What Can Cause a Car to Overheat While Driving?

April 26, 2021 by Hardik K

Car engine overheating can be one of the most horrifying experiences. After driving for a couple of hours, you experience smoke coming out from the hood. It is a sign that your engine is overheated. Even if regular servicing like oil changes and seasonal tire change service have been carried out, your engine can face overheating.

Here are the Top 6 Reasons that Cause Engine Overheating While Driving

1. Low Coolant Level

The most common cause of car overheating is low coolant levels.
Coolant is the main cooling fluid that your engine relies on for cooling.
Coolant circulates through the engine and removes heat from it.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or below the recommended levels, you need to add fresh coolant and top it up.
A coolant top off can help cool the engine quickly and prevent overheating until you can take the vehicle to a local repair centre, so get coolant levels checked when you go for an oil change.

2. Damaged Radiator

The radiator is the core of the cooling system.
It is the place where the coolant gets cooled.
The temperature of the coolant reduces as it passes through the radiator.
If the radiator has malfunctioned and is not working properly, the coolant will not be able to cool down, thus resulting in overheating of the engine.
Clogging and leakage are the two main causes of a faulty radiator.

3. Blocked Radiator Hoses

When the coolant passes between the engine and the radiator, it moves through the hoses.
If the coolant in your car is at optimal levels, there is a possibility that the hoses are blocked, cracked, or damaged.
This may cause the coolant to leak or may result in the improper flow of the coolant, which causes the engine temperature to rise.
When you get seasonal tire change services also get your radiator hoses inspected.

4. Radiator Fan/Cooling Fan Malfunction

The main role of the cooling fan is to pull cool air into the radiator when the car is not running at a high speed.
If your engine is overheating, make sure to check the cooling fan under the hood before an oil change.
If the car is being driven at a slow speed and the radiator fan is not turning on, it will result in overheating of the engine.

5. Malfunctioned Water Pump

A water pump propels the coolant through the engine where it absorbs extra heat.
If the water pump is damaged or not functioning correctly, the coolant flow may get impaired or it may stop flowing completely.

6. Faulty Thermostat

A thermostat allows the coolant to enter the engine only once it has warmed up sufficiently.
A broken or faulty thermostat will not open and the coolant won’t be able to enter the engine when it has to.
This leads to the engine overheating.

If you have been the victim of a car overheating while driving on the road, it is best to take your car to UrbanLube to get it inspected. In addition to engine overheating problems, Urban Lube takes care of oil changes and provides seasonal tire change services as well. Contact us now!

Engine Oil Top Off Vs. Engine Oil Change: Understanding the Difference

April 21, 2021 by Hardik K

The engine is the heart of your vehicle and the engine oil is the blood that keeps the engine running seamlessly.

The oil lubricates the engine and helps it to fight heat and friction.
The heat and friction produce wear and tear.
This will destroy the engine over time and cause the oil to degrade.
Hence, the oil and filter need to be regularly replaced.

What is the Difference Between an Engine Oil Top Off and Oil Change?

Many people believe that topping off the oil and an oil change refers to the same thing. However, this is not true in reality.

Engine oil top off refers to adding new oil to the existing old oil.
The main challenge in adding new oil to old oil is that fresh oil is likely to become contaminated with the impurities and debris already present in the old oil.
If you have been frequently topping up oil and ignoring warranty approved oil changes, it may lead to some serious issues and even damage the engine considerably.

Warranty Approved Oil Changes:

In case of an oil change, the existing old oil is fully flushed and drained out of the vehicle.
Used oil along with the oil filter is discarded and replaced with fresh oil.
The new oil which is free from any type of impurities ensures that the engine and its parts keep functioning and operating optimally.

How do you find out whether you need an Oil Change or a Top Off for your Vehicle?

You can come to know whether an oil change or top off is required by inspecting the condition of the existing oil in your vehicle:

Park the car on a level surface.
Ensure that the engine has been turned off for at least 10 minutes.
Open your car’s hood and find the oil dipstick.
The oil dipstick has a bright coloured plastic handle which you can easily find towards the engine side.
Once you have located the dipstick, remove it and wipe it clean from any oil residue using a clean cloth.
You can see the minimum and maximum markings on the dipstick.
Push the dipstick back all the way and wait for a few seconds. Pull it back again and check the oil level.
If the oil level is between the minimum and maximum markings, the oil level is fine.
If the oil level is near the minimum marking, you need to an oil change in Regina or to top off.
If the oil level is above the maximum mark, some amount of oil needs to be drained and you need to get your car inspected by a professional oil change service provider.
The smell and the colour of the oil are an indicator of whether the oil is contaminated or not.

It is recommended to get an oil change done once every 3,000 – 5,000 miles or as recommended by your car’s manufacturer. If you have been topping off oil and avoiding an oil change, it is best to go for a mobile oil change service in Regina without any further delay.

