How do you know if your engine oil is low?   Many recent cars consume oil between oil changes and most don't have a warning light to warn you if the oil level is low.   Even in many cars with an oil monitor, you will not see a warning if the oil level becomes lower. Driving low on oil can cause engine problems. This means, check the engine oil level with the dipstick regularly.   How to check the oil level on a dipstick: Warm up the engine. Park your vehicle on a level spot. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in Park.   Turn off the engine. Wait for a minute or two to let engine oil flow into the oil pan. Find the engine oil dipstick, usually it has a bright handle saying "Engine Oil". Careful, the engine is hot. Check for precautions, read the instructions and find the location of the oil dipstick in the Maintenance section of the owner's manual for your vehicle.   The oil level should be between the "Low" and "Full" marks. We recommend keeping it close to the "Full" mark. If the level is low, time for a top-up!

Getting Ready for Shopping a Car? It’s that time again – time to look at buying another car. If you are like most auto buyers, the start of the shopping process has you split and undecided between different cars. From used SUVs to used trucks and used vans, there are tons of options. Maybe you want a Honda Civic, but it doesn’t come in your favorite color. What about BMWs? Those are supposed to be pretty good aren’t they? The car shopping process can take a lot of time. It’s an important decision after all. Perhaps next to a house, the car is your next biggest purchase. Recently SUVs, and especially used SUVs, have been on the rise. SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. There are a plethora of reasons why SUVs are becoming so popular, and hopefully, we can help you narrow down the scope of your car search by the end of this article. New or used, SUVs are hot right now. Benefits of Owning an SUV Comfortable Space for Multiple People: Whether you have a large family, are the leader of a scout troop, or find yourself frequently road tripping with friends, SUVs are great for getting multiple people (and some gear) from one place to another. Rather than taking multiple trips or multiple vehicles, which just complicates logistics, having a used SUV is a clear winner for shuffling multiple people from Point A to Point B. Great Gas Mileage: Of all the myths you hear about Sports Utility Vehicles, this is probably the biggest: they don’t get good gas mileage. While that may have been true 10 or 20 years ago (when SUVs were huge gas hogs), today there are a plethora of SUVs that get over 30 miles to the gallon on the highway, and 23-27 miles to the gallon around the city. Best of all, even with this good gas mileage SUVs still maintain all of their benefits and capacity. Towing Capabilities: Whether it’s a horse trailer, boat, motorcycles, or an RV, SUVs are great towing vehicles. Most SUVs come with towing capability built in, and can even have built in trailer sway control (again, making an SUV one of the safest choices of car to purchase). Even if you aren’t planning on towing for hobbies right now, you might just need to help someone move furniture on a trailer. SUVs are great for offering this kind of help. Spacious Enough for Pets: If you don’t have kids or people to transport around but you have pets, an SUV can be a great choice (especially used SUVs so it isn’t a bother to get pet hair inside). The extra space an SUV offers gives ample room for dog kennels and cat kennels. There will even be room for food, toys, and other gear if you are going on a road trip and bringing the dogs with you. Better in Hazardous Road Conditions: Whether it’s flooding, slick roads from rain, or any icy snowstorm, SUVs are rated as top quality vehicles to handle the road conditions excellently. Think of a flood, for example, most cars can not handle more than 20 inches of water. However an SUV can be outfitted to drive through up to 36 inches (yes, three feet!) of water! With how much adverse whether there is, having an SUV helps give reliable transportation in a variety of road conditions. Top Rated Safety: SUVs are without a doubt one of the safest types of vehicle on the road – even used SUVs. The most obvious reason is the size. It’s really just a physics equation. If a 2,000 lb car collides with your 6,000 lb SUV, the SUV will be the much safer place to be. There is zero room for doubt here. Additionally, having a higher vantage point allows the driver to see the road more clearly, allowing for safer driving overall. So no matter your reason for looking for a new car, start with SUVs. In addition to being one of the safest vehicles on the road, an SUV can help you get out and explore the world with great off-road capabilities, freedom to bring extra passengers or pets, and room for gear and luggage.

