Scheduled maintenance in Ottawa
Maintenance is the work you do so that repairs happen on your schedule rather than on the vehicle's. We service to your manufacturer's intervals, handle fluid flushes and tune-ups, and keep track of what is coming due.
You do not need to go to a dealer to keep a maintenance schedule properly documented.
This one is arranged by phone rather than online booking.
What scheduled servicing covers
Manufacturer-interval servicing
The items your manufacturer specifies at each interval, rather than a generic package that ignores what your vehicle actually calls for.
Fluid flushes
Coolant, brake fluid, and other fluids that degrade over time. Brake fluid in particular absorbs moisture as it ages, which lowers its boiling point.
Tune-ups
Ignition and running-condition items appropriate to your engine.
Inspection and a heads-up
We tell you what is wearing and roughly when it will need attention, so you can plan for it instead of being surprised.
A maintenance rhythm that fits the climate
Ottawa's year has two natural service points, and the seasonal tire changeover puts your car in a shop at both of them. That makes them the sensible moments to look at everything else.
Going into winter, the priorities are battery condition, coolant strength, wipers, lighting, and brakes: the things a cold snap will expose. Coming out of winter, it is the aftermath: salt corrosion, suspension and alignment after pothole season, and a wash of the underbody to get the salt off before it sits there all summer.
Common questions
Do I have to service at a dealer to keep my warranty?
No. In Canada you are generally free to have maintenance performed at an independent shop without voiding a manufacturer warranty, provided the specified work is done at the specified intervals with appropriate parts and fluids, and you keep the records. Keep your invoices. Documentation is what matters if a warranty claim is ever questioned.
How do I know what my vehicle needs and when?
Your owner's manual sets the schedule, and it is specific to your engine and transmission rather than generic. If you have lost track of what has been done, tell us what you know and we will work from the vehicle's condition and what your manufacturer specifies.
Is booking maintenance online available?
Not currently for full scheduled servicing. Call the shop at 613-596-6300 so we can work out what your vehicle is actually due for. Individual services like oil changes and tire changes can be booked online.
What does severe service mean, and does it apply to me?
Most manufacturers publish a second, shorter schedule for harder use: short trips, extreme cold, heavy stop-and-go, towing. A lot of ordinary Ottawa driving qualifies, particularly short winter trips where the engine never fully warms up. Check your manual, or ask and we will look at it with you.
Related services
Oil Changes
Conventional, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic, with the filter replaced every time.
Tire Changes & Repair
Seasonal changeovers, mounting, balancing, and puncture repair.
Auto Diagnostics
For noises, warning lights, and faults that need to be found before they are fixed.
Ready when you are
Book online or call the shop and tell us what the vehicle is doing.
This one is arranged by phone rather than online booking.