How to Solve the Problem of Warped Brake Rotors

February 24, 2021 by Hardik K

Do you find your vehicle or its steering wheel shaking or vibrating frequently when you apply brakes while driving? Worn out brake rotors are most likely to be the cause of this. Just like you focus on transmission oil change, engine oil change, and mobile battery replacement to keep the vehicle running seamlessly, brake rotors are a key component of your vehicle that cannot be overlooked.

What are Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors are flat metallic discs that you can easily see behind the wheels of your vehicle.
They are popularly known as brake discs.
Brake rotors along with brake pads form the main components of your vehicle’s braking system.
Applying brakes to your car is a lot more than just pressing the brake pedal with your foot.
When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads clamp down the rotors that prevent the wheels from moving ahead and your car stops. This mechanism happens every time when you apply the brakes.

What is Wrapped Brake Rotors?

Wrapped brake rotors mean uneven brake rotor surface, which happens over time.

What are the possible reasons for warped brake rotors?

Applying brakes frequently, especially at high speeds
Exposure to moisture and humidity
Friction
Excessive heat generation
Bad quality of brake pads
Build-up of gases

Which Signs Indicate that Your Vehicle has Warped Brake Rotors?

Increase in braking time
Squeaking noise while applying brakes
Excessive vibrations in the steering wheel and brake pedal
Indicator warning light turning on

How to Fix the Problem of Warped Rotors of your Vehicle?

In order to fix the issue of warped brake rotors on your vehicle, you have two options.

Machining the brake rotors

Machining can be performed if brake rotors are:

Warped due to excessive heat
Worn out due to damaged brake pads
Damaged because of pitting corrosion or rust

Process

It involves resurfacing the brake rotors.
Machining rotors removes some portion of metal from their surface.
Machining makes the surface of the rotors smooth and even again.
It involves the use of a lathe to make the surface of the rotors flat and level.
The machining process can only be done if the rotors are sufficiently thick to be resurfaced.
If the minimum recommended thickness after resurfacing the rotors cannot be maintained, you need to replace the rotors immediately.
Even after machining, it is possible that the brake rotors can go back to their warped form due to residual stress.

Replacing the Brake Rotors

You need to go in for the replacement of brake rotors in the following cases:

If the rotors are not in the condition of being resurfaced.
If the rotors become extremely thin after resurfacing and do not match the recommended thickness given by your vehicle manufacturer.

Installing a new set of brake rotors ensures complete safety on the road while driving.

If your vehicle requires the replacement of brake rotors, no better place to get it done than Urban Lube.

Urban Lube specializes in the following services in and around Regina in Canada.

Contact Urban Lube NOW!

Top 5 Benefits of Transmission Oil Change

February 23, 2021 by Hardik K

Buying a car is easy but maintaining it is difficult. Canadians love their vehicles and consider them to be a part of their family.

They pay attention to a lot of things in their cars. Some of them are:

Wear and tear of tires
Air pressure in tires
Mobile battery replacement
Coolant levels and replacement
Motor oil replacement
Air filter checks

One essential, but often overlooked component of the car is the transmission. Keeping the transmission of your vehicle healthy is vital. However, a transmission oil change is often neglected in auto maintenance services. The transmission of a vehicle is designed to seamlessly transfer power from the engine to the wheels. A healthy transmission is crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of the car at different speeds. Similar to engine oil, which is vital for the lubrication of different engine components, a transmission oil change is crucial to keep the transmission parts lubricated and prevent them from overheating, too.

Taking proper care of the transmission and maintaining it means increased longevity for your vehicle’s transmission and the vehicle.

Here are the top 5 Benefits of a Transmission Oil Change for your vehicle.

1) Minimize Transmission Issues

The transmission fluid becomes contaminated with debris or dirt as you drive the vehicle.
Dirty and contaminated transmission fluid will no longer be able to provide the power and lubrication to the vehicle’s transmission.
On-time warranty approved oil change helps to prevent serious transmission problems in the future.

2) Improve Fuel Economy

Transmission oil change on a regular basis helps your engine to run seamlessly and become more fuel-efficient.
This results in lower fuel consumption for long-distance travel.

3) Optimized Functioning of the Engine

A transmission oil change is not only beneficial for the transmission of your car, but also for the engine.
Fresh transmission fluid will improve the efficiency of your vehicle’s engine and keep it well lubricated.

A warranty approved oil change means your vehicle’s engine will never go into a lock-up mode.

4) Save Money for

Transmission replacements or repairs are quite expensive and may cost even thousands of dollars.
A periodic transmission oil change helps in preventing damage or any fault in the transmission parts.
This increases the lifespan of your vehicle’s transmission and saves money by moving ahead into the future.

