autoNiche Blog
All Revved Up & Ready To Go
The Yummy Mummy Club and AutoNiche are partnering up in the blogging world! Emily Chung is officially their Mummy Mechanic and is looking forward to posting about all things cars. Do you have car questions or a topic you want her to post about? Let her know!
How Much Does It Cost You To Drive?
Apr 5, 2013
CAA has released a Driving Costs Calculator on their website to help Canadians calculate the real cost of owning and operating a vehicle.
Calling All Manly Men!
Apr 4, 2013
Watch CosmoTV's Man Cave to watch us teach two not-so-manly men how to change a spare tire. Then they compete!
Getting Back To All-Season Tires
Mar 18, 2013
The sun is out, the snow is melting... spring is just around the corner. I bet some of you are itching to get those winter tires off. So when's a good time?
(Image via www.freedigitalphots.net)
GEICO Ad Encourages Bestiality?
Mar 14, 2013
One Million Moms are offended that the cute pig on the GEICO commercial is on a date with a human girl.
What Comes After 'Drive'?
Feb 28, 2013
PRNDL—Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Some gearshifts will have L, 2, 1, or 2, 1, etc after D. Most automatic cars have two or three options after Drive. Do you know what these positions are for? Have you used them? Do you know when to use them? The answer is in your owner's manual but here is a (very) brief explanation.
(Image via www.honda.ca)
Canada's Worst Intersections
Feb 27, 2013
30% of vehicle deaths and more than 40% of serious vehicle injuries occurred at intersections. Find out if you drive on one of Canada's worst intersections.
Love Winter Driving
Feb 25, 2013
I love driving in snow. For me, it's fun! A few weeks ago we got one of the worst snowstorms since 2008 and I was driving my son home from school. When our car got stuck, no problem. Using some techniques I learned from my dad, we got out in no time.
Looking For A Nice Rear End? 2014 Corvette Stingray's Got It
Feb 15, 2013
It's not just a must-have when jean shopping.
Mechanic Charged With Unsafe Vehicle
Feb 4, 2013
Do you think the mechanic who issued the safety certificate for a truck that was in a fatal accident should be charged with criminal negligence?
Infant Ejected From Car And Survives
Jan 28, 2013
This is why child car seats are a must. Watch this unbelievable video of a one-year-old girl being tossed out of a vehicle during a collision.
Tip: Can't Remember Where The Fuel Door Is?
Jan 26, 2013
There's a secret arrow you may not know about that will direct you to the proper side to fuel your vehicle.
Honda CR-V: Crossover For Cross-purposes
Jan 21, 2013
Check out these 7 features that make this compact SUV a good buy!
Wiper Blades Aren't For Clearing Snow
Jan 3, 2013
Wipe the slate clean and make a resolution to stop doing this before you break the wiper linkages on your vehicle.
(Image via carpartsgenie.com)
Liar's Favourite Words
Dec 28, 2012
If you hear these phrases coming from your technician's mouth - run, don't walk, away from that shop!
Ignition Key: When To Let Go
Dec 28, 2012
With key ignitions going the way of the cassette tape a new problem is cropping up for young drivers who have to drive an older car.
Cars For Kids 101
Dec 27, 2012
Looking for something to do with your kids? Teach them about cars with these fun and interactive games.
(Image via GM Education)
Gen Y Prefers iPhone Over Car
Dec 19, 2012
If you had to choose between having a car and having a mobile phone, which would you pick?
(Image via thinkwithgoogle.com)
Questions To Ask When It Comes To Maintaining Your Car
Dec 13, 2012
“What would you do if this was your car?” That's a question we get asked a lot and to be honest, it's not really a fair question.
(Image via freedigitalphotos.net)
What Your Teen Really Thinks About Your Driving
Dec 1, 2012
In the ultimate game of Money See, Monkey do, researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute made this startling discovery.
(Image via Stonebridge Church of God - Ozark, Ala.)
Tires: Why The Date Code Matters
Nov 27, 2012
Tired of me writing about tires? Allow me one more post for the year...well, for now.
(Image via freedigitalphotos.net)
Tips For Storing Your Tires
Nov 26, 2012
Yep, there's a proper way to doing this. But first, a bit of clarification...
(Image via freedigitalphotos.net)
Winter Tires: What To Look For
Nov 13, 2012
Shopping around for winter tires? Tires in general are a subjective purchase and there are so many options to choose from, like buying 'white' wedding invitations—pearl white, cloud white, bright white, super-clean-teeth white. You get the idea.
Thinking Of Getting Winter Tires?
Oct 31, 2012
Should you store your all-season tires and invest in winter tires? Find out the answer now.
(Image via autos.ca)
Garage Pinup Calendars Turned Artsy
Oct 30, 2012
Do you feel the Pierelli calendars are about art or is it the same as a typical pinup calendar found in old school auto shops across the country?
