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Whats new at Car Help Canada?

Car Help Canada is the Place to to find:

* Accurate new vehicle pricing information

* Dealership Referrals

* Used vehicles and lease takeovers

* Honest and reliable repair shops

* Advice concerning all aspects of vehicle ownership

* Articles, reports and other information relating to hot consumer issues and the vehicle marketplace

* Vehicle reviews - from a consumer's perspective

* Legal advice

- 2011-11-22 : Road Test: 2012 Honda Civic

- 2011-10-07 : Road Test: 2012 Chevrolet Volt

- 2012-01-19 : Road Test: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

This letter shall confirm that no business, including those dealers and companies who advertise on the website of the Automobile Consumer Coalition, has any influence over the management and operation of the Automobile Consumer Coalition.

Mohamed Bouchama

Executive Director,

Automobile Consumer Coalition

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© Car Help Canada, 2011

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

Car Help Canada is the Place to go to find:

* Accurate, pre-negotiated, new vehicle pricing information

* Dealership Referrals

* Used vehicles and lease takeovers

* Honest and reliable repair shops

* Advice concerning all aspects of vehicle ownership

* Articles, reports and other information relating to hot consumer issues and the vehicle marketplace

* Vehicle reviews - from a consumer's perspective

* Legal advice

WATCH US ON CP24's AUTO SHOP

Car Help Canada is Auto Shop! Talk to Mohamed Bouchama and the Car Help Canada experts on CP24's Auto Shop every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Whether you're in the market for a new or used vehicle, have a repair question or a gripe about the car industry, this is your opportunity! Call 416-872-2724 or 1-888-863-2724, fax at 416-593-6397.

To watch previous episodes, go to www.cp24.com/talkshows and click on Auto Shop, or click the following tab:

NEED TO VENT?

Car Help Canada consults with governments, dealerships, and manufacturers at all levels to represent the consumer interest. Consumers are invited to share their experiences and voice their concerns through our Feedback Page. Your input is important to us.

MEET MOHAMED BOUCHAMA

Car Help Canada executive director Mohamed Bouchama is a familiar face in the automotive industry. For over 20 years, he has been working to help Canadian consumers get the best possible deal when shopping for a vehicle or troubleshoot a repair. He actively lobbies the government at all levels to promote automobile consumer interests, consulting on legislation and industry regulation, and is an outspoken critic of unfair industry practices.

Mr. Bouchama hosts the weekly phone-in Auto Shop show on CP24's every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. He appears on many television and radio programs, offering his expertise and insight into automotive consumer matters. Mr. Bouchama's advice has also been sought by other Canadian media including the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and the National Post.

CAR BUYING SERVICE

Car Help Canada will provide its members with a pre-negotiated price where the savings will be substantial on all makes and models and accessories, as well as a referral to a dealer where the member will enjoy the no haggle no / hassle experience.

Car Help Canada will also provide you with a free appraisal on your trade-in.

All this for only a $60 Membership fee! Independent brokers charge $100 for a similar service!

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FOR REAL MEMBER TESTIMONIALS CLICK HERE!

