Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Regina welcomes Frame and Wheel Alignment Co. Ltd. as a new member to the Trusted Regina directory

The Trusted Regina team are proud to announce Frame and Wheel Alignment Co. Ltd. as a new member to the Trusted Regina directory. You can now find them in both the Auto body and Auto Repair and Service Categories.  


Frame and Wheel Alignment Co. Ltd. have been servicing Regina and area since 1988.  Locally owned and operated they strive hard to ensure the quality of their work.  The attention to detail when providing Fleet services, restorations or everyday paint and repair projects is exceptional.   Weather you have a semi trailer, camper, classic car or new, Frame and Wheel can help you get back on the road and make it look great too!  They really are your one-stop vehicle center with the most reasonable prices.


While talking to their customers we quickly found out how great their service is.  Here is what some of them had to say:

"New to the area and asked around for good fair shops. Glad to have been pointed here. Could have easily charged more than they did for their work. Great friendly service. Thanks Steve and team." -Andy-Marcia Holmes

"Friendly staff did my inspection quickly and explained all repairs" -Al Zieglgansberger 

" Great service! The General Manager took the time to listen to my vibration issues with my truck, came up with a plan and promised not to install anything unless absolutely required.  One of the mechanics took it for a test drive then back to the shop for inspection and measurements then took the appropriate repairs.  I asked for some higher end parts which they sourced for me and they quickly installed.  I checked around at two other shops for pricing and they were very competitive.  I was happy with service and price.  My son also had his truck wheel alignment done here and he too was impressed" - Mike Nijman

Frame and Wheel honour all heavy duty truck and trailer insurance claims and are SGI accredited for Heavy Truck and Trailer collision repairs. They are SGI Safety Certified for all vehicles. They are members of the Truck Pros organization and the Commercial Vehicle Repairers Association of Saskatchewan. Frame and Wheel Alignment service is always fast and done with the utmost expertise in product knowledge. 


To find out more about their services find their listing on the Directory here - Frame and Wheel Alignment Co. (1988) ltd. 


Confused about what type of oil to use in your vehicle? Our Trusted Regina partner shares some insight.

What type of oil should I use? Conventional, Synthetic, or a Blend?


There are differences between the types of motor oil available to consumers.  Here we try to provide information that will help you make a choice for your vehicle.


We offer a choice of synthetic blend (semi-synthetic), conventional and synthetic oils


What is the difference between regular and synthetic oil? 


Regular motor oil, also called “conventional” oil, is a mineral grade oil derived from crude liquid oil from the ground.  It is created by a refining process.


Synthetic motor oil is also refined from crude oil from the ground.  However it is processed further than conventional oil is.  Synthetic oil is distilled, purified and broken down into its basic molecules. This process not only removes more impurities from the crude oil but also enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern engines.


Some customers choose full synthetic oil for their vehicle


What are the advantages or benefits of using synthetic oil?

A synthetic lubricant contains more highly refined base oils than those used in conventional mineral oils, offering you superior protection and performance. Synthetic engine oils provide a variety of benefits that keep your engine running at optimal performance for years.

Here are some of the benefits of using synthetic oil:

Synthetic lubricants protect better at any temperature. In the summer, your engine will stay cooler and therefore use less fuel. In the winter, the engine receives lubrication sooner than with mineral grade oil.  At any temperature, when an engine is first started, a mineral oil takes some time to circulate, allowing friction between non-lubricated parts to cause wear.  In contrast, a synthetic lubricant starts circulating straight away, protecting every moving part within the engine. This results in less metal-to-metal contact and thus extends the life of the engine.

Synthetic oil keeps your engine cleaner. As oil circulates through your engine it can pick up deposits. Over time, conventional oils can sometimes form sludge, which can reduce your engine's efficiency and, ultimately, reduce the life of your engine.  Sludge deposits can turn into varnish (sludge deposits that have hardened and coat internal surfaces) over time, thus synthetic oil helps protect against varnish as well.

Use of synthetic oil helps to cut engine emissions when compared to conventional mineral oils.  This makes them more environmentally friendly compared to regular oil. Conventional mineral oils contain greater amounts of impurities, such as sulphur, reactive and unstable hydrocarbons, and other undesirable contaminants that cannot be completely removed by conventional refining of crude oil.

Synthetic oils can also significantly improve fuel economy and efficiency. During the warm-up period of a typical truck journey, mineral oils are thicker and move more slowly, making the engine thirstier and less efficient. Synthetics, however, get to work much more quickly, so the engine reaches peak operating efficiency that much sooner.


What about synthetic blend oil?


Synthetic blend oil is part synthetic oil and part conventional oil.  It was created to counter the high price of pure synthetic oil, and imparts some of the benefits of synthetics into conventional oil, but at a lower price. The downside is that your vehicle won't reap the benefits of a fully synthetic product.


A blended (semi-synthetic) oil is another choice that customers may make.


