We spend a lot of time in our vehicles – whether we’re commuting to work or school, travelling, or driving for pleasure, it’s important to know that you’ve got the right wheels for your use and weather conditions.  It’s best for them to be professionally installed; torque and wheel wear are all things to be considered when having tires put on, and your dealer has the knowledge required to get it right.  You’ll also want to consider wheel size, width, tread pattern, quality and name brand when trying to decide what tire to go with.

Remember that no tire is good for the entire season; shifting temperatures and road conditions call for different treads and composites, and a tire worn year round will wear down fast.  In order to get optimum performance out of your vehicle, and to maximize the safety of you and your passengers, no matter what vehicle you drive, you’ll want season specific tires.

Summer Tires

As their name implies, these are the tires you should have installed for the fair weather seasons; they’re designed to withstand hot temperatures (and, in turn, hot paved roads) and wet conditions due to showers.   Tread patterns on your summer tires are designed for water evacuation and to resist hydroplaning, so you have better control on wet roads.

Winter Tires

Most people will think it’s the treads that are the main difference between summer and winter tires, and the treads do definitely differ, but it’s the type of rubber used in winter tires that provides the biggest performance difference.  Winter tires are designed to withstand freezing temperatures, and the rubber compound needs to stay soft when temperatures drop.  The treads need to both grip the road (or bits in snow and ice) and are built with grooves to siphon away water and keep more tire in contact with the road.

All Season Tires

Some will say that all season tires just won’t make the cut, but all season tires can be a good choice for some people.  Their tread is deeper than that of a summer tire, and they have a good balance of features designed to hold up during cold or hot months.  Think of the all season as a jack of all trades, master of none.  They will do a good job, but aren’t designed to excel at any particular road condition the way that your winter or summer specific tires will.  Overall, their durability can be long lived, and they’re good for a wide variety of vehicles and for the average driver.

Studded Tires

Studded tires come equipped with small metal studs embedded in the tread to help your tire grip onto snow and ice on the road.  The drawback is that they’re good for just these very limited conditions, but could damage roads (or your driveway) that aren’t covered during harsh winter months.

As of January 1st, 2016, all private insurance companies in Ontario were obligated to offer a discount to drivers that invest in a good set of winter tires (all 4 wheels must have them) for their vehicles.   If you’ve invested in a set, check with your insurance company to ensure you’re getting the discounts you’re entitled to.

These aren’t the only things to think about when determining the best tires for your vehicle.  Think first about the type of vehicle you own, as tires are built specifically with yours in mind.  A truck, for example, requires a whole different set of parameters than a small sports car or family wagon.  The way you drive is also impacted by the type of vehicle you own.  The tires on a minivan hustling the kids back and forth to school and soccer practise won’t have the same wear as the sports car driven by a single trying to impress his or her friends by dropping the needle.  Tires will likely last longer on a vehicle driven by a fixed income and financially savvy retiree than by a new driver in their first ever vehicle putting that little car through its paces.

Touring tires are great for comfort and are practical when it comes to an overall balance and dependability, while high-performance tires are better suited for a sports car or for those looking for better handling at higher speeds, especially when cornering.  You might be looking for a light truck tire that helps to keep you out of sticky situations when off-roading, while if you drive an SUV an on-road tire with a high comfort level might be in your best interests.

The tread, width, tire quality as a whole, and rubber composition, of course, will all have an impact on how well your tire performs, and our professional team can help you to determine which will perform best for you and your family.

Article Source:

By Justice https://416wheelsandtires.com/different-types-wheels-right/

HOW DOES A CAR CLUTCH WORK?

A Manual Transmission is just that. Rather than an automatic transmission changing gears through fluid pressure, solenoids and computer control, a manual transmission relies on the driver dis-engaging the transmission from the engine to change gears and then matting them back up for power. This is achieved by relieving the pressure on the pressure plate allowing the clutch Disc to separate from the flywheel. This separation allows for internal pressure relief on the transmission gears so that the driver may change gears manually before re-engaging the clutch Disc to the Flywheel to allow torque from the engine to once again drive the manual transmission. The separation and re-engagement is achieved through depressing & releasing the clutch pedal which mechanically drives the clutch master cylinder. The clutch master cylinder provides hydraulics pressure to a slave cylinder at the transmission to mechanically provide the force to relieve and re-engage the clutch plate spring pressure.

Do Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder need maintenance?

