Do you want to see how far vehicle safety has come in the past twenty years? Euro NCAP has a video that captures it perfectly.

Euro NCAP is a European program that assesses the safety of new vehicles, and publishes safety ratings of those vehicles. In the video below, the Euro NCAP compares a 1997 Rover 100 to a 2017 Honda Jazz (sold as a fit in North America). Both are the same class of car – just a twenty year difference in technology. The differences in their safety integrity is staggering.

You are driving along minding your own business and you approach a red light. Naturally you push the brake pedal to slow down the car – only to hear a squealing noise coming from the brakes. Your stomach turns and you start thinking “I must need new brakes! How much is this going to cost me?”

Although the initial reaction could be right, and you might need new brake pads or rotors – however often there is a less expensive and easier solution to the brake squeal problem. Sometimes what’s causing the squeal is not necessarily needing new brakes, but your brakes just requiring a cleaning and adjustment.

Preventive maintenance is the key to keep your car or truck on the road for a long time, and part of that process is maintaining your brakes – yes brakes need maintenance. Your braking system is compromised of different metal moving parts that endure varied operating conditions, with extreme heat and dust in the summer, and salt, moisture and freezing temperatures during the winter months.

Because of these conditions, the lubrication on the brakes can eventually wear off. This results in difficulty for the moving parts in your brake system to function. Additionally because the brakes are all metal components, with the salt on the roads and extreme temperatures, corrosion develops on the brake parts.

If your vehicle’s brakes do not receive a regular cleaning and adjustment, it’s a disservice to the vehicle and your wallet. The brakes will require replacement much quicker, which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the vehicle. However for a couple of hundred dollars every two years, have your service facility perform a brake service. It will avoid annoying brake squeals, save you money, and more importantly keep you and your family safe.

Do you need new brakes? Are you hearing a brake squeal? WeeL can help. Email us at [email protected] or call 1 (888) 657-3296.

WeeL is focused on expanding our service and making car ownership easier for our Members. We are excited to now offer windshield repair and replacement as part of your WeeL service. On any make and model, WeeL can:

• Repair windshield glass (broken, chipped, cracked or scratched)

• If a repair is not possible, replace the entire windshield

• In most cases, the service can be performed at your home or office

Please click below to login to your account and Request Service, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 1 (888) 657-3296.

Buying a used car can be a great decision, often times saving you thousands of dollars compared to buying new. However, because the vehicle isn’t brand new, it has a history – sometimes good and sometimes bad. When purchasing a used vehicle, its imperative you know the history and mechanical condition, and ensure you aren’t buying a car load of problems.

Here are two key steps when purchasing a used vehicle:

1. Get a CARPROOF report. A CARPROOF report will provide key vehicle history information, including:

• Accident, collision and damage detail

This section compiles data from collision estimating facilities, insurance information and police reports to let you know what, if any, damage the vehicle has sustained in its life.

• Lien status

Available on CARPROOF Verified report, this section shows liens registered against the vehicle that have been identified by searching the personal property and security registries of the Canadian province or territory you’re located in (if the vehicle is currently registered there) and every other province and territory in Canada where the vehicle was registered or had its registration renewed within the past year.

• Canadian registration and branding

A look at where in Canada and the U.S. the vehicle is, or has been registered, as well as the status of the vehicle in those jurisdictions.

• Stolen vehicle check

This check provides data from the Canadian Police Information Centre to see if the vehicle is marked as actively stolen.

• Import records

Here you’ll find any applicable details about the vehicle being imported or exported between Canada and the U.S.

2. Have a proper Used Vehicle Inspection completed (also known as a PPI – Pre Purchase Inspection)

Although there are resources like CARPROOF which will provide a vehicle history, if you are seriously considering a vehicle, its best to have a certified mechanic perform an inspection. The mechanic will pinpoint any current and existing conditions, as well as highlight potential issues that could arise in the future. By learning more about what’s happening underneath the hood, you’ll either feel more confident that you’re making a great investment or you’ll discover that there are a few hidden conditions that could give you more leverage with price negotiations.

