Month: August 2020

Burnaby Car Repairs

Car Repair and Maintenance Tips for Burnaby BC

In today’s world, a car is one of the most common and practical tools a person could own, but it needs to be properly maintained if you want it to have a long life. However, no matter how well you take care of it, something will eventually stop working the way it did when you first drove it off the lot. Then, you’ll have to decide it you want to have it fixed or cut your losses and buy something new.

Prepare Your Vehicle for  Driving The Coquihalla Highway

Preparing your vehicle for highways like the Coquihalla in British Columbia is no small task – but it’s essential to travel safely and confidently. To make sure you’re ready to hit the road, take your car into an automotive service center where they can check everything from tires and fluids to wipers. Professional mechanics will be able inspect every component of your car so that you have peace-of-mind when traversing extensive highway routes, leaving potential breakdowns or tire blowouts far behind!

Car Repair Vs Car Shopping

If you could buy a new car for less than it would take to repair the old one, then buy a new car. However, as long as you’re not paying thousands of dollars in engine repair, it’s safe to say that Burnaby car repairing and maintaining the car you have is the most affordable option.

What is the average cost of a car repair?

AAA published an article encouraging motorists to be financially prepared to repair their cars. Apparently the average car repair bill is anywhere from $500 to $600 and only 2 in 3 people can pay without falling into debt. You might wonder if it’s a practical thing to do.

Is it worth fixing an old car?

More often than not, the repair costs are more cost-efficient than buying a brand-new car. Of course, another practical option would be to weigh the cost of repairs against the prices of used cars on the market, but there is almost always something that needs to be repaired. So, you’ll likely end up spending money to repair repair a car that you just bought.

Fixing Up an Old Car

If you decide to improve on what you already own, then you should know what it takes to repair and maintain a vehicle. It’s always good to have a reliable mechanic check your car out regularly, but you should also be on the lookout for common repairs that most cars need as time goes by.

What are common car repairs?

According to BCAA North America, these are the 10 Most Common Car Repairs:

  • Changing oil or oil filters
  • Replacing windshield wiper blades
  • Replacing air filter
  • Routine maintenance
  • Getting new tires
  • Replacing your car battery
  • Changing your brakes or shock absorbers
  • Adding antifreeze
  • Engine tune-ups
  • Having your wheels aligned or balanced

Top car repair tips

The best car repair advice you could get is to get ahead of anything that might need to be repaired. You should regularly check your car’s:

  • Tires
  • Fluids
  • Engine oil
  • Coolant
  • Power steering fluid
  • Brake fluid
  • Transmission fluid
  • Lights
  • Belts and hoses
  • Engine air filters

Replace them as needed. You should also make a habit of replacing your windshield wipers and brakes before they wear out. Especially if your car is high in mileage.

Car Mileage and Car Issues

If you drive any car long enough, it will start to present problems. The brakes and tires wear down, the timing belt could break, or any number of other issues could arise.

What mileage do cars start having problems?

According to Erie Insurance, your water pump and timing belt can break and should be replaced anywhere between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. After 75,000 miles, you should switch to High mileage oil to combat engine leaks. Brakes should be replaced every 50,000 miles, but can wear down in half that distance depending on how you use them.

What are the signs of bad brakes?

The condition of your brakes could be the difference between you reaching your destination safely or getting into an accident. You should check your brakes when:

  • Your brake