Frequently Asked Questions
When your car needs repairs, you can have many questions. We have listed out a few common questions for your benefit. If you need more information or do not see what you are looking for, feel free to contact TJR Auto in Montreal. Our team can answer your questions in detail.
What makes TJR Auto different from the competition?
A personalized professional experience from experts who are consistently continuing their education on new models and new solutions to old problems, TJR takes care of their client by name, and not by number.
How often should I perform regular maintenance on my vehicle?
Technically, you are the first line of maintenance even before mechanics touch your car. You know the sound and feel of your car better than others. If something does not feel, look, smell, or sound right, bring it in, and we can point you in the right direction. Your user manual is a great guide, keep track of your warranty, and always maintain your service history.
Oil Change
What if my change oil light comes on?
Trust the light and come in for an oil change. Oil keeps things fluid and running smooth. If your oil condition is poor, then the friction between parts becomes a big problem and gets worn out faster. Typically, the oil and filter must be changed at least once a year. Your last oil change is usually marked on a sticker stuck to your windshield.
What is the right kind of oil for my vehicle?
Your owner’s manual is always the best place to start this research, or call us and we can advise you. Typically, any vehicle made after 2011 requires synthetic oil (dexos1 for gas powered engines, dexos2TM for light-duty diesel, 15W40 CJ-4 for Duramax® diesel powered vehicles).
Tires
Do people still rotate their tires?
Absolutely! Typically you should have them rotated every 6 months or 8000 and 13000km. This can be done when switching tires between winter and summer seasons.
Is tire rotation necessary?
It's necessary to keep wear on your tires even since they wear out unevenly. This maximizes the life of your tires significantly.
My tires are brand new, why should I rotate them?
Experience and science has shown that newer tires actually wear out quicker than seasoned tires.
My new car has different tire pressure recommendations than my previous car. Why is pressure so important?
Over-inflated or under-inflated tires causes tire failure. When pressure is set at the optimal level, your tires have perfect contact with the ground, which is associated with traction and braking times. In other words: Safety! When the tires are under-inflated, the tires will create excessive heat, and eat away at your tires quicker.
Should I check my tire pressure every time I fuel-up?
This would be slightly excessive. Once a month is a safe interval to check it. Try to check them while the tires are “cold”, meaning not being driven for a few hours. Driving = Heat= Increased Pressure = Incorrect readings. Rule of thumb, eyeballing tires for pressure is very misleading since they can look “fine” even when incorrect.
At what point should I invest in new tires?
Tires have markers that look like thin strips of rubber that indicate when it is time to change your tires - If you see at least three of these bars on the tire, it’s indicative to change them. Other signs of significant wear include fabric or wire showing, bulges in the sidewall, or splits in the tire. You can also use a tire tread gauge to measure the amount of good tread left, the minimum there should be is 1.5mm. Be safe, your tires are more important than most people believe.
I believe it is time to change tires, what is my next step?
When you call us, we will guide you through the process. To speed up the process, have the sizes of your tires ready for when we talk. Our experts will make sure the sizes match your vehicle’s requirements and we will set you up with the perfect match. The process is quick, and our prices are fantastic!
Maintain Your Battery
I had to jump-start my car; do I need to continue charging the battery?
Your car will charge as you drive it; unless there are other issues at play. If the car is not starting normally, or does not hold a battery charge, bring your car in and we will diagnose the problem for you.
What is causing my battery to fail?
Batteries, like anything else, wear out over time, but other factors can cause it to fail prematurely. If batteries are not grounded properly, exposed to excessive heat or cold for too long, or if you have not started your car for a prolonged period, your battery will die faster than normal.
Is there anything I can do to maintain the quality of my battery?
Typically, no. Best practices, however, include shutting off all accessories before shutting off the vehicle. This helps by reducing the drain and stress on the battery when you start the vehicle. TJR also has the tools to perform a diagnostic check on the condition of your battery to make sure it is producing an optimal charge.
Front and Rear Windshield Wipers
How often should I change my wiper blades?
The rubber is typically good for six months. Luckily, they are inexpensive and can be changed at each seasonal tire change. Signs of wear include streaking, squeaking, chattering, cracks, tears and splits. The metal arm can also bend or become warped – these are also signs that they need replacing.
Only one blade looks worn, should I change both?
Yes. They are inexpensive, and changing both will guarantee optimal driver vision. Your road vision is your road safety.
What can I do to make my wipers last longer?
Sunlight will damage the rubber quickly; keep your wipers out of the sun. Consequently, this will also maintain the condition of your dash board! You can also wipe the rubber off after being used to reduce dust and pebbles from deforming or tearing them. Lift your wipers off the glass after parking your vehicle during the winter – this will prevent the rubber from sticking to the ice, and tearing.
How do I clean my windshield wipers?
With warm water and mild soap. Or... just go get a car wash!
Brakes
What are the signs that I need to change my brakes?
Brake pads are built to squeak when they need changing. They have reached about 2mm of depth and are indicative of replacement. This noise can happen when the brakes are applied or not. If the squeaking occurs, it’s time to change your brakes as soon as possible. The rotors are built with a marker showing a minimum thickness. They should be replaced before they reach the minimum level, and should not be refinished below this level.
Do I have to change my rotors at every brake pad changing?
Long answer short, no. If there are no factors like brake pulsation or vibration in the steering wheel, and the brake rotors are at least 1mm thicker than the minimum discard thickness, then your rotors still have life in them.
Why is there a pulsation feeling in the steering wheel when I brake?
The pulsation feeling, or shaking in the steering wheel while braking is caused by uneven wear in the rotors. Thicker areas in the rotor when moving through the caliper push back brake fluid. This back pressure in the brake fluid is what you feel when you are braking. You can feel this in the steering wheel. This can be resolved by rotating the rotors or replacing them.
Do metal pads ruin the rotors?
Yes. Pads with higher metal content cause more friction. This friction creates more dust and will slowly eat away at your rotors. There are other pads on the market made from non-asbestos ceramic. These pads have a layer that reduces the wear on your rotors and reduces abrasive friction.
I am seeing a lot of brake dust on my wheels, why?
Most brake systems will create dust. Metallic pads and high-performance pads tend to show more of this dust, and can be visible as dark layers of “filth” on your wheels. The dust is simply debris and metal that has been scraped away from the rotors. The type of brake pads you use is directly correlated with the amount of abrasion from the rotors and thus, the amount of dust created.
What is the difference between aftermarket and original rotors?
There is no question that there are major differences between original and aftermarket rotors. These differences include venting design, quality of the material used (cast iron), and thickness of the rotors. Original equipment is always the better choice, since much research was put in by the manufacturer to ensure the highest quality, and performance of the rotors. The aftermarket rotors are also very good quality, but they may have slight noises, or more dust. The catch is that original equipment is always significantly more expensive. TJR Auto has been working with both original and aftermarket parts for many years, and can help you choose the best parts for your vehicle.