Okotoks Auto Repair

 By: Donavon Miller, Miller Automotive Repair in Okotoks, Alberta As an Automotive Repair shop serving Okotoks and the surrounding area, I’ve seen firsthand how recent international trade policies are affecting our industry—and, more importantly, our customers. In early 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, including auto parts and raw materials like steel and aluminum. Canada responded with its own 25% tariffs on U.S. goods, including tools and automotive components. These tariffs have disrupted the North American supply chain, leading to increased costs for parts and tools. For example, a basic repair that used to cost $300 might now be closer to $500. Even routine maintenance services like oil changes and brake replacements are becoming more expensive. This will also directly affect insurance premiums as the cost of repair increases. What This Means for You The increased costs are not just numbers on a page—they directly ... read more

So we are getting alot of calls for A/C recharges. Lets clarify a few things. Your Air Conditioning system is a sealed system. The best analogy I can give is like a tire, if your tire is low it has a leak. Therefore if your A/C system is low on charge there is a leak. In order to protect the environment from the refrigerant in your A/C system the leak needs to be repaired before recharging. We would rather have our customers request that they ask us to diagnose why it is not blowing cold air anymore. Although there is electronic controls and components like compressors, valves and switches in the system the most common problems that we find are leaks.  We will perform a complete HVAC system test that include checking the entire operation of the system. Once we have confirmed that the system is not operating correctly we will install our A/C service equipment and monitor the pressures of the system while operating. It is at that point we can correctly diagnose the cause ... read more

How To Break In A New Car Vehicles are made out of parts that need to synchronize after getting assembled in order to achieve optimum performance. Believe it or not, the longevity of your vehicle will depend on how you treat it when it is new. That’s why car manufacturers have the ‘break-in period’ where they recommend certain precautions, driving techniques and maintenance assignments to improve the performance and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle. Of course, it’s important to consult your owner’s manual for the specific break-in period instructions. The typical break-in period for most modern cars is around 500 miles. Before hitting that target, the most common break-in period recommendations include: Administer The First Oil Change After 50 To 100 Miles Sure, when the vehicle has been on the road ... read more

Car Maintenance Tips 2 Basic Prerequisites 1. Read The Owner’s Manual When it comes to vehicles, there is no ‘one size fits all’ prescription. For example, the oil change schedule of your car depends on the type of car that you drive. Contrary to the common misconception, you don’t need to change the oil after every 3,000 miles. Hence, before everything else, make sure you read the owner’s manual to double check what your vehicle needs during maintenance. If you don’t, you will probably end up putting the wrong oil into your vehicle’s engine and cause serious damage. 2. Learn The Meaning Of Different Warning Light Indicators Most modern cars will notify you via  ... read more