5) Seamless Gear Shifting

Transmission oil change eliminates the old blackish oil having lots of debris.
Old transmission oil would clog the gears, resulting in a problem in gear shifting.
Clean transmission oil makes gear shifting seamless and convenient.
You can increase and decrease speed by shifting gears without any hassles.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a transmission oil change every 30,000 – 40,000 miles. However, it is best to keep checking the condition of the transmission fluid at regular intervals.

If you are located in or around Regina in Canada, you can take the benefits of mobile oil change service in Regina.

Read Related Blogs:

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4 Important Fluids for Your Car in Winter?

Common Signs That Indicate You Need Battery Replacement

February 22, 2021 by Hardik K

Car owners have to think about maintaining so many different auto components such as:

Warranty approved oil change
Oil filter change
Tire change and replacement
Brake fluid change
Power steering fluid check
Coolant (Anti-freeze) replacement

Is something missing in the above list? Yes, the car battery.

Most vehicle owners in Canada tend to overlook their car battery. However, it is a crucial component of a car and cannot be ignored. It is the driving force to start a car and supplies power to all electronic components in the car. Whether it is the lights or the air conditioning system, or even the radio, everything will fail to run without a fully functional battery. The battery can be rightly called the heart of a vehicle.

Imagine you are in the middle of the road and find that the car does not start even when you give the ignition. You wouldn’t want to be in such an awkward situation, right? This is the reason why it is essential to get your battery checked regularly. Otherwise, you may end up going in for an onsite vehicle battery replacement in an emergency.

Here are three common warning signs that indicate you need a mobile battery replacement right away.

1. Difficulty in Starting The Car

A healthy battery has the power to start a car when you turn the key after putting it in the ignition even in lower temperatures of Canada.
If you hear a clicking sound and the car takes more time to start, it may indicate a weak car battery.
It may also be due to a fault in the starter.
If this happens frequently, it is better to get your car inspected for a possible fault in the battery.

2. Corrosion on Battery Terminals

Vehicle owners need to be proactive in checking the battery condition rather than waiting for the battery to show signs that it is time for a mobile battery replacement Regina.
All you need to do is check the positive and negative terminals of the battery under the hood for corrosive build-up.
If you see a blue or yellow coloured crusty film deposit on either electrode of the battery, it indicates corrosion.
Corroded terminals reduce the voltage of the battery due to which your car may fail to start and you would need onsite vehicle battery replacement.

3. Obnoxious Odour

A damaged car battery can release hydrogen sulphide gas.
If you get a rotten egg smell inside the hood, it indicates a battery leak.
In such a case, you need to get the battery checked without any delay, and most probably go for mobile battery replacement.

Contact us to book a battery inspection, booster, or replacement.

6 Common Winter Car Problems in Canada

February 18, 2021 by Hardik K

Lower temperatures and cold weather mean that the number of blackouts is likely to increase during the winter months. The harsh Canadian winters often make driving conditions difficult. Canadian drivers must take the winter car problems very seriously.

Here are six common winter car problems that Canadians face:

1. Dead Batteries:

During the winter months, the batteries of cars suffer a double blow from the cold temperatures, reducing output and increasing use of lighting and heating put it under additional pressure.
The car always needs a charged battery to start in cold weather. To avoid last-minute problems, one should always test the car battery in advance, get the battery booster, and replace weak and dead batteries before they fail.

2. Low tire pressure:

Low tire pressure is common in cold weather as fluctuating temperatures can cause the air in the tires to expand and contract. This can lead to decreased performance, increased wear and tear and make it accident-prone.
One should always make sure that they use winter tires during winters. Moreover, the car tires must have at least 50% tread for safer winter driving.
The car tires should be inspected by a qualified professional to ensure that the tires are safe to use and, if necessary, get the tire change and replacement by the car professionals.

3. Insufficient oil level:

Engine oil thickens when it is cold outside makes it difficult to turn the engine on.
In winters, it is necessary to invest in regular warranty-approved oil changes. It is necessary to use multi-viscosity oil, which means it is formulated for winter use.

4. Frost Inside Windows:

Too much humidity inside the car causes frost forming. Most of the humidity comes from snow or water carried into the car on your boots and clothes.
One can always prevent frost inside the windows by removing damp floor mats and leaving them to dry overnight. Another idea is to purchase anti-fog from a local store and to leave the silicone pouches that come in shoeboxes and electronics in the car as they absorb moisture.

5. Frozen Windows and Door Locks:

If your car’s windows and door locks are frozen, you can warm the car key with a lighter or matchstick and gently press it into the lock to melt the ice.
Also one can use silicone spray on windows and locks to prevent freezing.

6. Broken Wiper Blades:

Clear visibility is extremely important when you’re on the road. The blades of the wipers lose their effectiveness faster than most people realize. Once you notice the remaining water hitting the windshield after each hit, then it is time to replace the wipers.
The windshield wipers have standard lengths and sizes, so it depends on what your car supports. Replacing the wipers on your own is not a straightforward job. You better use service from a warranty-approved oil change provider.