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS
Just a note to thank your organization for all the help in buying a car. I called many times for advice and searching a vehicles over the past year and really appreciated it. I have recommended your organization to two others in the Peterborough area and both are very pleased with your service. Keep up the great work - and thanks for your patience. Your happy customer. Grant Valentine --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Sirs, I am Car Help Canada member and I have closed my Lexus CT200h deal (48 months lease) about a month ago through one of the Lexus dealers that came recommended by you.This email is just to thank you for your service and to let you know that my experience with Heffner Lexus (JOE LUCERI) that I got in contact with through Rydel was rather positive. Appreciate your help! Thanks,Sergey Kaplunskiy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Im just sending you a quick note to thank you for your help. I picked up my 2006 Infiniti G35X this afternoon. Don _ Woodchester Infiniti is a great guy and I managed to save almost $2800 off the MSRP. The price I got from John and Boris at Auto Showplace for my trade in was also good in my opinion. Thanks again. I will definitely mention your organization to my friends. Its worth the $50 !!! Stan Lam --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Mr. (Mohamed) Bouchama: I must honestly thank-you for helping me get the rust removed on my Jeep T.J. and for directing me to John Wallischek at Auto Showplace. Not only was I dealt with in a courteous manner, I was quoted a 'very fair price' to get the job done. The final cost not only made thedrive to Toronto worth it, the savings were enough to pay for my membership with Car Help Canada. Once again Mohamed, thanks for your help and John, for your help in a job well done.Sincerely YoursPaul Duffy Car Help Canada Member from Hamilton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU VERY MUCH! When I encountered resistance to a warranty related problem on my 2003 Jeep Liberty with 58,000 kms that Chrysler refused to repair under warranty, you came to the rescue! You suggested that I get a second opinion and introduced me to Mike at Precise Transmission who was professional and courteous to me at all times! He fixed my transmission for under $400.00 - can you believe that? At the Chrysler dealership they lead me to believe that I would need a new transmission and that the cost would be my responsibility. Thanks to your proactive approach, I will now pursue Chrysler to honour this repair. Nicole Andrews -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just wanted to thank Both Mohamed and Phil for all of your help. My wife and I decided to purchase a new CR-V. We dealt with the Brantford Honda dealership and they matched the price Mohamed gave to me over the phone. We are very happy with the service they provided to us. We picked up our new vehicle on Monday. I really appreciate the helpful advice we received. I know I was a royal pain in the _#$ but this was my first new vehicle purchase and I did not want to make any mistakes. Thanks again and keep up the great work. Pail Oddi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I spent weeks looking for a great deal on a late model 2004 Honda Accord and I couldnt seem to find a dealer anywhere willing to negotiate to allow me to get a best value deal on this very high demand vehicle. In frustration, I registered as a member of Car Help Canada for some help. The very same day I signed up, you had Sean Roberts at Ready Honda in Mississauga give me a call and I was offered a deal that saved me over $2000 compared to what I was able to negotiate on my own. As a member of Car Help Canada I was treated like a very important customer and I received excellent service. The car is in mint condition with very low mileage and I am absolutely thrilled with the results. The Car Help Canada membership was the best $50 that I ever spent. Thank you Mohamed for all your help! Sincerely, Richard Hastings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you very much for your help in finding us our new (used) car. You sent us to Number 7 Honda, in Woodbridge Ontario and we met with Chuck. He had a 2007 silver Fit Sports Model on the lot but we were not impressed with that car. He then took us into his office and made many phone calls to other dealerships to find us a 2009, 2008 or 2007 Honda Fit. He found a few but they were not automatic or were the sport model. We told Chuck that we had just driven from Burlington to Woodbridge and that there was a Honda Fit Model LX in Burlington but at a much higher price than his price. He called Burlington Honda and talked to the Sales Manager Brad, and told him that we were looking for a Honda Fit and that he understood that Burlington Honda had one but the price was too high. The Burlington Sales Manager told him to send us back to Burlington Honda and he would see what he could do for us. We eventually bought this 2007 Honda Fit from Burlington Honda and we wish to thank you again because your contact in Woodbridge was very helpful in finding us this wonderful little car. Sincerely Jack and June Pinkney p.s. I have already told many people to watch your Auto Shop show on Sunday nights on CP24 or they could email or call you for your services.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I just wanted to let you know the outcome on my situation with my Audi A4. I ended up having the repairs on my vehicle done by my independent mechanic "Sams Garage" in Markham. My mechanic was confident that the direct cause of my engine problem was from the faulty cam follower that was covered under warranty by Audi. The total repairs were just over $4,000. I then took photos of all of the components that had to be replaced or repaired, and I forwarded a copy of the bill with the photos to Audi Canada. I utilized one of the form letters off of your members only section, and added some key significant details from my situation. In my letter I reiterated the fact that all the damage caused to my engine was directly linked to the faulty cam follower that was covered under the Audi warranty plan. I requested that I receive full compensation within one weeks time or I would pursue all available legal action to recover my cost to repair my vehicle. Before the one week time frame I received a phone call from a representative from Audi Canada that my claim had been reviewed and that my request would be paid in full. I then waited another 10 days to pick up my cheque of just over $4,000. While I was finally relieved and satisfied with being reimbursed for my expenses, I can tell you my total experience with Audi and Audi Canada has solidified my opinion that I wont be purchasing another Audi vehicle in my lifetime. As a consumer, I should not have had to threaten legal action in order to have my vehicle repaired due to a faulty component.I want to personally thank yourself and Car Help Canada for helping me in my situation. Your organization was very helpful in providing me with the guidance and information on how to best approach my situation and how to contact Audi Canada. Without your support I'm confident that my situation would not have had the happy outcome that I experienced. You now have a life long supporter of Car Help Canada. Sincerely, Matt Osburn

