The Trusted Saskatoon Team is delighted to welcome our newest Trusted Saskatoon Partner, Epic Automotive and Driveline to the Saskatoon Tire and the Saskatoon Auto Repair & Service Categories. Epic Auto and Repair Service is your go-to Trusted Saskatoon Tire and Auto Repair shop. They are waiting to help you with tires, maintenance auto repair services on all make and models of vehicles. Get to know all they do and meet the people behind the business in our latest Trusted Saskatoon article welcoming a new partner to our Saskatoon community of locally owned businesses operated with integrity!
Bob Harder and Shelly McConnell-Harder have nearly 4 decades in the automotive industry. They are Co-owners of Epic Auto and they're using their experiences to operate this exceptional local business. They found a great partner and general manager in Mitch Quesnel, a colleague from Bob’s days in the industry at Ens.
“Having the good and bad has afforded me the insight to ensure Epic will be a company that focuses on creating and sustaining a strong relationship with my customers.”- said Bob Harder
Walking into Epic for the very first time, we were greeted with an authentic and warm welcome. We noticed immediately how fresh, bright and sparkling clean the reception area was. This speaks volumes, especially to both of us women, as the auto industry has a reputation as one of the ‘least trustworthy categories ‘. How often do you walk into an auto or tire shop and feel overwhelmed by bad smells, dirty coffeemakers, and piles of clutter? This is not at all what you will experience at Epic. What that indicated to us, is that they are organized, that they prioritize safety, and that they are ready to help. Clearly, they care about the first impression they are making and we know that first impressions mean a lot. Epic Auto is clearly prepared and ready to help with all and any of your Auto Repair and Tire issues.
The goal at Epic is to have the quickest turnaround time possible, this is especially important for their commercial clients. They understand that when a vehicle is in the shop it’s not making the company any money. They are committed to trying their hardest to make sure that their customers leave with a smile and share that they had a positive experience with friends and family.
When asked by a reporter at the StarPhoenix in a recent article about how Epic got its name, Bob replied,
“We agonized over the name, to tell you the truth. How it came about, we finally said, we think we have the chance to create something epic, we just need to come up with a good name. Suddenly it was like, Oh, maybe ‘Epic’ is a good name!”
Picture: Saskatoon Star Phoenix.- New Faces New Places
We asked Mitch Quesnel to share the career journey that led him to be the Managing Partner at Epic.
I started in the Automotive industry in 2007 working as a lot attendant, ironicly it was Bob that hired me for that first job! Aftre a while I was given the opportunity to move into the shipping and receiving department, which I did for a couple of years, then I moved into a parts advisor role, a position I stayed in for 15 years. When Bob and Shelley gave me the opportunity to work with them as a Managing Partner At Epic Automotive & Driveline I was excited and I started at Epic Automotive & Driveline at the end of Aug 2022. I am inspired by taking on new challenges and I enjoy putting in the hard work!! .
How Does Trusted select Trusted Saskatoon businesses to partner with?
We look for locally accountable businesses that have a reputation for quality-driven excellence in the Saskatoon market.
Customers, clients, and suppliers nominate businesses they are impressed with.
We survey a number of their past customers personally.
We check the business's online reputation and we speak to business references
All past customers we speak to are surveyed - it is a pass or a fail!
We ensure any required licenses, qualifications, WCB, and insurances are valid and up to date.
What Did Epic's Customers Say About Their Experience?
“I’ve had a great experience with Epic. My company uses them for our fleet vehicles. They are very accommodating, especially getting us in on the short notice. The vehicle is out as soon as they can. I’ve also taken my personal vehicle there a few times. They caught a lot of stuff that the dealership I go to was sloughing off. ‘Oh, everything looks good. Jordan- Saskatoon
“I know the owner, Bob Harder. They have a really good knowledgeable crew. We have our corporate vehicles serviced there and the pricing has been so good. It’s not like other garages. The customer service is fantastic and they haven't charged me a nickel more. - Office Solutions, Mark
We encourage you to visit Epic Auto’s Trusted Saskatoon listings to read more customer reviews, see their full range of services, and then if you want more information or to book check out their website.
They are here to help, and all of their clients shared that they are professional and invested in customer satisfaction- they are Saskatoon automotive experts, you can trust!
Epic Automotive and Driveline is a Trusted Saskatoon Auto Repair and Service Shop
AND Epic is a Trusted Saskatoon Tire Shop
At Western Millennium Collision, they focus on three things: quality, convenience, and service. Quality implies that they maintain state-of-the-art tools and equipment so that their highly experienced technicians have all the latest tools and technology to ensure that your vehicle receives the finest quality and extraordinary workmanship. Convenience is all about valuing your time and simplifying the process of having your car fixed from the moment you contact them. Their shop is large enough to accommodate any size of vehicle, so that you can drive into the estimator for a complete evaluation of the damages to determine how fast the repairs can be done and how much it will cost, in one easy step. Western Millennium Collision Is a Trusted Saskatoon Collision Repair & Auto Body Shop.