What are the benefits of synthetic blend oil? 


An analysis of the differences between synthetic, synthetic blends and conventional oil by Valvoline, suggest that SOME of their blends (not all) offer benefits that approach that of a full synthetic in the areas of protection, cleanliness & horsepower, and other areas.  Some provide anti-wear protection and better cold start protection that conventional oil.  Some help minimize sludge and prevent deposit formation.  Some are better designed for today's most advanced engines, and some contain special seal conditioners that rejuvenate engine seals to help prevent leaks.  These advantages do not apply to all blends equally. This all means that if you choose to use a synthetic blend oil, you should choose which one to use carefully according to what benefits you are looking for.

According to Valvoline’s information, if you are looking for an oil to provide help maintain fuel efficiency for the life of the oil, or provide excellent protection in extreme hot and cold temperatures, you should look at a FULL synthetic.

For more detailed information, refer to the easy-to-read motor oil comparison chart found on the Valvoline website.


Superior quality conventional (regular) motor oil is also available.


If I just want to use conventional oil, what do you suggest?


If you choose to use a regular or conventional oil, you will be happy to know that there have been improvements to conventional mineral oil over the years.  Brands such as Valvoline produce premium conventional oils.  Their premium conventional oil  is an all-climate motor oil with stated benefits of:

Helping to keep the engine clean by minimizing deposit formation

Resisting oil thickening by providing solid oxidation control

Improving gas mileage with the most commonly recommended grades by reducing friction.

Providing anti-wear protection exceeding current U.S., Japanese and European wear tests for gasoline engines where each grade is specified


Our technicians do the job right!


Visit Great Canadian Oil Change for all your oil change needs


At Great Canadian Oil Change we offer a wide variety of oil products to meet your needs.  We will recommend the conventional and synthetic oil products which meet your vehicle manufacturer warranty requirements and leave the choice to you.  Visit the services page on Great Canadian Oil Change Regina’s website for a description of the quality Valvoline products we offer.


At Great Canadian Oil change in Regina, we follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of your vehicle.  We will verify that your vehicle is due for an oil change before performing it.  We look forward to seeing you for an oil change or for one of the many other services we offer!  See here for the services we offer. http://gcocregina.ca/ 


 

Great Canadian Oil Change on Quance Street and North Albert Street in Regina deserve the Thumbs up from www.trustedregina.com in our Regina Automotive General Category and they are Regina's Trusted oil change experts!

 


Top 10 reasons to give Dad the “Oil Change Spa” this Father’s Day

Great Canadian Oil Change on Quance and North Albert Street in Regina provides oil changes in 10 minutes. No appointment needed! At Great Canadian Oil Change they will always do their best to keep you traveling safely, in a cleaner environment.

They are your Trusted Regina Oil Change experts in the Regina Automotive General category.


Pamper him AND his vehicle!

Dad deserves a gift that he will appreciate and feel treated by!  Is he the type of guy who likes to pamper his vehicle?  Pamper them both by sending him to the Oil Change Spa to relax while our experts take care of the car or truck he loves.  We’ll make sure his vehicle is kept in tip-top shape.  This is the kind of spa that dad will really appreciate!

Now available – electronic gift cards – instantly redeemable – purchase securely – send to your loved one by email, Facebook, text or print. Press here for more information or to purchase.



1. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

We have great hours and no appointment is ever needed.


2. WARRANTY-APPROVED WORK BY TRAINED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, FRIENDLY TECHNICIANS

Our technicians have the expertise you need – some of our technicians have 20,000 oil changes under their belts.  All work is warranty-approved which means the manufacturer of your vehicle recognizes the work that we do.


3. CHOICES

We make recommendations based on information from the manufacturer of your vehicle.  You choose the type of oil you want and add any other service we offer as desired.


4. QUESTIONS ANSWERED

We’ll answer your questions or help you find the answer.


5. RELAX WHILE WE DO THE WORK

Stay in your car and relax how you choose. Our friendly hostess will offer you a choice of complimentary beverage and something to read.  Be entertained by our informative GCOC-TV or watch what is happening below with the undercarriage camera.  Enjoy our free WIFI or even take a (short) nap.


6. TOP UP OF FLUIDS

A top up of fluids is included in the service.


7. MULTI-POINT INSPECTION

A multi-point inspection is also included in the service including checks for leaks and the lights.  We will give you an indication of problem areas in your vehicle if there are any.


8. FAST

An oil change at our shops typically takes less than 15 minutes – you have the rest of the day free and do not have to be without your vehicle for hours


9. NO PUSHY UP-SELLING

You choose what to do with the information about your vehicle from the multi-point inspection.


10. THE AIR FRESHENER

Many of our customers love the complimentary air freshener and other extras like a dash wipe and garbage bag.


You won’t go wrong by getting your dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, spouse or partner a gift card to the Oil Change Spa this Father’s Day

To purchase a gift card securely online, press here.  A convenient way to send a gift he will love!

