 The steering and suspension systems are important for both your safety and comfort when driving as they ensure a smooth ride as your car travels over bumpy roads. The two systems are usually talked about together as they are directly related to each other. However, what does each system do? When do you need to check these important systems? And, how can you tell if either system is damaged in some way?
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 Not only can some environmentally conscious driving choices help reduce your carbon footprint, but they can also save you a lot of money. Change your driving habitsShifting gears rapidly does not mean you should drive faster! The faster you drive, the more your car encounters air resistance – meaning higher gas consumption. Minimize acceleration and deceleration to avoid wasting gas. You can do this by anticipating traffic patterns that require you to brake often and modifying your speed accordingly. Driving at a smooth and steady pace will not only save you money on gas but also protect your tires and brakes. Leave a little earlier than usual and slow down. Your journey will be more environmentally friendly, safer and more relaxed! Driving the speed limit is always the best option for fuel efficient and safe driving.  Photo by: Chinmay Jade Tires are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. They also support the weight of the vehicle. Tires play a vital role in ensuring your car is safe to be driven. Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is an important task. Get it wrong, and you can jeopardize your car's performance and its ability to tackle any type of weather. Car tires usually need to be replaced every three or four years. Your tires must handle a wide variety of climatic conditions, so you need to make sure to buy tires that will perform not only in your most common climate conditions but also in the most extreme conditions that you will face.
 Knowing when to change over to winter tires depends on various factors including temperature and provincial regulations. We’ll help you get a grip on when to swap out your winter tires here in Vancouver BC and Lower Mainland.
 Photo by Paul Volkmer Have you leaved your car unused for a long period? Do you know what happens when tires sit too long in one place? If your car is left unused for an extended period of time, know that your tires and other components will still require maintenance and upkeep. Leaving a car unused for a long period could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes, and tires. Tires will be prone to deteriorate, lose air pressure, and develop flat spots. When you decide to start driving your vehicle again, instead of the smooth ride you expected, it will be all bumps, thumps, and vibration due to ineffective tires.
 Winter is coming to British Columbia, which also means: it’s time for winter tires! There are some myths about winter tires that we'll debunk in this blog. If you use any of these for excuses, it’s time to think again. 1. There is not much snow in Metro Vancouver.“Each year, there’s hardly any snow anymore.” Well, winter tires are not just snow tires, and they do more than just give you traction on the snow. They’re engineered for wetter weather - pretty much our Vancouver winter - with tread that’s designed to channel water and slush out from under them, which helps avoid hydroplaning — a dangerous situation where your tire’s tread fills with water and “floats” on top of the puddles, and you lose control.
Rubber naturally hardens in cold weather, which reduces its grip. Winter tires are made of a specific rubber compound that keeps them supple at lower temperatures. Tire grip is important not just for acceleration, but also for lane changes and braking. The general rule is that when the temperature drops below 7°C, winter tires grip better than all-season tires.  As the weather changes from Summer to Winter, it’s a reminder to change over your seasonal tires as well.
In British Columbia, certain roads in mountainous terrain are accessible only to vehicles equipped with winter tires. However, winter driving in Vancouver – as with other cities on the “Wet Coast” – comes with its particular challenges. The combination of the closeness of the ocean, the temperature fluctuations, and the moisture in the air can create dangerous driving conditions. We highly recommend using winter tires for our Canadian climate and so do the tire manufacturers. This isn’t an evil plot to sell more tires, because by using different tires for summer and winter you are doubling the length of time each set of tires will last. The reasons for changing back and forth are primarily better traction, which makes your vehicle safer to drive. Meaning you are no longer “that person” spinning tires at every light. Tire companies recommend switching tire types when temperatures are about 10 degrees Celsius. While you can use summer tires below that temperature and winter tires above that temperature, you will gain the most benefit by switching when temperatures average around 10 degrees.  No. The reality is they should be used in the spring, summer and fall cause the compound is designed for long life, not winter traction. The other thing to consider is that winter tires are not just snow tires. Back in the day, winter tires had big, knobby chunks of rubber and they were really only good in snow. There are many times during a Vancouver winter that the roads are exposed or wet, and not covered in snow. Modern winter tires continue to stay soft and pliable, providing the grip you need in all winter driving situations.
If there is one certainty in weather… it’s the change of seasons.  The little book that no one reads, but that can make you comfortable with your car. 1. How to Check Your FluidsYour car, as a machine needs lubrication and cooling to run optimally. For this, your car has been designed to run on specific fluids for your engine, gearbox, power steering, cooling system etc. Your car manual gives you specific details on these fluids and where they should be put in your car. It also tells you the exact quantity required for each system. Please note that using the wrong fluids can drastically cut short the life of the affect system in your car. More importantly, owners often need help locating where to measure fluids because the location can greatly differ between models.  Your guess is right, tires are made of Rubber, but in the name of safety, durability and performance, there are many more tire ingredients used in the production process. On average, a modern tire on a passenger car will contain up to 25 components and as many as 12 different rubber compounds.
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