5 TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING
Owning a car is one of the biggest purchases most people will make. However, unlike owning a house, a car is not an appreciating investment. It is a depreciating asset which means it loses value over time. Here are 5 tips to drive safe.
1. KEEP A WELL-MAINTAINED CAR
Every day you take your vehicle on the road, you contribute to its wear and tear. You need to be a responsible car owner in order to extend the value of your vehicle. Maintaining a car is more than just keeping it clean. You have to make sure it is in fine, road-worthy condition, some key tips are:
Check water levels every 2 weeks.
Make sure the tires are inflated to the proper temperature.
Never let the gas run down to near-empty levels.
Check the levels of the following car fluids: engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, washer fluid, radiator, transmission, and power steering.
Keep track of your car battery expiration date.
Make sure the power windows, rear, and side mirrors, and dashboard lights are working.
If you notice something wrong or unusual with your car, don’t take any chances. Bring it right away to your nearest mechanic or car repair shop.
2. WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT
It seems odd that in this day when commercials and reminders of the importance of using the seat belt are on rotation on every type of media, some drivers and passengers still refuse to buckle up. Don’t be complacent because your car has air safety bags. Car accidents remain potentially deadly even with increased safety features.
This is especially important for passengers who stay in the back seat. If the car gets rear-ended by another vehicle that is travelling at a high speed, the passenger becomes a projectile who could either hit the driver or go through the windshield. Either proposition should be enough to make you put on your seat belt the moment you enter the car.
3. KEEP COOL ON THE ROAD
A car is a heavy machine often made of solid steel. It is a marvel of engineering and the latest technology. It can give one a sense of empowerment and invincibility. Behind all the computer processing and gadgetry that goes on inside your car, the human organism remains in complete control. Your car will function the way you want it to function. That is why incidents of road rage and physical altercations happen on a daily basis. Some drivers let the sense of empowerment get to their heads. When another driver does something that makes you feel disrespected, it is not worth your time and energy to find ways to respond in kind. Not all drivers are of sound mind. Don’t be one of them.
4. MASTER DEFENSIVE DRIVING
You should focus explicitly on what you can control from your end. There are drivers who are not well versed in proper driving etiquette or who have a clear understanding of the rules of the road. In some countries, when you signal that you want to move to the right lane, the car behind will suddenly accelerate to make sure you don’t get ahead of them. Then there are drivers who don’t understand right-of-way and just careen their vehicle through an intersection.
There could be other reasons why the driver handles their car that way. They could be a beginner; there could be an emergency or it’s just someone who is having a bad day. It is not your concern to find out why drivers drive the way they do. Your only focus is to make sure you practice safe, defensive driving.
5. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE
There is a market for apps that prevent people from texting or answering phones while driving. Why? Because multi-tasking while driving is proven to be very dangerous; it takes your focus away from the road, others on the road, and from handling your car properly.
This is the reason why many countries have passed laws that prohibit using your mobile phone while driving. In some countries and provinces, the penalties can be very severe. They include indefinite suspension of driving privileges, a monetary penalty, and even jail time. Another example of irresponsible multi-tasking is grooming while driving. Women are often caught putting on makeup or fixing their hair while their cars are still in transit. Men are sometimes caught putting on their neckties or shaving while driving.
When you’re driving, you should focus only on the road that is in front of you and if you get in any collision or accident,
contact Western Millennium Collision for all your vehicle repair needs.
Be Safe On The Roads This Winter
Safe driving is always important, but being on
the road during winter warrants extra precautions. That's why we have written up our most important tips to stay safe in hazardous, wintery weather conditions.
1) Avoid slipping and sliding
Ensure your vehicle is ready for Canada’s changing
winter weather, by switching your all-season tires to winter ones before the
temperature drops below 7°C. Winter tires optimize the performance and safety
of winter driving. The braking distance of a winter tire could be up to two
vehicle lengths shorter than the braking distance of an all-season tire.
2) Replace Worn Tires
It’s extremely important to check your tires each
winter season because worn or bald tires can be very dangerous. Tires have tread
wear indicator bars moulded into them. A solid bar of rubber across the width of
the tread means it’s time to replace the tire.
3) Make Sure Your Tires Are Correctly Inflated
For every 5°C drop in temperature, tires lose
one pound of air pressure. To ensure optimum fuel efficiency and prevent
irregular or premature wear, tire inflation should be checked monthly. Several tire manufacturers recommend that tire pressure should be higher in the winter, so check to see whether your tire pressure should be adjusted accordingly.
4) Fill Your Trunk With A Winter Survival Kit
Winter weather can be very unpredictable, so make sure you have a winter survival kit in your trunk in case you get stuck in bad conditions. Every car should have a scraper for the windshield, a small shovel, candles, and warm clothing such as a winter jacket, gloves and a hat. Also, make sure you bring a cell phone with you on every trip in case you need to call for help.
