Oakville Auto Repair

There's something almost sentient about the way our cars communicate with us. It's as if they are gently whispering their needs, or at times, urgently crying out for help. As a car owner, it's crucial to attune your senses to these mechanical signals, especially when it comes to the lifeblood of any vehicle—the engine oil. So how do you discern when your automobile is pleading for that fresh golden nectar? Let's explore the top five signs indicating that it's time for an engine oil change.  1.  The Mileage Marker It's perhaps the most well-known sign, yet often ignored—a substantial increase in mileage since your last oil change. Consult with your vehicle's manual; it knows best about suggested service intervals. Most modern cars flash a reminder on their dashboards, heralding the arrival of an oil change milestone. Don't shrug off this automated caretaker's alert; instead, treat it as an unwa ... read more

Waking up on a beautiful morning, preparing to drive to your favorite spot, only to hear the dreaded clicks and sputters of an engine that refuses to come to life.  A well-maintained engine can mean the difference between a reliable car that's ready when you are and an ornery machine that leaves you stranded. Your car's engine is its heartbeat, and just like your own heart, it needs regular care to run smoothly. Here's a rundown of seven indispensable engine maintenance tips that every car owner should engrave in their minds.   Keep Your Engine Clean The cleanliness of your engine greatly impacts your car's performance. Leaves, dust, and debris can accumulate under your hood and potentially interfere with critical components. Every few months, ensure your engine bay is free from clutter. You don't need a professional – simply remove debris by hand or use compressed air for tight spots.   Regular Oil Changes ... read more

Have you ever stood in the midst of a tire aisle, feeling bewildered by the variety before you? You're not alone! Selecting the right tire is akin to finding the perfect pair of shoes: one doesn't simply grab a random set off the shelf. As any driver or automobile aficionado knows, the road beneath us changes like the seasons—wet, dry, icy, rough—and your vehicle's tires need to adapt just as your wardrobe does. Understanding Tire Terminology - From All-Seasons to Slicks Let's take a detour into the fascinating world of rubber rounds. There's an assortment, custom-built for every imaginable driving condition and performance need. Your choice can transform how your vehicle hugs curves on coastal roads, battles through winter wonderlands, or eats up highway miles.  1.  All-Season Tires All-season tires are your steadfast friends—competent but not specialists in any one area. With moderate tread depths a ... read more

It's not just your fingers that might be numb from the relentless icy winds of winter – your trusty car also feels the sting of cold weather. It may not shiver or chatter its components in discomfort, but the plummeting temperatures can wreak silent havoc on every bolt, battery, and belt beneath its frost-covered exterior.  But worry not! We've put together some hot maintenance tips that will keep your vehicle running as smoothly as possible!   Oil & Fluid Check As temperatures dive, oil can thicken, which means your engine might be doing cold morning calisthenics without proper lubrication. Switching to a winter-grade oil with lower viscosity ensures smoother startups and happier engines.  Don't stop there; check transmission fluid, brake fluid, and antifreeze levels to secure an all-systems-go before you hit that ice-crusted road.   A Battery That Doesn't Leave You Out in the Cold Cold wea ... read more

Well winter tires have some advantages over sporty summer tires or even all season tires, mainly they remain softer when the temperature dips below 7 Celsius, and in Ontario we are below that after labour day at night until the end of April. back to the topic "whats involved when mounting my winter rims and tires?"  Well at My shop Mark's Auto Service we always perform a courtesy inspection which includes a short road test. Why? This allows us to test for any warning lights, listen for any noises and get a feel for the brakes and handling. Then drive the vehicle into the shop, for a lift on the hoist, here we will remove the summer wheels, visual inspect the brakes, summer tires and record our findings on a tablet DVI digital inspection, then we will inspect the winter tires, the air pressure, check the winter tire balancing on our Hunter Road Force machine and adjust as necessary, then install and torque the wheels to manufacturer Specificat ... read more

Mrs. Jones Asks: Why does my book say change my oil at 8,000 Kms and my trusted repair shop is recommending it sooner at 6,000kms?Mark Says: Well I find that the oil change interval (time and KMS) between oil changes in the book are great if you don't plan to keep your car after the warranty runs out. Why? Well motor oil is the main lubricant and also a cleaner for you internal engine parts, and when oil is driven up to and over 8,000kms/ 6 months we find that deposits build up inside and can cause issues later on. New technology in engine designs like: Variable Valve Timing, Twin Cam overhead valves, Turbo Charging, Direct Fuel Injection, VCT transmission, Hybrid engines are all designed to give us: more power, use less fuel, reduced tail pipe emissions; All rely on clean quality oil and filter, and maybe some help from additives. Some ... read more

Thank you for your continued business this year! Please take advantage of our2014 New Year Savings Punch Card: Click on image for printable coupon or show this offer on your mobile device. Limit one per person. May be combined with Rewards Card Dollars. Expires February

Mark Bergasse Founder, Marks Auto Service Hello there! Mark from Mark’s Auto Service here. I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about our history. I got my start in business at the age of 17 when in February of 1982 I started working at a full service gas station at Lakeshore Rd. and Kerr St. It was there, under the supervision of the owners Brian West and Russ Pritchard, that I became an apprentice mechanic. Russ went on to become a great influence in my life, taking the role of instructor, mentor and even father figure. Around the same time in 1982, I met my wonderful wife with whom I recently celebrated 28 years of married life. We currently live in Flamborough with our 3 kids, Josh, Matthew and Olivia. I continued to work at the Shell Station and in 1985 received my mechanic’s license. Then in 1990 I left Shell to work for another auto shop until 1995 when I received a phone call from my mentor, Russ. Russ had come to me with a propositio ... read more

About Our Team The backbone of our operation. We feel that the most important asset of our business is our employees and their ability to satisfy our customers’ automotive service and repair needs. We work hard to provide an enjoyable working atmosphere and pay our Technicians fair wages. We want their number one focus to be on fixing our customers’ vehicles, taking the time that is needed to do the job right, the first time. In addition, our knowledgeable and friendly service advisors are always ready and quick to help our customers. It is a team effort, and we appreciate the contribution made by each member of our staff. Amory Ramroop Service Advisor Say it with me...A More EH. Or like the Frank Sinatra song...That's Amore'! I have been with Mark's Auto Service for over 4 years now and Customers still can't pronounce my name! But it's Ok In my spare time I like camping, fishing and "playing with" remote control Cars and planes with my wife and 3 kids. See you at ... read more

Well as you may already know I am a firm believer in winter tires, and there benefits below 7' Celsius, As we have them on all our 6 loaner vehicles and 2 shuttle vans, I just updated my own truck a week ago and had not gotten around to getting winter tires for it yet, well after the first drive in snowy conditions I was reminded why I am believer, it was like the song "Slip sliding away" but it also describes what happens when you try to get by on "all season" tires. so I put on my Winter tires yesterday afternoon, and on the drive home it was a totally different truck, before I could go, but not turn or stop safely. Now it stops and turns like it is on rails...enough said Cheers Mark