Sidebar: Wash Tips from a Pro
Master detailer Ken Wilson offers a car washing tips that will protect the beauty, and extend the life of, your car's finish.
Online vehicle fraudIf you’ve ever shopped for a used vehicle online, you’ve probably seen deals that just seem too good to be true. They usually are, says Ben Mirecki, President of Carpages.ca, who offers tips on avoiding online scams.
CAMVAP – Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration PlanCAMVAP, the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan, is a national program that consumers can use to resolve disputes about their vehicles with vehicle manufacturers. CAMVAP provides a fair and impartial hearing where an arbitrator makes a final and binding decision.
20 Under 20 20 sporty cars you can buy for under $20,000!
2006 Honda Civic Si. Click image to enlarge
Review and photos by Chris Chase
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The calendar says spring has sprung. Of course, for those of us in eastern Canada still mired in several feet of (now wet and heavy) snow, it still looks like winter, and it seems more a [...]
CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge, Part 2: Honda CR-V and Mazda6 Sport – March 5 update
2008 Mazda6 Sport. Click image to enlarge
By Paul Williams and Grant Yoxon
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Photo Galleries:2008 Honda CR-V2008 Mazda6 Sport
2008 Mazda6 Sport; By Paul Williams
Though car manufacturers are often subject to criticism, every once in a while they’ll do something that’s truly commendable. Sometimes it’s lost on consumers and the manufacturer [...]
What is a fuel efficient driving style?On the road:
Smooth driving; driving close to the speed limit; using a light foot on the accelerator; pacing to avoid red lights; avoiding “jackrabbit” starts; planning to reduce the frequency of stop signs on your route.
Specifically:
A key factor in reducing fuel consumption is to reduce the load on your vehicle’s engine. In practice, this [...]
CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge, Part 2: 2008 Mazda6 Sport and 2008 Honda CR-V
2008 Honda CR-V. Click image to enlarge
Story and photos by the editors of CanadianDriver
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Photo Galleries:2008 Mazda6 Sport2008 Honda CR-V
This series was developed based on the observation that even though consumers have no control over the price of fuel, they can control the pace at which it is [...]
2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – Conclusion, Part One
2008 Jeen Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD and 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams
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Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD
Ottawa, Ontario – Long time Ottawa residents tell me that the winter of 2007/2008 reminds them of the city [...]
2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – January 7 update
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge
Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams
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Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD
Although our series on driving style and its effect on fuel consumption started with the best of intentions, certain factors have emerged that we can’t control, and they’re [...]
2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – Update
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge
Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams
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Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD
For the past two weeks I’ve been driving like an idiot. I feel like I’m in a perpetual hurry, leaping off the line in my 2008 Jeep Grand [...]
Star-spangled wheels: cross-border car shopping entices, but at what cost?Ow! Excuse me, could I have some oven mitts for this hot potato?
The steamy starch in question, in these heady days of fat Canadian dollars, concerns the growing abundance of American vehicles crossing our borders. With a high-flying Loonie and access to this marvellous invention called the Internet, the decision as to where you [...]
2007 Minivan Challenge: 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L, Week Fourby Dave and Carolyn
edited by Paul Williams
Click image to enlarge
Read more of Dave & Carolyn’s comments on the 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L:
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
Read all the articles in the Minivan Challenge
Photo Gallery: 2007 Honda Odyssey
Dave and Carolyn have a lot to say about the Honda Odyssey, and that�s partly because [...]
What consumers want: the history and future directions for Honda’s “Green” technologyBy Paul Williams
While driving a 2007 Honda Accord recently, it occurred to me that its 166-horsepower, four-cylinder engine makes as much power as the average V6 engine of a few years ago. Similarly, the 253-hp, V6 Accord Hybrid has higher performance numbers than several current V8 engines. And when you consider the formidable power of [...]
How to import a car from the U.S.Contributing Editor Chris Chase looks at the ins and outs of importing a vehicle from the United States to help answer the question: is doing so worth the potential savings?
Canadian vs U.S. vehicle prices: are we paying too much?The strength of the Canadian dollar means that many U.S. vehicles are now less expensive than comparable models in Canada. Are Canadian buyers being ripped off? Contributing Editor Chris Chase examines the issue in detail.
How to become an automobile journalist – More food for thoughtBy Paul Williams
In Canada, the ownership of media is concentrated. This means that one company can own dozens or hundreds of outlets. Consequently, rather than a freelancer having hundreds of individual editors to approach, there’s often one key person handling “automotive” for a large chain. This limits your ability to sell stories to multiple publications.
Note [...]
Auto Theft: How to keep your carby Paul Williams
When car alarms were first introduced, a wailing car in the supermarket parking lot caused all kinds of attention.
Now when one goes off, people just talk louder. Car alarms don’t seem to bother anyone, least of all car thieves.
No matter what you drive, or where you live, your vehicle’s vulnerable.
[...]
Advice: How to test-driveIt's estimated that the average test-drive lasts about twelve minutes: not very much time spend on a vehicle that may cost more than a year's salary. Often it's because people are intimidated or not sure what they should be looking for when they test. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh suggests the best way to "take it for a spin."
Advice: Light Truck vs Passenger car tires: what you should knowWhile Passenger car tires (P-metric) are typically designed for a quiet, smooth ride, Light Truck tires (LT-metric) have more rigid sidewalls and stronger construction, reports Paul Williams. "Swapping an OE LT-metric tire for a P-metric tire can have dangerous consequences," he warns.
Advice: What to do if you get really stuck in the snowBy Ken Mitchell and Stephen Miller
Winter is coming, and in the unfortunate event that your vehicle gets stuck in deep snow, there are some things you can do to get out, or get help.
Start digging the snow away from all the wheels with the shovel you should always have in the trunk.
Position traction pads [...]
50 ways to love your beaterThey say that we don't know when love starts, but we sure know when it ends. If your current ride just isn't doing it for you anymore, Michael Clark has some suggestions to rekindle the flame.
Advice: How to winterize your vehicleBy Ken Mitchell and Stephen Miller
It’s never fun if your vehicle lets you down, but it can be downright miserable or even dangerous if it happens on a cold winter day. Here’s a few things you should know about “winterizing” your vehicle:
Winter tires
Make sure you have a good set of winter tires. They’ll [...]
Advice: How to lower the cost of your next new vehicle purchaseThe average consumer pays 5% to 15% or more than necessary when purchasing a new vehicle, says American author Jim Thomas. In his new book, Negotiate to Win, Thomas describes the negotiating tactics needed to get the lowest price on your next new vehicle. Here is a summary.
Advice: Tips on buying a used car for under $3,000All you want is cheap, reliable transportation. But how can you be sure you're not buying somebody else's problems? Michael Clark offers a few tips on finding the right car, and avoiding the wrong ones.
Advice: How to choose a tow vehicleThinking of heading south with your trailer this winter? Jeremy Cato provides a checklist of questions to ask, and get answers to, before making a decision on a tow vehicle.