Globe Drive

QUESTION: I have bought my first car, a three-year-old Toyota. It is off warranty and I live in a remote part of the province with no Toyota dealer.

When I was growing up, my dad had a favourite mechanic he trusted and the man did all the work on our cars over the years. I'd like to establish a similar relationship with a mechanic where I live, but don't know where to start. Can you help?

Allie

ANSWER: Ask around.

In almost every community there are a variety of mechanics and technicians ranging in ability and knowledge from frightful to amazing.

The trick, as you point out, is determining which one to trust. But in smaller communities, that is easier than in a big city. It is much harder for someone to stay in business if their work is subpar.

Word gets around pretty quickly and taking advantage of a customer may have short-term gains, but it also has long-term repercussions.

Most people in your workplace or community will be willing to tell you who they use. Gather a few names and start off with minor issues - an oil change or tire change. You'll quickly get a feel for the shop and people there.

Something else to keep in mind is that the more accurate and thorough your explanation of a problem, the less time the tech will have to spend looking for it.

Make notes of symptoms. What happened, when, where and what was the car doing at the time - accelerating, braking, turning, high speed or low? Was there a smell or sound? Did you feel something through the steering wheel or seat of your pants?

If you have major issues, it is best to keep in mind how complicated any new vehicle is and how difficult it can be for a small shop to stay abreast of the technology and equipment necessary to service them.

Some other tips from the AAA (American Automobile Association):

Ask questions if the technician uses jargon or words you do not understand. A good one will take time to explain the repairs in layman's terms.

Always read the repair order before signing or authorizing work. It may be wise in more complex repairs to ask for a written estimate before proceeding.

Similarly read the final bill carefully and question charges that are not clear. Make sure any parts used are listed.

Ask what warranty the shop provides on the work, including the parts.

Winter tires

QUESTION: I want to buy a set of winter tires for my new Camaro, which came with 20-inch, high-performance summer tires.

The first problem is that nobody makes 20-inch winter tires, the second is that they are different sizes front and rear and third is that even if I downsize to 19 or 18-inch wheels, the prices are outlandish!

Why do manufacturers do this?

Clare

ANSWER: Manufacturers do this because of consumer demand.

In the excitement of buying a new vehicle, we sometimes get caught up in the visuals and forget about the downside.

Big wheels and tires have become a design feature as much as a performance enhancement.

The drive to bigger wheels and tires is based on styling and designers have been in this mode for the last couple of decades. As a result, we have seen wheels grow from an average of 14 to 15 inches in diameter to 17 on average, even on inexpensive compact cars.

Modern Tire Dealer, a U.S. trade publication, says the average price of a new tire has gone up 24 per cent in the United States since 2005. Helping to offset that somewhat is the fact that modern tires last a lot longer than they used to - except for high-performance summer tires, which are by design softer in order to provide maximum grip.

The different sizes front and rear are sometimes necessary to provide proper handling characteristics.

Both Bridgestone and Pirelli make 20-inch winter tires in the proper size(s) for your car. If you drop to the 18-inch size, you can add Michelin and Firestone to that list.

And, yes, they are expensive, especially when you get into 19- and 20-inch sizes.