Staying on the Road in Argyle
Car maintenance isn’t something you want to ignore if you want to keep your car on the road for long in Ontario. Canada’s winters are hard on vehicles—leaving dirt and salt deposits, as well as new dents and dings on your vehicle. That kind of rough treatment means we need to be diligent about car maintenance.
If you’re looking for a few easy car maintenance to help you keep your car on the road for years, consider the following ideas provided by some of our talented car services teams located here in Argyle.
Preparing Your Car for Winter or Summer
Get winter tires.
Every October or November, and again every April or May, you need to get your tires changed if you use winter tires. Canada’s winter storms can be harsh and, depending upon where you live in the London area, some places are near impossible to get through without winter tires. In Argyle, most of the automotive businesses can help you with your tires twice a year, but a couple, such as Maple City Tire and Canadian Tire specialize in the care of your car’s wheels. Check them out!
Protect your car from rust.
The ice, snow and chemicals used to keep the roads safe during winter are hard on the materials that make up your vehicle. Chemicals, especially, can cause the metal on your car to rust or corrode quickly. But you can protect your car by getting an “undercoating” applied to the undercarriage and other vulnerable spots on your vehicle. This undercoating is a wax or grease-like substance that’s applied to the surface of your vehicle’s undercarriage and prevents salt from corroding the metal. You can usually get this done while getting your winter tires put on in the fall!
Summer window and windshield care.
The heat of summer can be oppressive. If you get your car windows tinted, which is a service you can find at Tint Factory, you can avoid cooking the back of your legs on your car seat when you get in. Avoiding leg burns is worth the cost.
Summer often leaves roads crumbling and covered with potholes. We spend most of the Summer months driving through construction sites where our cars can be randomly hit with sprays of tiny rocks and asphalt chunks. This can cause damage to our paint and windshield. The damage to the windshield is more of a danger than an annoyance or inconvenience.
Having a cracked or chipped windshield can be dangerous because it can obscure your view of the road. Even a small chip or crack can spread easily, so if you have a chip or crack in your windshield, please get it replaced immediately. Many automotive businesses can help you with this, but Nu-Tech Glass specializes in keeping your windshield clear. So, check them out.
Preparing for a long driving trip
We’ve all been unable to get out as much as we’d like, so it’s a good time to find a quiet place away from crowds to unwind. But before you turn on your car and drive off, you need to make sure your car is in good condition before you subject it to a long road trip.
Be sure to get your oil changed and your tires checked. Maybe have that squeaky sound you’ve been ignoring looked into before you hit the highway. Have someone take a look at your air conditioner to make sure it’s ready for the heat. And have them do a general system check, just in case.
Yearly or periodic maintenance
Your car is likely one of the biggest expenses you will ever have in your life, so to protect your investment, you really should make sure you keep up with yearly or periodic maintenance.
Change your oil.
It is important to get your oil changed regularly. Service providers typically recommend you get your oil changed twice a year or every 5,000 to 7,500 km. It is possible to change your oil yourself if you have the right equipment and feel confident in your ability to do it. But, why do it yourself when most automotive places can change your oil! Argyle has Jiffy Lube, a fast oil-change business, that is conveniently located.
Wash your car.
Keeping your car clean is an important part of maintenance for your vehicle. During the summer, it’s easy and fun to just pull out a hose, bucket and some soap, and spend an hour or so taking care of your vehicle. Hand-washing your own car means that you may miss some of the most important parts that need to be cleaned, like the undercarriage. Believe it or not, taking it to a professional car wash protects your vehicle much like getting the oil changed. And getting a car wash in Argyle is actually pretty easy because we have
Auto Spa Car Wash and Suds right on Dundas Street.
Don’t forget your yearly checkup!
You have a yearly physical with your doctor that you stick to religiously, so why shouldn’t you do the same thing for your car? Various systems in your vehicle will wear out over time; rather than waiting until a spark plug doesn’t spark or a belt falls off, if you get your yearly check-up, you can avoid small issues from becoming something bigger and more expensive. Most major automotive businesses like Bob William’s Tire and Auto, Ed’s Automotive, FuJi Automotive, or H&M Auto Services provide annual check-up services, but some are more systems-focused. Be sure to check out their websites or give them a call to get details about your car’s annual check-up.
Always address the noises
Cars age and parts wear out. It’s sad when our beloved vehicle now makes a squealing or grinding noise. It can be scary when it happens and you’re on the highway. So, when it happens, you need to get that sound or other issue looked at.
Danny’s Transmission has been servicing cars and caring for transmissions for over 60 years. And Tobince Mufflers and Brakes can help keep your car safe and driving. These two companies are only a few available in Argyle that can help you address the countless problems that you might face with your car.
And if you need a new car
Sometimes our long-time friends can’t handle another winter and we have to get a new, or a lovingly used car. East London has a number of dealerships that can help you find a new vehicle. Used cars are available at a number of used car dealerships in London, but Argyle is home to 5 Star Dealers and Highway Motors.
Whether you need major automotive work or just a thorough car wash, be sure to take care of your car. If you need help or have any questions about car maintenance, feel free to contact the many automotive businesses in Argyle. This is the place to come to care for your vehicle.