Great Canadian Oil Change Regina – serving Regina and area with pride.


At Great Canadian Oil change in Regina, we follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of your vehicle.  We will verify that your vehicle is due for an oil change before performing it.  We look forward to seeing you for an oil change or for one of the many other services we offer!  See here for the services we offer. http://gcocregina.ca/ 


 

Great Canadian Oil Change on Quance Street and North Albert Street in Regina deserve the Thumbs up from www.trustedregina.com in our Regina Automotive General Category and they are Regina's Trusted oil change experts!

 

Trusted Regina partner shares a guideline for checking your headlights, taillights, running lights and signal lights.

Great Canadian Oil Change on Quance and North Albert Street in Regina provide oil changes in 10 minutes. No appointment needed! At Great Canadian Oil Change they will always do their best to keep you traveling safely, in a cleaner environment.

They are your Trusted Regina Oil Change experts in the Regina Automotive General category.

Have you checked your lights lately?  Great Canadian Oil Change shares a guideline for checking your vehicles lights.


WHY CHECK YOUR LIGHTS REGULARLY

For your safety and the safety of others, it is important that all lights on your vehicle are working properly.  Bright and functioning headlights and taillights are necessary to be visible to other drivers and pedestrians at night.  Well-maintained headlights also help you to see obstacles in the road in front of you.

PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND REDUCE ROAD RAGE

Working lights also help to prevent accidents and reduce road rage.  You know how annoying it can be when the car ahead of you slows down unexpectedly and turns without having a working brake light or signal light.  Or when the driver in front of you slows down without apparently any advance notice because their brake lights were not functioning properly and therefore you did not have time to adjust your speed.  How about waiting behind someone who apparently wants to make a left turn but did not have a working signal light that might have given you the opportunity to choose another lane earlier?  And we all can do without getting a ticket for having a burned out headlight or taillight.  All if these situations could lead to accidents or unnecessary stress.  Don’t be part of the problem!  Take the initiative and responsibility for checking that your own lights are working.



DO I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON TO CHECK THE LIGHTS?

It is easy to check SOME of your lights when the car is not running, however most vehicles these days require that the ignition be on (and some vehicles must actually be in gear) to do a thorough check of ALL of the lights.

HOW EASY IS IT TO CHECK THE LIGHTS MYSELF?

It is possible to check the lights by yourself, although not the quickest.  You will need to have a method to have something to hold the brake down (creative use of a long handled windshield scraper or even an anti-theft device might do), and you may have to get in and out of the car a few times.  If you can park the car beside something reflective (such as a window) or plain (a wall), you may be able to see some of the lights without getting our of your vehicle.  It is definitely possible to check the lights yourself, however the job will take less time if you have the assistance of another person.

HOW CAN I CHECK MY LIGHTS EASILY IN THE DAY TIME?

In the day time it is more difficult to see some of the lights on your car.  One option would be to use a dark piece of clothing, like a jacket, when going up close to each light to see how bight it shines on that surface to see if it is working.  Other options include parking beside a reflective surface like a window.  Or even shining your lights onto a building with a plain wall could work.  Waiting until it is close to evening or checking your lights indoors in dim lighting is suggested.



Follow this general plan to check the headlights, taillights, brake lights, running lights and signal lights on most cars.
Every vehicle is different.  Check the owner’s manual for vehicle-specific instructions.  For example, not all vehicles have running lights and some vehicles need to actually be in gear for some of the lights to be checked.
If you have two people and it is dark enough to see the lights easily, this can be a quick and easy job.
Turn on the engine.  Have a buddy on the outside of the car as you go through the list of lights to check.

FRONT – Have your buddy go to the front of the car.
Are the running lights working?  Are they even in brightness on both sides?
Turn on the headlights. Are they both lit up sufficiently?  Is one brighter or dimmer than the other?
Try the high beams. Are they both lit up sufficiently?  Is one brighter or dimmer than the other?
Try the right signal light.  Is it working? Is it easily visible?
Now the left signal light. Is it working? Is it easily visible?
 
REAR – Have your buddy go to the back of the car.
Are the running lights working?  Are they even in brightness on both sides?
Test the right signal light. Is it working? Is it easily visible?
Then the left signal. Is it working? Is it easily visible?
Press on the brakes to check the brake lights.  Are they working?  Are all lights easily visible?  Are they even on both sides? (Two or three bulbs on each side may come on)
 
That’s it!
If you find that some bulbs are dim or not working, make arrangements to have the bulbs replaced.  In some cases it may be the wiring or fuses that are the problem.
HOW CAN GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE HELP?
At Great Canadian Oil Change we do a complimentary check of all of your lights when you come in for any service.  We also can replace the bulbs if you choose.
Great Canadian Oil Change  – helping you to drive safe and to maintain your vehicle in tip top