GUIDES · BIBLIOTHÈQUE · COMPTOIR
Auto guides
Honest advice on vehicle maintenance and diagnostics — from an auto parts store that sees thousands of customers a year in Laval.
16 ENTRIES · BILINGUAL · FR / EN
- G·01COMPARISONOEM vs aftermarket parts: the right call per situationWhen OEM is worth the price, when aftermarket is better, and the traps to avoid. A decision guide with a comparison table.
- G·02COMPARISONCeramic vs semi-metallic brake pads: which to chooseNoise, dust, lifespan, cold bite, vehicle fit — head-to-head comparison to pick between ceramic and semi-metallic.
- G·03COMPARISONAGM vs flooded battery: which one in Quebec?Lifespan, cold resistance, price, start-stop — head-to-head comparison of both technologies for the Quebec climate.
- G·04MAINTENANCEMaintenance for a high-mileage used carAt 200 000 km, it's not the end — just a different way to maintain. Priorities, parts to watch, and how to decide between repair and replace.
- G·05MAINTENANCEEssential tools for home auto maintenanceHonest list of what you actually need to start a home garage. Minimal budget, intermediate, and the gear you'll wish you'd bought sooner.
- G·06DIAGNOSTICCommon OBD2 codes — what they mean and what to doThe 15 most frequent OBD2 fault codes in Quebec, explained in plain language. P0300, P0420, P0171… what they mean, what it costs to fix.
- G·07A/CAuto A/C: maintenance, recharging, and common problemsHow auto A/C works, when to recharge, leak symptoms, R-134a vs R-1234yf, and when it's urgent.
- G·08ADVICEUnderstand a mechanic invoice — what is normal and what is notLabor, parts, shop fees, taxes. The line items on a Quebec garage invoice, and the warning signs something is off.
- G·09MAINTENANCEAuto maintenance calendar for Quebec — season by seasonWhat to check and replace each season to keep a car alive in the Quebec climate. Fall, winter, spring, summer — with the right intervals.
- G·10MAINTENANCEChange your own oil — a complete DIY guideTools needed, oil type, intervals, A-to-Z steps, mistakes to avoid, and when to just take it to a shop. Beginner-friendly but honest about the risks.
- G·11TIRESHow to choose the right winter tires in QuebecSnowflake symbol, width, speed rating, brands — everything a Quebec driver needs to know before December 1st (or mid-November, to be safe).
- G·12ENGINEWhen and how to replace your spark plugsReplacement intervals, types (copper, platinum, iridium), symptoms of a worn plug, and why a single neglected plug can cost you far more if you ignore the signs.
- G·13DIAGNOSTIC7 car noises and what they meanGrinding, clunking, whistling, ticking, vibration — a quick guide to naming the sound, identifying the part, and judging urgency.
- G·14WINTERCar battery for a Quebec winter: how to chooseMinimum CCA, group sizes, AGM vs flooded, and end-of-life signs — everything a Quebec driver needs to know before a -25°C winter.
- G·15MAINTENANCEHow to choose the right brake padsCeramic, semi-metallic, or organic? When to replace, how to diagnose, and why pad quality matters more than its price tag.
- G·16DIAGNOSTICAlternator or starter? How to tell the two apartYour car won't start. Is it the alternator, the starter, or the battery? A simple 3-test diagnostic guide you can run before calling anyone.