Running your air conditioning system for 10 minutes every few weeks is a good idea because the oil that is pumped through the system with the refrigerant protects the components, hoses and seals from drying out and cracking.

Bad odours from the air conditioning vents are usually due to fungal or bacterial growth on the evaporator. Water condenses on the evaporator each time you use your air conditioning system, and the warm, moist environment promotes bacterial colonization. Having your evaporator cleaned will correct the problem.

Not enough cool air, or air that is warmer than usual, is generally caused by:
• Low refrigerant
• Loose drive belt
• Slipping compressor clutch
• Partially clogged valves or filters
• Slow leaks in components or hoses
• Clogs in the evaporator or condenser

The most common reasons why an air conditioning system will stop working include:
• Broken or very loose drive belt
• Blown fuses
• Broken compressor or compressor clutch
• Leaks in components, seals or hoses
• Defects or clogs in the expansion valve, orifice tube, accumulator, receiver-drier, or hoses

Yes.  When you drop your car off at any Coast Tire & Auto Service location, our free shuttle service will get you to work on time.

A squealing noise when you apply or release your brakes usually indicates that the lining of your brake pads or shoes has worn away to the point where they need to be replaced. A scraping and grinding noise usually indicates that they have worn to the point where the metal is contacting the rotors. This condition can cause severe damage to your braking assembly and should be checked immediately.

Visit the Your Braking System section a complete explanation.

Brakes require a yearly inspection as part of your MVI. If you travel frequently, you should have them inspected at least once more during the year. Regardless of how frequently you travel, you should always have your brakes inspected at the first sign of problems. Brakes play such an important role in your safety that early detection of problems is crucial.

Grabbing or locking usually indicates that oil or other engine fluids have contaminated your brake shoes or linings. Less common causes can include problems with your hydraulic control valves, loose wheel cylinders, or incorrectly sized brake drums. Your brakes are crucial to your safety. Have them checked at the first sign of problems.

Possible causes include low brake fluid, problems with your parking brake, a hydraulic leak or an electrical fault. When you notice you brake warning light coming on you should have your braking system inspected immediately to rule out the possibility of any dangerous problems.

It could be. A low brake pedal that is hard or difficult to press usually means that your parking brake or rear brake shoes have developed problems and need to be adjusted. If your brake pedal feels soft or spongy, you may have a leak in your hydraulic lines, low brake fluid, or problems with your brakes, including excessive wear. Brakes are essential to your safety. Have them inspected regularly and at the first sign of problems.

This is usually a symptom of power brake failure because of problems with your vehicle's power booster. Have it checked immediately. Your brakes are crucial to your safety.

A pulsing, hopping or vibrating brake pedal is usually caused by problems with your brake drums or rotors. As with any brake problem, have it checked immediately. Your safety depends on it.

Leaks or clogs in your hydraulic system, excessive brake wear, or improperly functioning calipers can cause this condition. However, this type of problem is most often caused by problems with your alignment, suspension or tire pressure.

Coast Tire & Auto Service is owned by Ron Outerbridge of Quispamsis, NB, in partnership with Goodyear Canada.

Our head office is located in Saint John, NB, with over 25 locations throughout the Maritime provinces.   Please visit our Store Finder section to locate the Coast Tire & Auto Service store nearest you.

To prevent accidental exposure to carbon monoxide and other harmful exhaust gasses you can:

1. In winter inspect the tailpipe to make sure it is not blocked by snow or ice.
2. When idling a vehicle outdoors, keep a window partly open.
3. Avoid running or idling your vehicle in a confined or unventilated space.
4. Have your exhaust system inspected at least once a year and at the first sign of problems.

Blue smoke usually indicates that engine oil has entered your exhaust system. You should have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.  Black smoke means that your air/fuel mixture contains too much gasoline. Your oxygen sensor or engine control computer could require adjustments.  White smoke is usually just steam; however, if accompanied by a strong odour it could indicate that you have an internal coolant leak which should be promptly treated.