Wrapping Up

To have a safe drive, consult your mechanic for the winter tire change and replacement, and other required fine-tunings. Always keep a snow brush, light shovel, windshield washer fluid, and a flashlight with you during the winter.

Tire Rotation: Everything You Need to Know About It

January 25, 2021 by Hardik K

Just like an engine and battery, tires are also an important component of your vehicle. To keep your car in control, tires play a vital role. Therefore, regular tire change and replacement and tire rotation are important to keep your vehicle in good condition. However, many vehicle owners in Canada tend to overlook the importance of tire rotation.

Tire change and replacement are considered to be an expensive affair as you are buying new tires and replacing them with existing ones. Hence, you need to take care of your vehicle’s tires in order to prolong their life and get a switch drive every time. One easy and effective way to keep tires in good shape is tire rotation until a tire change is necessary.

What Does Tire Rotation Mean?

Tire rotation refers to the process of changing the position of tires at regular intervals of time.
Every time a tire swap is carried out, the position of your vehicle’s tires gets changed.

Why is Tire Rotation Essential?

Increases the longevity of the tires with the need for mobile tire changing services
Provides top-notch tire performance
Offers a smooth and safe ride on the road
Equalizes the natural tread wear patterns on the tires
Avoids early tire change and replacement
Prevents front tires from wearing down quickly

How Often Should Tire Rotations be Done?

The frequency of tire rotation depends on two key factors:

The way you drive
The type of roads on which you drive

It is recommended that you should go for a tire rotation at least once in every six months or 5,000 miles whichever comes first.

Where Can You Get a Tire Rotation Done?

If you have the expertise and tools, you can do tire replacement on your own. If you don’t, you can easily search the tire swap near me. You will find many mobile tire changing service providers who perform tire rotation, too.

Not opting for a tire rotation at the right time may damage your tires permanently and you may have to go for a tire change, which can be quite expensive.

Which are The Different Tire Rotation Patterns?

The different tire rotation patterns followed by tire change and replacement companies depend on the type of vehicle you drive.

Before choosing the right and most appropriate tire rotation pattern for your car, the tire change Regina company will first carefully assess the condition of the tires and your vehicle.

1) Type of vehicle: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Rotation pattern followed: Forward cross

Front tires are moved to the rear directly without changing the sides.
Rear tires are moved to the front. Sides are interchanged diagonally.

2) Type of vehicle: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

Rotation pattern followed: Rearward cross

Front tires are moved to the rear with the change of sides.
Rear tires are moved to the front directly without any change of side.

3) Type of vehicle: All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

Rotation pattern: X-pattern

Front tires are moved to the rear with sides switched.
Rear tires are moved to the front with sides switched.

January 22, 2021 by Hardik K

Being a Canadian resident, you would be quite familiar with what the winter brings in every year. With the temperature dropping to a single-digit figure, winter driving conditions in Canada are the most challenging and dangerous even for a seasoned driver. The ice and snow-covered roads along with the gusty chilling winds, sleet, and slush really puts your driving skills to the test. Due to dangerous driving conditions during winter in Canada, it is time for you to opt for a winter tire change service.

Here are some questions that are likely to come to your mind like most other vehicle-owners in Canada.

How many tires do I really need to get changed?
Is winter tire change necessary?
Can I get away with a tire change and replacement of only two tires, either the front or the rear?
Won’t my all-season tires work in winters as well?

The answer to all these questions is simple and the same.

It is highly recommended to get a complete set of winter tires installed in your vehicle during winters from a reliable provider of tire change and replacement Regina.

Here are the major reasons explained for you to understand why changing all four tires for winter driving is not a luxury, but a necessity:

1. Replacing Only Two Tires Out of Four Tires Can Be Hazardous

Getting only two out of the four tires replaced for winter driving (either front or rear) means your vehicle would have dual traits.
Winter tires and the already existing tires would function in the opposite manner. One set (winter tires) would perform brilliantly, while the other summer or all-season tires would lag in performance.
This may lead to loss of control due to understeering or oversteering any time while driving.

2. Balanced Traction On All Four Sides of the Vehicle

Winter tire change in a complete set of four means uniform traction on all four corners of your vehicle.
This translates to a superior grip and improved control of your vehicle while driving during winter conditions.

3. Smooth and Comfortable Ride

Winter tires are specifically crafted for driving even during heavy snowfall and ice on the road.
Winter tires have much wider treads in comparison to summer and all-season tires.
Winter tire change of all tires means improved acceleration and braking while driving on the snow-covered or slushy roads in Canada.
With all four tires matching on your vehicle, you get a smooth and comfortable ride on the road.

4. Safe and Hassle-Free Ride

Having all four winter tires means improved directional stability and safety on the road not just for you, but for your family and others driving on the same road, too.

Even though winter tire change for all four corners of your vehicle might cost more, it is well worth the investment considering the benefits offered.