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

What You Need to Know About Tires

How to Write a Proper Car Advertisement

Maintenance Schedule for Long-Term Car Ownership

Car Safety 101

How to Beat the Gas Prices

To Rustproof or Not to Rustproof

Preparing Your Car For Winter Driving

rustproofing

To Rustproof or Not to Rustproof
Rust is an electrochemical reaction which occurs when water contacts bare steel. Creases or depressions in the metal can trap moisture, increasing contact time which causes more rusting to occur. The rate of rusting increases with temperature. Vehicle rusting began to be a serious problem in the 1950s when increasing amounts of salt (mostly sodium chloride and sometimes calcium chloride) started being used as a safety measure to melt road ice in winter. Saltwater spray trapped in metal vehicle folds and creases doesn’t freeze and the salt content greatly accelerates the rate of corrosion. Calcium chloride can also draw moisture from the air, so the salt accumulated in the winter can continue to cause rusting in summer, even when there is no water on the roads. Unlike such places as Arizona and Alberta where salt is never or seldom used and the dry air or extreme temperature naturally inhibits corrosion, Ontario’s moderate climate puts it in what is often called the Rust Belt. Rustproofing vehicles began as a major business in the 1960s and 1970s when body panels and floors started rusting through after only a few years, largely due to the increased use of road salt. Since then, manufacturers have learned how to better coat the metal used to make their vehicles, replace steel with materials that don’t rust, and avoid water accumulation by eliminating vulnerable creases and depressions and adding numerous drain holes. As a result, vehicles are now lasting longer, even without additional rustproofing. However, because vehicles are on the road longer, other parts, such as brake and fuel lines, cooling and power steering tubes, and electrical connectors have become more likely to rust and corrode during the life of the vehicle. These parts can cost several hundreds of dollars to replace and many knowledgeable mechanics feel that a careful rustproofing every year or two with a light oil-type treatment can greatly prolong the life of these components and significantly reduce maintenance costs. Such treatments cost about $100 - $140 for a typical car.Rust treatments using thick coatings (once called “undercoating”) are also available and are an additional source of revenue for many vehicle dealers. Such treatments can be expensive and are generally not recommended (except by those who sell it). Not only do thick coatings not protect many of the parts a fine oil-based spray reaches, but if improperly applied may actually promote rust by plugging critical drain holes. Because corrosion is an electrochemical reaction, electricity can, in some cases, be used to stop or slow the reaction. So-called “cathodic” corrosion protection uses a negative electrical charge applied to the protected metal. Cathodic corrosion protection has been around since it was first used for ships in 1824 and continues to be a proven way to protect metal in such applications as pipelines and storage tanks. Auto dealers have recently begun to heavily promote electronic rust inhibiting systems costing several hundreds of dollars. However, just because applying an electrical charge reduces corrosion under certain specific conditions, or in laboratory tests using simple pieces of sheet metal, does not mean it will provide any significant protection for a motor vehicle in everyday use. The difficulty with determining the effectiveness of an expensive cathodic rust inhibiting device, is that a consumer will only know if it doesn’t work years after he or she has paid for it. If ever. Even if electronic rust inhibiting devices could protect all the sheet metal of a vehicle (which Car Help Canada doubts) it has not, to our knowledge, been shown to protect the more vulnerable lines, pipes, and connectors. Car Help Canada recommends that consumers avoid the thick coatings and electronic gadgets and go with the tried and true oil-based method if they want additional corrosion protection for their vehicle.

how to beat the gas prices

How to Beat the Gas Prices
By Shari PrymakNo one likes the sky rocketing gas prices around us, but like it or not, it’'s happening and there isn't much we can do about it. Heck, look at it this way, it may just be the only thing that gets us all off of our oil addiction. Luckily, there are several things you can do, most of them free, that can help you save on fuel and save money. And you can start doing some of them immediately. 1) Change your driving habits. Drive in a fuel conscious manner. Go easy on the gas when accelerating, coast as much as possible, and stop racing to stop signs and red lights. 2) Remove unnecessary weight from your car. Don’'t carry loads of stuff around with you in your car. All it does is add weight, create a load, and suck more fuel. Clear out the trunk and back seats. If it’'s convenient, you can even avoid filling up your gas tank to the brim at the station. Filling only half way will save a few tens of litres of gas in weight! 3) Check your tire pressure. Check the pressure of your car'’s tires with a gauge and make adjustments at a pump if necessary. The proper tire pressure for your car is usually posted on a sticker on the inner door jams. This easy check should be done at least once a month. 4) Keep your car in good tune. Make sure the air filter element is clean to allow proper engine breathing. Don’t miss tune-ups. And periodically add a manufacturer approved fuel system cleaner/additive to the gas tank at fill-up time to help promote optimum fuel economy. 5) Minimize the use of comforts. Your car is loaded with features and comforts which can affect fuel consumption when in use. Some of these include the air conditioner, heater, heated seats, open windows, and open sunroof. Keeping the use of these things to a minimum can help improve fuel consumption.