5) Defrost Your Vehicle Properly
Although it takes you a few extra minutes, make sure to properly clean your windows and remove any excess snow from the top of your vehicle. Ice and snow that is left on your vehicle can obstruct your view, causing potentially dangerous situations.
6) Top Up Your Fluids
Wintery road conditions can cause your windshield to get dirty quickly, so make sure your windshield washer fluid is filled up. Also, ensure your gas tank is at least half full, as on very cold days the condensation in the tank can freeze and cause problems.
7) Buckle Up & Adjust To Driving Conditions
Make sure you are always buckled up and adjust your driving to what the conditions are like. You will put yourself and others at risk if you do not change your driving style to suit the wintery conditions.
Saskatoon and area have many great businesses that have raised the standards for the community and industry at large. At Trusted Saskatoon we value businesses run with integrity and are proud to announce that three of our Trusted Saskatoon Partners are Finalists for the 2019 SABEX Awards!
Rob Scott (Owner) has always taken great pride in exceeding clients expectations when it comes to customer service. Glenwood Auto Service has a long history of delivering quality auto repair and service since 1973. Their motto from the beginning has been "fantastic service is our discount". Glenwood's commitment to superior customer service has remained consistent and because of this, the business continues to grow.
Decora Homes specialize in building high-end custom homes. A multi-award winning home builder with over 10 years experience. When they unleash their creativity they excel and they love incorporating new ideas that make them truly unique. Decora Homes have always marketed their company to showcase the quality and uniqueness they are known for. Decora Homes have earned recognition for their distinctive design and spectacular detail.
Decora Homes have been a Trusted Saskatoon Home Builder for over 5 years with no complaints.
Owner, Bradley Wiebe has been installing windows and doors in Saskatoon and area for over 10 years. When starting his own company in 2015 he knew that his focus would be on ensuring quality workmanship and exceptional customer service. Wiebe Windows & More has a 5-star rating and numerous customer testimonials and is on target to grow as a business by another 40% this year.
Trusted Saskatoon is proud to have Wiebe Windows & More on our directory of excellence and to be able to promote their company with a new website, logo design and more through Trusted Marketing Services.
Marketing (Sponsored by Handy Special Events):G
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Starting Diesel Engines In Saskatchewan Winters
Starting diesel engines during cold weather can be frustrating if engines are not properly prepared for lower temperatures. Batteries that are weak may not crank the starter motor fast enough or long enough to start a cold engine. As the temperature goes down, so does battery capacity. A battery that has all of its power available at 80 degrees F will have only about 46% available power at -20 degrees C. Plus, the engine will be 2.5 times harder to start at 0 degrees due to thicker oil and resistance to movement of internal moving parts. In effect, an engine is about five times harder to start at -20 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Test weak or suspicious batteries under load before cold weather to help eliminate potential problems during busy times. If batteries need replacement, always replace with a battery equal to or more powerful than the original battery. Accessories such as radios, air conditioners, heaters and other high amperage devices put extra strain on batteries. Turn all of these devices off while the starter motor is in use.
Use glow plugs or block heaters on the engine for cold weather starts. Glow plugs heat the internal combustion chamber area to suitable temperatures for combustion. Otherwise, cold fuel sprayed into the chamber and onto the glow plugs can gel and adhere to these parts. Hard starting and inefficient combustion occur with the potential for damage to plugs and cylinder heads.
Use Number 1 diesel fuel in cold weather. It is more volatile than Number 2 fuel and ignites more readily under cold conditions. Keep the fuel tank full to prevent condensation inside the tank. Water from condensation can freeze and plug fuel lines from the tank to the engine. Add winter diesel fuel additive to the fuel to lower the possibility of gelling and improve starting.
Store tractors inside tool sheds, barns, garages or other suitable locations that are heated or warmer than outside temperatures. Only a few degrees warmer temperature can make starting faster and easier. The warmer the battery is, the more power it can provide to the starter motor to crank the engine. The warmer the engine oil is, the thinner it will be and have less resistance to moving engine parts. Make sure you are using the proper viscosity oil recommended for your engine for cold temperatures. If you cannot store engines inside or in a heated area, install a block heater on the engine. To save time and electricity, put the block heater on an electrical timer set to come on a couple of hours before you plan to start the engine.
If you suspect fuel has gelled from cold temperatures, change the fuel filter and warm the fuel (wait for the outside temperature to rise, use a block heater or put the tractor inside a heated area) before attempting to start the engine. Gelled fuel in the filter can block the flow of fuel from the tank to the injector pump.
After starting the engine on a cold day, allow the engine to warm up a few minutes before putting the tractor under load. Proper engine operation temperatures assure more efficient fuel combustion and may prevent damage to cold engine parts. Engine oil flows more readily at operating temperatures and allows proper lubrication of upper engine parts and area.