Your Full Service Auto Repair Centre

General Auto Repair

Moto-Tech Automotive Ltd. provides you with a wide range of repair services. We are dedicated to providing you with the information you need about the work your vehicle requires so that you can always make an informed decision. We repair all types of cars, including domestics, imports, trucks, cars, classic cars and modern vehicles. You can trust our well-equipped shop and knowledgeable staff to get your car running well.

Preventive Maintenance

Let us help you protect your investment. By working with you and your budget, we can co-ordinate your maintenance concerns and inform you of your vehicle's warranty, as well as advising you of your imminent safety issues.

Take good care of your vehicle and it will take care of you. Drive safe.

Maintaining your vehicle is critical because it:

• Protects your investment
• Increases future trade-in value
• Increases the life of your vehicle
• Ensures reliability
• Reduces expensive surprises
• Keeps warranties in effect
• Increases the safety of you and your family

We have provincial government certified service technicians who use state-of-the-art diagnostic and repair equipment to maintain your vehicle. Your satisfaction is guaranteed!

Your One-Stop Shop

For prompt repairs and reliable maintenance, call us.

Tune-Up

Key benefits of a tune-up:

• Increased fuel economy
• Increased horsepower
• Quicker starts (less wear on starting systems)
• Reduced emissions (better for the environment)
• Reduced wear and tear
• Renewed confidence
• Reliability

Any tune-up today should start with a battery of performance checks to baseline or to confirm the engine's overall condition. These tests should include the following:

• Battery voltage (very important with all of today's voltage sensitive electronics)
• Charging voltage (condition of alternator and regulator)
• Power balance or dynamic compression (to identify any mechanical problems such as leaking intake or exhaust valves, leaking intake manifold gasket, bad head gasket, worn rings, bad camshaft, injector problems, etc. that could adversely affect engine performance)
• Engine vacuum (to detect air leaks as well as possible exhaust restrictions)
• Test the integrity of the exhaust system (for possible air entering the exhaust system)
• Scan for fault codes (to verify if fault codes are present, or to retrieve any codes that may be present)
• Inspect the operation of the fuel feedback control loop (to confirm that the system goes into closed loop operation and continually adjusts the fuel when the engine warms up)
• Inspect exhaust emissions to verify that the engine is efficiently burning the fuel and providing the most power for the fuel consumed.
• Verify idle speed (should be inspected even if computer controlled to detect possible ISC motor problems); Idle mixture (older carbureted engines only, but injector dwell can be checked on newer vehicles to confirm proper feedback fuel control)
• Inspect ignition timing -- if possible (should be inspected even if it is not adjustable to detect possible computer or sensor problems)
• Operation of the EGR Valve

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Many businesses today are in the business of selling pre-owned or used vehicles. There can be much economic and environmental value in recycling these vehicles, however, buyers must be diligent in ensuring the vehicle is safe and sound. It is always a good idea to get a second opinion to ensure the peace of mind factor rings loud and clear. We do vehicle inspections here and have for many decades.

In the province of BC, all new and used sales (through a delegation agreement with the Government of BC) are monitored, regulated and licensed by the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC. One of the pre-requisite requirements, (and there are many) is this – if you sell a used vehicle in this province, the seller is obligated to ensure the vehicle will meet the BC provincial safety standards, which also includes a list of possible defects. Sounds ominous but really, it is not. Many businesses have been involved with this process for the last 15 years, and are aware of their obligatory responsibilities to the consumer.

Keep in mind that it is better to be informed than to buy a vehicle based only on how it looks.

We're thinking of you, so drive safe.

Click on the image to enlarge

Fluids

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the engine oil every 3 months or 5,000 km in passenger cars and light truck gasoline engines. If you are using synthetic oil, it can be extended to every 6 months or 10,000 km. Read about regular oil vs. synthetic oil.

The importance of regular oil changes is pounded into us. Quick change lube facilities have popped up all over. People are trying to get in and get out. The 15-minute oil change is often promised; however, let's think about what we are giving up in order to achieve this speedy alternative (oil change difference).

We are having the oil changed and the fluids inspected, but that's all. We may be overlooking the most important issues that may indeed save us money in the long run, the inspection.

As an engine accumulates kilometres, wear occurs and blow-by increases. This dumps more unburned fuel into the crankcase which dilutes the oil. This causes the oil to break down. So if the oil isn't changed often enough, you can end up with accelerated wear and all the engine problems that come with it (loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption).

