Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle (i-MiEV) made its North American debut in late 2011.  This electrically operated vehicle boasts a driving range of 155km on a full charge and uses no fuel or engine oil.  Yes, no engine oil.  If this is the future trend of vehicles then this means there will be no need for

When performing an oil change, I often take note of the colour/smell of the oil being drained.  Paying attention to these two attributes helps me understand what is happening to the engine.  With todays modern engines and their tighter tolerances its becoming more and more important to get a better understanding of the impact of

Most car enthusiasts are familiar with brands that are not the “typical” off the shelf product.  It just seems that there are certain products that are not meant for the mainstream consumer but those of us who are passionate about cars and their performance will know about them.  An example of a not so typical

At this point, we are all very familiar with the infamous “black box” that is often associated with helping to understand what happened after a plane crash.  In the aviation world the unit is designed to withstand the elements, fire and extreme conditions encountered in a crash.  What makes the device a crucial piece to

In recent months I have taken notice of the increase in value adds and warranties from dealerships and repair chains to attract new customers and retain existing ones.  It is quite clear that the competition for the “oil change” customer is heating up and dealerships and repair chains are focusing in on this customer.  

There have been many improvements in the auto industry and one noticeable change is the diesel engine. The modern diesel engine is quieter, cleaner and more efficient than its predecessors but is it a better buy compared to a gasoline? Recently, my wife traded up her 2002 BMW X5 3.0i for a 2011 BMW X5

Asbestos brakes – an option for brake pad replacement most repair shops are aware of as a cheaper alternative to OEM or even ceramic brake pads.  Over the past week in Canada, attention has been brought to the re-introduction of brake pads containing asbestos in the province of Ontario.  Asbestos pads have been banned for

We are in the age of the smart phone.  This device has become ubiquitous and is a tool for consumers to find information – instantly.  There is a great app that has been created to connect consumers to fast lubes – myBeepBeep.  The thought behind this application is to give consumers a visual of where