5 Most Frequent Car Problems You Could Have

August 16, 2022 by Hardik K

Just like humans are susceptible to infections, car machinery is not everlasting. Being driven in various climatic conditions and terrains, cars are expected to witness some kind of breakdown.

Five Most Common Car Problems That Car Owners May Encounter

1. Dead or Discharged Battery

Most car batteries have a lifespan of around 36 months, i.e., 3 years. Most car batteries may last longer than that, but they can start showing performance issues. Hence, most vehicle manufacturers recommend a battery change after 3 years or 50,000 miles, whichever is earlier.

The common causes of a dead or discharged battery could be:

Corroded battery terminals
Faulty charging
Defective alternator
Parasitic drains
Loose battery connections
Extremely high or low temperature

If the battery has discharged, you can try charging it using the jumper cables or a battery booster. However, if the car battery does not respond even after charging, it is time to consider a battery change for your vehicle.

2. Engine Overheating

With most modern cars having a very powerful cooling system, the chances of the occurrence of engine overheating are less, though not impossible. If the temperature gauge of your car’s engine turns towards red signal and your engine is overheating, there may be a problem with the cooling system. The most common reason for engine overheating is low coolant levels. Hence, a coolant top level is a must when the coolant levels are low.

3. Low Engine Oil Levels

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine. For your car’s engine to function optimally, you need to ensure that there is sufficient engine oil in your vehicle. Driving with a low engine oil level can result in increased wear and tear of the engine parts and components. If the engine oil levels in your car are sufficiently low, you need to go for a warranty-approved oil change immediately.

4. Problems with Braking Systems

Brakes are a key safety component of your car. By applying the brakes, you can stop your car at the right time to avoid any accidents and mishaps. If you notice certain problems with the brakes, like grinding or squealing noises, spongy or soft brakes, car vibration when applying brakes, brake light indicator on the dashboard, or complete brake failure, it is time to get the brakes inspected by an expert and professional mechanic.

5. Uneven Wear of Tires

After regular driving, you may see that the treads on a particular tire do not match with the rest. This is uneven tire wear. The front tires are subjected to more pressure because they carry the weight of the engine, too. The reasons for uneven tire wear include unbalanced wheel and tire assembly, tire inflation issues, or worn out suspension. If you notice uneven tire wear, get wheel balancing done immediately.

All cars need periodic maintenance to function smoothly. No matter your car’s model, a battery change and warranty-approved oil change are a must at regular intervals. The car service provider will also make other suggestions, which you must consider to enjoy a safe and fun drive.

How To Break in New Tires – Everything You Need to Know

June 23, 2022 by Hardik K

Have you purchased a new vehicle?

Or have you just gone for a tire change in Regina service and got those old tires replaced with brand-new ones?

You need to break in the new tires. Just like you have purchased a new pair of shoes, which are initially tight and stiff, but become comfortable with time, the same is true for new tires as well.

What Does Break in New Tires Refer To?

Breaking in your new tire won’t happen instantly nor will it happen overnight.
Breaking in tires means using the tires for some time on the road before they deliver optimal performance and comfort during driving.
The average breaking period for a new set of tires installed during a car tire change is 500 – 700 miles.

3 Reasons to break in the new set of tires

1. Removing the Lubricant From the Tires

During the manufacturing process of tires, there is a lubricant applied to the mould to ensure that tires do not stick into the mould and come out easily without any misshaping.
When using new tires on the road, it is essential to get rid of the lubricant.
With the friction of the tires against the road, the lubricant is slowly rubbed off from the surface.
Till the time the lubricant is on the surface of the tires, it minimizes traction, resulting in a different braking and accelerating experience when the vehicle starts from a complete stop.

2. The New Tires May Feel Different

If you have just gone for a tire change and replaced the old tires that had shallow treads, you may feel the difference while driving.
The new tires, which consist of many layers of rubber, fabric mesh, and steel cords, need time to flex, compress, and adjust under the car’s pressure before they can deliver the best performance on the road.
Old tires that have shallow treads respond better and faster during quick turns and cornering compared to new tires which have deeper treads.