Are you in the market for a used car? Do you require a used vehicle inspection? WeeL can help. Email us at [email protected] or call 1 (888) 657-3296

Are you getting a car insurance discount for having four winter tires installed on your vehicle during the winter months? Did you notify your insurance company? Or at least did you think you notified them?

I am an advocate for installing four winter tires on your vehicle, and one of the benefits I have touted is an insurance discount. As an industry expert, you would assume I would ensure this discount would be applied to my own policy. Well, I thought I did.

I am in the process of moving homes, and I called my insurance company to notify them of my address change, and naturally my insurance premiums are increasing to reflect the new address. Upon review of the new pricing with the agent, it was identified I was not getting the winter tire discount, which would be worth a $10 monthly discount to my policy.

Understandably I was upset, as when I initially purchased the vehicle in 2013, I did notify my insurance provider of my winter tires, and they did apply a discount. However, in 2015 when the Ontario government mandated that insurance companies offer a discount to all drivers with four winter tires, at least in the case of my insurance company, all winter tire discounts were removed. Customers were expected to call their insurance companies to apply the discount, even if they had previously notified the insurance company.

I found this a ridiculous business practice as they know which customers already had winter tires. And although it was published throughout early 2015 in the media that consumers were obligated to notify their insurance company about their winter tires, in my view, I already notified them when I purchased the vehicle in 2013.

In fairness to the insurance company and the agent, recognizing I was upset about the situation, they did offer some compensation. However, as the discount could be meaningful and as you are entitled, double check with your insurance provider or insurance agent that you are getting this discount.

Have a car problem? WeeL be pleased to help. Email us at [email protected] or call us at

1 (888) 657-3296

It’s Friday November 18, 2016, and in Toronto we are forecasted to hit 18 degrees celsius today. Understandably with spring like temperatures, thinking about winterizing your vehicle is not top of mind. However with snow forecasted for Toronto next week – now is time to get ready.

Here are some simple critical steps to get your vehicle winter ready:

• Tires – Every vehicle operating in wintery conditions should be equipped with four proper winter tires. We discuss this important safety feature in a separate post you can find here. If you have winter tires, get them installed before the snow hits. If you don’t have winter tires, buy them. If you can’t afford a separate set of winter tires, have your tires rotated before the snow falls, ensuring the two tires with the most tread are on the front tires.

• Oil Change – If your vehicle hasn’t received an oil change in the past six months or 8,000 kilometers, it’s a good idea to get it done before the cold temperatures hit. The freezing temperatures are extremely taxing on your vehicle’s engine. Having new oil running through the engine will make those cold starts easier, and reduce wear on the engine. Also when the technician is performing the oil change, ensure they check all the other vehicle fluids.

• Wiper Blades – Like anything else, your vehicle’s wiper blades have a life span. Ensure your wipers are still in a useable condition. If your wiper blades are not in reasonable condition, that means clearing the slush, ice, snow, and sleet from your windshield will be problematic, compromising your visibility.

• Washer Fluid – You will be using a lot of washer fluid this winter season. Make sure you top up your washer fluid, and keep a jug in the trunk. You will need it!

• Emergency Kit – If the unfortunate does happen and your vehicle breaks down, make sure you have a proper emergency kit with blankets, jumper cables, gloves, and other emergency essentials. You can easily buy emergency kits at retailers like Canadian Tire.

And of course WeeL would be happy to get your car winter ready. For $99.99, WeeL make sure your vehicle is ready for the harsh Canadian winter…. and this service can all be done from your home or office! Our winter package includes:

– Semi-synthetic oil change
– New oil filter
– Check lights
– Check air filter
– Install snow tires on rims
– Check and adjust tire pressure

Does your engine require full synthetic or euro-blend? For an additional fee we are happy to upgrade your oil change.

It’s time to get your car winter ready.

Do you feel that chill in the air? Yes winter is around the corner, and it’s time to get your car ready for the cold weather. Luckily, WeeL has a special package to take care of it!