Our technicians will:

• Replace oil with up to 5 quarts of quality motor oil
• Replace oil filter with a quality filter
• Visually inspect brake fluid and antifreeze/coolant reservoir levels
• Inspect air filtration system, wiper blades and lights
• Inspect condition of belts and tension
• Lubricate chassis (when applicable)
• Inspect tires and inflate to the proper pressure
• Rotate tires to even out the wear and extend the life of the tires
• Inspect the following fluids:
  
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Antifreeze
  • Battery electrolyte
  • Brake fluid
  • Transmission fluid
  • Transaxle fluid
  • Transfer case fluid
  • Differential fluid (front and or rear)
  • Power steering fluid

Brakes

Of the thousands of parts that make up your vehicle, none are more important to your safety than those which make up your braking system. All brakes have certain components in common and they all display similar warning signs when they begin to wear out.

Regular maintenance can help you save money by avoiding major repairs. Most manufacturers recommend that your brakes be inspected every 20,000 km or every 12 months.
If you notice anything unusual, have it checked out immediately. Our brake technicians will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your braking system, and give you a report on what is right and what needs attention.

Early warning signs
You may have brake system trouble or wear if you detect any of these easy to recognize warning signs:

• Squealing: brake pads may be worn down to the wear indicators. 
• Scraping: friction/brake pad may be worn and coming in contact with the rotor.
• Pulsing occurs when brakes are applied: This may mean rotors need resurfacing or possibly replacement. 
• Low pedal: often means your rear brakes need adjusting or that the parking brake is not being used. An inspection is often the best way to be sure. 
• Pulling: vehicle pulling left or right while braking indicates an imbalance of braking force. Inspect brakes immediately.

If you experience any of these symptoms, or anything that seems unusual, have your brake system checked promptly. Just to be on the safe side.

Transmissions

Automatic Transmission: Service and Flush
Automatic transmissions are a complex device and do an amazingly good job of transmitting power from the engine to the wheels.

Heat is the number one cause of failures in transmissions. The transmission oil is critical for lubricating the transmission and reducing friction to a minimum. When the fluid breaks down and loses its viscosity, it no longer effectively lubricates the transmission, which causes friction, which causes heat. This creates premature excessive wear and results in transmission failure. This can be reduced by preventive maintenance including changing fluids on a regular basis.

As a rule of thumb, every 20-degree increase in operating temperature above 175° F cuts the life of the fluid in half! Most automatic transmission services do not drain the torque converter, cooler lines, radiator and or transmission cooler. Oftentimes, the torque converter holds more fluid than the main body of the transmission. That is why we recommend a transmission flush and filter change the first time. Then the following transmission flush we recommend an oil flush only (without the filter). Then the next time do both, the flush and the oil filter.

A transmission flush machine exchanges most or all of the fluid. This will depend on how much fluid is exchanged or flushed. Sometimes the transmission oil is extremely dirty and more oil will be required to flush out as much dirt as possible. Other times, flushing a regularly serviced transmission may not require as much oil to restore the condition of the oil. Usually, a cleaning agent is introduced to encourage the removal of sludge and any buildup that may have accumulated over time.

Manual Transmission: Differential and Transfer Case Service
Manual transmissions can go a little further between services. If services have not been performed on a regular basis on high mileage vehicles, we advise owners to service their cars as soon as possible. It is best to call or drop by and talk to one of our service technicians.

What is done during a transmission filter change and flush? Our technicians will:

• Determine if the amount of contamination in the oil warrants the use of a flushing chemical
• If necessary, add a flushing chemical and allow it to circulate throughout the system (take the vehicle for a test drive)
• Attach the flushing machine to the oil cooler lines of the vehicle
• Drain the transmission of oil
• Remove the oil pan
• Remove and replace the oil filter or clean the screen (if the vehicle does not have a replaceable filter)
• Inspect for debris located in the oil pan to determine if the transmission has severe wear (contact the customer if necessary)
• Clean the oil pan and gasket surfaces
• Re-install the oil pan and gasket
• Torque the oil pan bolts using a torque wrench
• Refill the transmission with appropriate oil (consider using synthetic oil)
• Start the engine and bring the engine up to operating temperature
• Flush 5 litres of fresh oil through the transmission
• Sample the cleanliness of the oil
• Continue to flush the oil in increments of 5 litres until oil is clean
• If the transmission oil is very dirty, contact the customer for authorization of additional fluids
• At this point, there is no additional labour to continue flushing more oil through the system; however, there is the amount of oil used
• Once the oil has reached a clean state, add a bottle of oil conditioner to reduce wear and extend the life of the transmission
• Disconnect the flushing machine from the vehicle
• Reconnect the hoses to their original places
• Start and run vehicle and inspect for leaks
• Test drive vehicle