Canada's Most Distrusted Professionals
Oct 26, 2012
Find out what all the professions have in common and if yours made the list.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Careless Driving Costs Passenger's Life
Oct 23, 2012
The recklessness and carnage that happens as a result of careless driving is completely preventable and unnecessary.
(Image via Toronto Star)
2013 Malibu Got A Makeover
Sep 29, 2012
The Chevy Malibu got a serious makeover but was it up to the challenge of the twists, turns and winding roads of the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia?
5 Things Your Kids Can Do With Your Car
Sep 25, 2012
If you're not mechanically savvy and don't want your kids to feel lost around cars, give them a head start and dust off that owner's manual. Here are some things you can do together to get them familiar with cars.
Rustproofing Or Undercoating? Pick The Right One
Sep 20, 2012
Did you know that not all rustproofing services are alike? In some cases you're really throwing your money away.
Common Scam: Cheap Oil Changes
Sep 6, 2012
According to October's issue of Consumer Reports, "Mechanics give a good estimate up front but pad the bill with extra work. Some shops make a buiness out of this by advertising a low-priced oil [change] to suck in customers, then 'finding' much more expensive problems that need to be fixed."
Quick Tips To Tell If Your Technician's Honest
Aug 29, 2012
Grab your permanent marker and clear nail polish... and read this.
Even Mummy Mechanics Get The Runaround
Aug 27, 2012
Poor customer service doesn't discriminate. Read on about my personal experience recently at my local dealership.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Updating Your Engine's Computer
Aug 17, 2012
If you know anything about product testing, you'll know there's always the ideal world and then there's.... reality. Your car is no exception to this rule. It's becoming more common that your car's computer may need to have its software updated to correct driveability and emissions related issues.
Canada's Newest Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
August 8, 2012
Previously, you would need to purchase a vehicle and bring it to an independent repair shop to have it converted for the purpose of accommodating a wheelchair or scooter. When I came across the MV-1, it impressed me because it's the world's first factory-built vehicle manufactured “from the ground up” for wheelchair accesibility. Talk about forethought.
Car Accident: Worried You Didn't Get Enough Info?
July 24, 2012
In a car accident? Here's a list, courtesy of FineLine Collision, of what should be (at the very least) recorded at the scene of a car accident.
Click here for: FineLine Collision
5 Steps To Take After A Car Accident
July 20, 2012
If you've ever been in a car accident, you may have felt overwhelmed and frustrated. There are a lot of things that run through your mind so here's a checklist, courtesy of Mina Bajric from FineLine Collision, to help you if you're involved in a collision.
5 Reasons You've Fired Your Mechanic
July 16, 2012
According to a Consumers Report survey, approximately 40% of the unhappy owners felt the auto repair shop's price was too high and 28% indicated that the shops did not fix the problem.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
5 Tips To Keep Your Car Cool
July 6, 2012
Leaving your car parked outside while you make an escape to an air conditioned environment? Here are five tips to keep your car cooler while it's waiting for you.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
What Your Car's Air Conditioner Actually Does
June 29, 2012
During the gruesome heat waves, do you long to hop in your car, turn on your air conditioner and feel that cool, crisp air? Much to your dismay, you turn it on and find it to be mildly cool and somewheat humid still. Uh-oh... is your car's air conditioner on the fritz?
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Auto Insurance: At-Fault or Not-At-Fault
June 8, 2012
No-fault isn’t what it sounds like. Kinda like Cadbury’s Mini Fingers aren’t really tiny, small fingers and a fortune cookie doesn’t really have a fortune in it.
Auto Insurance Clarity
June 7, 2012
There are many misconceptions about Ontario auto insurance. Many people believe that if they stay with one insurance company, they’ll get the lowest rate as a reward for their past business. That’s not the case and year after year insurance rates fluctuate.
(Image via MSN)
What You Need To Know Before Lending Your Car
June 6, 2012
Ever been in a situation where you wanted to lend a car to a friend, or needed to borrow someone’s car just to run an errand? Here are some auto insurance implications you should consider.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Buy A Fiat, Buy A Boob Job
May 17, 2012
Hey, if you can't sell the car based on its own merit why not show a guy diving right into a girl's huge cleavage? Some have questioned it as the most offensive car ad ever. While I wouldn't go far as to say it's the 'most offensive car ad ever,' I definitely can't see the relevance between the cleavage-ish and the Fiat Palio. I nominate it for the Most Foolish Car Ad Ever.
Read the whole post
Why Do You Like Your Technician?
May 15, 2012
The answer we get to this question is almost always about service. I have not once heard a complaint or praise due to gender. If it's a girl that fixed the car, bonus. Hey, if I could get a Matt Damon look-alike to fix my car that would be a fantastic bonus. But that's not what it's about.
Battle Of The Sexes... Again
May 9, 2012
I really like this poster because as it says, we can do it. Not we can do it better. Just simply we can do it, we can do it too... an encouragement that doesn't put down others. A Toronto Star journalist recently wrote that she'd demand a woman work on her car, after a Toyota manager told her "[t]hat woman will do a better job than a man".
