(Posted on Apr 10, 2021 at 09:43PM by Darby Riales)
If you have noticed that your windshield wipers aren’t doing as good of a job as they used to, it might be time to replace them with a new set. Over time and with frequent use, they tend to wear down. Even excessive exposure to the sun with little use can cause the rubber to disintegrate.
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Changing out the blades on any vehicle is quite simple. The first step is to identify the type of wipers your car has. There are three kinds to choose from. Frame is the most common, and they only require you to switch out the old rubber insert instead of the entire blade. Winter is another type that is popular here in BC since it can withstand heavy use in harsh weather. Finally, Single Beam wipers require the entire blade to be changed. You also need to measure your current set of blades to determine what size you need to replace them with. Be sure to write the numbers down because they aren’t necessarily the same length.
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Once you have figured out which type you have, you can unlatch the hooking mechanism to take the blade off. Remove any plastic from the new set of wipers and latch them into place.
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On average, a car battery will last up to five years or even longer. Not bad, right? However, it’s important that you keep in mind that if you don’t take proper care of your vehicle, your battery won’t make it that long without running into problems. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Check for loose battery clamps. If the clamps become loose, the vibrations that result when driving can cause parts related to the battery to break down more easily, resulting in your battery’s life being adversely affected.
2. Turn your lights off. If you accidentally leave your car’s lamps on, you may need to jumpstart it the next time you start up—and anytime you jumpstart your vehicle, your battery’s lifespan will drop.
3. Watch out for extreme weather. Very cold temperatures may finish off a battery that’s already dying by draining it more quickly. Conversely, hot weather can evaporate battery fluid.
Your check engine light may be on for a variety of reasons, but fear not; while some problems related to this light are as serious as you may expect, not all require expensive repairs.
1. Loose Gas Cap. Hopefully, this is the reason for your problem—and yes, it is actually one of the most likely issues. Sometimes, you simply didn’t screw the gas cap on tight enough the last time you filled up, or the cap is cracked and must be replaced.

2. Failing Oxygen Sensor. If the oxygen system is possibly causing a fuel economy decline, one of our trained technicians can confirm using a diagnostic code reader.

3. Faulty Spark Plugs. You may require new spark plugs if they are malfunctioning; ignoring this issue may keep the car from starting altogether.

4. Faltering Catalytic Converter. If you ignore spark plug failings or the oxygen sensor issue mentioned above, the problem may grow and your catalytic converter may fail altogether. Needless to say, this will result in a check engine light.
There are plenty of fluids flowing around in your car. But besides the obvious gasoline, what are they, why are these liquids important, and when should you check them?
Antifreeze or coolant (depending on the season) is used to keep the radiator exchanging heat efficiently during your drives, while wiper fluid, as the name implies, helps the windshield stay clean. These should be checked around every month or so.
Every 3 months or so (which is approximately equal to 3,000 miles) check the automatic transmission fluid, if applicable in your car—it helps ensure gear shifting is smooth. Meanwhile, power steering liquid does something similar for taking on curves; therefore, inspect it simultaneously.
As you can see, some of these fluids are buried quite deep in your car, so it might be easier for you to contact us at Willowbrook Chrysler today and have them checked by our team instead.
(Posted on Mar 30, 2021 at 09:34PM by Darby Riales)
Aside from the occasional tire rotation, another vehicle service that you may need is wheel alignment.
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If you have ever hit a pothole, run over a curb, hydroplaned, or been in a fender bender, then your axles may be out of whack. You can typically tell if you feel the steering column pulling to the right or left instead of driving straight. Vibrations are another indicator that the alignment needs to be checked.
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Ignoring these signs could cause a significant decrease in your vehicle’s performance, fuel-efficiency, and even safety as it wears down the tread on your tires prematurely. All you have to do is make an appointment with our technicians. They will use sensors to determine the axle angles and what corrections need to be made. One of our mechanics will let you know how much repositioning was done once the service is complete.
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You have to break-in shoes and gloves, but how about your car? It turns out that this applies to new vehicles, too, but what is involved?
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Break-in periods for cars vary, but in general, the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) or so is the range in which both you will get accustomed to the vehicle, and it will do the same for you. This duration is often when automated systems—like parking assist or driver attention-assurance features—learn how you operate behind the wheel.
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For cargo hauling, manufacturers often recommend during break-in periods that you should avoid pulling large trailers or putting heavy items in roof racks. In addition, some makers may advise practices like refraining from long idling times (and this is good to do in general).
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(Posted on Mar 25, 2021 at 08:45PM by Darby Riales)
If you have been riding around BC with the same set of tires for a while, then you may be wondering when you need to swap them out.
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While every vehicle is different depending on the type of driving you do, a good rule of thumb is to replace them every six years on average. You can determine the age by reading the manufacturer's date on the tire wall. However, your tires may need to be switched sooner than that.
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How you can tell if your tires need to be changed is by taking a close look at the tread. Use a penny or a quarter to measure. If it’s too low, then your car is no longer operating at its optimal performance.
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You can change your tires by yourself, or you can bring them in to our service department. Get in touch with our team today to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
An oil change often becomes one of those chores many drivers do without totally understanding why. We know it's important, but what's the reason for it?
Cars need to have their oil changed regularly because the engine's operation causes tiny pieces of dirt, metal, and other debris to flake off. If they're not safely dealt with, these bits could cause damage.
Oil is the medium that ensures this doesn't happen, but it can only accommodate a certain amount of debris before it's spent. That's why it ends up looking black and muddy when you have it changed.
Traditional oils required replacement at around every 3,000 miles of driving, but modern-day synthetics are safe to use for up to 5,000 to 10,000 miles (depending on the brand). When this happens, it's best to swap out the filter at that point, too.
Spark plugs might be small, but you will definitely notice if they stop working because the engine will fail to ignite altogether. But barring that happening, how often should you replace them?
Other than the worst-case scenario, you may notice that it is more difficult to get your car started. The check engine light could also illuminate, or you might be getting poor gas mileage – all of these are potential signs of worn-out spark plugs.
Your vehicle might also produce rough engine idling noises when you are stopped at red lights, or it may accelerate slower than it usually does, as well. Even if none of these signs pop up, if you notice the odometer ticking closer to around 130,00 kilometres, that is also a sign to get your spark plugs checked.
Now that you know some signs of worn-out spark plugs schedule a checkup today with us at Willowbrook Chrysler.
Your brakes might make many noises, so what do they mean and should you be worried? While not a perfect way of understanding how they’re holding up, some sounds might be hints.
You’re likely familiar with squealing, which means it’s time for new brake pads. Rattling indicates something is warped or worn and also signals you to head in for a checkup.
Grinding is not a normal sound and usually means you should get your brakes checked. However, if you only hear it first thing in the morning, it may just be rust rubbing off from the rotors — avoid corrosion by parking in dry areas whenever possible.
If you notice other sounds, then something deeper is possibly happening. Your brakes may be overheating, or another more serious issue might be developing, so head for a professional inspection to find out for sure.