At Active Green + Ross, your regular scheduled maintenance should include a complete multi-point inspection along with an oil, filter, and fluid, brake inspection, tire rotation or balance, alignment check and battery & brake inspection and other filter and fluid replacements.
Fluid replacements and topping help ensure the engine is ready to endure summer’s heat. Spring to early summer is perhaps the most critical time of the year to check that your car’s belts and hoses aren’t cracked, loose or broken, Does your car smell funny, even after you clean the inside? Many people don’t realize their cars have engine air and cabin air filters. Look at your car’s owner manual and contact your local Active Green + Ross to have them changed.
Battery testing should be considered an integral part of the scheduled maintenance routine and should be performed whether or not a starting problem has occurred. Due to the increased electrical demands on the battery, little warning is given before failure. Also, the harsh weather we experience seasonally here in Ontario ha an impact on the performance and longevity of your battery. Visit your local Active Green + Ross for a certified battery inspection.
Spot check your Tires & Wheels
You likely drive on all-season tires or have the requirement to changeover into all-season or summer tires from winter tires. Fluctuating temperatures and those nasty potholes you hit can cause cracks and other damage in those tires. Take a look for dents along the perimeter of the wheel, bubbles on the side of your tires (they look like tennis balls trying to break through), cracks, and any kind of screws or nails embedded in a tire. If you spot any of those, repair or replace the tire at Active Green + Ross. Otherwise, your tire might have a slow air leak. Hit a pothole, and it can damage the expensive wheel and even instantly flatten your tire.
Driving on a damaged tire can also result in a major blow out. If you aren’t comfortable inspecting your own tires, call your local Active green + Ross. Even if there’s no damage, don’t forget to check tire pressure. You can generally find what tire pressure you should have by looking at the sticker inside the driver’s side door. It is also listed in the car owner’s manual. If the tires or over- or under-inflated they can wear poorly and even create safety hazards. Rotating your tires also extend the life of your tires and ensure optimum grip and even treadwear. Not only will your car ride better, but it will also get better gas mileage and help your tires last longer.
Although there are many other factors that can cause tire wear, such as climate, road surface quality, and your driving style, improper tire alignment is the main cause to irregular treadwear and can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely and can even cause driver assist systems to malfunction. Common irregular tire tread wear conditions from improper alignment include the following: Heel/Toe wear, Feathering, and Camber wear.
If you are experiencing irregular tire wear, handling issues, or an off centered steering wheel, an alignment inspection or correction should be performed. Even without experiencing any indicators of an Alignment related issue, most vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your alignment at least annually or at every seasonal tire changeover and corrected with the purchase of new tires.
Brake system inspection is an absolute must to ensure safe driving conditions. During a brake inspection the entire brake system is checked; this includes the following: the brake pedal, brake fluid, brake lines and hoses, and the brake assemblies (whether they are disc brakes or drum brakes). Your vehicles brakes help safely avoid collisions with other objects or vehicles on a daily basis making them critical to keep in good working condition. Although we recommend checking your brakes at least once a year, the following symptoms may indicate there is an issue with your brakes worthy of immediate inspection:
- Grinding, squeaking or squealing brakes
- Brake pedal feels spongy
- Shaking steering wheel
- Car wobbling or pulsating when you drive at highway speeds
- If your car is experiencing any of the above, bring your car in for a free brake check.
If you’re in need of a brake service and inspection, look no further than Active Green + Ross, where we offer complete brake inspections year-round. Bring your vehicle in and our certified technicians will perform a brake inspection service.
With 65 locations in Ontario, We are the TIRE & SERVICE EXPERTS and Will Not Be Undersold!
