FAQ’s

Preventative health care is important for peak performance and longevity. Preventative maintenance for today`s hi-tech cars helps keep small problems from becoming large, expensive ones. Most new car warranties call for scheduled preventative maintenance, meaning that maintenance must be done in order to keep the factory warranties in effect. New car dealers want you to believe that only they can perform these services. This is not true. Anyone can perform the required services, as long as the parts used are Original Equipment quality and all maintenance is performed on time per the manufacturers recommended schedule and by a government-licensed automotive shop, like Victoria Transmission and Auto Care.

Both our regular oil and Eco Power oil are of extremely high quality. Our regular oil has been refined and filled with the necessary additives. Our Eco Power oil is oil that has been collected from previous usage, refined to its base stock, and then filled with the necessary additives. There is essentially no difference in quality or performance between the two oils, and they both meet all manufacturer requirements. However, the production of Eco Power oil uses 85% less energy and fifty times less raw crude oil per barrel than the regular oil. Because sustainability is so important to us, we encourage the usage of Eco Power Oil to minimize environmental impact. See more information on all of our Eco-Friendly products and services.

Each manufacturer has different recommended intervals. Here at Victoria Transmission and Auto Care, to help our customers avoid any long-term engine problems, we suggest you bring in your vehicle for its oil change approximately every 4 months or 5,000 kilometres. If you have further questions about your vehicle’s needs, don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

We are happy to supply full-service automotive maintenance, repair and service to all makes and models of cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles.

We want to work around your busy schedule, and are happy to provide multiple key-drop boxes for your convenience when dropping off your vehicle before shop hours. We can also make arrangements for afterhours pick-up. Contact us today for more information.

If you experience a breakdown after shop hours, simply give us a call at the shop – our answering machine message provides you with specific tow-truck contact info and instructions. When the shop re-opens next, we ask that you give us a call to go over the symptoms and background to your breakdown, so we can get started on necessary diagnostics and repair. Don’t forget to save our phone number in your cellphone!

Absolutely. We are happy to set up fleet maintenance packages at fleet pricing. Additionally, we offer specific mileage tracking for your individual vehicles, to help you stay on top of scheduled maintenance and keep your vehicles on the road and running efficiently. Contact us today for more information.

Internally, automatic and manual transmissions are completely different. Either way, it is important to keep your transmission properly maintained and serviced on a regular basis. Automatic transmissions should be inspected every 2 to 3 years (30-40,000 km), and manual transmissions every 3 to 4 years (40-50,000 km).

We accept Interac, Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Regretfully, we cannot accept personal cheques.

Each transmission is different. Standard transmissions usually don’t need to be replaced during their entire lifetime, whereas some automatic transmissions need replacing around the 200-250,000 km mark. Overall, it is important to maintain regular servicing and maintenance for your transmission.

Depending on quality, windshield wiper blades should last a full year before being replaced. In general, it is important to avoid using them when there are other substances on the windshield, such as snow, sap or leaves. When they start streaking, replace them right away. As we head into fall and winter here in Victoria, make sure you have good quality wiper blades installed to handle the increased preciptiation. Here at Victoria Transmission & Auto Care we are happy to order in and replace your wiper blades in preparation for the changing season.

Do we ever! Since opening as a transmission shop over 40 years ago, we have provided top-quality transmission repair, maintenance, and replacement services for our valued customers. We are also happy to have added specialization in full vehicle scope and repair, maintenance, and more, to take care of all of your vehicle’s needs. See more information on all of the service we offer.

Unfortunately we do not offer mechanic training programs, but we are happy to support our apprentice mechanics in their skill development.

One of the biggest transmission problems is leaks. If a transmission is leaking, and thus running low on fluids, it can severely damage the internal components, leading to long-term damage. If you suspect your vehicle is leaking fluid, bring it by Victoria Transmission & Auto Care right away, to have it looked at, before it poses a real problem. Generally, transmission fluid is red in colour, and darkens as it get older.

At Victoria Transmission and Auto Care, we also care deeply about our local community and are happy to support events and charitable organizations. As much as we would love to sponsor and support many more, we regretfully cannot provide sponsorships at this time. View more about our continued community commitment.

Each vehicle is different; they have specific parts, accessibility, reservoir capacities, and labour needs. Therefore, for a specific service quote, we encourage you to Contact Us for more information about your vehicle’s needs

Yes, we do! Our BCAA qualified auto mechanics are happy to carry out a complete 143-point visual and instrument inspection to give you the peace of mind you need. Make an appointment today.

Today’s cars are equipped with front-wheel disc brakes. Some models even have four-wheel disc brake systems. Disc brakes work much like the modern’s bicycle’s brakes, and brake squealing and noise have a variety of causes – usually dust or high frequency vibrations of the brake pedals, like a cricket rubbing its legs together. Worn brake linings also tend to be noisy. All in all, brake systems should be checked regularly and worn parts replaced before ruining expensive calipers and rotors.

