Get in touch with Downtown Auto Centre for a wide range of auto services in Kitchener. From automobile repairs to auto maintenance, we do them all.
Our technicians are well-trained and use state-of-the-art equipment to provide you with quality automobile services. Whether you need preventative maintenance or major repairs for your car, you can count on us. We can also help you with your auto insurance claims.
Our Services
You can trust us for the following automobile services:
Auto maintenance:
Check/replace engine oil
Check/replace oil filters
Check/replace fuel filters
Windshield washer fluid
Tire balancing
Tire rotation
Wheel alignment
Check or flush brake fluid
Check transmission fluid
Check power steering fluid
Check engine coolant
Inspect or replace air filter
Inspect timing belt
Check all lights
Tighten nuts and bolts
Check wiper blades
Lubricate locks, latches, and hinges
Auto mechanic services for:
Mufflers
Transmission
Engine
Fuel injection
Air conditioning
Radiator
Timing belt
Brakes and suspension
Battery replacement
Electrical and charging
Pre-purchase inspections
No-start diagnostics
We also offer:
Brakes
When the brakes in your car are of good quality and are properly maintained, you are able to drive safely. We can repair the drum and resurface the rotor of your brake, and provide you with high-quality brakes when required.
Warning Signs to Consider for Brakes
You can look for the following warning signs in case of brake damage:
Premium Brakes
Premium brakes have a long life, offer exceptional performance, are fade resistance, and reduce brake dust which helps to keep your wheels clean.
Economy Brakes
We also have options for cost-effective brake systems.
Preventative Maintenance (Engines)
We offer expert routine maintenance, tune-ups, and engine diagnostic services.
Engine performance warning signs:
Vehicle loses power
Gas mileage has dropped
Engine “knocks” upon acceleration
Engine light stays on
Engine backfires
Engine stalls
Engine starts hard
Engine continues running after ignition is turned off
Harmful exhaust odours
Rough running
Platinum spark plug tune-up will help maximize the performance of your engine and time between tune-ups. This tune-up includes:
Installation of platinum spark plugs
Setting the timing and adjusting idle speed (where applicable)
Performing battery system check
Inspecting air filter, PCV valve, and ignition cables
Inspecting distributor cap and ignition rotor (where applicable)
Inspecting vacuum hoses
Inspecting belt and hose conditions
Inspecting oil levels and condition
Inspecting coolant condition
Maintenance tune-up is required to keep your vehicle running smoothly. It includes:
Inspection of PCV valve, ignition cables, and air filter
Testing the battery and charging system
Adjusting idle speed, setting the timing (where applicable)
Diagnostic services for vehicle starting issues include:
Computerized diagnostic services allow us to diagnose poorly running vehicles and include:
Road test
Complete computerized engine diagnostic test
Fuel pressure test
Emissions system and under hood systems visual check
Computer code report to identify potential problems
Oil changes and fluid services
With the help of periodic oil changes and fluid services, you can increase the performance and life of your engine, and improve engine transmission, power steering control, and more. Downtown Auto Centre will ensure your vehicle’s fluids are full and clean.
Warning signs for oil and lube problems:
Your transmission is not shifting properly
Fluid is leaking under your engine
Oil is milky
Oil or fluid loss is visible on a dipstick inspection
Fluids have a strong, burnt odour
Oil pressure light flickers or stays on
Oil film is found on different parts of the engine
Oil is found in the spark plug wells
Oil is black
Over 5000 km between services
There are odd noises coming from your engine or transmission
Synthetic oil and filter changes
The synthetic motor oils we use help your engine last for a long time. These oils work better in heavy traffic or short trips. Synthetic oil also works better in extreme temperatures.
Our synthetic oil and filter changes include:
Up to 5 litres of synthetic oil
New oil filter installation
Fluid top-up
Checking the condition of hoses, belts, and air filter
Charge system test with computer printout
Semi-synthetic oil and filter changes include:
Up to 5 litres of semi-synthetic motor oil
New oil filter installation
Fluid top-ups
Checking the condition of hoses, belts, and air filter
Charge system test with computer printout
High-mileage oil and filter service for vehicles with 160,000 km or more includes:
Up to 5 litres of special formatted oil
New oil filter installation
Fluid top-up
Checking the condition of hoses, belts, and air filter
Charge system test with computer printout
Standard oil and filter service includes:
Up to 5 litres of 10W or 5W oil
New oil filter installation
Fluid top-up
Checking the condition of hoses, belts, and air filter
Charge system test with computer printout
Transmission fluid exchange service is recommended every 50,000 km. This will prolong the life expectancy of your transmission. The transmission fluid exchange service includes:
Transmission maintenance service includes:
Powers steering flush service is recommended every 50,000 km and includes:
Chemical cleaning
Flushing with new fluid
Adding conditioner
Cooling Systems
Freezing and overheating can occur if your vehicle’s cooling system is not maintained. Check for the following warning signs for cooling system repairs:
Vehicle overheats
Heater does not work
Coolant light comes on
Engine runs poorly
Use of excess fuel
Smell of antifreeze
Temperature gauge reads higher or lower than normal
Cooling System Flush and Fill
The flush and fill process includes:
Cooling system drain and fill includes:
Pressure test of cooling system and rad cap
Complete drain of the cooling system
Inspecting hoses, belts, and water pump
Refilling with coolant and bleeding system
Checking the condition of drive belts
Radiator hose changeover includes:
Preventative Maintenance (General)
Preventative maintenance will keep your car in good condition, helping you avoid costly repairs in the future. As a courtesy to our clients, we maintain records of each preventative service and send reminder notices when these services are recommended. Our winterization and spring maintenance packages include:
Lube oil filter (up to 5 litres oil)
Tire rotation
Top-up of fluids
Battery
At Downtown Auto Centre, we will service your existing battery, install a new one, and check your charging and starting systems. Our battery installation services include:
Our charging/starting system diagnostics include:
Wheel Alignment
To maintain safe vehicle handling and longer tire life, we recommend wheel alignment services annually or every 20,000 km. During an alignment, our technician will inspect your steering and suspension systems, and make adjustments to restore specifications. Below are the warning signs for alignment problems:
Suspension and Steering
Get a smooth ride with well-maintained suspension and steering. Trust Downtown Auto Centre to provide quality shocks and struts for your vehicle. When shocks and struts are in good condition, they will reduce the bouncing effect after hitting bumps. Excessive wear and tear of your tires and suspension will also be eliminated. A wheel alignment is required after most strut installations.
Shock and strut warning signs:
Fluid is leaking out of the shock or strut
Steering is stiff or makes noises
Uneven tire wear cupping
Vehicle sways or leans on turns
Shock or strut bodies are dented or damaged
Ride is bumpy or shakes
The vehicle feels like it is nose diving when brakes are applied
Excessive bouncing when bumps are hit
Shocks installation:
Strut installation:
Air Conditioning
At Downtown Auto Centre, we offer air conditioning diagnostic services using environmentally-friendly refrigerants and quality parts.
Air conditioning warning signs include:
Vehicle interior is not cooling properly
There is an unusual odour coming from the air vents
Water is found on the vehicle’s floor
The blower fan does not operate when set in AC mode
You hear loud noises when AC is turned on
Some dash controls are not working
The heater or defroster is not functioning
When using AC, your vehicle stalls or runs rough
Vehicle overheats when using AC
An AC inspection service gets your AC system working through recovery, evacuation, and recharge. It includes:
Tires
Our specialties include the following tire services:
Tire installation
Tire repair
Tire patching
Tire inflation
Tire rotation
Tire inspections
Wheel alignment
Brands We Carry