For a quality premium vehicle, an Audi is a fantastic choice of vehicle. Buying preloved will save you some money and give you a car that will give you plenty of years of service. Getting the right one for you is easy when you know how to pick a great used Audi in the Toronto area. Monaco Motorcars has a range of quality pre-owned Audi. You just need to pick the one that suits you best.   Test Drive All Features Packed with premium features, a Used Audi is a great way to get into these quality vehicles without the new car price tag. A pre-owned vehicle has had a previous owner and has been subject to some wear from use but with a keen eye, you can get an Audi in near new condition. When inspecting your prospective car, take advantage of a test drive to ensure all the functions work as expected. Test the air conditioning and safety features, such as reverse cameras and power seat functions. Ask the salesperson if the vehicle has the tech features that you are expecting. A color screen in the dashboard does not indicate the availability of programs such as navigation. Watch For Fluids And Smoke Watch carefully as the vehicle is started and moved from its place in the lot. A small amount of water vapor is normal at startup, especially if the ambient temperature is cool. The used Audi should not have blue or black smoke from the exhaust or leave any fluid leaks from underneath. If the vehicle has recently been driven by the air conditioning operating, a small amount of water may be present on the ground and will continue to leak as the vehicle runs.   Shop at a Reliable Dealer For Your Used Audi For hassle-free purchasing of a used Audi, ensure your dealership is reliable and has a great track record. Our vehicles are carefully selected to provide a range of models, trims, and body styles to suit your wants and needs. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Toyota Corolla Maintenance   The exciting part of buying a car is always the purchase. The less exciting but no less important aspect is car maintenance.   It’s extremely important to keep your car in good working order to ensure that you’re able to get where you need to go at any time.   A few of the most common issues to keep an eye out for can be easily handled with the right knowledge.   Changing a Tire   Surprisingly, how to change a tire is one of the most frequently asked questions by car owners. The good news is that changing a tire on your Toyota Corolla is actually very simple.   If you find yourself with a flat tire, first you’ll need to pull over. Make sure your Corolla is in a safe location before beginning any work.   Next, remove the hubcap on the wheel. This will give you access to the tire and allow you to loosen the lug nuts.   Once this is done, jack your car up. It’s important to get your car up to about 6 inches high. Be sure not to place the jack in a position that could cause damage to your vehicle.   Now you’re ready to remove the tire. Take the lug nuts off (but keep them handy!) and pull the tire straight towards you.   Finally, place the new tire on the car. Push the tire straight on, and fasten your lug nuts to secure it in place.   Changing the Oil   Before you decide to change the oil yourself, make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies. You will need:   • An Oil Collection Pan   • 4 Quarts of Oil   • A Funnel   • An Oil Filter   • Plenty of Rags   Begin by sliding the oil pan under the drain plug. The drain plug is located below the engine.   Next, use a wrench to remove the drain plug. The oil will drain into the oil pan. Once the drainage is finished, you need to remove the oil filter.   Use your rag to wipe away the oil from the filter. Now take a clean rag, add some oil to it, and wipe the edge of the new filter.   You can now install the new filter and replace the drain plug. Next, open the oil tank and pour in the new oil.   Give the car a moment before using the dipstick to make sure you have enough oil inside.   Voila! Just like that, you’ve changed the oil. Make sure to close the oil tank again once you are finished.   Cleaning Your Vehicle   To ensure you enjoy your car every time you step into it, always have cleaning supplies on hand. We like to store these in the trunk just in case anything happens, such as a spill, or while driving a bunch of bugs stick to the car. Another option is always finding local car detailers who will often have monthly subscription services so that you can take it to them to have it cleaned as often as you’d like.   Replacing Wiper Fluid   The wiper fluid level is another part of your vehicle that needs to be continuously checked. Windshield wiper fluid isn’t crucial, but not filling it can certainly lead to a messy car!   To refill the wiper fluid, you don’t need to do a whole lot. First, remove the front bumper so that you can access the wiper fluid pump.   Next, remove the wiper fluid pump from the reservoir. Discard the reservoir, open a new one, and insert the pump into the new reservoir.   Put all the parts back into place and close the bumper again.   While car maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle running, it’s best to get a healthy vehicle in the first place. Give us a call today at Monaco Motorcars and we will be happy to discuss your options!  

Small Car, Big Benefits?   In the market for a pre-owned car? A smaller vehicle might be perfect for your needs, no matter how tall you are. There are several benefits to have with a compact car, some of which might not have occurred to you before now. Ready to learn?   Sleek Appeal   What small cars lack in size they can make up for in exterior and interior appearance. Before passing up on smaller car models when at the dealership, take a peek inside a smaller car. You might be surprised at the sumptuous interior that can fit a variety of styles.   Parking   No matter if you live in the city or the suburbs, it’s great to have a vehicle that doesn’t take up a lot of space when it’s time to park. You’ll have an easier time getting into parking spots, and you’ll be eligible for those parking spots devoted solely to compact vehicles that parking garages have. Your nerves will thank you later.   Gas Mileage   You can enjoy awesome gas mileage with a smaller car. Even if you aren’t focused on going green and cutting down on emissions, you’re sure to save by driving a smaller, more efficient vehicle.   Room   Taller drivers might automatically ignore smaller cars, but the truth is that small vehicles can be surprisingly roomy. While admiring the interior of a compact model, take note of the leg, cargo and passenger room.   A More Enjoyable Drive   Smaller cars are oftentimes more nimble, have better acceleration than larger cars and break better. You don’t have to be a race car driver to enjoy this driving style, but you’re sure to have more fun behind the wheel.   There’s no need to think that you’re making sacrifices with a smaller vehicle. As noted above, there’s much to enjoy. Start exploring your options for compact vehicles at Monaco Motorcars today.