AutoNorth FAQ: Questions from North Bay Drivers
AutoNorth Auto Repair is a North Bay shop that answers more than a hundred common questions across this site, and this page is the index to all of them. Questions are grouped by the service they belong to and each one links to the page that answers it in full, because a proper answer about brakes or a safety certificate needs more room than a single line. If your question is not here, call the shop and ask it directly.
Last updated August 7, 2026
The Questions North Bay Drivers Ask Most
These ten come up more than any others, and each one is answered in full on the homepage.
- Does AutoNorth do safety inspections in North Bay?
- Does AutoNorth service car air conditioning?
- Can AutoNorth work on hybrid vehicles?
- Does AutoNorth store tires?
- How do I book an appointment at AutoNorth?
- Does AutoNorth work with extended warranty companies?
- Can I finance a large repair at AutoNorth?
- How do I get to work if I leave my car at AutoNorth?
- Can I approve repairs without calling the shop?
- Does AutoNorth service fleet vehicles in North Bay?
Everything below is grouped by the service it belongs to. Each question links to the page that answers it properly, because a real answer needs more room than a list.
AutoNorth FAQ Directory
Over a hundred questions answered across the site, indexed here by service. If yours is not on the list, call (705) 472-6060 or text (705) 571-4391 and ask it directly.
Maintenance
Oil Changes
- Does an oil change at AutoNorth include an inspection?
- Does AutoNorth do diesel oil changes?
- What oil does AutoNorth use?
- How often should I change my oil?
- Can AutoNorth handle oil changes for work trucks and fleets?
Tire Sales & Changeovers
- How many tire brands does AutoNorth carry in North Bay?
- Does AutoNorth balance tires in house?
- Can AutoNorth mount winter tires on a second set of rims?
- Does AutoNorth supply tires for work trucks and fleets?
- Are there rebates on the tire brands AutoNorth carries?
Winter Tires
- Are winter tires required by law in Ontario?
- Do I need four winter tires or will two do?
- What is the difference between winter tires and all-weather tires?
- Can I leave winter tires on all year?
- How do I know a tire is actually a winter tire?
Tire Storage
- How many sets of tires does AutoNorth store?
- Do I need to buy my tires from AutoNorth to store them there?
- Is it bad to store tires in a shed or outside?
- Should tires be stored upright or stacked flat?
- Can I get my stored tires back if I sell the vehicle?
Wheel Alignments
- Do I need a wheel alignment after buying new tires?
- Can a wheel alignment fix tire wear that has already happened?
- Will a wheel alignment straighten a crooked steering wheel?
- What is the difference between a two-wheel and a four-wheel alignment?
- Can hitting a pothole knock my wheel alignment out?
Safety Inspections
- How long is a safety certificate valid in Ontario?
- Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car privately in Ontario?
- What happens if my vehicle fails a safety inspection?
- Does passing a safety inspection mean the vehicle is in good condition?
- Do I need a safety certificate for a vehicle I bought outside Ontario?
Trailer Inspections
- Does my utility trailer need a safety inspection in Ontario?
- How long is a trailer safety inspection good for?
- Where does the inspection sticker go on a trailer?
- What happens if my trailer fails the inspection?
- Should the trailer be empty for a safety inspection?
Repairs
Brake Repair
- How do I know if I need new brakes?
- Do I have to replace the rotors as well as the pads?
- Does AutoNorth work on drum brakes and parking brakes?
- Can brake problems fail an Ontario safety inspection?
- Why do brakes wear out faster in North Bay?
Engine Repair & Tune-Ups
- What does a flashing check engine light mean?
- My engine is knocking. Can I keep driving it?
- Do modern cars still need a tune-up?
- What does blue or white smoke from the exhaust mean?
- Is it worth repairing an engine or should I put the money toward another vehicle?
Check Engine & Diagnostics
- Can I keep driving with the check engine light on?
- Why does the light come back after I cleared it?
- Is a free code read at a parts store good enough?
- Can a loose gas cap really turn the light on?
- Does AutoNorth diagnose warning lights other than the check engine light?
Transmission Service
- Does AutoNorth do transmission work on diesel trucks?
- Is a transmission flush the same as a fluid change?
- How long can I keep driving with a slipping transmission?
- Why does my vehicle shudder at highway speed?
- What happens if my transmission needs more than a repair?
Suspension & Steering
- How long do struts and shocks last?
- Do I need a wheel alignment after suspension repair?
- Can worn suspension wear out my tires?