Here in Victoria, a properly working transmission shouldn’t be affected by our winter climate. However, if the transmission is getting older, there can sometimes be delays in gear shifting. This is caused by rubber components that become brittle as they age. If your transmission starts to lag in its gear shifting, this could be an indication of starting to show its age. It’s not always a problem, but definitely something to take a look at. Give us a call to make an appointment, and we’ll inspect your transmission to make sure it’s in top shape.

Summer outings should be enjoyable and not spent in a roadside repair shop with someone under the hood. Have your car serviced and fluid levels checked before any long road trip and don’t forget the windshield washers and wipers. Radiator hoses and fan belts are one of the main causes for breakdowns. Hoses deteriorate from the inside out, so looks can be deceiving. Wheel bearings should be packed, and correct tire pressures will give a smoother ride and better fuel economy. Overall, a little preventative maintenance can help ensure you won’t spend your vacation in an auto shop waiting room. Be sure to make an appointment with us at Victoria Transmission and Auto Care before heading out of town for your next trip – we offer a 37-point BCAA safety inspection with all services, to ensure your car is road-ready. Make an appointment today.

There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the “check engine” light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to bring your car in to the experienced mechanics here at Victoria Transmission and Auto Care, to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term issues. Book an appointment, online today.

Although in previous decades, there were a limited number of different transmission types, today there are many more, most of which have several variations or calibrations, with as many as a dozen modifications necessary. What’s more, today’s transmissions are computer controlled, which means even though your transmission may not be working properly, there’s a good chance the root cause of the problem doesn’t have anything to do with the actual transmission itself.

To give you an accurate assessment of your transmission’s condition – and an honest estimate for repairs – the technicians here at Victoria Transmission and Auto Care perform a series of rigorous tests to identify:

• which transmission type and version is currently installed,
• what the specific problem (and its source) is, and
• the likely causes of the problem, based on our step-by-step diagnostic process.

Once they have all of the information, we are able to provide you with a more accurate explanation of your car’s condition, and an accurate estimate of the cost to repair it.

Although we can’t perform these steps over the phone, you can be assured that Victoria Transmission and Auto Care takes your car’s needs to heart. We promise a transparent representation of only the service your car truly needs. Book an appointment with us today.

As an environmentally-friendly automotive shop, Victoria Transmission and Auto Care is proud to offer tips and tricks to our valued customers, to help you be a more ‘green’ driver. Click here for our Green Tips and Tricks.

An easy way to get ready for winter is to bring your vehicle in for a winterize check – we will do a full 37-point BCAA inspection of your entire vehicle, including fluids, brakes, belts, and internal functions. For the winter, it is especially important to have sufficient antifreeze and winter windshield fluid levels, tire condition (pressure), and lights.

As temperatures drop and days get longer, there is an increased need for electrical accessories, such as lights, defrosters and heaters. This means an increased strain on your battery and charging system. Make sure these systems have been inspected and tuned up, before they cause you start-up issues.

Any parts that are in poor tune may appear to function properly in warmer temperatures, but will start to show strain and problems into the winter. The cooler temperature causes an increased strain on interior systems, thickens fluids, and stiffens gears and parts. It’s important to get a vehicle tune-up, before you face functional problems.

When driving in the winter, be sure to familiarize yourself with potential conditions, such as hydroplaning or snow, keep emergency numbers available at all times, sufficiently warm up your vehicle in the morning before driving it, keep your fuel tank full, and have an emergency kit and snow kit on hand at all times. Never go out on the road unless you are comfortable handling the current conditions. Winter tires are a great way to be prepared for winter conditions, and we are happy to order and install them for any vehicle.

A standard transmission service can be done in a day, and we require only 1 or 2 days advance notice.

For more advanced transmission repairs, we recommend that you call us ahead of time to book time and discuss your specific needs. We are happy to align ourselves with a hotel across the street, and offer preferred customer rates for customers coming from out-of-town. Usually major transmission repairs can be done in 2 to 4 days.

Feel free to contact us for additional information.

If you feel that something’s not right with your vehicle, the best thing you can do is write down the symptoms, come in and see us, and give us the best explanation that you can. This will help us, and help your vehicle. We are happy to help you out with any diagnostics or repair needs, maintaining open and transparent communication with our customers.

We recommend you have your brakes inspected approximately every 2nd oil change. This is the best way to ensure top safety and performance, and avoid long-term damage.

We have access to all original equipment part as well as all aftermarket and high performance. Feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions or requests.

We are open for drop-off on weekdays starting at 7:15 am, and we close around 5:00 pm. We can also arrange for specific late pickup circumstances, and we do have a drop box as well.