Clutch master and slave cylinders do required some maintenance but few and far between. Clutch fluid must be changed to prevent moisture build up and replace worn fluid from radiant heat of the engine over the years. This is to help prevent deterioration of the rubber seals in the cylinders themselves, so that water and oil don’t mix which can cause the hydraulic pressure to be off and is crucial in helping prevent rust from moisture. We have lots of experience repairing clutch systems and we are the only shop I know of that has their own flywheel machine to expedite Clutch Jobs in North Vancouver.

How do I know if my Clutch is worn?

Most people will experience a slow acceleration where the RPM is high and slowly comes down as the vehicle starts to move forward from a stop. This can be experienced even more so when trying to start off from a stop on an incline. Typically, what has happened is that the clutch disc material has worn down to the rivet heads and now the rivet heads are what has the most pressure against the flywheel. With minimal surface area contact between rivets and flywheel, the clutch cannot properly transfer the torque from the engine through to the manual transmission for power.

How to fix my Clutch?

In general, when a clutch is worn out a new clutch kit is required. This typically includes; A pressure plate, a friction disc, a release bearing and a pilot bearing. Flywheels are usually re-useable however, flywheels do need to be machined as the old friction disc will have left its’ mark to some degree. Flywheels can be flat or have a step up or down depending on the specific vehicles’ design. When machining, specifications are down the 0.001 of an inch and will play a large role in the longevity of your new clutch kit. The Transmission needs to be separated from the engine and this can be relatively straight forward with the correct tools and resources yet, this can be sometimes quite daunting depending on the layout of your vehicle; 4×4, AWD or FWD.
If you’re looking to get your clutch checked or replaced, bring your vehicle to us at DeRosa Automotive and you will be in great hands here on the North Shore!

Article Source:

By by Ryan Elm  – https://www.derosaauto.ca/car-clutches-work/

We spend a lot of time in our vehicles – whether we’re commuting to work or school, travelling, or driving for pleasure, it’s important to know that you’ve got the right wheels for your use and weather conditions.  It’s best for them to be professionally installed; torque and wheel wear are all things to be considered when having tires put on, and your dealer has the knowledge required to get it right.  You’ll also want to consider wheel size, width, tread pattern, quality and name brand when trying to decide what tire to go with.

Remember that no tire is good for the entire season; shifting temperatures and road conditions call for different treads and composites, and a tire worn year round will wear down fast.  In order to get optimum performance out of your vehicle, and to maximize the safety of you and your passengers, no matter what vehicle you drive, you’ll want season specific tires.

Summer Tires

As their name implies, these are the tires you should have installed for the fair weather seasons; they’re designed to withstand hot temperatures (and, in turn, hot paved roads) and wet conditions due to showers.   Tread patterns on your summer tires are designed for water evacuation and to resist hydroplaning, so you have better control on wet roads.

Winter Tires

Most people will think it’s the treads that are the main difference between summer and winter tires, and the treads do definitely differ, but it’s the type of rubber used in winter tires that provides the biggest performance difference.  Winter tires are designed to withstand freezing temperatures, and the rubber compound needs to stay soft when temperatures drop.  The treads need to both grip the road (or bits in snow and ice) and are built with grooves to siphon away water and keep more tire in contact with the road.

All Season Tires

Some will say that all season tires just won’t make the cut, but all season tires can be a good choice for some people.  Their tread is deeper than that of a summer tire, and they have a good balance of features designed to hold up during cold or hot months.  Think of the all season as a jack of all trades, master of none.  They will do a good job, but aren’t designed to excel at any particular road condition the way that your winter or summer specific tires will.  Overall, their durability can be long lived, and they’re good for a wide variety of vehicles and for the average driver.

Studded Tires

Studded tires come equipped with small metal studs embedded in the tread to help your tire grip onto snow and ice on the road.  The drawback is that they’re good for just these very limited conditions, but could damage roads (or your driveway) that aren’t covered during harsh winter months.

As of January 1st, 2016, all private insurance companies in Ontario were obligated to offer a discount to drivers that invest in a good set of winter tires (all 4 wheels must have them) for their vehicles.   If you’ve invested in a set, check with your insurance company to ensure you’re getting the discounts you’re entitled to.

These aren’t the only things to think about when determining the best tires for your vehicle.  Think first about the type of vehicle you own, as tires are built specifically with yours in mind.  A truck, for example, requires a whole different set of parameters than a small sports car or family wagon.  The way you drive is also impacted by the type of vehicle you own.  The tires on a minivan hustling the kids back and forth to school and soccer practise won’t have the same wear as the sports car driven by a single trying to impress his or her friends by dropping the needle.  Tires will likely last longer on a vehicle driven by a fixed income and financially savvy retiree than by a new driver in their first ever vehicle putting that little car through its paces.

