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Engine Warning Light – Common Causes and Solutions

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For any vehicle owner or driver, the check engine light activation is a dreadful feeling, especially when the car is running.

Common Causes of The Engine Warning Light Turning On

There may be many reasons why your car’s check engine light is on. Here are some of them.

1. Loose Fuel Cap

  • A common reason why the check engine warning light is displayed is that the fuel cap is loose or open.
  • Incorrect air pressure within the fuel tank may trigger the engine warning light on.
  • If the fuel cap is loose, ensure that you close it tightly.
  • In case the cap is damaged, or the rubber has worn off, it is time for a replacement.

2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor

  • The role of an oxygen sensor is to measure the levels of unburned oxygen in the car’s exhaust.
  • The data is sent to the electronic control unit (ECU), which then regulates the ratio of fuel and air in the engine.
  • In case of a faulty or failed sensor, the vehicle could burn more fuel than normal.
  • A defective or damaged O2 sensor could damage other components of the vehicle as well.
  • For this reason, the engine warning light turns on if there is a problem with the oxygen sensor.
  • A solution to this issue would be to get the faulty O2 sensor replaced by a new one.

3. Damaged Spark Plugs

  • Damaged or faulty spark plugs may also cause the engine warning light to turn on.
  • Spark plugs are small, but important components of the vehicle, responsible for igniting the mixture of gasoline and air in the combustion chamber.
  • Spark plugs are those electric components that do not require replacement every time.
  • However, if it has been a long time before they were replaced, or the odometer reading displays 100,000 miles, it is definitely time for you to get them replaced.

4. Problem With the Catalytic Converter

  • The catalytic converter is a part of the vehicle’s exhaust system, which converts harmful and toxic emissions into less harmful gases.
  • A problem with the catalytic converter can reduce the vehicle’s performance, result in lower mileage, and emission of sulphur-like (rotten-egg) smell from the engine.
  • The engine warning light may be displayed due to a fault in the catalytic converter.
  • A minor fault in the catalytic converter can be repaired.
  • However, if the catalytic converter has malfunctioned, it will need a replacement, which is quite expensive.

5. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor

  • The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine to ensure that the air/fuel mixture is in the right proportion.
  • A faulty mass airflow sensor can trigger the engine warning light on.
  • If the mass airflow sensor stops working completely, replacing it is costly.

Be it an engine warning light or any other problem with your vehicle, Urban Lube is there to help you. Urban Lube specializes in offering a wide range of services such as battery boost, tire replacement, oil change, and roadside assistance to inspect issues in your car that flashes engine warning light.

Contact Urban Lube today for any help or assistance with your vehicle.

Difference Between 5w20 Oil vs 5w30 Oil

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Motor oil is the fluid that your vehicle’s engine needs to keep functioning smoothly. For every vehicle owner in Canada, it is crucial to take care of the car engine by ensuring that the right engine oil is used during warranty approved oil change in Regina. Most vehicle owners would just see the oil change near me, and take their vehicle to a nearby garage or mechanic to get the motor oil change done. But, it is crucial to use the right engine oil.

The 5w20 oil and 5w30 oil are the most common types of motor oils used in Canada. Most vehicle owners tend to get it wrong and often use them interchangeably.

The main difference between the 5w20 oil and 5w30 oil lies in their viscosity.

What is Oil Viscosity?

  • Oil viscosity refers to the capability of oil to travel.
  • Viscosity is also the resistance of a fluid (here oil) to flow.
  • To keep it simple, you can also think of oil viscosity as the thickness.
  • Oils having a higher viscosity resist motion, while those having lower viscosity are runnier.
  • Between 5w20 oil and 5w30 oil, the higher the number, the thicker the oil is.
  • 5w30 oil is thicker and more viscous compared to 5w20 oil.

What Do The Letter ‘W’ and Numbers Stand For?

  • The ‘W’ in 5w20 oil and 5w30 oil stands for winter.
  • The first number, i.e., 5 represents the viscosity rating at low temperatures.
  • Lower the first number, thinner is the oil and superior is its performance in a cold climate when the temperature is low.
  • The number after W refers to the thickness of oil when the engine is operating at normal temperature.

