Posted on 2/6/2015
De-winterizing your VW in preparation for summer is just as important as winterizing it to get ready for cold weather. The hot months present specific challenges for a vehicle, so you’ll need to stay a step ahead of the season and bring your Volkswagen in for a maintenance visit. Bringing your car in to a skilled mechanic in Abbotsford is both advisable and convenient. Once you know your vehicle is sufficiently prepared for the hot weather that is imminent, you can get out on the road and enjoy the summer. Give Some Attention to the Tires Before summer is here, it’s a good idea to pay some attention to your car’s tires. If you’ve been driving on winter tires for the past several months, you’ll need to have those replaced with tires that are suitable for summer. If the tread is worn on your summer tires, they should be replaced, as well. Checking the pressure in your tires is also a wise strategy ( ... read more
Posted on 1/29/2015
Preparing your vehicle for different seasons is an important aspect of maintenance. In the same way that you should get your Mercedes-Benz winterized, you should also prepare it for summer driving conditions. Hot, dry weather can affect your car, so you’ll want to find a local, knowledgeable mechanic who is qualified to service it. When you have a trained professional available to assist you, the transition from winter to summer driving can be a seamless one. Get the Fluids Checked Before the weather gets too hot, you should bring your car in tohave the fluids checked.If it needs more oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, or coolant, this is an excellent time to replenish it with such things. The fluids in your vehicle are all designed to keep it running efficiently, and this is especially vital d ... read more
Posted on 1/21/2015
The warmest months of the year will soon be here, so it’s time to prepare your Audi for them. From getting the cooling system checked to power-washing the exterior, you might do a variety of things to get your vehicle ready for summer. When you need to schedule any kind of maintenance visit, it’s always helpful to find a trustworthy mechanic who’s located in Abbotsford. A qualified and reliable professional can help you to decide what kind of maintenance your car needs for the hottest season. Clean the Exterior One of the first things you may wish to do after winter is give your car a good cleaning. Winter weather and other seasonal conditions can leave a layer of salt and other substances on your car. Now that the weather is warm, you can clean the exterior with a power-washer. You ... read more
Posted on 1/14/2015
Keeping your VW’s alternator in good condition is essential to the battery and the electrical system. Your car’s engine would not be able to operate without the alternator. By exploring how the alternator works, as well as some of the warning signs that your vehicle’s alternator needs maintenance, you might spare yourself from paying for some expensive repair work. If you notice any problems with your vehicle, the best strategy is to schedule a maintenance visit with a dependable mechanic at Collins Automotive. What Does an Alternator Do? The alternator generates the majority of the electricity in your vehicle. It creates the electrical energy on which your car is able to run. The alternator is responsible for powering parts of your vehicle that are either essential or secondary components. The headlights, engine fan, air conditioning, and r ... read more
Posted on 1/7/2015
The life of your Volvo is dependent on a variety of factors, including proper oil maintenance. If you want your car’s engine to run as smoothly as possible, getting the oil changed at the right intervals is a must. This type of maintenance job does not typically take a lot of time or cost much money, but it can be invaluable in terms of keeping your vehicle in great condition. In addition to having your oil changed periodically, you may be faced with the decision to use either conventional oil or synthetic oil. Both types of engine lubricant may offer various benefits and disadvantages, so exploring the topic might help you to make the best choice for your car. Conventional Oil vs. Synthetic Oil The main difference between these two types of oil is that conventional oil is made from a natural material (petroleum), and synthetic oil is made synthetic chemicals. Conventional oil is generally suitable for an engine in many circumstances, bu ... read more
Posted on 12/27/2014
The hottest months of the year are quickly approaching, and you will probably depend on your Volvo’s air conditioning to keep you cool and content as you drive. If your car’s AC is not working properly, this is a good time to bring your vehicle to a reliable mechanic at Collins Automotive. You can get the issue resolved before the hottest months of the year have arrived, and you may ensure that you will be comfortable while driving in your Volvo. The following are some of the most common problems associated with an auto air conditioning system. The Air Cabin Filter Is Worn If the air cabin filter in your vehicle needs to be changed, you may become aware of a few different issues. You might notice an unpleasant smell being emitted from the air vents. Additionally, low airflow can be a sign of a clogged air cabin filter. The System Needs More Refrigerant When you begin to use your air conditioning system after the winter season, you may notice that ... read more
Posted on 12/20/2014
If you appreciate being completely comfortable when you drive, then you may prefer to drive a car that has a fully functioning air conditioning system. Not all vehicles come with air conditioning, but most of the newer models on the market do. If you drive a VW with an air conditioning system, you will want to be sure that the system is working properly in the summer months. It’s important that you take your Volkswagen to a knowledgeable mechanic in Abbotsford, such as a mechanic at Collins Automotive. A technician who is qualified to work on Volkswagens is the best person to do the maintenance and repair jobs that your VW requires. Do All VWs Come With Air Conditioning? Newer models are typically equipped with air conditioning. However, VW vehicles built decades ago, such as the older VW Bus and Beetle models, did not come with AC. This is because the engines in such vehicles did not generally support an air conditioning system. You could (and ... read more
Posted on 12/13/2014
Vehicle maintenance can prevent the need for a wide range of repairs, and oil changes are an important aspect of maintenance. In fact, changing the oil in your car regularly is essential to its functionality. Understanding the basics related to oil changes may help you to understand why this simple procedure is so vital to the longevity of your VW vehicle. Neglecting to Change the Oil Motor oil is the substance that lubricates the engine, and this is why oil is such an essential product for a motor vehicle. If you were to fail to take your car in for one oil change, the damage might not be too great – but generally, missing even one oil change is not recommended. Important additives in the oil wear out over time; when this happens, the oil will no longer lubricate the engine effectively. When you don’t change the oil periodically, it also becomes dirty. ... read more
Posted on 12/5/2014
The alternator in your vehicle serves an invaluable purpose: it provides electricity to the battery. This electricity enables the car to start, and it also powers a variety of features in the vehicle. By ensuring that you are driving with a properly functioning alternator, you might avoid the hassle of not being able to start your Mercedes-Benz. One of the benefits of finding a trustworthy Abbotsford mechanic is that you can bring your vehicle in if you think the alternator may be failing. A technician at Collins Automotive will inspect the alternator and replace it if necessary. Always Heed the Warning Signs An assortment of signs may indicate that your alternator should probably be checked. If the battery in your vehicle is new or in good condition, but it keeps losing power, a failing alternator could be to blame. Another common indicator of a potential alternator failure is a recurring inability to start your vehicle. If the engine stalls as ... read more
Posted on 11/28/2014
In order for your vehicle to ride as it is supposed to, the wheels must be aligned correctly. Improper wheel alignment may affect the way your Mercedes-Benz rides, and this can also have a negative effect on your car’s tires. Fortunately, you can arrange to have your car’s wheels checked and your vehicle realigned on a regular basis. If you do this, you could save money by lengthening the life of the tires on your car. A knowledgeable, local mechanic at Collins Automotive can perform this service and help you get the most from your Mercedes-Benz. What Causes Improper Wheel Alignment The wheels on your car can become improperly aligned due to a variety of factors. Going over a pothole can certainly cause the wheel alignment to become “off”. If you bump into a curb, post, or other object, the impact may have an adverse effect on the alignment of your vehicle. Additionally, wheel misalignment may be an inevitable result of normal wear and tear on y ... read more