Electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity in Canada and around the world, as people are increasingly looking to save money at the pump and are switching to more environmentally friendly options. With the weather getting warmer, and long summer road trips just around the corner, it is important your Electric Vehicle or hybrid is properly maintained and well charged, so that you don’t get stranded in one of Vancouver Island’s beautiful (but remote) locations.
At Searles Auto, we are always looking for ways to improve on our track record of making our customer’s lives’ easier and more convenient, so we have added an EV charging station at our Auto repair shop – 517 Kelvin Rd Victoria, BC. Come check out our charging station today – it is free to use for all customers! And, if you are having issues with your electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, we’ve got you covered – Searles Auto has a team of professional mechanics specializing in EV and hybrid vehicle repair. If you need assistance with your electric car, call or make an appointment online today.
Instructions for Charging Your Electric Vehicle:
To start charging your vehicle, simply press and hold the black button at the top of charging plug and push it into the inlet on your vehicle. When you are done charging, all you need to do is press the black button again, remove the plug from your car, and re-wrap the charging cord on the wall for the next person to use.
EV Models and Compatibility:
Our Leviton EVR30-B18 electric vehicle (EV) charging station was installed at our shop in 2020, and will provide fast charging on any SAE J1772 compatible vehicles – free for all customers. This standard J1772 electric vehicle plug-in will work with modern EVs and hybrids, including Tesla Model S, Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Ford EV models, Kia Soul EV, Fiat 500e, Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV, electric Toyota Prius models, and more.
Electric Charging Station Specifications:
- Circuit Breaker: 40A
- Intensity: 30A
- Voltage: 208-240 V ac
Happy Charging!
Congratulations to Bob Heyes, who entered the draw for our Fall-Winter Maintenance Special and won a Nest Learning Thermostat. Enjoy smart thermostat, Bob!
Our Spring-Summer Service Special contest is still on until August 31, 2018. Book now and enter to win one of 75 Toro 22 inch lawn mowers!
Happy New Year, everyone! Now that the holidays are officially a wrap, it’s time to get back to the daily grind, and for some of you, the daily commute. If one of your resolutions for 2017 was to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule a little bit better, this post ought to help out with that.
Now that we are well into Fall, Thanksgiving 2016 is all but a distant memory and Halloween has now arrived. While these dates on the calendar give us plenty of reasons to celebrate the onslaught of fall, they also make it all too easy for us to avoid the looming task of switching to our winter tires before the weather truly turns nasty.
Let’s face it, the majority of teenage drivers on the road aren’t driving anything too fancy. Their first rides are usually something a little older, whether that’s their parents’ thoughtful hand-me down vehicle, or their older sibling’s beat-up old ride.
As much time as you spend taking care of your car, it spends a great deal of time taking care of you. And I am not just talking about getting you from point A to point B in a timely fashion. I am talking about all of the many ways it keeps you safe on the road.
Have you taken a newer car on a test drive lately? How safe did you feel? Very? It’s no surprise. Many vehicle makes and models out there now come equipped with advanced safety features in the way of exterior sensors. These exterior radars and sensors alert you when objects creep into your blind spots. Depending on the type of system, your car might also apply the brakes on your behalf. Whoa, Nelly!
These advanced safety features are considered add-ons for the majority of makes and models out there and are marketed under various trade names. This means each system’s capabilities will vary by manufacturer and model. For example, right off the top there is Acura’s Collision Mitigation Brake System, Cadillac’s Automatic Collision Preparation and Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection, which are just a few options out there. Read More
Car batteries are the lifeline of the vehicle. These unassuming, small little boxes are the key to starting your vehicle every time you need to go somewhere. Just like your morning cup of coffee provides you with a jolt of electricity every day, it is your car battery that provides your vehicle with the juice it needs to spring into action.
Understanding the basics of how car batteries work will help ensure that you are never stranded with a dead one! Here are some of the most important things you need to know about your car’s battery and electrical system. Read More
The short answer is, probably not!
The world of warranties is a confusing place. There’s often a lot of paperwork involved, a lot of money on the line, and a lot of decisions to be made. Simply put, Consumer Reports defines a warranty as something that is put in place “to ensure consumers that the product performs as promised, with the manufacturer taking responsibility for problems during a predetermined period.” All new vehicles come with a limited warranty of a minimum of three years, with some dealerships offering upwards of 5 and 10 year limited factory warranties. Read More
How many times have you heard this from your family members when you ask them what they want for Christmas?
“Oh, don’t worry about me, I’ve got everything that I need.”
Sound familiar? It’s what a lot of us end up saying around this time of year, even though gift giving isn’t about giving a person something they need, it’s about giving them something thoughtful, something that shows them you’re thinking about them and that you care.
This year, when someone gives you the runaround to the age-old question, “What’s on your Christmas wishlist this year?” you could go the Scratch and Win tickets and bottle of wine route, or try and hand-craft something, or you could just take the easy route and buy a gift you KNOW they are going to need eventually: Searles Gift Certificates! Read More
If you’re a classic car enthusiast like many of us here at Searles are, you’ve likely attended or shown off your ride at more than one classic car show on Vancouver Island. The Father’s Day Seaside Cruizers Show ‘n’ Shine in Parksville, the Brits on the Beach Car Show in Ladysmith, and the Rock & Roll for Little Souls Car Show in Saanich always bring out huge crowds of car lovers and their families.
While we love checking out what the locals own, venturing to other parts of the world to see what everyone else is into when it comes to classic cars is always a fascinating adventure.
6 of the Biggest and Best Classic Car Shows Around the World:
- Ponoma Swap Meet and Classic Car Show
Southern California, United States
October 18, 2015 Read More