Read the whole post
Do You Know How To Change Your Spare Tire?
May 4, 2012
It's a practical, everyday skill that many Canadians are missing. According to a recent Skills Canada survey, 48% of women and 6% of men polled indicated that they didn't know how to change a spare tire. In another skill that is traditionally gender biased, 63% of men and 27% of women said they didn't know how to sew a button.
Alignment Types
Apr 30, 2012
I've seen alignment services that range from $50 to over $150. So how can some shops command such a big price difference?
Getting Aligned
Apr 30, 2012
Did you know that an alignment is recommended every year for general maintenance? While it’s intuitive to have an alignment done due to collision or with the purchase of new tires, we forget that normal wear and tear of components as well as every day driving will cause our car to be out of alignment.
Cheater's Choice: BMW
Apr 30, 2012
As if Bimmer drivers need more of a bad rap. Earlier this month, IllicitEncounters.com (a British website that facilitates extra-marital affairs) surveyed its members and found that 19.21% of respondents drove BMW with Audi drivers coming in second at 8.79%.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Minor Chip In Your Windshield?
Apr 29, 2012
Does this happen to you? You're driving on the highway and all of a sudden hear a loud 'ping'. Next thing you know, you're scouring your windshield to see if there's a chip somewhere!
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Used Cars: Are Low Mileage Cars Always A Great Buy?
March 29, 2012
When searching for a used car, many people look at the mileage and think that low mileage means a better purchase. After all, the less a car has been driven, the less wear and tear, right? This can be the case, but more important questions to ask are how and where the car was driven.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Breaking In New Brakes
March 28, 2012
It's important to properly wear in new brake materials (especially brake pads and rotors). Too much heat is a big problem for your car and a lot of it is produced when you brake. Overheating in brakes causes many issues including ineffective braking...
Real Piston Cup
March 12, 2012
My boys love Disney's Cars and I wanted to give my son something really special for his 5th birthday. I asked my lead technician, Jay, if he could make the Piston Cup and with a lot of time and planning, he did it. Now that's what I call arts and craft time - auto shop style!
Does your daughter want to be a tradeswoman?
March 8, 2012
Every year Skills Canada - Ontario holds networking dinners at various locations to connect young women in grades 9-12 with women in skilled trades (e.g. auto service technician, industrial mechanic (millwright), painter, electrician, information technologist, hairdresser, chef, etc). If your daughter is interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, these events are definitely a great way to network with tradeswomen.
Some Essentials To Help Your Auto Technician
March 2, 2012
From our side of the counter, there are a few things that go a long way in helping us reduce wasted time when it comes to working on your car.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Emergency Kit for your Car
Feb 26, 2012
Safety's #1 for many of us. When it comes to cars, we're concerned about brakes, steering, tires... anything that would help the driver maintain control during emergency maneuvers. Let's talk about a different type of safety - what to have with you in your car in case of an emergency. Since 2006, Public Safety Canada has been running the '72 Hour' campaign.
Budgeting for Auto Repair
February 15, 2012
How much money should you budget for in terms of auto repair and maintenance (aside from fuel, insurance, etc)? A good rule of thumb that we suggest is to set aside approximately $100 per month.
Staying Fit on the Road
Feb 7, 2012
On some days it feels like I spend more time in the car than I do outside. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have proper posture (I couldn’t make it as an English guardsman) and sitting for long periods in the car doesn’t help. After a day of contorting my body under dashboards, lifting tires and reaching over engines to get at spark plugs, my body needs to keep up with my energetic kids. Here are some exercises my chiropractor, Dr. Mae Chan...
(Image via freedigitalphotos)
Trucks: Bigger is better
Jan 29, 2012
I sat in my auto technician apprenticeship class, waiting for it to start. Everyone was chit-chatting away… three guys in front of me were talking about how they went off-roading and one got his truck stuck. The other’s truck couldn’t pull it out so they had to call in the third guy to rescue them in his bigger truck. It was a great story, the guys (in their 20s) definitely got a kick out of the adventure…and I was thinking ‘you did what? In the middle of where? And it was a school night?’ (Note to self, turn off mothering instincts in class).
Does Your Car's Noise Sound Like a Raging River?
Jan 17, 2012
Have you ever had a hard time explaining a car noise or feel silly that your sound effects just can’t duplicate it for your technician? We’ve had clients report noises that sound like a sewing machine, laundry machine, etc. I have to admit, I can’t make realistic noises if my life depended on it. In general, I’ve noticed that guys tend to make pretty good sound effects.
Is Your Car Trying To Tell You Something?
Jan 11, 2012
When you’re on the road, you may love to turn up the radio and listen to the music, but it’s important to turn down the volume regularly and listen to your car. If there’s a problem, you’ll often hear it first.
(Image via freedigitalphotos)