car safety

Car Safety 101
By Shari PrymakThough many consumers consider safety to be a top consideration factor when purchasing a new vehicle, it is surprising to see how little they truly understand vehicle safety. When asked to imagine the safest car, a typical person will probably picture an enormous thing with four-wheel drive, complete with a million airbags and safety gizmos. Is this a false analogy conjured up by the marketing department of car manufacturers or is there merit to this mentality? Well, let’s first get into the basics of car safety, and then we’ll cover what you should look for in a safe car. The first form of car safety to understand is what is known as passive safety, that is, safety features which work without driver input. These include airbags, vehicle structural integrity and design, and seat belts, all of which help protect vehicle occupants in the case of an accident. Fortunately, nearly every car built today is well covered in this area. Even a lowly Chevrolet now comes with 10 airbags. The second form of car safety is known as active safety, that is, safety features which help prevent an accident in the first place. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and other such variants of these systems. It also includes driver input and a car’s dynamic ability, that is, its cornering, braking, and steering ability which helps aid in collision evasiveness. Generally speaking, the newer and more expensive the car, the more active safety features it will carry.While both active and passive safety features have substantially improved the safety of vehicles over the years, and are indeed important consideration factors, they both come secondary to driver safety, which is by far the most important form of car safety. Driver safety refers to a driver’s skill level, experience, judgment, training, and natural ability to drive. While a full compliment of passive and active safety features is important, a car is only as safe as the person driving it. Indeed, the vast majority of car accidents are caused by driver error, not vehicle design error, which demonstrates that a driver’s knowledge, skill, expertise, and judgment are vital to creating a safe driving environment. It is, therefore, highly advisable that all drivers consider taking lessons in one of the many advanced driving schools available which teach accident avoidance, driving maneuvers, vehicle dynamics, car control, and proper driving position. Keeping active, passive, and driver safety in mind, it is important to buy a vehicle that not only has great safety features, but will also allow for maximum driver safety. A buyer should then look for a car that not only has several air bags, traction/stability control, ABS, and other variants of this nature, but one that also has good cornering, braking, and steering capability to allow for maximum driver control. Driver safety and control will also be increased by considering features that maximize driver involvement and minimize distraction. An excellent way to increase driver involvement is to buy a car with a manual transmission. A manual transmission gives the driver maximum control over the car and creates a more engaging driving experience. Furthermore, it helps force the driver to focus on driving and to ignore distractions like texting, Bluetooth, MP3s or DVD players. As for whether to go with a four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive car to maximize safety, four-wheel drive is great, but in most cases, especially for city driving, unnecessary. The type of tires equipped to the car is far more important than the car’s drivetrain layout. Use high quality summer tires for the warm months and high quality winter tires for the cold months, and you will be fine, regardless of whether you go front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or four wheel drive. In ice cold winter storms, I’ve seen large 4X4 SUVs stuck on the side of the road while I blasted by in my small, rear-wheel drive 2-seater equipped with nothing but four skinny winter tires!Consider the factors of active, passive, and driver safety when shopping for a car. Pick a car with proven safety features and one that will also maximize driver control and involvement. Finally, register for an advanced driving school: it will teach you a lot more than how to parallel park, you will learn a few things that will improve your skills and confidence as a driver. Buying a safe car is only the beginning.

preparing for winter driving

Preparing Your Car For Winter Driving
By Shari PrymakAs summer comes to an end, the winter season is inevitably not far off. Whether you find the winter season to be a blessing or a pain, there is no question that it is the most difficult season to drive in. In addition to being a hassle to drive in, it is also the harshest, most demanding season on a car, which is why it is necessary to prepare your car accordingly. The following is a list of instructions you should take to prepare your car for the winter season.1) Have a set of four high quality winter tires installed. Thanks to their deep tread and soft compound, winter tires are vastly superior to all-season tires for winter driving, and should be installed regardless of whether your car is rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. They should be installed on their own set of steel rims, and checked for proper balance, alignment, and tire pressure. 2) This is a good time to have your car thoroughly checked over as problems tend to become more apparent when winter roles around. Have the belts, hoses, brakes, and suspension all checked for wear and proper function. 3) Make sure all the vital fluids are clean and topped up. The coolant should be checked for strength and quality to ensure the cooling system will function properly. The windshield washer system should be filled with freeze resistant windshield washer fluid and the windshield wiper blades should be inspected and replaced if necessary. 4) The cold temperatures of winter put a lot of strain on your car's battery. No one wants to get stuck in a cold parking lot with a dead battery, which is why you should have the battery checked and load tested for proper functioning. Also, have the charging system, aka the alternator, checked to make sure that it is charging the battery properly. As a general guide, car batteries usually last 4-5 years, so consider having your battery changed if it is older than that. 5) Make sure that all the instruments, lights, electronics, and heater controls are all operating properly. 6) It is a good idea to prepare for winter emergencies and carry a shovel, road salt, a bottle of windshield washer fluid, and perhaps a first aid kit and some water when you know you will be driving in bad weather. Drive safe and make the best of the season!

