Weak shocks cause uneven tire wear and affect your
vehicle’s stability at high speeds, especially when loaded.
During the month of August 2010, purchase and install one Kyb, Monroe, or Delco Strut or Shock at the regular price and the 2nd one is ½ price!
Unsure if your vehicle even needs shocks? No problem we will inspect them for FREE!
Monitoring systems and repair. Tire positioning audits available. Diagnose system failures and repairs available.
Thanks for the Kind Words
“Auto Tech is a rare gem in the world of automotive repair and maintenance: Jim and his staff are Knowledgeable, honest, and more than that they go the extra mile for you.
Because of Jim and J.C.’s thoroughness in inspecting a used truck I had just bought, a crack in the brake linings(shoes?) was discovered that should not have passed the dealer’s safety certificate. When I showed the entire report to the dealer, he performed ALL of the work indicate, not just the brakes, for Free – a savings of $600 for me!
Jim keeps track of my car’s maintenance needs and advises me by mail when a particular service is due. This is a big advantage for someone like me who has trouble telling the difference between a brake shoe and an argyle sock…
~ Brenda Bradley
Car Care Club Members pay 18% over cost year round!
Winter is the harshest time of year for your car. Corrosive road salt, stones and repeat freezing and thawing can wreak havoc on your painted sheet metal surfaces and your under car floor pan, critical brake, fuel, exhaust, unibody and subframe components. To compound the matter the cold winter probably kept you from washing your car as often as you should have.
April is a good time of year to bring your car in and have the underside thoroughly flushed to remove built up salt from nooks and crannies. This alone will add 5-10 years to your vehicle’s life and increase it’s resale value. At the same time, the underside can be checked for rusted components and adequate rustproofing protection. Remember most factory non oil based rustproofing starts separating from the underlying metal sometime between year 6 and 10 necessitating blowing or scraping off the product and recoating with an oil base one. Contrary to popular belief it is not necessary to rustproof the entire vehicle underside annually. Only the dry or rusty areas on the vehicle should be rustproofed or you will end up with a build up of dirt that absorbs the oil and the underlying metal will rust. Remember once a film of oil is applied to any metal surface, oxidization is interrupted and further rusting cannot occur.
We have all heard the ads and driven past the signs offering the convenient, quick oil, lube & filter. And what could be better? No appointments necessary! No need to leave your vehicle.
Ready in 9 minutes, ready in 10 minutes with a completed 20 point check. These rapid lube facilities are staffed with entry level personnel that do not repair vehicles for a living and cannot be expected to locate potential safety issues or mechanical deficiencies on today’s complex vehicles. Remember that Class A technicians have many years of experience repairing vehicles and perform many important checks focusing on important safety items while locating small problems before they become expensive breakdowns. It takes 45 minutes to do a complete oil change with a thorough inspection.
Ponder this:
It takes 10 minutes for all the oil to completely drain from your engine. If your vehicle is not placed on a hoist, which is often the case in rapid lube centers, with the wheels elevated off the ground, many important safety items cannot be checked. Tires cannot be checked properly. Wheels cannot be checked to ensure they are rotating freely. Wheel bearings cannot be checked for excessive play as well as important front suspension components such as lower ball joints.
At Jim Dickinson Auto Tech we even check for corrosion on steel brake lines that can cause system pressure loss resulting in brake failure. Not having your 3-15 year old vehicle in for a routine oil change can result in expensive breakdowns or render your vehicle unsafe to drive without you knowing it. We also recommend a brake inspection every 10,000 km when you are rotating your tires and an annual bumper to bumper 400 point check.
Don’t neglect your vehicles’s Service requirements !!!!!!!!
A simple Oil Change will remove harmful acids & sludge from your engine that takes years off its life. The included 90 point inspection often reveals small problems before they become expensive breakdowns!
In one word … Integrity.
Jim is not only very knowledgeable, but takes the time to rationally explain the problem and the cost.
My family and I moved to Ottawa from B.C. last year and we had an older/low mileage Toyota truck that had to pass the “Clean Air Program”. After taking it both to Canadian Tire and the dealership, I was told that I would need to overhaul the cylinder heads (meaning a new motor!). We were fortunate to be referred to Jim. Jim and his staff proceeded to do a complete diagnostic of the exhaust system. He discovered that it was simply a leak in the exhaust manifold. I truly believe Jim saved me hundreds if not thousands in not having to replace the motor and by correcting the real problem.
Courtesy and personable service.
Good value for the money!
Stuart Valair
Is it time for yours?
Pre- Drive Clean Test Tips
Your vehicle can be refused from a drive clean test for the following reasons:
Here are a few items to check prior to the test:
For a nominal charge we can check these items during an oil change. Do not have a tune-up done or any other extensive repairs at a non authorized drive clean repair facility prior to the test as they are not considered part of the $ 450.00 repair cost limit if the vehicle fails the test.
Jim Dickinson Auto Tech
is a Drive Clean Repair Centre.
We also offer Drive Clean test valet service for $15.
Are you tired of New Car Dealers offering you ridiculously low trade-in value on your well maintained vehicle or haggling price with potential purchasers?
We can consignment sell your vehicle for you and get top dollar for it.
As a perquisite the vehicle must have had regular maintenance in our Shop.
Please see Jim for details or call 613 721 6244. Read the rest of this entry »
