it’s time to have your A/C system checked so you stay comfortable during those hot drive times.

With our professional A/C service equipment, we can review your system quickly and efficiently to determine if your system needs flushing, a new cabin air filter, or perhaps just extra refrigerant.

Sil’s offers complete Air Conditioning & Climate Control System service. Our professional Licensed Technicians utilize state-of-the-art A/C service equipment to properly service or repair your car.

Read more Auto Repair – Car Air Conditioner Tips!

Schedule your A/C Appointment Online today!

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.