Auto consumption: increases of 3 to 4% on customer bills

Motorists who go to the garage for fall maintenance on their vehicles should expect an increase of 3 to 4% on their bills due to the marked increase in rents and employee salaries.

“Rents, particularly in Montreal, have exploded in the last year,” explains Guillaume Martin, president of the Association of Tire and Mechanical Specialists of Quebec (ASPMQ). It’s the same thing for the salaries of all the people who directly or indirectly touch cars.”

Currently, the hourly rate of a mechanic (collected by garages) varies between $105 and $160 per hour depending on the establishment. For their part, rents have almost doubled in Montreal and in several places in Quebec.

Of course, part of these increases is passed on to customers.

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

Some consumers shop around and don’t hesitate to change garages to save money. There is also another trend.

“Several customers do not change garages even if there is an increase,” underlines Mr. Martin. They have established a bond of trust with their mechanic and they don’t want to go elsewhere.”

Necessary services

Changing tires is the first mechanical service that people have in mind when the cold nights set in in Quebec. This operation must be carried out before 1^is 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 climb between $75 and $160.

Synthetic oil changes, with the increase in raw material, now cost almost $100. Of course, if the mechanic needs to put more oil in the engine, the bill will be higher.

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

“Installing tires is the ideal opportunity to check a few elements,” explains Jesse Caron, automotive expert for CAA-Quebec. Brake cleaning is good especially for people who don’t drive a lot. Same thing for the battery.”

Another thing not to forget: the windshield wipers.

“It often goes under the radar,” says Mr. Caron. The usual limit is approximately one year. It’s not complicated to change.”

The still popular phone

Despite the creation of applications for cell phones or systems on the websites of mechanical service companies, the telephone is still the most popular means of making appointments.

“There are still around 80% of my customers who still use the telephone,” mentions a technical advisor from a garage on the North Shore of Montreal.

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

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

Prepare your vehicle for winter

Oil change (prices vary depending on vehicle brand and oil quantity)

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

Winter maintenance

• Varies depending on the garage
• Brake, filter and fluid checks
• Between $60 and $180

Tire change

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