RIcks Auto

What to do the moment the gauge climbs, what usually causes it, and why driving “just a bit further” is the expensive choice.

Ontario moved safety inspections onto a digital system called DriveON. What changed for drivers, and why there’s no paper certificate anymore.

Brakes, steering, tires, lights, exhaust and more — what actually gets looked at when your vehicle goes in for a safety.

What a failed safety actually means, what usually needs fixing, and how getting re-checked works in Ontario.

A safety is good for 36 days in Ontario. What that means for your plating timing — and what happens if it runs out.

Buyer or seller — who pays for the safety? How it’s usually handled in Ontario, and how to keep it from stalling your deal.

They sound like the same thing and do completely different jobs. Which one you actually want before you buy a used vehicle in Ontario.

Not every trip to have your brakes looked at ends in a full brake job. Sometimes what’s needed is a much smaller fix — cleaning and lubricating a caliper pin, for instance — and it helps to know the difference before you book an appointment. Signs you’re likely due for a full brake job If … Read more

When people think about brake maintenance, they think about pads and rotors — parts you can see wear on. Brake fluid doesn’t get the same attention, but it ages too, and letting it go too long can affect how your brakes perform. Why brake fluid ages Most brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs … Read more

Ask most drivers what’s involved in a brake job and they’ll say pads, maybe rotors. Almost nobody mentions caliper pins and sliders — the small hardware that lets a caliper move freely as your pads wear. They’re easy to overlook, but a stuck one can wreck an otherwise good brake job. What caliper pins and … Read more