Crestview Auto Service Saskatoon Car Care Advice: Water Pump

Let's face it, most of us do not think about  our vehicles until we run into a problem....and that problem may be a major inconvenience at best; an accident at worst. Having your vehicle serviced by people that you trust is an absolute must.   Let our team of highly trained technicians at Crestview Auto Service work with you to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road. 

Crestview Auto Service are your Trusted Saskatoon Auto Repair and service Experts!

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine.

The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 60,000 kilometers, but almost all of them fail by 160,000 kilometers.

Water pumps don’t gradually wear out; they fail. In other words, they’re either working or they’re not. A failed water pump has to be replaced.

Water pumps can fail in two ways: they can spring a leak or their bearings fail. Leaks can come from a cracked pump, but usually develop at the gasket where the pump attaches to the engine.

If you hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump, it’s time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in the area near the pump, it needs to be replaced. Also, coolant on the driveway could indicate water pump failure. Many water pumps aren’t visible because they’re under a plastic cover, so you may have to take your pickup to your Saskatoon service center or Crestview Auto Service to know if the water pump has failed.

If your water pump is run by the timing belt, then it should be replaced when you replace the belt. Most timing belts need to be replaced at around 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The labor for replacing a timing belt is about 90% the same for replacing a water pump, so it’s cost-effective to take care of them both at the same time.

Also, if your water pump develops a leak (if it’s powered by the timing belt), you have to replace the timing belt as well since contamination by coolant fluid damages the belt. It just makes sense for Saskatoon motorists to replace both of these critical parts whenever either one needs it.

Replacing a water pump at Crestview Auto Service is a car care issue that almost all of us Saskatoon car owners face eventually. They don’t last forever. On the other hand, we can extend the life of most of the components of our vehicle through important preventive maintenance. Just as exercise and diet keep our heart healthy, regular check-ups and fluid 

Drop in or give us a call at 24 - 23rd St E
Saskatoon, SK, 306-244-6522

Crestview Auto Service

“We’ll Keep Your Car Young a Long Time”

Winter Driving in Saskatchewan

How well did you prepare your vehicle for winter? Here are some things to remember and some tips to help ready yourself for a winter trip. Plan to be safe this winter when you are out on the road, reducing the stress of winter driving.

Have your vehicle inspected and serviced to be sure you won’t break down in the cold. Winter conditions with snow, cold and icy roads demand that a vehicle be in top condition. For this reason, a winter readiness inspection is a necessity, and in the end is less annoying and less costly than battery boosts, calling a tow truck, being late and those unplanned hotel stays half way to your destination.

Before it’s too late and you’re on the side of the road or worse, stopped in the middle of the road, give us a call, e-mail or book online to set up an appointment for your vehicle. You will know the condition of your vehicle and what needs to be done for safe winter driving.

Having a block heater on your car and using it when temperatures are colder than -15⁰c is the least expensive way to prevent engine damage from cold winter starts; just make sure you unplug before driving away.

Remember; daytime running lights on your vehicle usually only have the headlights on, not the park lights. They provide less light than when you turn the lights on yourself. At dusk or inclement weather you need to turn the lights on manually so others can see you from the front and the back; swirling snow, fog and cloudy days make it difficult to see and to be seen.

Tips before you head out on the road each day:

·        Unplug the car

·        Brush the snow off your car.

·        Scrape the windshield, rear and side windows.

·        Clear your heater air intake (this is usually between the windshield and the hood).

·        Clean your headlights, tail lights and signal lights.

·        Be sure to clear your tissue boxes, sunglasses, papers, etc., away from defroster                  outlets or your windows won’t clear properly.

For out of town or even for short trips, follow this link for information on what survival equipment to take with you in your vehicle: http://crestviewautoservice.blogspot.ca/2014/10/prepared-for-winter.html

Prepared for Winter

Are you prepared for winter driving? What should you take with you this winter?

Be prepared by keeping these items handy in your vehicle: 

• Spare Winter Clothing & Boots
• Emergency Drinking Water/Dried Food
• Emergency Blanket (& extra sleeping bag)
• Flashlight w/ Batteries
• Weatherproof Emergency Flares/Cones
• Emergency Whistle w/lanyard
• Hand Warmers (Pair), Feet Warmers (Pair)
• "Call Police" banner
• Safety matches
• A supply of Emergency Candles
• Coffee Can - one for candles & on for melting snow
• First Aid Kit

Additional Tips:

• Many people have their cell phones. But do you keep a car charger for your phone in your vehicle at all times?
• Winter Traction on ice can be enhanced by putting kitty litter down on the ice in front of the tires - but avoid clay based kitty litters, as it will mix with snow/slush and cause mud. 
• A small shovel is helpful in case you have to dig yourself out, it doesn't have to be big but it needs to be sturdy enough not to break,
• Glow sticks can be a handy way to alert emergency vehicles. Tie a shoelace to the end and by swinging it around like a lasso, it is a very effective signal from the ground or the sky. 

Winter and Tire Differences

Often at this time of year we are asked “why isn’t an all season tire or even a four-season tire [with the snowflake symbol on the tire] good enough for winter?” The difference is in the type of rubber and the design of the tread. The most common comment we hear from someone after having winter tires is “why did I wait so long to get them?”

All season tires are really only 3 season tires at best. The tread is designed for long life; because of this the tire does not have the lugs needed for good snow traction. Also the rubber used in the tread becomes hard and less flexible as the temperature starts dropping below 7 degrees Celsius, making the tire slip on ice and snow.  

Four season tires are a compromise and winter traction is sacrificed to get longer life out of the tire. They are really all season tires with a slightly more flexible rubber compound and a tread pattern that works ok in snow. Unfortunately, the tread compound is designed for long life making it only a bit better than all season tires on ice.

Winter stud-less tires are the best for most winter driving; they will have a very flexible tread that grabs the road for the best traction through the winter. Some winter tires have provisions for studs. These tires generally have a blockier tread pattern that is great in snow but the tire does not flex as much as a stud-less winter tire; these tires rely more on the studs for the added ice traction.  

At Crestview Auto Service, we can help you find the winter tire that is right for you. We recommend booking in late September/early October. Remember to book ahead of time. Appointments can be made online at www.crestviewautoservice.caor by phone (306) 244-6522. We look forward to helping you be prepared for winter driving. 

#winter #tires #tread #cold #snow #ice

(*Note: The picture with the two cars depicts braking distance at a speed of 50 km/hr).

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.

Be Prepared - Are these items in your vehicle?

We all know that driving in the winter can present challenges. Be sure to be prepared by keeping these items handy in your vehicle:

• Spare Winter Clothing & Boots
• Emergency Drinking Water/Dried Food
• Emergency Blanket (& extra sleeping bag)
• Flashlight w/ Batteries
• Weatherproof Emergency Flares/Cones
• Emergency Whistle w/lanyard
• Hand Warmers (Pair)/Feet Warmers (Pair)
• "Call Police" Banner
• (2) Emergency Candles
• Coffee Can – (one for candles) & (one for melting snow)
• Safety Matches
• Crestview Auto Service – First Aid Kit