maintenance schedule

Maintenance Schedule for Long-Term Car Ownership
By Shari PrymakThis article outlines proper car maintenance for long-term ownership of MOST makes and models of cars. Long-term means over 150,000km or significantly past the new car warranty expiration period. By following these guidelines, you can significantly increase the reliability of your car over the long-haul and help prevent costly repairs. The maintenance recommendations here will, more than likely, be more intensive than the recommendations of your car’'s manufacturer. It must be recognized that the benefits of excellent maintenance do not accrue until the car matures. If you plan on keeping your vehicle for a short period of time or within the warranty period, then following the manufacturer’'s maintenance recommendations will be sufficient. Please note that this information does not apply to all makes and models of cars. You should always check your car’'s owner manual or check with the car manufacturer to confirm how your car should be maintained. There is nothing wrong, however, with maintaining your car beyond the manufacturer'’s recommendations. This can, in fact, prove to be beneficial for your car. Always use parts and lubricants that are manufacturer approved. The fact that our opinions with regards to car maintenance may be different from others does not mean that anyone, including us, is necessarily right or wrong. Every “expert” has their own opinion with regards to car maintenance. This information is based on the knowledge and experience of enthusiasts, car owners, and professional automotive technicians, both dealer and independent based. Now that that’'s out of the way, lets get right into it. Break-in Service for New Cars: 2,000km Many car manufacturers have eliminated the break-in service on their new cars for various reasons, some of which include cost savings, lower perceived maintenance costs, and reduced environmental pollution. Good reasoning? Draw your own conclusions. As has always been the case with new cars, the initial break-in period for the engine, and entire driveline in fact, produces a significant amount of oil contaminants and metal deposits which can be harmful over time. This is why an oil and oil filter service is recommended at 2,000km. Oil and Oil Filter Service: variable, every 5,000-10,000km As far as maintenance is concerned, this is probably the most debated area. On the one side, you have car manufacturers which will try to convince you that their modern cars can easily go 10,000, 20,000, even 30,000km in some instances between oil and filter changes. On the other side, you have the old-school mechanics or car owners who swear by the 3 month/ 5,000km oil and filter change interval, no matter what anyone says. Whew! Here is our take. There is truth and logic to both sides, however, neither one is perfectly correct. Modern car engines, as well as modern lubricants, have evolved to the point where extended (beyond 5,000km) oil change intervals are possible. There is a limit however, and in our opinion, no car should go anywhere near 30,000km without a service. The appropriate oil change interval for any car is dependant on a number of factors, chief among them are: 1) What type of car you drive 2) What type of oil your car’'s engine uses 3) How far, how often, and what type of driving you do. For cars which use conventional petroleum-based oil, many manufacturers recommend a change interval of 7,000-8,000km using their recommended oil and oil filters. I have no problem with this GRANTED you drive your car on a regular basis for a distance of at least 20-30km, some of which is at highway speeds. This type of driving allows the engine to warm up to operating temperature, burn off condensation, reduce sludge build-up, and prevent problems associated with all three. Now, given the same car and oil type, if you don’'t drive your car regularly, don’'t drive it more than 20km per day, and don'’t drive it on the highway, then I would recommend a more frequent interval of 5,000-6,000km. These types of driving situations are what most professionals would consider to be “severe” and are generally more harmful to the long-term health of an engine; again, for sludge, condensation, and inadequate warm-up reasons. A more frequent drain interval can help prevent these issues.To sum up to this point, many cars which use conventional petroleum-based oil will do fine on a 7,000-8,000km interval for normal driving conditions, and 5,000-6,000km for severe driving conditions.For cars which use synthetic oil, manufacturers typically recommend a change interval which is generally longer than that of conventional oil, sometimes upwards of 30,000km! While many synthetic oils do indeed have many advances and benefits which can allow an extended change interval, I would never leave any oil in any car for 30,000km. For cars which use synthetic oil, a change interval of 8,000-10,000km is usually fine for most cars in normal driving conditions, and 7,000-8,000km for the same severe driving conditions mentioned before. Manufacturer approved synthetic oil and oil filters are highly recommended. For cars which don'’t reach the kind of mileage mentioned, then it is recommended that an oil and filter change be performed once a year. Remember, oil and filter changes are one of the more variable and debatable areas of car maintenance. This information is simply based on what works for many professionals and car owners. The only true way to determine the right oil change interval for any given car is regular oil analysis. That is, taking oil samples from a car at service time and sending them to a chemical lab for analysis to determine quality, wear properties, recommendations, etc. Cooling System Flush: every 3 yearsThe cooling system should be checked for leaks and proper function at service time, and should have a complete coolant flush every 3 years. Coolant becomes contaminated and can cause corrosion/oxidation over time. A complete flush (both radiator and engine block when possible) will help prolong the life of the cooling system components and help prevent engine leaks. I recommend that you use coolant which is manufacturer approved. Some cars have very sensitive systems and the risks (and costs) are too great, in my opinion, to risk using department store brand coolant for a cooling system flush. Brake Fluid Flush: every 2 yearsThe complete braking system should be checked for wear and proper function at service time. Brake fluid should be flushed every 2 years to ensure proper braking function and help prevent failure of brake components like brake calipers.Power Steering System Flush: every 50,000km If your car has hydraulically assisted power steering, have the fluid changed every 50,000km. This service can help extend the life of steering components like the rack and pump. If your car has electrically assisted power steering, there is no fluid to service. Manual Transmission Fluid Change: every 50,000km Only use manufacturer recommended fluid or, if suitable, an extreme high quality alternative. Transmissions are too expensive to get wrong, so do it right, get it done by a professional, and change the fluid every 50,000km, if not sooner. A properly maintained manual transmission should shift and function properly for a very long time, even for the life of the car in many cases. Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Change: variable, every 50,000-100,000kmModern automatics can be a real tough cookie. Some are so complicated (ahem, technologically advanced) and so ridiculously expensive that servicing them has become tricky business. Even a lowly Chevrolet Cruze has a 6-speed auto, and 7, 8, or even 9-speed automatics are not far off. It is not uncommon to hear of a car with a properly shifting transmission that went in for a transmission fluid flush and came out with a slipping, essentially broken, transmission! The risks and potential costs of servicing automatic transmissions has gotten to the point where, in my opinion, it should only be done by dealers or independents who specialize in the particular vehicle. And of course, only manufacturer approved fluid and filters should be used. As complicated as it can be, it should still be done to help prolong the life of the transmission, which can cost upwards of $7,000-$8,000 to replace. Many manufacturers use synthetic fluids in their transmissions and have change intervals around 100,000 - 160,000km. Some don'’t even recommend transmission fluid and filter service and call their fluids and filters “lifetime” components, but that’'s a whole new can of worms. In our opinion, an automatic transmission fluid and filter change should be performed every 80,000 -100,000km, at the most, under normal driving conditions. 50,000-70,000km is a good interval for severe driving conditions. If your car manufacturer recommends it be done more frequently, go for it. Note that this is a mileage-based change interval, not time-based. Your transmission fluid can be in service for 10, even 20, years if the car is hardly ever driven. Single/Double Clutch Automated Manual Transmission Fluid Change: every 50,000kmThis is a fairly new type of transmission for most manufacturers and no one is quite certain about how they will do in the long term. They are, however, essentially just a manual transmission with one or two computer controlled clutches, which means they should be serviced like a manual transmission. We recommend a fluid change every 50,000km. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Fluid Change: variableCVT’s are another animal altogether. They are unlike any other type of transmission and we really don'’t have much experience with them. Change the fluid according to the manufacturers recommended interval, which should fall somewhere around the 100,000km range. Differential Fluid Service: every 50,000kmDifferential fluid should be changed at the same time as transmission fluid, or about every 50,000km. All -Wheel Drive Transfer Case Fluid Service: every 50,000kmChange the transfer case fluid when you change the differential fluid, about every 50,000km. Changing these fluids should help prolong the life of these expensive driveline components. Note: only all-wheel drive cars have a transfer case. Tune-ups!Back in the old days when cars were computer free, most engines used things like carburetors, distributers, rotors, and points-ignition. These systems required occasional adjustments, or “tune-ups,” in order to keep the cars running smoothly. Today’s cars, with coil-on-plug ignition, direct fuel injection, and computer management systems, are relatively maintenance free when compared with the old ones. Modern engines still require replacement of things like spark plugs and filters, however, and that is what we basically refer to as a tune-up today. Air Filter Replacement: every 20,000-30,000kmAir Filters (both engine intake and cabin) need to be changed approximately every 20,000-30,000km to help promote optimum car performance and fuel economy. This is a relatively inexpensive and easy service item on most cars so do it whenever necessary. We prefer the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filters, which are typically paper elements. If you prefer to use an aftermarket reusable cotton gauze air filter like the K&N, make sure you clean and re-oil it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or better yet, just replace it. Research the pros and cons of such filters before getting into them. Yes, there are cons. Fuel Filter Replacement: variable, every 50,000-100,000kmIf your car has a replaceable fuel filter, change it approximately every 50,000 to 100,000km. I know that is a big gap, but all I can say is that this service item varies from car to car. Do not underestimate the significance of this service. You would be surprised by how many drivability problems and engine problems are simply caused by clogged fuel filters. Spark Plug Replacement: variable, every 50,000-100,000kmSpark plugs should be changed every 50,000 to 100,000km. This is also highly variable, but generally speaking, turbocharged cars require this service closer to 50,000km and naturally-aspirated cars require it closer to 100,000km. This service can help prevent drivability problems and help ensure your car runs properly. We recommend that you use OEM spark plugs. Belts and Hoses: variable, every 4-5 years or 80,000-100,000kmAccessory drive belts and timing belts (if equipped), as well as rubber hoses should be checked at service time for wear or cracking, and should be replaced as needed. If your car has a timing belt, change it every 4-5 years or every 80,000 to 100,000km, whichever comes first. Do not ignore this service. A broken timing belt can easily destroy an engine, and yes, they do break. Accessory drive belts should be changed around the same time, every 5 years or 100,000km. Fuel System Additive/Cleaner: every 5000-10,000km The continually increasing sensitivity of modern engine and fuel system components, combined with the poor quality gasoline (low detergency and high ethanol content) we receive here in North America, has made this form of maintenance somewhat necessary. Fuel system cleaners, when added to the fuel tank at fill-up time every 5-10k, can help improve engine performance and fuel economy, as well as help prevent problems associated with these systems. We recommend that you only use a manufacturer approved high quality additive and not the department store brands. Always hold on to your service records! They give you, your technician, and the subsequent owner of your car a source of reference, and piece of mind that the car has been maintained properly.