3. Follow the 500-Mile Rule to Breaking in your Tires

Before you get better traction and grip with the new tires, you need to drive easy and carefully for the first 500 miles.
Almost 500 miles of easy and smooth driving, including accelerating, braking and cornering will help to get rid of the lubricant on the surface of the tires.
Next time you go for a tire change, make sure that you are careful with the first 500 miles.

These are some care tips to follow. But, if your tires are worn out, you must replace them.

Are the existing tires on your car worn out completely?

Are you planning to go for a tire change in Regina?

Are you planning to go for a tire change in Regina?

Urban Lube is a leading and reliable company offering tire replacement and tire change in Regina services. Get in touch with Urban Lube today for the best quote for a car tire change.

How Often Do You Really Need An Wheel Alignment

May 18, 2022 by Hardik K

Being a car owner involves a lot of responsibilities towards your car. You need to take proper care of your car to ensure that it is running smoothly. Tire alignment is a key aspect of maintaining your car and keeping it in good shape. However, wheel alignment is the most ignored aspect of car maintenance by many car owners in Canada. As a responsible vehicle owner and even for safe driving, you need to know when to go for wheel alignment in Regina. And align wheels at the right time.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, also known as tire alignment, is the process of checking and adjusting the angles of each wheel of the car with respect to each other and the car.
Improper tire alignment can result in a decrease in the longevity of the tires.
Misalignment of wheels also results in excessive fuel consumption, thus leading to reduced fuel mileage.
Wheel alignment ensures that all tires are working seamlessly when your car is running on the road and it gives you a safe and efficient driving experience.

Benefits of Tire Alignment

There are various benefits of getting your car’s wheels (tires) aligned. Here are some of the major advantages of regular wheel alignment.

Steering drift limitation ensures a smoother ride every time you hit the road.
Tire alignment helps to improve the safety of the car and minimizes any possible risk to you and your family.
Increase the lifespan of tires.
Reduce the frequency of tire replacement.
Improve gas mileage due to less pressure on the engine.
Reduce the wear and tear of tires.
Improve steering control.
Better stability and safety at higher speed.
Superior performance of tires.
Maximize the fuel efficiency of the car.

Common Causes of Misalignment of Wheels

Frequently driving over potholes
Minor collision with another vehicle
Involvement in an accident
Hitting the road debris
Bad shocks
Driving off-the-road frequently

Common Warning Signs of Wheel Misalignment

A wheel alignment service becomes crucial when:

You get a new set of tires.
Your vehicle is lifted or lowered.
It has been more than one year since the tire alignment was done.
Vibration of the car at higher speeds.
Car pulling to one side, either left or right, when driving on the highway.
Uneven wear and tear on tires.
Off-centre steering wheel.
Issues with the car steering system.
Unusual noise coming from the car.

For safe car handling, proper balanced tire alignment is crucial. In order to travel straight and prevent premature wearing of the tires, your car’s wheels need to be properly aligned. Driving your vehicle with bad wheel alignment will result in uneven wear and tear of the tires. This will result in difficulty in controlling the vehicle on the road and increased steering trouble as well.

Wheel alignment helps to keep your tires in great condition and well-maintained as well. Keep these facts in mind to book your next wheel alignment in Regina appointment.

Difference Between Summer Tires and All Season Tires

May 16, 2022 by Hardik K

One of the biggest dilemmas for vehicle owners in Canada is whether to go for an all season tire or summer tire. As the name indicates, all season tires perform well in all seasons and driving conditions. As the temperature increases during summer, it is advisable to go for a summer tire change.

Most Canadians prefer to use all season tires during summer, spring, and fall because it is less hassle-free than going for a tire change and replacement Regina again and again as the seasons change. However, each type of tire has its own pros and cons based on different circumstances. It is necessary to understand the clear difference between summer and all season tires to choose the right one for your vehicle.

What are Summer Tires?

