Calgary Auto Repair, Vehicle Restoration, & Customization

Car Noises That Signal You Need Service (and What They Mean)1. Squealing or Screeching When BrakingLikely cause: Worn brake pads (most common) Glazed rotors Sticking brake caliper Service needed: Brake inspection Replace brake pads Machine or replace rotors Service/caliper lubrication 2. Grinding While BrakingLikely cause: Brake pads fully worn down Metal-on-metal contact Service needed: Immediate brake pad + rotor replacement Possible caliper replacement if damaged 3. Humming or Growling From the Wheels (Changes With Speed)Likely cause: Worn wheel bearing Cupped tires Failing CV joint Service needed: Wheel bearing replacement Tire rotation or replacement Suspension/CV joint inspection 4. Clicking When TurningLikely cause: Failed CV axle/CV joint Ser ... read more

5 Things That Will Save You From a Vehicle Emergency Driving is a necessity for a lot of people in the world today. Whether it be going to work, school or anywhere in between, you can see plenty of vehicles on the roads getting to where they need to be. As more people drive to their destination, the more dangerous it can be on the roadways. Here are 5 quick tips that can keep you and your family safe on the roads, no matter where you go! Checking Your Blind Spots Checking your blind spot may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many accidents a year are related to drivers not checking their blind spot! The first thing every driver must do is adjust their mirrors. When positioned correctly, side mirrors help eliminate the blind spot in your vehicle. Though most modern vehicles have blind spot monitors, it is always safer to check your blind spot yourself. Don’t Brake During a Blow Out If you experience one of your tires blowing out while y ... read more

Extreme Cold & Your Vehicle—Are you Prepared? If you live in a place like where we live here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, you realize that it can get really cold out here sometimes. We are talking temperatures that can drop to -25 °C (-13°F) or even colder when you add wind-chill. Nobody likes that, and even worse, it takes a toll on your vehicles. So the questions is, what is the best way to prepare your vehicle and what is the recommendation for warming up your vehicle before you drive? How Long Should I Warm a Vehicle Before Driving? You won't like this answer, but it is actually best to minimize the amount of time you need to warm up your vehicle. Environmental benefits aside for a second, it is actually harder on your vehicle to start it and let it warm up for a long time before driving than it is to start it for just as long as it takes to clear the vehicle windows so you can see. Please note that this advice applies to anyone dr ... read more

7 Driving Techniques You Should Learn from a Race Car Driver & WhyOriginal Post by Auto Loan SolutionsDriving your conventional 4-door sedan may not seem to have anything in common with the experience of driving a $10 – $15 million Formula 1 (F1) car. The former is for average folk, while the latter is for the exceptionally gifted drivers out there, and it’s fair to assume all racing skills are only useful for race tracks. But they’re not worlds apart. In fact, there are a number of driving techniques you can learn from a race car driver, that will help make your daily drive to work or those ... read more

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Classic Car Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Mark Purtell that was originally posted on artofmanliness.com.  Many men have the classic car bug hit them at some point in life. Maybe they want that car they dreamed about in high school (or actually drove, and still miss). For others, it’s the idea of taking a rundown classic and restoring it to mint condition. Some guys just like buying investment-grade cars with hopes of profiting off them in the future. No matter what your reasoning for wanting a vintage automobile, before you buy one on a whim, let’s dig into the reasons you might buy a vintage car, along with developing a plan for getting the best car for your budget and lifestyle. Why Are You Buying a Vintage Auto? As noted above, people buy vintage vehicles for all kinds of reasons, and being ... read more