how to write a car ad

How to Write a Proper Car Advertisement
By Shari PrymakSelling your car privately is a great way to pocket extra cash that would otherwise be lost if you traded your car in at the dealership. In addition, not only do private sales benefit the seller, but they also benefit the buyer, who gains the opportunity to learn otherwise unattainable information about the car through the previous owner. The buyer can also save money by not having to pay dealership mark-ups and retail prices. Why pay a middle man, right?Having read countless advertisements, however, through various sources like Autotrader, Craigslist, etc., it amazes me how so many people have no idea of how to properly write an informative car advert. It is not uncommon to stumble upon an ad which fails to list something extremely important like mileage or even price, but still mention that the car has AM/FM radio, even though every car built in the last 30 years has AM/FM radio. Why!The following is a list of information, in order of priority and importance, which every car advertisement should include. 1) Post a decent picture of your car. A picture can say a thousand words and, in this case, can give potential buyers a general idea of the condition and configuration of your car. It is an invaluable source of information, so much so, that an ad without a picture will immediately cause many potential buyers to look elsewhere. Make sure that your car looks clean and presentable in the picture. A picture of a dirty car gives the impression of an owner who simply doesn'’t care. 2) Provide the year/make/model, mileage, transmission type, and a PRICE. This all sounds like basic information, but you would be amazed by how many ads fail to include at least one of these. At the very least, include all of this information in your ad, especially your asking price. 3) Describe the condition and maintenance/service history. Give a description of what kind of shape your car is in, both cosmetically and mechanically. Describe what kind of maintenance and service your car has received, such as how often it has received fluid changes and tune up’'s, and whether any major services have been performed. If you saved any service records or documented the service history, mention it, because this will alleviate a lot of guess work and expense for the next owner. Highlighting the good aspects of your car while touching on the bad will make you appear honest to shoppers, increasing your approachability. 4) Briefly list appealing and interesting options/features. If you know them, list the optional features that your car is equipped with. If you don'’t know them, then list features which you think may appeal to potential buyers. Don'’t waste time and ad space by listing the standard features like a CD player or power windows. Why would a potential buyer care that your car has power windows when practically every modern car has them? 5) Be honest, courteous, and polite. You have gone through the trouble of writing an informative ad and posting it on an advertising outlet, so what ever you do, don'’t ruin your efforts by including the supremely condescending words “"serious buyers only,"” or any variation thereof, in your ad. Not only are these words insulting to potential buyers, but they make you, the seller, look like a difficult person to deal with. Only one person is going to buy your car, and until that person tenders the cash, you must be willing to respond back to anyone who inquires about your ad in a courteous manner. If you can'’t do that, trade your car in at the dealer like everyone else. Try to put yourself in the shoes of a shopper and provide information that they would want to know. An uninformative ad, or an impolite one, will simply be ignored because it doesn'’t merit consideration, especially when there are likely hundreds of other ads out there for similar cars. Trust me, given the sheer number of crappy ads out there, a well written, smart, informative ad is practically guaranteed to demand attention and will get almost any car sold in no time.

The Lowdown on TIres

What You Need to Know About Tires
By Shari PrymakModern day cars are equipped with incredible technology like active torque vectoring all-wheel drive systems, electronic brake force distribution with regenerative braking, electronic stability control, the list goes on and on. And you know what? None of it is really worth a hoot if the car is not equipped with the right tires. They are honestly that important, which is why it is beneficial to know a few things about them. Tires come in a huge variety of sizes, dimensions, and types, all designed for different applications and a range of conditions. When it comes down to it though, there are basically three types of tires: all-season, winter, and summer/performance. The majority of cars sold today are equipped with ordinary all-season tires. This is mainly because car manufacturers see them as the best well-rounded type of tire; they are an all in one compromise solution. Although they work well enough for most people in a wide range of driving conditions, the simple fact is that like most compromised solutions, all-season tires simply dont do any one particular thing that well. They are far from the best performing type of tire in warm weather, and they positively suck in the winter in anything more than 1-2 centimetres of snow. So what is the best type of tire for the warmer months of the year? Well, that depends on the type of car. A performance oriented car would benefit from having a proper set of high performance summer tires. These are made of hard compounds with shallow tread designs which are designed to handle high cornering speeds and provide high levels of driver feedback. Quite simply, if you have a sporty, performance oriented car, get a set of high performance summer tires. They typically dont last as long as other types of tires, but they will make your car perform the way it was meant to. For those with more sedate ordinary cars with more relaxation/comfort based driving styles, a set of grand touring all-season tires with low rolling resistance will do nicely. These types of tires are designed for comfort, low noise, long service life, and the low-rolling resistance adds to the fuel economy of the car. When the cold winter months roll around, there are no ifs, ands, or buts, we Canadians must all use a set of four dedicated winter tires on our cars. It doesnt matter whether your car is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, winter tires are a must. The soft compounds, combined with deep intricate tread designs, help to deliver levels of cold-weather traction and performance unachievable by any other type of tire. We are not just talking about getting stuck in the snow prevention here, winter tires vastly improve cold-weather braking performance, cornering performance, acceleration, overall car control, and accident avoidance. For optimum practicality and performance, winter tires should be purchased in the thinnest suitable size for your car and with their own set of rims. Thinner tires work better in the winter, and matching them with their own rims makes them easier and cheaper to change between seasons. Ideally, winter tires should be installed on steel rims, not alloys, for as few reasons: 1) Steel rims are heavier than alloy rims which aids in traction. 2) Unlike alloys, if they get bent they can be unbent with a big hammer. 3) They are cheap, durable, and ugly, which makes them perfect for winter; do you really want to ruin your nice alloy rims by constantly getting road salt and grime all over them? Buying a set of winter tires and rims may seem like a steep outlay of cash at first, but the benefits are undeniable, and the money will eventually be redeemed because you will save on using your other set of tires for 4-5 months of the year. A new type of tire, called the runflat tire, has emerged on the market, and it is even being used as factory equipment on certain new cars. Unlike ordinary tires, runflat tires have super stiff side walls which can support the weight of the car if the tires should happen to puncture and deflate. As a result, you can continue to drive on punctured runflat tires for around a hundred kilometers or so without needing to change them, eliminating the need for a spare. The downsides to these types of tires which have been publicized so far are higher purchase and installation costs, shorter tire life, heavier weight, and a generally stiffer ride when compared to ordinary tires. Using the appropriate types of tires for your car will vastly improve your cars performance and safety. Remember, it doesnt matter what kinds of high tech gizmotronics your car is equipped with, the bottom line is that tires are the only buffer between the road and your car, and if they cant do the job they are meant to, both performance and safety will be compromised. Tires do their part, so do yours and shop wisely.