Summer tires are specifically designed and manufactured for the summer months in Canada.
As the temperature in summer increases, heat can cause softening of the rubber compound present in tires.
Summer tires feature a specific rubber compound capable of withstanding the heat and high temperatures.
A summer tire provides better traction and control on the hot highways during the summer.
Summer tires deliver unparalleled performance in the warm seasons.
Summer tires are great for high performance vehicles like sports cars, luxury SUVs and even everyday cars.
When the average daily temperature rises above 44^oF, summer tire replacement is recommended.
Summer tires offer better fuel economy in the hot summer. This is mainly due to stiff construction of summer tires.
The tread depths in summer tires are shallower and have fewer grooves, which results in more contact of tire rubber with the road. This ultimately means superior grip and stability when driving on the road.

What are All Season Tires?

All season tires are designed and built for solid traction on the road in a wide range of conditions. They are not meant for performance handling, which makes all season tire change in high demand by Canadians.
They offer balanced capabilities and performance both in dry and wet conditions.
Unlike summer tires, which have shallow tread depths, all season tires have moderate tread depths.
They are made of rubber compounds, which provide more tread life compared to summer tires.
All season tires have the capability to provide some traction in winter. However, they are not suited for driving in extreme winter conditions.
Since all season tires offer a perfect combination of both summer and winter performance, they are an ideal option for drivers in moderate driving conditions.
All season tire is perfect for SUVs, passenger vehicles, and light trucks.

If you are planning for a tire change and replacement Regina, the choice between an all season tire and summer tire depends on your vehicle, driving conditions, performance requirements, and of course personal preference as well. Make the right choice for a flawless driving experience.

When Should You Take Your Winter Tires Off?

April 26, 2022 by Hardik K

Spring is coming soon in Canada. In order to properly prepare for the change of season as a vehicle owner, you need to know when to opt out for a winter tire change.

As the snow starts to disappear and temperatures begin to rise gradually, the question ‘When to go for a winter tire change and replacement in Regina?’ comes into the minds of most vehicle owners in Canada. However, this question is a tricky one because winter-like temperatures and weather can continue till early April. Hence, it is best to remove the winter tires and go for a summer tire change and replacement during early April.

Here are some signs that you can keep in mind while wondering whether to go for a all season tire in Regina or not.

Keep An Eye On The Temperature

Winter tires are made up of a softer rubber that does not perform well when the temperature rises and the pavements become hot.
The chances of wear and tear of winter tires increase during high temperatures and hot days.
When the temperatures are high, winter tires increase the road resistance and friction with the roads.
High friction means more power is needed for vehicles to run on the road, thus, reducing the mileage, and causing increased fuel consumption.
Winter tires help improve the grip on the road when temperatures are below 7^o
When temperatures go to 7^oC (44^oF) or higher and remain there consistently for some days, it is best to go for a tire change and take off the winter tires.

Mistiming Winter Tire Change Can Be Risky

In March and April, the temperatures in Canada are fluctuating.
The worst thing for a vehicle-owner like you can be to have the winter tires on for too long.
You also need to remember that going for a winter tire change too early, when there is still snow on the ground and the temperatures decrease again after you switched from winter tires, can be quite risky.
You need to keep the winter tires on as long as the temperature is close to 7^o
There are chances that temperatures may be high in the afternoon, while they reduce significantly in the morning and evening.
If most of your driving happens early in the morning or late evening when temperatures are lower, it makes sense to still keep the winter tires on.

Why Do You Require Summer Tires?

When temperatures rise above 7^oC, summer tires deliver optimal performance and mileage on dry and wet roads.
The tread patterns and rubber compound in summer tires offer improved safety, grip, and high stability in turns and curves when temperatures are high.

When you go for a tire change and replacement Regina to take the winter tires off, you can check the treads on the winter tires. If the depth is >4/32 inches, you can keep the winter tires safe and use them for the next winter season.

7 Things You Need in Your Car Emergency Kit

January 26, 2022 by Hardik K

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.