Thunder Bay Auto & Truck Repair

During winter, drivers face many challenges when driving. Winter storms and icy and snowy road conditions make it difficult for drivers to see, slow down, or stop, increasing road accidents. Knowing the techniques of winter driving will help reduce the likelihood of accidents during the challenging season. DRIVING TIPS FOR THE WINTER Stock Your Car With Winter Survival and Driving Kits Winter flogs, snow and ice can get you stuck when driving. Ensure your car is well stocked to help you during an emergency. Your winter driving kits ensure you carry essentials like a snow shovel, snow brush, ice scrapes, extra batteries, emergency flashlights and jumper cables. Do not forget warm clothing, blanket, gloves, boots, non-perishable foods, medication, and other winter tools to help during emergencies in your winter survival kit. Maintaining Appropriate Driving Behaviors Always be cautious by understanding and driving for the condition. Maintain appropriate speed limits, avoid distractio ... read more

A basic tune-up is one of the many auto services we provide at Preferred Auto & Fleet Service. It is one of those services that are vital for nearly all vehicles. Tune-ups can preserve your car's value and keep it in good, running condition as it ages. Here are some more in-depth details on the benefits of regular tune-ups: FEWER REPAIRS NECESSARY The main advantage of a tune-up is that it is a form of preventative maintenance; in other words, it helps our mechanics catch issues before they turn problematic and expensive. For instance, we might change your dirty filter. While a clogged filter may not seem serious, over time, it will restrict airflow to the engine, leading to lower fuel efficiency. If regular tune-ups are done, these issues are caught and stopped quickly. MORE ECONOMICAL THAN REPAIRS Regular tune-ups can prevent repairs, as mentioned previously, but they're also much less costly than having to spend thousands on a major repair.  INCREASES SAFETY M ... read more

Every vehicle owner has their own unique best practices to keep their car in good condition. Whether you've picked it up from friends, family, or even the dealership, you should look into it a little further to determine if it's true. Some automotive tips relating to fuel efficiency, vehicle longevity, etc., that simple are not trusted! Today, we will go over 5 of this misguided information. Myth #1: Premium gas will improve your engine performance.  Premium gas has a higher price per gallon than regular and mid-grade, but using it does not guarantee that it will boost your car's performance. Premium fuel is only suitable for vehicles with engines that need a high compression ratio. So, if your car doesn't require premium gas, then don't get it. You should always obtain the recommended fuel grade listed in your vehicle's owner manual. Myth #2: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Your oil change intervals depend on factors other than the numb ... read more

Did you know that every vehicle has two front brakes and two rear brakes? Automobiles made before 1970 tend to have drum brakes in both the front and in the rear. In contrast, cars after the 70s tend to have disc brakes on all four wheels or disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the back. The most prominent similarity between the two brake types is that they are both used in a hydraulic system, meaning they rely on brake fluid to work. They also have brake pads or brake shoes to create the necessary friction to stop when a driver applies pressure to the brake pedal. Now that you know the similarities, let's go over how they differ.   DISC BRAKES Disc brakes utilize a hydraulic clamp called calipers. They also include brake rotors and brake pads. Each disc brake has a brake pad on both sides that push against the metallic rotor when pressure is applied on the brake pedal. Disc brakes are proven to have the best stopping power over drum brakes, which is why they are pre ... read more

Your vehicle transmission is responsible for transferring the power generated by the engine to its wheels. Similar to engine oil for your motor, transmission fluid is used to keep the transmission system components cool and lubricated so that additional friction doesn’t cause internal damage. Without enough transmission fluid, your vehicle won’t run as smoothly, and you could experience transmission failure.   How Does Transmission Fluid Work? The liquid solution, which is often pink or red in color, flows through the transmission from the impeller to the turbine. It’s created to do various things simultaneously when the vehicle is both on and off: Allows the engine to shift gears Provides hydraulic pressure Lubricates parts It acts as a film between components that are moving Increases friction for the clutch to engage Prevents wear, rust, and corrosion If you put more strain on the transmission, the hotter the transmission will become. This is why the ... read more