Buick has always been the one of the premier brands under the GM automotive umbrella. If you’ve ever driven a Buick, attributes such as ride quality, amenities and flair stand out in your mind. A few years ago, General Motors examined their brand line up and decided to focus on the core brands that consumers have grown to love and trust; a focus on quality not quantity became synonymous with GM’s offerings. Buick discontinued some models … [Read more...]
Every year we are urged by our mechanics, dealerships and media to make the switch to winter tires in the dwindling weeks of the fall season in preparation of severe winter weather. Some of us listen while others chose to do otherwise. Part of the reason for this is the fact that many don’t understand the benefit of swapping all-season tires for dedicated winters. There are two main reasons for switching to winter rubber: temperature and … [Read more...]
Car Care Canada conducted consumer research over the summer to learn more about driver’s maintenance habits and gauge their understanding of what type of maintenance is required on their vehicles. The overall results were encouraging with 70% of drivers reporting they bring their vehicle in for maintenance at least once per year. However, when we began to look at the detailed results it became clear that we are facing a generation gap when … [Read more...]
Metroland Media/Wheelstalk.com - Following the successful debut of the Dodge Charger Pursuit, Dodge will begin offering a Durango Special Service model for fleet use. This SUV is specially designed to handle the rigors of everyday use by police and fire departments and fleet customers. Chrysler Group fleet operations will start taking orders now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012. “We’re incredibly excited … [Read more...]
A vehicle relies on the effectiveness of its vital fluids to keep its moving parts operating efficiently, reliably and safely and you ignore them at your peril. The list of liquids includes gasoline, motor oil, anti-freeze, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, specific lubricants for manual gearboxes, the transfer cases in four-wheel-drive vehicles and the differential in rear-drive vehicles, plus power steering … [Read more...]
By John Bondar, Special to Wheelstalk.com - Racers across the province are all a-buzz with B-Spec. B-Spec is a new category of road racing car that is targeted at entry level racers. The cars are based on the manufacturers “B-segment” of cars, namely the sub-compacts. Here is some of the background. A few years ago, two of the leading manufacturers that are involved in motorsports, Honda and Mazda, got together and came up with the … [Read more...]
by Jason Okolisan, Special to Wheelstalk - The show may be over, but preparations for next year’s Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) are already underway. Part of this will be the induction of a new president, who will be taking over from Mississauga car dealer, Joel Cohen of Erin Park Lexus Toyota Scion. Cohen presided over the 10-day event that saw record attendance. Sandy Liguori of Woodchester Auto Group, will take over … [Read more...]
Anti-freeze not only acts as a coolant, allowing today’s engines to run at higher temperatures than ever before, but it has lubricating and anti-corrosion properties that help water pumps and radiators live longer more productive lives. Because these additives can weaken with time anti-freeze should be replaced every two years. Brake fluid is something we rarely think about, but it too is a complex product that transmits hydraulic pressure … [Read more...]
We have been doing a lot of seasonal tune-ups lately, as many Canadians are getting their vehicles ready for a summer full of day trips, or a cross-country tour. A lot of our customers are forgoing the expense of motels/hotels and opting to tow a pop-up tent trailer, where others are towing their jet skis or boat from lake to lake. Most people are aware of the extra strain that towing can have on the vehicle’s transmission, however the … [Read more...]
Metroland Media/Wheelstalk.com – SEOUL – Kia has been awarded two top honours for its Picanto and Rio models in the 2012 red dot design competition. The five-door versions of Kia’s striking A-segment Picanto and B-segment Rio were both winners in red dot’s internationally-acclaimed ‘Product Design’ category, in a competition that saw more than 4,500 products entered by 1,800 manufacturers from 58 countries across a variety of … [Read more...]
Metroland Media/Wheelstalk.com - Whether you have gasoline in your veins, or … [More...]
by Jim Robinson, Metroland Media/Wheelstalk.com - At the recent Kia Canada press … [More...]
By Michael Hatch, Special to Wheelstalk.com - When consumers go shopping for a … [More...]