Key Differences Between 5w20 Oil and 5w30 Oil

5w20 Oil

  • It is thinner.
  • Viscosity is less.
  • Best for cold climates.
  • Exceptional fuel efficiency and superior performance in places where temperatures are low.
  • Being less viscous, it flows quickly with less friction.

5w30 Oil

  • It is thicker.
  • Viscosity is more.
  • Ideal for places where temperatures are high.
  • Less fuel efficiency and low performance in cold climates.
  • Being thicker and having high viscosity, it flows slowly due to more friction.

Which One Should You Choose for Your Car?

5w20 or 5w30 Oil

  • If you are living in that part of Canada where the temperatures go very low and the climate gets too cold, 5w20 oil would be preferable during warranty approved oil change in Regina.
  • In cold climates, the 5w20 oil flows quickly in the engine, allowing it to start quickly.
  • Less friction means that the various mechanical parts won’t have to work hard.
  • On the other hand, 5w30 oil does not break down quickly, even when the temperature is high in warmer climates. Instead, it protects the engine due to its high viscosity.
  • Thus, 5w30 oil would be ideal for your car if you live in a region having high temperatures.

Both 5w20 oil and 5w30 offer great protection to the engine. The choice during warranty approved oil change in Regina will depend on the temperature in your area, but keep the knowledge shared in this article in mind.

How To Fix A Car That Won’t Start?

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If you are in a hurry to go somewhere, and your car doesn’t start, it is quite frustrating. If your vehicle is parked in a safe location, the problem may not be as big as if your vehicle is stranded in the middle of the road. You use your car for dropping children to school, going on a vacation, travelling to work, visiting the shopping complex, and for many other important purposes. If your car suddenly breaks down unexpectedly, it is quite difficult to handle.

Here are some of the reasons why your car won’t start and possible solutions (fixes) for the same.

1. A Dead Battery

  • The battery provides electrical power to the entire car including various components like the music system, AC, lights, etc. and your engine.
  • One of the most common reasons why your car won’t start is a dead battery.

Causes

  • Corroded car battery
  • Car battery’s life span is over
  • Loose battery cable
  • Freezing and sub-freezing temperatures
  • Dome light or headlights remained switched on overnight

Signs

  • Dashboard battery indicator warning light flashing
  • Engine cranks slowly
  • Dim headlights
  • Lights, radio, and other electrical components do not function
  • Clicking sound while turning the key

Solutions

  • Jump-start your car by using jumper cables with another car or you can even use a battery booster jump starter pack.
  • Once charged, the engine should crank up. If it doesn’t, then you are facing the problem of a dead battery.
  • Replacing a dead battery is the best possible solution.
  • If you are stranded midway without jumper cables or a battery booster pack, it is best to find a local battery store that can help you with battery replacement.

2. Clogged fuel filter

  • The fuel filter is a component of your vehicle’s fuel system that helps to prevent contaminants from reaching the engine.
  • If the fuel filter is clogged, gasoline (fuel) won’t be able to reach the engine.

Causes

  • Poor quality of gasoline
  • Dirty air filter
  • Decaying fuel tank
  • Debris accumulation

Signs

  • Hard start
  • Poor acceleration
  • Frequent stalling and stopping of the engine
  • Low engine performance
  • Reduced fuel mileage

Solution

  • Get oil filters replaced every 10,000-15,000 miles.

3. Defective ignition switch

  • The ignition switch is the cylindrical slot where you insert the car key.

Causes

  • Locked steering wheel
  • Damaged key
  • Worn out ignition switch contacts
  • Unlubricated internal components

Signs

  • Car stops while driving
  • Car start, but suddenly stops
  • Flickering of the dome and headlights
  • Key does not turn

Solution

  • Inspect the key for any damage
  • Steering wheel unlocked (if it was locked)
  • Replacement of the defective ignition switch with a new one

Some Other Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start

  • Anti-theft device malfunctioning
  • Faulty car starter
  • Faulty fuse
  • No gasoline in the fuel tank
  • Bad or failed timing belt
  • Bad alternator
  • Failed key fob
  • Bad alternator

It is possible that your car can fail at any time. Hence, it is better to be prepared.

