A question for driverdriver

[elan]

Driverdriver,

The question is as follows:

Are there any places in GTA where I can do "do it yourself" stuff , like changing oil, for example. Something like Autozone in the US where I can do anything with the car on their parking lot. I'm going to live in an appt building and they do not allow such kind of things. Or may be some kind of service areas with ramps available for public.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[driverdriver]

The only DIY place I know of is for body work (if they still exist) and not for general car maintenance.

I use to live in a complex where they didn't allow repairs. I did them anyway, especially oil changes. I usually took my vehicle to a remote part of the garage well away from where property management parked their vehicles. I was always sure to clean up after myself, disposed of fluids and parts responsibly (there are plenty of municipal wast sites in and around Toronto to dispose of used oil-some will even pay you a couple of bucks for your used oil) paid my rent on time, appeared friendly, seldom complained and was quiet. Property management ignored my auto work. I was a tenant they did not want to lose. I think what property management is afraid of are people who will start an auto repair project, leave a mess which might obstruct other tenants from parking, stop a repair mid repair and then never comeback to it. It leaves an unsightly messm which may prevent people from renting, especially in Toronto's rental market where vacancies are high and tenants are few.

Conversely, if you don't to do your own oil changes, you can buy the filter yourself and the oil and go to any independent mechanic in the GTA. They'll put your car up on a hoist and charge you between $10-$20 for the work and properly dispose of your old oil filter and oil. It takes them minutes to do.

[elan]

Thanks a lot for your information, I really appreciate it.

[driverdriver]

BTW Canadian Tire routinely runs a sale (every other week) on either Mobil1 synthetic, or Quaker State Synthetic 4l jugs, check your local flyer or CT's online flyer. I usually wait to buy. You'll save a few bucks. Don't buy the Canadian Tire branded synthetic, its Castrol's Syntec Blend which is Castrol's poor interpetation of synthetic oil.

If you live near a Parts Source Store, they currently have Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic on sale at $3 a bottle. If you ask them for a Parts Source discount card (its free) you'll save yourself another 10%.

[elan]

Oh, that's good to know , thanks, I stick with Mobil1 + K&N filter since the time I get the car this winter. Still have a couple of refills. I was trying to find Amsoil as they claim they are better but one needs to know the dealer place to buy it, you cannot buy it at a shop . So I'm with the mob.. I hear about Castrol thing , never bought it.

I will check it out, thanks for the info. For the oil changes I think I will go to a mechanic with my stuff. I think it will be the best scenario for now.


Modified by elan at 2:45 PM 7/18/2006

[driverdriver]

I was trying to find Amsoil as they claim they are better but one needs to know the dealer place to buy it, you cannot buy it at a shop

Modified by elan at 2:45 PM 7/18/2006

Amsoil can be bought at certain Canadian Tire Stores, not all of them carry it, these are the ones I've seen it at:

McCowan&Sheppard across from Nissan/Infiniti AgincourtCanadian Tire Pickering @ Brock Road&401Leaside Canadian Tire @Laird& Eglinton East in North Toronto

Performance Improvments carries it also, go to http://www.performanceimprovements.com for a location nearest you

Certain UAP/Napa stores also carry it. I've seen it at the Napa store which is south on Brock Road from the 401 off a side street.

[elan]

driverdriver,

Thanks a lot. I will check out those places soon.