Kelowna Auto Repair

Quality surveys report fewer problems with new Kelowna cars than ever before. So does that mean that modern vehicles have become maintenance free in BC?Back when cars spent more time in repair shops, Kelowna drivers were more mindful of routine auto service. Now, it’s much easier to put it off.Take tune-ups for example. In the days of mechanical ignition systems, an engine needed to be tuned-up every couple of years. If your vehicle engine was out of tune, you knew it. It ran poorly and got bad fuel economy.Now, the ignition system is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as a 160,000 kilometers. So tune-ups used to force you in to your auto repair shop for service and while you were there you just took care of whatever else was on the list.So, what’s the benefit to Kelowna drivers of keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your vehicle will perform better and ret ... read more

Not just messy, this can be downright unsafe for our techs! Let’s face it, vehicles are complex machines, and hats off to the technicians who can diagnose and repair them when things go wrong.  Here are four tips to follow when you take your vehicle in, according to service advisors and technicians. Describe the problem thoroughly and accurately.  When you tell friends how your day at work was, you probably go into a fair amount of detail: the boss yelled at you because you were late, the computer froze up and lost five reports you were working on, and you over-microwaved your lunch.  Details, details, details.  The same works when you’re telling your Service Advisor the issues you are having with your vehicle.  Give as many facts as you can.  Did you smell something burning?  Did your vehicle make a noise?  Where was the noise coming from and sounds does it make?  Your powers of observation can be very helpful.  Consider ... read more

Brrrr.  It’s cold outside (especially in the mornings!!) and only going to get colder.  And if your vehicle’s heater isn’t working, then it’s cold inside too.  No fun – and potentially dangerous: heat is needed to defrost your windshield.  Unlike your house that has one furnace, a vehicle’s heating system has several different components, so it takes a trained technician to figure out where the problem is. Freezing cold – inside and out! Here’s how the heater works in most vehicles.  Coolant circulates through the engine (it’s helping the engine disperse the heat it generates).  Some of that heated liquid passes through a smaller radiator called the heater core, which is under your dashboard.  A fan blows air through that heater core, and heated air is distributed into your vehicle’s passenger cabin.  As you can see, there are several different possibilities when your vehicle’s he ... read more

Of all the warning lights on your vehicle’s instrument panel, there’s one that demands your attention.  And that’s the brake warning light.Common sense will tell you that if you can’t stop, you are endangering yourself and others.  Brake warning lights are there to warn you that something is wrong with this vital safety system.There are several reasons a brake light will come on, but if yours does, get it to our Service Center and have it checked out right away.Here are some possibilities of what’s going on when you see that brake warning light.Low brake fluid—A sensor has detected that the brake fluid level is low.  The technician can determine if you need more fluid.  The technician can also determine if there’s a leak in your brake system.  Low brake fluid could also be a sign of worn brakes pads.  An inspection can reveal brake problems.  Just topping off the brake fluid can leave critical problems unaddre ... read more

DRIVING ON WET LEAVESWe all know driving on slippery ice can be dangerous.  What you might not know is that wet leaves can be just as slick. If you live in an area that has trees that drop their leaves, or if you’re traveling in an area where the fall foliage is worth a look, here are a few things that could help you avoid an accident.Leaves are similar to ice when they get wet in that they create a barrier between the road and your tires.  With ice, it’s a layer of water.  With leaves, it’s the slippery surface they have on both sides added to a layer of water. Some tests have shown that stopping distances more than double when you’re traveling on a road with wet leaves compared to that same street that’s dry and clear of debris.  If you find yourself skidding on wet leaves, use the same driving techniques as you would on ice.  Speed is your biggest enemy when you encounter any slippery surface, so just slow down when you are ... read more