Touring tires are great for comfort and are practical when it comes to an overall balance and dependability, while high performance tires are better suited for a sports car or for those looking for better handling at higher speeds, especially when cornering.  You might be looking for a light truck tire that helps to keep you out of sticky situations when off roading, while if you drive an SUV an on-road tire with a high comfort level might be in your best interests.

The tread, width, tire quality as a whole, and rubber composition of course will all have an impact on how well your tire performs, and our professional team can help you to determine which will perform best for you and your family.

Article Source:
https://416wheelsandtires.com/different-types-wheels-right/

Do you know what signs indicate that your brakes need to be changed? Regular all over vehicle maintenance will eliminate costly repairs and grief down the line. Your brakes should be an integral part of that maintenance. Many vehicles now have alerts built into the electrical system to signal when something goes wrong or requires your attention. With or without an electrical warning system, it’s handy to be able to recognize the signs of trouble so that you know when you should get the car into the shop. If you’re on top of having regular maintenance done, you’re less likely to be caught with a big surprise repair bill, not to mention the hassle of getting to work without your own wheels while it’s down. As the authority in North Vancouver for brake repair, here are some signs that suggest you need to make that call to your mechanic.

Have a look– The first way to check for brake wear is to simply look at them. You should be able to see your brake pads if you look between the spokes on your wheel. Typically, 4mm of brake pad is recommended, so if you think they’re thinner than that, it’s time to get them checked and possibly replaced. This is the easiest way to keep on top of your brake pad condition and requires no tools or training to carry out. If your car wasn’t made to accommodate a peek through the spokes, you can remove the tire to get a look at the pads.

High pitched squeal– If you’ve heard a high pitched squealing sound from underneath the vehicle, it could just be a little rust burning off the rotors, but if it’s consistent, this is another sign that your brake pads are worn and should be professionally inspected. Make sure to keep those tunes at a volume that won’t drown out important signals from your vehicle’s undercarriage! Unfortunately, if you’ve ignored the warning signs and hear a growling or grinding sound, you may have worn the brake pads beyond replacement and may even possibly need to have your rotors turned (which is a process that evens out the surface of the rotors again) or replaced. To avoid a heftier repair bill, don’t ignore those first screeching sounds! It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Pulling or Jerking to one side– If you feel a “pulling” or jerking motion towards one side or the other while you’re driving, it could be a sign that your brakes are in need of a check. It’s possible that your brake linings aren’t wearing evenly from a Brake Pad sticking, a Brake Caliper dragging or even brake hose collapsed. A pulling motion is a good indicator of one of these conditions.

Leaks– Wetness on the inside of a wheel or a puddle under the vehicle could signify that your brake fluid is leaking and that the hose will need repair. One way to help determine if this is the case is to lay a sheet of cardboard under the car overnight and check it in the morning. If you see a puddle of nearly clear fluid (it should have the consistency of cooking oil) then brake fluid is a likely candidate. Check your brake fluid level in your engine bay, it is time for a service or repair if the brake fluid level is close to or below the min level line.

A Soft Brake Pedal– You could also have a leak in the system or a failing brake master cylinder if your pedal sinks to the floor or you’re finding the brakes just aren’t as responsive as they used to be.

High sensitivity-  You might be having the opposite issue with overly sensitive brakes, bringing your vehicle to a decidedly rough stop with only a gentle touch. This could be a brake booster issue, a portioning valve, the brake master yet again or a brake rotor fault.

Pulsation or vibration– If you feel a pulsing or vibrating when braking under normal conditions, you may have a problem with warped rotors. When their uneven surface hugs against the brake pad, it results in a vibrating or pulse since it’s not creating a consistent squeeze.

If you’re looking to get your brakes checked or replaced, leave your vehicle in our capable hands. For a limited time, one of our mechanics will replace your oil and filter and do a courtesy inspection with every brake replacement. See our promotions page to learn more about this awesome awesome deals! Don’t let your vehicle maintenance get away on you, leading to costly repairs and time away from the important things in your day to day. Let us do the heavy work and get you back on the road quickly, safe and sound!

Article Source:
Ryan Derosa, Derosa Automotive (2016, January 10) Retrieved from https://www.derosaauto.ca/when-should-you-replace-your-brakes/