Oil change

Motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine

It picks up dirt, particles and other contaminations and deposits them in the oil filter to keep your engine clean. Routine oil changes keep all the moving parts moving, and cut down on friction to cool the motor so your vehicle keeps running longer. Check your owner’s manual to find out when your vehicle needs an oil change. And don’t forget to change your oil regularly. At Active Oil, we have several oil change options to choose from. Visit our trusted service centres today to find out the oil change package that’s right for your vehicle.

Exhaust Systems & Mufflers

The exhaust system ensures toxic exhaust fumes stay out of your car cabin and works to make your engine run accurately. It also helps give you the best possible fuel efficiency and cuts emissions that pollute the air.

Understanding Your Muffler and Exhaust System

Listed below are some common issues that can occur in your vehicle’s exhaust system. Read on to better understand how your muffler and entire exhaust system works.

If You Hear a Vibration

If you hear vibrating when your car is running or if it experiences a loss of power, bring it in for a free exhaust inspection. Let us know where you noticed the vibration coming from: the steering wheel, operating pedals, or even the seat. This symptom could be a result of a hole, disconnected part, or a leak in the exhaust system. The problem may or may not include a rumbling sound – that depends on the size of the damaged area. The vibrations are not just signaling a problem with the muffler or exhaust…they are also signals that your motor is likely not performing at peak levels.

A Failing or Failed Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is the most costly part of your exhaust system. If your catalytic converter begins to fail, you will hear loud sounds. A failing catalytic converter sounds like someone shaking a metal box filled with pennies while your car is in idle. You may also notice your check engine light is illuminated.

Increase in Exhaust Volume

A deep rumbling noise coming out of your exhaust pipe is an obvious signal that you have a muffler or exhaust issue. Having it repaired quickly is the best option. Delaying needed muffler or exhaust repairs causes other exhaust and engine problems that make repairs more expensive.

Decrease in Fuel Efficiency

If you notice your regular fill-ups aren’t getting you as far as they used to, take your car to a local service centre for an inspection. As with vibrations, loss of fuel efficiency might be a sign of a car exhaust system problem. Exhaust leaks makes your motor work harder, which requires more gas.

Brakes

Brake maintenance is important in helping ensure the safety of you and your passengers. If your brakes are making a squealing sound, that may be a sign that you need brake service immediately. Consult a certified technician for a brake inspection any time you notice this sound or any irregularities in your car’s braking performance.

There are several braking issues that can indicate your vehicle needs brake repair work.

Get a brake service inspection if:

• The brake pedal seems to be spongy or presses farther to the floor than usual
• Your vehicle pulls to the right or left when you brake
• Unusual noises or vibrations occur during braking

Many brake pads today have a built-in metal component that creates a slight squeal. The squeal increases in volume over time to alert you of the need for service. If you begin to hear a loud squeal, make sure to bring your vehicle to your local Meineke for a full, 23-point inspection.

Replacing Your Brake Pads

Brake pad replacement is the most common repair job for automotive brake systems. The reason is simple: brakes are designed to wear out. The pads rub on the brake disk to stop your car, so worn pads are the first part to check if you are experiencing any braking problems.

Assuming that you have the proper tools, the two most difficult aspects of brake pad replacement are the heavy weight of the caliper and the pistons. Without proper tools, adjusting the piston and calipers to fit over the new, thicker pads can be very difficult.

Since brake pads are only one possible problem with a brake system, there are other items to check as well. If the pads are worn thin or are cracked from heat during use, pad replacement may be necessary and the system should be inspected.

Tires and Wheels

If you don’t regularly inspect and service your tires, you may experience a blowout, a flat, or worse. Active Oil has the right tires for your vehicle and offers services you need to keep your tires in good working order. Our certified technicians will inspect your tires, perform a tire repair, or replace them entirely.

Tire Rotation Services

Rotating your tires helps ensure tires wear evenly. It’s an important and often-overlooked part of auto maintenance that involves adjusting the position of tires around the car. We recommend that you rotate tires about every 10,000-16,000 kilometers (or with every oil change), ensuring the best tires are on the rear.

Air Conditioning

Our technicians can perform many air conditioning services from testing and regular maintenance to complete A/C system repair. We can check your vehicle’s system, quickly diagnose the problem and provide cost-effective repair solutions.