What Should Your Vehicle Tool Kit Include?

  • Multimeter
  • Spark tester
  • Jump Starter kit
  • Battery tester
  • Wrench set
  • Socket set
  • Pliers
  • Wire cutters
  • Screwdriver
  • Impact wrench

If your car fails to start unexpectedly, it is best to seek the help of a professional company like Urban Lube, which offers roadside assistance. Be It a battery replacement or boost, tire rotation, air and fuel filter change, or any other car repair and maintenance service, they offers a wide range of services. You can also keep your car maintained using regular service from Urban Lube.

How To Maintain Your Car’s Heater

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Winter is the time of the year when the temperatures drop drastically making the driving conditions extremely difficult. Roads become slushier due to accumulated ice, snow, and water. Winter is also that time of the year when you often end up spending more time in the car than your home. Hence, a functional heating system in your car is crucial for both, your health and the health of your car as well. You don’t want to get left out in the cold, do you?

Causes Behind Malfunctioning Car Heating System

Low Coolant Levels

  • The low coolant level in your car is one of the possible reasons behind the improper functioning of your car’s heating system.
  • If the coolant levels are quite low, the hot engine coolant won’t reach the heater core.
  • This does not allow hot air to flow in the cabin.
  • An easy way to check the coolant fluid level is by opening the vehicle hood when the engine is cold.
  • Open the radiator cap and check whether the coolant levels are between the maximum and minimum levels.
  • If the coolant level is quite low, you need to fill it till the marking is done at the side of the reservoir.

Cooling System Leakage

  • If the coolant level was found to be drastically low, there is a possibility of leakage in the cooling system.
  • Coolant leakage may occur from the radiator, water pump radiator, thermostat, water pump, hose, or even a damaged pipe.
  • Any leakage in the cooling system may fail the heating system.
  • If you are finding it difficult to address the cooling system leakage, it is best to seek the help of professionals and experts in the field.

Malfunctioning of Blow Fan

  • If the heating system is giving problems, then it is likely that there is an issue with the blow fan of the car.
  • A blow fan malfunctioning can prevent the heating system from functioning or make it really slow.

Bad Thermostat

  • An important component of the engine heating and cooling system is the thermostat.
  • The thermostat plays a key role in regulating coolant fluid circulation so that the engine temperature remains optimal.
  • If the thermostat is stuck open, the chance of heat being given out from the heating system is quite less.
  • Thus, a faulty thermostat will not allow the interiors of your car to warm up.

Useful Tips to Maintain Your Car’s Heating System in Winter

  • Flush the coolant on a regular basis to ensure that there is no build-up of contaminants or debris inside the cooling system.
  • Use the best quality antifreeze in your vehicle.
  • Prevent debris from entering the heating box by regularly cleaning and removing it.
  • Regularly get your car inspected by professionals like Urban Lube and get it serviced for accurate functioning.
  • Taking assistance from experts if the heating system doesn’t work properly at the earliest possible.

Are you facing a problem with the heating system in your car?

Don’t worry, Urban Lube is there to assist you.

With Urban Lube, you can get the issues with the car’s heating system sorted, and go for preventive maintenance before the onset of winter.

5 Useful Maintenance Tips to Increase Car Battery Life

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A dead car battery is common for Canadians during the winters when the temperature falls to freezing and sub-freezing levels. In such cases, you would need to opt for an onsite vehicle battery replacement.

There are several factors that reduce the longevity of the car battery and increase the need for mobile battery replacement. The most common reason is extreme temperatures, both during summer and winter. On average, most car batteries last for around 3 to 5 years, after which it is time for a mobile battery replacement in Regina.

If you don’t take proper care of your car battery, battery life will reduce. Here are some useful tips using which you can increase the life of your car battery.