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Just a note to thank your organization for all the help in buying a car. I called many times for advice and searching a vehicles over the past year and really appreciated it. I have recommended your organization to two others in the Peterborough area and both are very pleased with your service. Keep up the great work - and thanks for your patience. Your happy customer. Grant Valentine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Im just sending you a quick note to thank you for your help. I picked up my 2006 Infiniti G35X this afternoon. Don _ Woodchester Infiniti is a great guy and I managed to save almost $2800 off the MSRP. The price I got from John and Boris at Auto Showplace for my trade in was also good in my opinion. Thanks again. I will definitely mention your organization to my friends. Its worth the $50 !!! Stan Lam -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU VERY MUCH! When I encountered resistance to a warranty related problem on my 2003 Jeep Liberty with 58,000 kms that Chrysler refused to repair under warranty, you came to the rescue! You suggested that I get a second opinion and introduced me to Mike at Precise Transmission who was professional and courteous to me at all times! He fixed my transmission for under $400.00 - can you believe that? At the Chrysler dealership they lead me to believe that I would need a new transmission and that the cost would be my responsibility. Thanks to your proactive approach, I will now pursue Chrysler to honour this repair. Nicole Andrews -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just wanted to thank Both Mohamed and Phil for all of your help. My wife and I decided to purchase a new CR-V. We dealt with the Brantford Honda dealership and they matched the price Mohamed gave to me over the phone. We are very happy with the service they provided to us. We picked up our new vehicle on Monday. I really appreciate the helpful advice we received. I know I was a royal pain in the _#$ but this was my first new vehicle purchase and I did not want to make any mistakes. Thanks again and keep up the great work. Pail Oddi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I spent weeks looking for a great deal on a late model 2004 Honda Accord and I couldnt seem to find a dealer anywhere willing to negotiate to allow me to get a best value deal on this very high demand vehicle. In frustration, I registered as a member of Car Help Canada for some help. The very same day I signed up, you had Sean Roberts at Ready Honda in Mississauga give me a call and I was offered a deal that saved me over $2000 compared to what I was able to negotiate on my own. As a member of Car Help Canada I was treated like a very important customer and I received excellent service. The car is in mint condition with very low mileage and I am absolutely thrilled with the results. The Car Help Canada membership was the best $50 that I ever spent. Thank you Mohamed for all your help! Sincerely, Richard Hastings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you very much for your help in finding us our new (used) car. You sent us to Number 7 Honda, in Woodbridge Ontario and we met with Chuck. He had a 2007 silver Fit Sports Model on the lot but we were not impressed with that car. He then took us into his office and made many phone calls to other dealerships to find us a 2009, 2008 or 2007 Honda Fit. He found a few but they were not automatic or were the sport model. We told Chuck that we had just driven from Burlington to Woodbridge and that there was a Honda Fit Model LX in Burlington but at a much higher price than his price. He called Burlington Honda and talked to the Sales Manager Brad, and told him that we were looking for a Honda Fit and that he understood that Burlington Honda had one but the price was too high. The Burlington Sales Manager told him to send us back to Burlington Honda and he would see what he could do for us. We eventually bought this 2007 Honda Fit from Burlington Honda and we wish to thank you again because your contact in Woodbridge was very helpful in finding us this wonderful little car. Sincerely Jack and June Pinkney p.s. I have already told many people to watch your Auto Shop show on Sunday nights on CP24 or they could email or call you for your services.

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