Auto general repair is required when your vehicle is not functioning properly. Check out the following sections to learn more:
If you are looking for a reliable mechanic you can trust in the KW area, contact us.
Auto General Repair
1. What are the different types of auto general repair?
Auto general repair is a very broad category that covers a wide range of different parts of your vehicle.
Auto general repair can cover a variety of jobs such as brake work
Signs that you need an auto general repair can include anything from your check engine light coming on to suddenly hearing an unusual sound while you are driving or noticing a strange vibration.
Here are some of the more common general repairs that you may need.
Oil Leaks:
If you notice a pool of oil underneath your car, then that is a sign that you may have an oil leak. Oil plays an important role in your engine.
If you notice an oil leak, get it checked out
It lubricates, reduces corrosion, keeps the engine cool, and helps to cut down on the wear and tear of all the moving parts. If you have an oil leak, you should get it looked at as soon as possible.
Brake Repair:
Your brakes are vital to the safe operation of your vehicle. If you suspect that you have a problem, or if your brake light comes on, you should get it seen immediately.
Look out for the following signs that something is wrong:
Your brake pedal feels soft
You hear a squealing or grinding sound when you press the brakes
Your vehicle pulls to one side when you are braking
Your vehicle vibrates when you apply the brakes
If you notice any of the above, then you should get your brakes checked.
Alternator Repair:
Along with your battery, the alternator provides the electrical power to operate all of the electrical components in your vehicle, such as your headlights and radio.
If your alternator is not working properly, you can lose power while you drive. You also may not be able to start your vehicle because the alternator hasn't recharged the battery.
The following video explains more about how alternators work.
Alternators provide electrical power for your vehicle
Look out for the following signs that something is wrong:
Your headlights start going back and forth from dim to bright at night.
You notice an electrical burning smell coming from your alternator or battery
Your alternator warning light comes on
Other dashboard warning lights turn on
Your electrical components such as your radio only work intermittently
You hear a squealing noise in your engine
You should get your alternator checked if you notice any of the signs above.
Tire Repairs:
Tire repairs are another very common auto general repair. You may find that your tires get a slow leak in the valve over time, or a puncture if you go over a sharp object. Tires can often be patched or repaired. They don't always need to be replaced.
Fuel Injection Repairs:
Your vehicle's fuel injection system turns the fuel into a fine mist instead of a gust of fuel. This mist mixes with air and is sent to the combustion chamber.
The next video will give you a better idea about how fuel injectors work.
Your vehicle might not start if your fuel injection system isn’t working
If your fuel injector isn't working properly then you might notice the following:
Your engine misfires
Your vehicle will idle rough
You will have poorer gas mileage
Your RPM need may start to dance
Your vehicle won't start
2. Regular maintenance tasks to keep your vehicle in top shape
Maintenance refers to regular service tasks that you get done on your vehicle to keep it operating properly like checking your oil levels.
Learn how to check your oil from this simple video
Here is a list of some regular vehicle maintenance tasks and when they should be performed.
Monthly Maintenance
Each month you should:
Check your engine oil and top it up if necessary
Check your windshield washer fluid and top it up if needed
Check your antifreeze/coolant levels
Every 3 Months or 5,000km
Check your battery and cables
Check your fluid levels including transmission and power steering fluid
Check your engine air filter, belts, and hoses
Check the condition of your tires including tire pressure and the treads
Every 8,000 km
Get an oil, lube, and filter
Rotate your tires
Every 6 Months
Replace your wiper blades
Get your vehicle waxed
Here is a handy car maintenance checklist that you can download or print off to help you keep your maintenance tasks up to date.
3. How to find a great mechanic to do auto general repair for you
If you don't have a mechanic that you can trust, here are some great tips to help you in your search:
1. Ask for recommendations:
Ask your friends and family members if they would recommend a local mechanic for you.
If you have recently moved to a new area and don't have any family members close by or haven't made any friends yet, then be sure to ask your new neighbours.
It would be a great way to get to know them and asking their advice could be a great ice breaker.
2. Check online reviews:
You can also go online and check out third-party customer review sites such as
Online reviews can help you make a decision about the best auto general repair shop
Pay close attention to the star ratings. For example, a business that has 5 stars with only one review may be okay, however, one that has a 4.8 average star rating with over 171 reviews is far more credible.
Check the Mechanic’s Website:
A website is a good indication of whether that mechanic is keeping up to date with technology, not only with their website but also technological advances in auto repair!
Having an easy-to-navigate website is also a bonus when you want to quickly book an appointment, find out what services they offer, or get a sense of what their staff is like.
Look for Experience:
The longer a mechanic has been in business, the more valuable experience they have, which will give them the expertise needed to fix your vehicle right the first time. In addition, a mechanic that has been in business for a long time is more likely to be one that you can trust.
It is very difficult to stay in business for many years if you are dishonest in your dealings and you do low-quality repairs.
Test Them Out:
Start out by getting them to the mechanic to do a small job like an oil change or tire change and see how they treat you.
Test them out on a smaller service like changing your tires
If they are pushy or try to make you do extra repairs that you know you don't need, then that should be a warning sign for you.
If you are happy with their service, then try them out on a larger auto general repair.
Trust Hansma for Your Auto General Repair
Here’s why you can rely on Hansma for the best auto general repair service in the KW region:
Over 33 Years of Service: We have been serving the Kitchener region with the highest quality automotive services since 1987.
Locally Owned and Operated: You can feel good about supporting a locally owned and operated family business.
True Customer Care: At Hansma, we truly care about our customers. We will do our best to provide you with great customer care and service. When you come to Hansma, you will be treated like family.
Honest Customer Service: Our customers have come to appreciate our honest service. Our word-of-mouth referrals continue to be our largest source of new customers.
Competitive Pricing: Whether you are looking for a quick tire change or you require one of our other automotive services, our highly trained technicians will be able to diagnose and fix your vehicle at a highly competitive price.
Reliable Repairs: You can rely on the technical expertise of our friendly staff to keep your vehicle in peak condition.
Contact us today to book an appointment.
What our customers think…
“Hansma was great. Gave honest feedback and didn't try to pull my leg in getting additional repairs or modifications. Just did what was requested, notified me of any potential needed repairs for the future and charged me a fair price. Definitely going back!”
- Marco Tochijara