Keeping Battery Terminals Clean

  • Prolonged use of a car battery without cleaning terminals may cause rust and dirt accumulation on positive and negative terminals.
  • Accumulation of any kind of residues on the terminals can result in an obstruction in electric current
  • To increase car battery life and reduce the need for onsite vehicle battery replacement, it is crucial to inspect and clean the battery terminals at least once a month.
  • There are special corrosion and terminal cleaning sprays, which you can use.
  • You need to ensure that the terminals are dry before you reconnect the wires.
  • Timely cleaning of battery terminals.

Driving Your Vehicle Regularly

  • If your car remains parked in the garage for several days, the car battery won’t get sufficient time to charge itself.
  • Also, taking short trips is bad for the battery as it does not give it enough time to charge fully.
  • In order to prevent early battery replacement, it is advisable to take your car out for a long drive on a regular basis.
  • Driving the vehicle frequently will enable the battery to achieve a full charge.

Keep Car Accessories Turned Off Before Starting the Engine

  • It is crucial to switch off all car accessories like radio, music player, air conditioner, GPS, etc. when the car is being turned on.
  • Switching on the car accessories without starting the car engine will drain the car battery.

Replace Other Faulty Components

  • Other faulty components for your car can have a negative impact on your car battery.
  • Loose wiring, faulty fuses, and other problems with your car need to be fixed as soon as possible as they tend to drain the battery.

Avoid Driving During Extreme Temperatures

  • You must avoid taking short trips on extremely freezing winter days or extremely hot days, as extreme temperatures can take a toll on your car’s battery.

Slow crank engine, dim lights, and ignition noise are some warning signs that the car’s battery is about to die. In such situations, it is best to opt for an onsite vehicle battery replacement from a reputed company.

Urban Lube is a professional, expert, and renowned company for mobile battery replacement in Regina. Get your car’s battery inspected today from Urban Lube and if the condition is too bad, it is time for an onsite vehicle battery replacement.

7 Things You Need in Your Car Emergency Kit

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Any unforeseen situation can lead you and your vehicle stranded on the road. For this reason, emergency attentiveness is important, especially, for the harsh and extreme climatic conditions in Canada. You must keep an emergency kit to handle unanticipated car breakdowns.

Here is where your car emergency kit would come in handy.

Here are the 7 things that must be a part of your car emergency kit.

1. Emergency Battery Booster

  • A dead battery is a common problem encountered by most vehicle owners in Canada.
  • To solve the problem of a dead battery in Canada, having a powerful emergency battery booster is crucial.
  • It can charge your car’s battery if the battery is completely dead and your vehicle fails to start.
  • An emergency battery booster must be fully charged before you put it in the vehicle.

2. LED Flashlight with Extra Batteries

  • Whether you need tire change and replacement due to a flat tire or if you want to inspect a problem under the hood in the dark, an LED flashlight will really come in handy.
  • Old batteries in the flashlight may fail to work during the cold. Hence, it is best to put some spare batteries in your car emergency kit.

3. Smartphone Car Charger

  • If something goes wrong on the road, a fully charged mobile phone will be a blessing to call some emergency numbers for help. For example, you may call a service center for an emergency battery booster.
  • For keeping your smartphone charged up in case of emergencies, having a USB car charger with the right cord is a big lifeline.

4. First Aid Kit

  • Many unexpected situations may need more than just a painkiller medicine or bandage.
  • You must have a first aid kit in your vehicle containing antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, crepe bandages, triangular bandages, hand-gloves, scissors, gauze pads/rolls, etc.

5. Tire Change and Replacement Equipment

  • During your travel, you need to be prepared for an emergency tire replacement.
  • Be it any season, you need to have all the tools and equipment for a smooth tire change and replacement.
  • Your tire change and replacement tools should include jack, wheel wrench, extension bar, lug wrench, wheel nut adapter.
  • Of course, you need to also ensure that the spare tire is present in your vehicle.

6. Roadside Assistance Documents

  • If you require any roadside assistance like towing the car, tire change and replacement, emergency battery booster, Urban Lube provides emergency roadside assistance services round-the-clock to ensure an uninterrupted journey.
  • All you need to do is register for the roadside assistance program from Urban Lube and keep the documents handy with you.
  • You may also call them to give you emergency services. Keep all vehicle documents and the number of Urban Lube stored in your phone, which is 306 993 0991.

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