How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Transmission? It’s typically never a good thing when you need to take your car to the mechanic for anything other than your usual oil change or tire rotation. That’s why when we get hit with the bad news that our vehicle needs a new transmission, it can be a little overwhelming. Discerning whether or not it’s worthwhile for you to replace your vehicle’s transmission is something that takes careful consideration of all the factors that go along with such a big repair. Things like your vehicle’s overall current value, how much money you’ve spent on repairs ..read more

Notice and Order in British Columbia (Box 1, 2 & 3) In British Columbia, there are certain rules, regulations, and even legislation that prevent vehicles that have major defects from being driven on government roadways. The same laws also apply to vehicles that excessively pollute the environment or put other road users at an increased risk in any way. This is why agencies like the CSVE (Commerical Safety & Vehicle Enforcement), the RCMP, Peace Officers, and local Police departments are able to issue tickets to drivers who are behind the wheel of a questionable vehicle, but they a ..read more

What is the Difference Between Rear Differential Noise and Wheel Bearing Noise? For many people who aren’t that car savvy, knowing what sounds your car makes won’t necessarily help you to diagnose the problem. Sometimes, there are easy ones like when your brakes squeal, you know they probably need replacing. Or how if your car makes a “thud” sound when you put it into drive, you quite likely need a new transmission (or servicing of it at the very least). However, with so many noises coming from your car, how do you know what sounds your vehicle makes is alerting you to? And how would you ..read more

Kia Optima Engine Problems The Kia Optima has become one of Kia’s most popular vehicles over the years. Since the year 2000, the Optimas have acquired a large following of those who love them, despite many consumer reports of various issues that specifically affect this model of Kia vehicle. The Optima was originally designed to become a fierce competitor with the incredibly popular (at the time) Hyundai Sonata. While the Kia Forte was already on the market, it’s big sister, the Optima, started turning heads with its sleek styling, roomy interior, and sporty look despite its 4-door design ..read more

Why is There Water on the Floor of My Car? It’s been a wetter than average winter this past year (even for the Lower Mainland), and many people are experiencing a whole host of water-related issues with their vehicles. From pooling water on the floorboards to dripping headliners and excess moisture on the inside of their windows, many Vancouverites and Fraser Valley residents are asking where the water is coming from inside their car, and how can they stop it? Luckily for our loyal readers, this blog post is all about identifying what causes water to get inside of your vehicle, what the m ..read more

A “Not So Green” By-Product of the Green Car Movement In a province that is so green-forward thinking, it is to be expected that there would be more hybrid and EV vehicles on the road than ever before. In fact, across Canada many provinces are pushing for people to switch to electric vehicles to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. Although many Vancouverites do what they can to help reduce their carbon footprint, owning an electric vehicle may not be as “green” as they think it is. Since the real push of the EV sales in British Columbia started in the past few years, approxim ..read more

How Many Kilometres Does a Car Last? When we think about how many kilometres you can get out of a vehicle, we generally assume that every car has its own maximum limit. While this is true in some cases, based off engine construction, engineering, etc, some vehicles will definitely go the distance more so than others. Additionally, getting the most kilometres out of your vehicle has largely to do with routine vehicle maintenance, the type of driving that you do, what the vehicle is used for, and where you drive. Climate and weather also play a partial role in how your vehicle operates ..read more

Valentine’s Day & the PT Cruiser What better way to celebrate Valentines Day than to start production of a new vehicle? Obviously, we’re kidding. However, this is precisely what Chrysler did on February 14th, 2000, when they started production of the iconic PT Cruiser. When we say iconic, that term comes in a more bittersweet context, as what made it so “iconic” was how much consumer’s loved to hate on the PT Cruiser. Endearingly known to many as the “PT Loser”, the PT Cruiser, while hated by many, was also loved by more when it was first released in 2001. Although the Cruiser’s des ..read more

Top 10 Most Common Car Problems As vehicles age, it’s not uncommon for mechanical issues to pop up more frequently than they once did before. This is due in part to overall wear and tear based on how often you use your vehicle, what you use it for, and how well you have kept up on its routine maintenance over the years. Despite our every effort to reduce the amount of mechanical issues we have on our older vehicles, they are unfortunately, inevitable. That’s why when your car or truck has reached a certain age, you should considering whether or not doing heft repairs is really worth the t ..read more

Signs of a Cracked Engine Block When it comes to living in the Lower Mainland, bad traffic and harsh weather are a definite reality. However, as drivers we do our best to circumvent both, and we do so by selecting better routes to bypass rush hour traffic, allow our vehicles to properly warm up in winter months, and park in the shade during Vancouver’s notoriously hot summer months. Despite our best efforts, all of it may help to prevent damage to our vehicle’s engine, but it may also not. When you’re driving an older vehicle, it can be hard to keep it running no matter how much maintenan ..read more