Your garage will cost more to maintain this fall

Motorists who head to the garage for fall maintenance on their vehicles should expect a 3 to 4% increase on their bills due to significant increases in rents and employee salaries.

“Rents have exploded in the last year, especially in Montreal,” explained Guillaume Martin, president of the Association of Tire and Mechanical Specialists of Quebec (ASPMQ). The same goes for the salaries of all the people who directly or indirectly touch the cars.

Currently, a mechanic's hourly rate (collected by garages) varies between $105 and $160 per hour depending on the location. For their part, rents in Montreal and many other places in Quebec have nearly doubled.

Of course, some of this increase will be passed on to consumers.

“Everything costs more. It allows us to be profitable,” adds Mr Martin.

Some consumers shop around and don't hesitate to switch garages to save money. There is another trend.

“Many customers will not switch garages despite the increase,” stressed Mr Martin. They have formed a bond of trust with their mechanic and they don't want to go anywhere else.

Essential services

Changing tires is the first mechanical service on people's minds when the cold nights begin in Quebec. This operation must be performed before 1st^er December

Prices are essentially the same as last year. With rims, customers can pay between $50 and $80. If the tires have to be fitted, the bill will increase to between $75 and $160.

Synthetic oil changes, with the increase in raw materials, now cost around $100. However, if the mechanic has to add more oil to the engine, the bill will be higher.

You must also check the air filter and cabin filter as well as various fluids that are critical to the proper functioning of the vehicle.

“Installing tires is a perfect opportunity to check a few things,” explains Jesse Caron, automotive expert for CAA-Quebec. Brake cleaning is especially good for people who don't drive much. Same thing with the battery.

Another thing not to forget: windshield wipers.

“It often goes under the radar,” Mr. Caron said. The usual limit is about one year. It's not hard to change.”

Still a popular phone

Although mechanical service companies have developed applications for cell phones or systems on their websites, the telephone is still the most popular means of making appointments.

“About 80% of my customers still use the telephone,” says a technical consultant from a garage on Montreal's north shore.

for what Customers often have additional questions or special requests to share in advance of their visit to the garage. It can be as simple as adding an oil change to your tire change.

Additionally, many consumers are taking advantage of this to make their spring appointments already for their summer tire change.

Prepare your vehicle for winter

Oil change (prices depend on vehicle brand and oil quantity)

• Synthetic: Between $90 and $100
• Non-synthetic: $75 to $80

Winter management

• Varies by garage
• Brake, filter and fluid checks
• Between $60 and $180

Tire change

• Mounted on rims
• 17 to 22 inches
• Between $50 and $80
• Not mounted on rims (not balanced)
• 17 to 22 inches
• $75 to $160