Repair Services for your Car’s Air Conditioning

Vehicle air conditioning repair can include a variety of tasks ranging from small to large-scale. Everything from an annual inspection or performance check to diagnosis and replacement of system components can be completed at Active Oil by a qualified technician. Regular inspections help ensure cooling efficiency and identify possible refrigerant leaks. Additional services your vehicle might need include:

• System fan level check
• System PSI pressure reading to verify Freon level
• Output temperature check
• Blower fan and compressor examination to ensure proper operation
• Belts and hoses inspection to discover indications of aging and potential failure
• Diagnosis of possible problems with faulty switches, fuses, wiring, the condenser, or internal compressor seal failure

Recharging Your Car’s Air Conditioning

While a car’s air conditioning system is sealed, leaks can still occur. When that happens, your vehicle needs an air conditioner recharge, which includes:

• Recharging with additional refrigerant to bring pressure up to specifications
• Introduction of fluorescent dye to visually reveal system leaks

Active Oils A/C recharge services include everything from inspection to repair. So, if your A/C has developed problems and you would rather be cool than cooked, let our team and experienced technicians at Active have a look.

Steering and suspension

Proper steering function is dependent on the quality and performance of your suspension components. Inspections, routine maintenance and front end alignment services will keep your ride smooth and help your vehicle operate in top condition.

Steering Service & Maintenance

Turning the steering wheel of your car seems simple, but a lot happens between your steering wheel and your car’s tires. This complex system relies on a number of processes in order to function properly. Nearly all vehicles today come with power steering, but if this system fails, it quickly becomes a safety issue. Typical steering and suspension services include wheel alignments, shock and strut repair and front and/or rear suspension repair.

Stabilizer Bar Service & Maintenance

Also known as a sway bar, the stabilizer bar is an important component responsible for keeping your car from rolling over while turning. Whereas the shock absorber keeps the ride smooth, the stabilizer bar keeps the car upright when it is turning by spreading weight equally over the tires.

The steering and suspension system is very intricate, so it’s important to have work done by a trusted technician. It contributes to the overall quality of your ride, but it is also integral to your vehicle’s safety. Keep up with regular maintenance and inspections, and make sure to address any problems right away.

Battery

The battery is the source of power for many crucial components in your vehicle. Remember to have regular car battery inspections and services performed regularly to save you both time and money. A battery check every oil change can prevent you from getting stranding out on the road.

Car Battery Replacement & Services

Some “Do-It-Yourself-ers” can perform these operations with all of the needed tools and equipment. Otherwise, save time and money by visiting Active Oil. Have any needed repairs done by a trained and experienced technician without the hassle of performing the fix at home.

Battery diagnostics and maintenance includes:

• Visual and physical inspection for loose connections, dirt and corrosion
• Disconnecting and cleaning cable ends and battery terminals
• Applying a protective coating to prevent moisture and delay corrosion
• Replacement of worn or damaged cable ends
• Tightening cables to battery for optimal connection
• Testing to measure performance in harsh weather conditions

If your battery has adequate capacity but still is losing its charge, further testing is required. This type of test includes determining the electrical draw of the starter and the output of the alternator.

Active Oil has the equipment and highly trained technicians to meet all of your car battery inspection, service, replacement and installation needs.

CV Joints & Driveshafts

Your car’s CV joints are a collection of bearings and cages that are protected by the CV boot. Regular inspections of the boot will ensure it is sealed so no dirt or grime gets in to wear down your joints, which will provide you with a smoother ride.

CV Joint Service

If identified early, boot replacement can save you money, but it is still a labor-intensive operation. For joints that have gone an extended period without lubricant, you will likely need to replace the entire axle. In some vehicles, the CV joint cannot simply be replaced – the entire half-shaft will need to be replaced. The half-shaft is crucial to propelling front-wheel drive vehicles.

If your car’s CV joints or boots need to be serviced, you may want to consider having the service performed sooner rather than later to avoid further damage to your vehicle. The easiest and most practical path to an efficient and effective repair is to bring your car to a trusted technician.

Understanding Your CV Axle Components

The most important part of CV axle maintenance is inspection of the protective boots. Replacement of cracked rubber boots can save the higher expense involved in joint or half-axle replacement.

These components are constantly exposed to the ups-and-downs of the road you drive on. Despite this stress, these joints can last tens of thousands of kilometers, so long as the protective boots covering them remain intact. CV joint failure almost always results from boot failure, resulting in the loss of grease and the entry of dirt and moisture.

What Exactly Are CV Boots?

CV boots are protective rubber or plastic components that cover the CV axle. Their job is to provide protection from bumps on the road. With constant use, the flexible rubber fatigues over time. Ultimately wearing down, the rubber cracks and allows the lubricant out and dirt and moisture in. Active Oil offers free brake inspections, which is the perfect time to also inspect CV boots.