Cars & Trucks

Edmonton's first snow often lands in October, and all-season tires start losing grip before the snow does. Here's when to switch, how to tell if last year's winter tires are done, and how to keep the cost down. When to switch The common rule is to switch once daytime temperatures stay at about 7°C or below. Under that, the rubber in all-season tires hardens and grips less, even on dry roads. Don't wait for the first snowfall. That's the week every shop in the city fills up. W

You drop your car off for one thing and get a call with a quote for five. Some of it might be real. Some of it might be able to wait. And some of it might not be needed at all. Here's how to read a repair quote so you know what you're paying for. Look for three parts on every line Parts: what is being replaced, and whether it's an original equipment (OEM) or aftermarket part. Labour: the time the shop is charging for and the hourly rate. Fees: shop supplies, disposal and diag

Edmonton winters are hard on vehicles. Cold starts, road salt, potholes and months of short trips all add wear that doesn't show until something fails on the coldest morning of the year. A little prep in the fall saves a tow in January. Here's the checklist our technicians run through when a car or truck comes in for winter prep at Big Toy Shop in south Edmonton. 1. Battery and charging system Cold weather makes a weak battery obvious. We load-test the battery, check the term

If you drive a Ram with the 5.7 HEMI, or a Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe or Yukon with the 5.3L or 6.2L V8, you've probably heard about lifter problems. A tick that won't go away or a misfire code can be the first sign. Here's what's happening inside the engine, how to spot it early, and why waiting makes the repair bigger. What a lifter does Lifters ride on the camshaft and push the valves open as the cam turns. Both the HEMI and GM's V8s use roller lifters: a small wheel at the

Rough idle, sluggish low-end torque, bad fuel economy, a check-engine light, and acceleration that hesitates longer than your grandmother trying to merge across three lanes of traffic - these are just some of the symptoms of a VANOS system that’s begging for attention. But that’s not where it ends. Maybe your pride and joy fires up like it’s trying to start a fistfight with the neighbours. Maybe the engine drops into limp mode often enough to make you question your manhood. O

Our customers continually trust Big Toy Shop to service all their automotive and motorcycle needs. Even food trucks! The Cliché of Car...

Big Toy Shop is a family-owned shop at 8315 Argyll Road NW in south Edmonton where cars, trucks, fleet vehicles, food trucks and motorcycles are all serviced under one roof. Here is what that looks like in practice. Service Our dual-ticketed mechanics are certified to work on both automotive and motorcycle repairs: cars, trucks, SUVs, fleet equipment, motorcycles, quads and food trucks. From a custom tune to brakes and tires, the same people do the work and the same standard