Rattling noises are most often caused by loose brackets or hangers that are permitting the exhaust system to come into contact with the underside of your vehicle.  Rattling noises can also be caused by loose components inside your muffler, resonator or catalytic converter.

Loud noises of this type usually indicate a hole in an exhaust pipe or other component.  To avoid exposing yourself and your passengers to dangerous fumes, you should have this looked at as soon as possible.

Choking or chugging noises are most often caused by dents or clogs in the pipes or other components of your exhaust system.

A hissing sound is generally caused by leaking gaskets or small cracks in your exhaust system components.  Again, to avoid exposure to exhaust fumes, you should bring your vehicle in for inspection as soon as you can.

We have stores throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. You can quickly find the Coast Tire & Auto Service nearest you by visiting our Locations page.

If you're looking for a specific service, please visit our "Find a Store by Service" page.   It will let you select the service you are interested in, and give you a list of the locations which offer this service.

Sipes are small, slit-like grooves in tire tread that help provide better traction by increasing the amount of tire surface that grips the road.

Alignment is the process of measuring the angle of your tires in relation to your vehicle's body and driving path.   Proper alignment will prevent uneven tire wear, reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption and provide better handling and control.   Please visit our Alignment page for a description of the main elements of your vehicle's alignment and the types of adjustments that are made.

Yes!   Proper tire maintenance is the key to reducing the number of tires you must purchase throughout your vehicle's lifetime.   Maintaining proper air pressure, balancing, rotation and keeping you vehicle in proper alignment are all things you can do to help your tires work safely and effectively for as long as possible.

Transport Canada recommends installing four winter tires on your vehicle to help maintain control of your vehicle when driving on ice and snow.   When you drive with two different sets of tires, the winter tires will provide a different level of traction and handling, which reduces the stability of your vehicle and is more likely to lead to a loss of control.   To help ensure your safety, four winter tires are your best option.

Many tire have "wear bars" imbedded in the tread which become visible when there is less than 1.6 mm of tread depth remaining on your tire.   To maintain your safety while driving, your tires need to be replaced when you can see the wear bar through your tread pattern.   You can also test your tread depth with a penny.   Hold a penny with the Queen's crown pointing downward and insert the penny into the tread grooves.   If you can see the top of the crown (indicating there is less than 1.6 mm of tread remaining, it is time to replace the tire.

We have commercial locations in all three Maritime provinces.  For a complete list of the Coast Tire & Auto Service locations which can care for you business' vehicles, please visit our "Locations" page.

We can provide a full range of tires for en extensive list of commercial vehicle types and applications.  For more information please visit our Commercial pages, and contact your nearest Coast Tire & Auto Service location with any questions you may have.

Any commercial operation can take advantage of the convenience of less down time by calling 1-800-265-TIRE (8473). Please visit our 24 Hour Assistance page for more information.

Our tire management program inspects your business' vehicles and provides you with the information you need to effectively reduce your tire costs.  We provide the information and make recommendations, but the final choice resides with you and your businesses.  Things like air pressure, alignment, driving conditions, vehicle types, and tire tread and composition all effect your tire replacement and fuel costs.  Please visit our Commercial pages for more information, and contact your nearest Coast Tire & Auto Service professionals to learn how we can help you achieve a significant reduction in your fleet related operating costs.

Please check our "Careers Page" page.

Yes.  If you send us your resume and a completed application form, we will keep them on file for 6 months and will contact you if a position becomes available that matches your experience and qualifications.  Our Careers page will give you the proper contact methods for sending your resume to us.

Yes.  Our application form can be filled out electronically. Once it has been completed, you have the choice of printing it to send by fax or mail, or, of emailing it to us.  Regardless of the method used, please make sure that you send us both your resume and the completed application form.  If you are applying electronically please include your resume as a Microsoft Word, (.doc), or plain text format, (.txt), document only.  You can access the application form, and find all the information on how to send you resume to us by visiting our Careers page.