Month of Myths - #9

Myth 9: I do not drive under "severe" conditions.

Most Canadians drive under "severe" conditions, but believe they drive under "normal" conditions. Severe conditions include:

• Cold weather.
• Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving.
• Driving less than 8 kilometers per trip, or in freezing temperatures driving less than 16 km per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot (over 32⁰ C) conditions. 
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

The Service Advisors at Crestview Auto Service are available to discuss the needs and maintenance schedule of your vehicle. Complimentary Roadside Assistance with repair and maintenance service. Call (306) 244-6522 to find out more. 

Honest-1 Auto Care on WSYX (ABC and FOX) Columbus, OH

Honest-1 Auto Care on WSYX (ABC and FOX) Columbus, OH

On Tuesday, January 28^th, 2014 WSYX Columbus, OH (ABC and FOX) featured Danni Diol, Honest-1 Auto Care Owner. In the segment Danni discusses the extreme cold weather and how car owners have had battery/starting issues along with tire, shocks, alignment damage due to potholes. January is typically a slow month for car repair shops, but the Honest-1 folks were able to mention that they have seen an uptick in car counts.

Or click here to see full video.

What are some good work practices to follow?

March 7, 2012



Before you attempt to work on your vehicle, here is a list of recommendation for you to follow for your own health and safety. When you follow theses recommendation you are taking the necessary precautions for your safety.

-Read, understand, and follow the instructions and recommendations described in the operating and maintenance manuals for tools and equipment you use.

-Stop the engine and disengage power before servicing.

-Work as a team. Do not start an engine, engage power, raise, or lower an implement or hoist without warning other people in the area.

-Lock out equipment by removing the ignition key and by disconnecting the battery cables.

-Always disable the electrical system by disconnecting a battery cable or removing fuses for a circuit when working on the electrical system (e.g., starter motor, radio, wiring, ignition, etc.)

-It is good practice to disable the electrical system when working on or near the safety air bags.

-Know how to work safely with all tools and equipment.

-Attach a "Do Not Operate" tag to the vehicle's control panel with the reason stated (such as 'no brakes').

-Use jacks and hoists to move and handle heavy components.

-Use solvents with a flashpoint above 60°C where possible to reduce the risk of fire.

-Clean up spilled oil, grease, fuel and other slipping and fire hazards immediately.

-Inspect compressed air hoses regularly, and immediately replace any which are cracked, worn or frayed.

-Ensure that air pressure reducers, gauges and moisture/dirt traps are cleaned and functioning.

-Dispose or recycle waste materials in accordance to government regulations.

-Above and underground tanks, pump pits, and similar areas are considered confined spaces and can be dangerous. Only specifically trained individuals are allowed entry. Contact your local jurisdiction for more information.

-Do not use gasoline for cleaning. Use cleaning solvents in approved containers.

-Do not wear rings, watches, ties, jewelry, or torn or loose clothing. Button up shirt front and sleeves. Tie back long hair.

-Do not run engines inside unless ventilation systems are attached, and the exhaust is vented outside.

-Change oily clothing and launder regularly to prevent skin irritation and dermatitis.

-Use safe lifting techniques when moving heavy parts.

-Do not allow customers, family or untrained people in the work area.

We will be having a customer
"Appreciation Day"Revised DateSaturday April 28th from 9am - 3pmMore information to follow....

RJ PICK UP SERVICE
241A Main Street North
Uxbridge, Ontario, L9P 1C3
Phone 905-852-4238
Email: EMAIL US


TIRECRAFT!!   We're driving towards a cure with every car we serviceshow your support and go pink!!

Charging a battery or jumpstarting a car

One thing that I do frequently is end up charging a car battery or jump starting someone's car. Frequently this is because someone let a vehicle sit for a long time (probably a month or more), or they left the lights on. Every once and a while it is because of an actual failed battery. I also charge up my wife's car every few weeks since she only drives about 2 miles a day so her battery never gets fully charged unless I do it and I charge the car battery when changing oil. When it comes to charging a vehicle's batter there are right and wrong ways of doing it which I will discuss below. As a side note if you have a limited use vehicle I highly suggest getting one of those solar trickle chargers that sell for about $20 just plug it into the 12V outlet (cigarette lighter) and put in on the dash. I use one in my Bronco II and that thing will sit for a month consistently and still starts without issue.

Jump starting a car:
I suggest carrying around a good set of jumper cables. Good ones have real heavy clamps and are at least 6 gauge wire 4 gauge wire is better (lower gauge is thicker wire).

1. Move the running vehicle so that it's battery is as close to dead battery in the other vehicle as possible
2. Leave the vehicle with the good battery running
3. Make sure all accessories (lights, radio, etc.) are off in the vehicle with the dead battery
4. connect the red cable to the red (+) terminal on the vehicle with the dead battery
5. Connect the other end of the red cable to the red (+) terminal on the running vehicle
6. Connect the black cable to the black (-) terminal on the vehicle with the dead battery
7. Connect the other end of the black cable to the black (-) terminal on the running vehicle
8. Do not attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery yet, it probably won't start and if you do try it will only take longer.
9. Go sit in the running vehicle for a few minutes. I suggest bringing the engine up to a faster idle (1500 RPM) so it will charge the dead battery faster. To do this just lightly press on the gas pedal, you will hear the engine speed up some
10. After 5 or so minutes have someone else go and try to start the vehicle with the dead batter. Keep the running vehicle at the faster idle.
11. If the vehicle with the dead battery started continue to step15
12. If the vehicle with the dead battery turned over (tried to start) but didn't start go to step 9
13. If the vehicle with the dead battery didn't turn over go to step 9 but let it charge for 10 minutes
14. If you get here and have tried starting the other vehicle and it won't start the battery is probably totally dead so go get a new one, or the starter is the problem and go get a new one. Continue to step 15 and disconnect the jumper cables.
15. Disconnect the black cable from the car that has been running the whole time
16. Disconnect the black cable from the car that got the jump
17. Disconnect the red cable from the car that has been running the whole time
18. Disconnect the red cable from the car that got the jump
19. If the car that got the jump is now running have them take it for a drive for at least 30 minutes to get the battery charged back up. Highway driving is better as that is at a constant speed and will charge the battery quicker and will put less of a load on the battery. You can end now
20. If the char that got the jump isn't running check the battery and starter. (This will be discussed in another post later)

Using a battery charger (also applies to connecting battery boosters)

1. Do NOT have the battery charger plugged into the wall
2. Connect the red cable to the red terminal (+) on the battery
3. Connect the black cable to the black terminal (-) on the battery
4. Plug in the battery charger
5. Select the type of charging. Some chargers don't give you an option, these are trickle chargers. The various options are below
1. Trickle charge (1-2 amps)  This is the best way to charge a char battery, use it if getting the vehicle started can wait several hours (overnight)
2. Quick charge (5-20 amps) This is used to quickly charge a battery, expect to let it charge for several minutes (10-30 depending on battery size and output of charger)
3. Start (50-200 amps) This is used to start a vehicle. You should still let charger charge the battery for a few minutes (5 is probably plenty). This is really hard on batteries
6. Let the vehicle charge
7. Unplug your charger
8. Disconnect the black cable from your battery
9. Disconnect the red cable from your battery

When I charge a battery when changing oil I use the trickle charge setting on my charger. My charger is a 2/10/50 amp charger. I also use the trickle (2 amp) setting when charging my wife's car overnight.