- Is it safe to drive with a torn CV boot?
- What causes a clunking noise over bumps?
Exhaust & Muffler
- Why did my car suddenly get so loud?
- Can an exhaust be welded instead of replaced?
- Will a loud or leaking exhaust fail an Ontario safety inspection?
- I can smell exhaust inside the car. Is that dangerous?
- What is a flex pipe, and why does it fail first?
Car AC Repair
- Can AutoNorth service R-1234yf air conditioning?
- Why is my AC cold at first and then warm?
- Is it worth just topping up the refrigerant?
- How do you find where an AC system is leaking?
- When is the best time to get car AC looked at?
Hybrid Service
- Do hybrids still need oil changes?
- Why do hybrid brake pads last so much longer?
- Can AutoNorth replace a hybrid battery?
- My hybrid will not start. Is that the hybrid battery?
- Is servicing a hybrid more expensive than a regular car?
Business & Commercial
Fleet & Government Vehicles
- Does AutoNorth service government fleet vehicles?
- Can AutoNorth do safety inspections on commercial vehicles?
- How many fleet vehicles can AutoNorth handle?
- How does billing work for fleet vehicles?
- Can AutoNorth service diesel and hybrid fleet vehicles?
Extended Warranty Repairs
- Is AutoNorth an approved Global Warranty repair facility?
- How does payment work on a warranty repair?
- What happens if my extended warranty does not cover the repair?
- Does my vehicle have to be a certain age for warranty work?
- Should I mention the warranty when I book?
Car Dealers
- Can AutoNorth issue safety certificates for my trade-ins?
- Do I have to approve every repair on a dealer vehicle?
- Can AutoNorth look at a vehicle before I buy it?
- What if a trade-in needs more work than it is worth?
- Does AutoNorth work on dealer vehicles that are not local trades?
Digital Inspection Reports
Call, Text or Form: Which One Should You Use?
Three ways to reach AutoNorth, and they are not interchangeable. Which one suits mostly depends on whether the vehicle is drivable and whether a photo would help.
| Call vs text vs form | Call | Text | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reaches | The shop, during opening hours | The shop, as a message | The shop, as a message |
| Outside 8am to 5pm | Nobody there to pick up | Leaves a message waiting | Leaves a message waiting |
| Sending a photo | No | Yes, and it usually helps | No |
| Back and forth | In one conversation | In one thread | Usually turns into a call |
| Describing a noise | Easiest, you can imitate it | Harder in writing | Harder in writing |
| Best for | Anything urgent or undrivable | A question with a picture attached | Booking ahead, outside hours |
All three land with the same shop. See the contact page for hours, the map and the booking form.
What If Your Question Is Not Here?
Ask it. A question about your specific vehicle is usually easier to answer on the phone than to look up, and AutoNorth would rather talk to you before you book than after.
- Call the shop. (705) 472-6060, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
- Or text. (705) 571-4391 if a call is awkward. Plenty of questions are easier to answer with a photo anyway.
- Describe the symptom, not the diagnosis. What it sounds like, when it happens, and how often. That is more useful than a guess at which part failed.
- Already a customer? The AutoLeap inspection report carries two-way text messaging, so a question about a recommendation goes back in the same thread.
FAQ: Common Questions
How do I book an appointment at AutoNorth?
Call (705) 472-6060 or text (705) 571-4391, or use the form on the contact page. Booking ahead matters, because the shop services 8 to 10 vehicles a day and the good times go early.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
Walk-ins are welcome for normal jobs. Booking ahead still gets you the time that suits you rather than whatever is left, so call (705) 472-6060 or text (705) 571-4391 if you want a specific slot. If you are passing and it is a routine job, come in.
Where is AutoNorth?
1520 Cholette St, North Bay, Ontario P1A 0A9, open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The contact page has the map and directions.
Does AutoNorth service my make of vehicle?
AutoNorth services all makes and models, gas, diesel and hybrid. If you are wondering because a dealership told you otherwise, call and describe the job.
How do I know what a repair will cost before I commit?
You get a quote before the work starts, and the inspection report shows you photos and video of what was found. Approve or decline each item from your phone.
Can I ask a question without booking anything?
Yes. Call or text and describe what the vehicle is doing. Working out whether something needs an appointment at all is a normal reason to get in touch.
Ask the Question That Is Not on This Page
Call or text AutoNorth and describe what the vehicle is doing. Working out whether you need an appointment at all is a fair reason to get in touch.