Auto repair questions we hear at the counter
These are the questions people ask us most, answered the way we would answer them in person. If yours is missing, call (613) 321-7342 and ask.
Booking and visiting
Do I need an appointment?
It helps, because a booking means a technician and a bay are waiting for your car. You can book online at any hour, day or night, or call (613) 321-7342 while we are open. When you book online you can add your vehicle details and up to four photos, and you drop the car off by 9:00am on the day you chose.
If the car feels unsafe to drive, call first. We will tell you whether to bring it in now or leave it parked.
What are your hours?
The shop is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm and closed Saturday and Sunday. Online booking never closes. If you need to arrange something outside shop hours, call during the day and ask.
Where are you located?
2535 Blackwell Street, Suite 12, Ottawa, ON K1B 4E4. That is the Sheffield Glen industrial area off Innes Road, close to Gloucester, Blackburn Hamlet, Orleans and the 417. Directions are on our contact page.
What vehicles do you work on?
All makes and models, domestic and import. We see older cars with simple mechanical systems and newer ones full of computers, and we read them with professional scan tools instead of a basic code reader.
Can I wait while the work is done?
For something short like an oil change, most people wait. For diagnostics or a bigger repair, plan to leave the car. Rushing a diagnosis is how the wrong part gets replaced.
A rusted control arm, sway bar link and tie rod end, with the new partsRepairs, estimates and prices
How do I get a quote?
Call and tell us what the car is doing, or book it in. Routine work we can usually price over the phone. A fault has to be diagnosed first, because a quote without a cause is a guess.
What do common jobs cost?
These are our posted prices right now. Your final price depends on the car, and you see it before we start.
- Synthetic oil change: from $120, depending on the car and how much oil it takes
- Wheel alignment: from $110. If the car fails the check before we align it, you pay for half an hour only
- Tire changeover, four tires already on rims: $55
- Mounting four tires on their rims: $110, not counting low profile or large truck tires
- Diagnostic and inspection time when the cause is unknown: $110 an hour
Will you do work I have not approved?
No. You see the estimate before the repair starts and we only do what you sign off on. If the job turns out bigger than quoted once it is apart, we stop and call you.
What if you find something else wrong while my car is in?
We tell you what we found and whether it needs doing now or can wait until your next visit. You decide. Nothing gets added to the invoice on our say so.
How long do repairs usually take?
Most jobs are done the same day or the next. Some take longer, usually because a part has to be ordered or the fault needs more diagnostic time. You get a time estimate once we know what the repair is, and a call if it changes.
What parts do you use?
OEM or OEM equivalent. If you would rather go another way on a particular repair, tell us and we will talk it through. We never substitute a part without telling you.
Is your work covered by a warranty?
Ask us about warranty when you get your estimate.
What does a check engine light mean?
The car’s computer has stored a fault code. It could be a loose gas cap or a real engine or emissions problem. A steady light means book soon. A flashing light means stop driving and call us, because it usually means a misfire that can wreck the catalytic converter. Our car diagnostics page explains how we track the cause down, and the check engine light article goes into more detail.
Maintenance intervals
How often should I change my oil?
Most modern cars on synthetic oil go somewhere between 8,000 and 12,000 kilometres, but your owner’s manual has the number that counts. Short trips, stop and go traffic and Ottawa winters are hard on oil. If that sounds like your driving, stay at the low end.
When should I rotate my tires?
Every 8,000 to 13,000 kilometres, or about every six months. Rotating on schedule evens out the wear and gets more life out of the set.
How often should I check my tire pressure?
About once a month, and again when the temperature swings hard. Cold air drops tire pressure, which is why the low pressure light comes on for so many people on the first really cold Ottawa morning.
How often should my brakes be checked?
Roughly every 16,000 kilometres, or ask us to look at the pads during an oil change. Squealing, grinding, a pulsing pedal or longer stops mean you should not wait for the interval. See our brake repair page for more.
Payment
How do I pay, and when?
Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash or Interac transfer. You pay when the work is finished and you have the invoice in front of you.
Do you charge for diagnostics?
Yes. When nobody knows yet what is wrong, diagnostic and inspection time is $110 an hour. We tell you that before we start, and we call before going past what you agreed to.
Can I supply my own parts?
Common questions
Do I need an appointment?
It helps, because a booking means a technician and a bay are waiting for your car. Book online at fluxfront.ca/book/on-the-run-auto-care at any hour, or call (613) 321-7342 during the day. If the car feels unsafe to drive, call first and we will tell you whether to bring it in now or leave it parked.
What are your hours?
The shop is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm and closed Saturday and Sunday. Online booking stays open around the clock.
Where are you located?
2535 Blackwell Street, Suite 12, Ottawa, ON K1B 4E4. That is the Sheffield Glen industrial area off Innes Road, close to Gloucester, Blackburn Hamlet, Orleans and the 417.
What vehicles do you work on?
All makes and models, domestic and import, from older mechanical cars to newer ones full of computers.
Can I wait while the work is done?
For something short like an oil change, most people wait. For diagnostics or a bigger repair, plan to leave the car. Rushing a diagnosis is how the wrong part gets replaced.
How do I get a quote?
Call and tell us what the car is doing, or book it in. Routine work we can usually price over the phone. A fault has to be diagnosed first, because a quote without a cause is a guess.
What do common jobs cost?
Our posted prices right now are a synthetic oil change starting at $120, depending on the car and how much oil it takes, a wheel alignment starting at $110, and a changeover of four tires already on rims at $55. Mounting four tires on their rims is $110, not counting low profile or large truck tires. The final price depends on your car, and you see it before we start.
Will you do work I have not approved?
No. You see the estimate before the repair starts and we only do what you sign off on. If the job turns out bigger than quoted once it is apart, we stop and call you.
What if you find something else wrong while my car is in?
We tell you what we found and whether it needs doing now or can wait. You decide. Nothing gets added to the invoice on our say so.
How long do repairs usually take?
Most jobs are done the same day or the next. Some take longer, usually because a part has to be ordered or the fault needs more diagnostic time. You get a time estimate once we know what the repair is, and a call if it changes.
What parts do you use?
OEM or OEM equivalent. If you would rather go another way on a particular repair, tell us and we will talk it through. We never substitute a part without telling you.
How often should I change my oil?
Most modern cars on synthetic oil go somewhere between 8,000 and 12,000 kilometres, but your owner's manual has the number that counts. Short trips, stop and go traffic and Ottawa winters are hard on oil, so if that sounds like your driving, stay at the low end.
When should I rotate my tires?
Every 8,000 to 13,000 kilometres, or about every six months. Rotating on schedule evens out the wear and gets more life out of the set.
How often should I check my tire pressure?
About once a month, and again when the temperature swings hard. Cold air drops tire pressure, which is why the low pressure light comes on for so many people on the first really cold Ottawa morning.
How often should my brakes be checked?
Roughly every 16,000 kilometres, or ask us to look at the pads during an oil change. Squealing, grinding, a pulsing pedal or longer stops mean you should not wait for the interval.
What does a check engine light mean?
The car's computer has stored a fault code. It could be a loose gas cap or a real engine or emissions problem. A steady light means book soon. A flashing light means stop driving and call us, because it usually means a misfire that can wreck the catalytic converter.
How do I pay, and when?
Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash or Interac transfer. You pay when the work is finished and you have the invoice in front of you.
Do you charge for diagnostics?
Yes. When nobody knows yet what is wrong, diagnostic and inspection time is $110 an hour. We tell you that before we start, and we call before going past what you agreed to.
Book it, or just call and ask
If you are not sure which service you need, describe what the car is doing and we will tell you what it needs looking at.