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:

How to Read an Oil Dipstick?

4 Important Fluids for Your Car in Winter?

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.

Common Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration That You Must Know

January 21, 2021 by Hardik K

Steering wheel vibration or shaking is a cause of concern for any vehicle owner. You control your car on the road through a steering wheel. A vibrating steering wheel is an indicator that there is something wrong with your vehicle. It can be a worn out part or misaligned wheels or even issues with the brakes. There might be several reasons responsible for your driving wheel vibration. It is essential for you to identify the exact cause so that it can be fixed without aggravating the problem further.

Here are Some of the Common Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration:

1. Imbalanced Tires and Wheels

The steering wheel is used to control the movement and direction of wheels and tires on the road while driving.
The most common cause of steering wheel vibration is the wheels and tires of your vehicle that have fallen out of balance.
Wheel balancing is the process of adding some extra weights to the wheel after the tires have been installed. This ensures that the combined weight of all tires and wheels in a vehicle is equalized giving seamless functioning on the road.
Problem with wheel and tire balancing usually causes your steering wheel to vibrate more at higher speeds and gradually subsides as the speed is reduced.
The problem can easily be fixed by getting your tires and wheels balanced from a tire change and replacement company near you.

2. Worn Out Components in the Braking System

If the steering wheel is vibrating only while braking during low or high speed, a damaged braking system component is most likely to be the cause of this.
Damaged components of the braking system like brake pads, brake rotors, or brake callipers may cause steering wheel vibration.
While driving (specifically during braking) if you notice that the steering wheel is vibrating continuously or your vehicle is getting slightly tilted to the side, or your brake pedal is vibrating, it is necessary to get your vehicle inspected.

3 Wheel Bearing Problems

A wheel bearing is a key component of your wheel assembly that connects the wheel and axle together.
It makes the hub and the wheel assembly function in synchronization with each other.
With time, as you drive your vehicle, the wheel bearings lose their effectiveness and ultimately wear out.
A worn out wheel bearing causes the wheel to become loose leading to steering wheel vibration.
It is vital to get such worn out wheel bearings replaced by a professional mobile tire changing service

The steering wheel vibration problem is something that cannot be overlooked. It will only get worse with time. Hence, it is essential to get the problem diagnosed and corrected by a professional company like Urban Lube.

Urban Lube is a leading tire change and replacement company. In addition to the tire change, it offers multiple other services like oil change, battery change and booster, etc. For more details, explore the site.

How to Read an Oil Dipstick?

December 28, 2020 by Hardik K

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine. To increase the longevity and performance of the engine, it must always have an adequate level of oil. Some amount of oil is used up as you drive, which results in a drop in oil level. It is necessary to keep checking the engine oil level to ensure that your vehicle has enough oil for a smooth ride. Know how to read oil dipstick.

Full Synthetic Oil at $74.99 plus Disposal Fee and Taxes

Importance of Checking the Oil Level and Vehicle Oil Change:

Facilitates improved lubrication between various engine parts
Reduces friction and wear and tear
Prolongs engine life
Ensures that your vehicle’s engine is clean, healthy and happy
Enhances fuel efficiency and performance
Protects other essential parts of your vehicle
Reduces vehicle emissions

Checking the oil level and replacing it at regular intervals of time is crucial to keep your car running seamlessly.

Step by Step Process on How to Check The Oil Level in Your Vehicle:

Park the car on a level surface and make sure it is warmed up.
Turn off the ignition and wait for the engine to cool down.
Open the hood and search for the oil dipstick. (Be careful as the engine may still be hot)
An engine oil dipstick serves as a gauge to check both the level of oil in your vehicle
In most vehicles, the dipstick has a yellow or orange coloured ring that you can easily find near the engine. The word ‘CHECK OIL’ is also printed on top of the ring.
Pull the dipstick out. Make sure that the cloth is kept below it so that the oil does not fall on your vehicle’s engine or yourself.
Wipe the dipstick gently using a paper towel or tissue paper or any clean cloth. Be careful as the oil may still be hot. You can see two marks or dots at the bottom of the dipstick. One is the lowest mark (Minimum) and one is the higher mark (Maximum). The difference between the minimum and maximum indicators on a dipstick is about 1 or 2.5 litre.
Insert the dipstick back into the tube from where you had pulled it out.
Pull the dipstick out again as you did previously and inspect it for the oil level.

Identifying the Status of Engine Oil:

Once you pull out the dipstick, this is how you can identify the oil level:

Sufficient oil in a car: Oil level would be between the lower and higher mark
Low oil in a car: Oil level would be on or below the lower mark
No oil in a car: Oil is not shown on the dipstick at all

If the oil appears to be very low or/and extremely blackish, it means that the oil has become dirty and requires an immediate oil change service.

Now purchase brand new tires from Urban Lube.