For $99.99, WeeL make sure your vehicle is ready for the harsh Canadian winter…. and this service can all be done from your home or office! Our winter package includes:

– Semi-synthetic oil change
– New oil filter
– Check lights
– Check air filter
– Install snow tires on rims
– Check and adjust tire pressure

Does your engine require full synthetic or euro-blend? For an additional fee we are happy to upgrade your oil change.

It disappeared quicker than it arrived. Summer, my friends, is gone, and winter is slowly but surely creeping up on us. So, do you need winter tires? Short answer: YES! Yes, you need four winter tires, and no, I don’t care if your car has “all season tires” or if it has 4WD or AWD. When the snow falls and the ice freezes, it doesn’t matter. Snow tires will keep you safe. Below, I talk about how this investment can save your life, and how you can get snow tires installed without leaving your house (yes, you read that correctly).

Dressing for the Occasion

Imagine this: it’s snowing and icy outside, and it’s bitterly cold. Will you be wearing your high heels or running shoes? I’d guess not. My bet is you are going to wear your snow boots. Why? Because you are dressing for the conditions. When it comes to your car or SUV, it’s no different; they need to be dressed for the conditions, just like you do.

Your all season or performance tires (which are generally standard equipment on a vehicle) are not equipped to deal with wintery conditions. These tires are made with a rubber compound that prevents them from being able to grip properly when the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius. Additionally the tread pattern on winter tires are better able to grip the snow and ice, compared to the standard tires equipped to your car.

A Wise Investment

So, it’s time to buy some winter tires and rims, and this will no doubt cost you some dough. Luckily, this is an investment that will pay for itself (including saving your life). Here are some reasons why:

1. By installing a set of winter tires, you are increasing the life of your standard tires. If your snow tires are installed between November and March, that’s five harsh months your standard tires don’t need to be in service.
2. Winter tires can prevent a fender bender, which will save you the hassle of getting your car fixed, and avoiding an accident also helps keep your insurance rates low. Your insurance company will also start giving you a discount if you install four winter tires during the snowy months. This discount is a requirement by the Ontario government, which started on January 1, 2016. (Speak with your insurance company about getting this discount)
3. Winter tires may save your life. As we discussed above, all season or performance tires are not designed for winter conditions. A set of winter tires may prevent you from getting into trouble by allowing you to maintain control of your vehicle. Winter tires will stop between 25-50% faster in winter conditions compared to an all season tire.

If you own or lease your car or SUV, or whatever make or model you drive, please keep yourself and everyone on the road safe by making sure you are ready for the conditions. Outfit your car properly, and get the proper tires.

Get your snow tires installed without moving a muscle

Unfortunately, winter is around the corner, but WeeL can soften the blow by helping get your car ready for winter. We have partnered with vendors across the GTA to offer all of our members preferred pricing on the purchase and installation of new winter tires.

Book Now and Save

We’re making the process of buying winter tires quick and affordable. Through our tire suppliers, WeeL has secured preferred pricing for members and all you have to do is book before November 30, 2016. Installation can occur at one of our retail partners, or we can come to you. Click here to send us an email if you would like a winter tire quote.

The Importance of Winter Tires

Every vehicle that operates in snowy conditions should be equipped with four winter tires and rims. By doing so the vehicle will have the best possible traction and safety in slippery conditions. Some points to consider:

• Most insurance companies give a discount if the vehicle has four winter tires installed during the winter months.

• Having four winter tires isn’t as expensive as you think. Because vehicle use is split between two sets of tires, you are extending the useful life of the summer tires.

• Just because your vehicle has all wheel drive or four wheel drive doesn’t mean you do not require winter tires. These systems do not aid the vehicle when cornering or braking.

If you want to learn more about the importance of winter tires, please check out our blog post.

Thanks,
The WeeL Team

[email protected]
1 (888) 657-3296

Here are 5 easy steps to help relieve some of the stress when you’re involved in an accident.