Wells Garage

Wells Garage Independent garage with licenced automotive technician serving the Waterloo Region and surrounding areas. Volvo specialist. Motor vehicle inspection station.

Located at 811 Sawmill Road, Bloomingdale, ON (behind the house).

08/13/2026

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS 🚧

Please be aware that Bloomingdale Road will be closed from Bridge Street to Eby Crest Road starting August 20 for approximately 6 weeks.

Bloomingdale Road becomes Sawmill Road after Eby Crest Road, which is where Wells Garage is located. This closure may affect customers travelling to us from Kitchener and surrounding areas.

Please plan your route accordingly and allow some extra travel time when coming to your appointment.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you at Wells Garage!

06/23/2026

🥵❄️ Is Your Vehicle’s A/C Summer Ready? ❄️🥵

With the warmer weather here, we’ve started seeing more vehicles come in with air conditioning concerns. If your A/C isn’t keeping you cool, now is a good time to have it checked before the really hot days arrive.

Some common signs your A/C system may need attention:
🔹 Air isn’t blowing as cold as it used to
🔹 Weak airflow from the vents
🔹 Unusual smells when the A/C is on
🔹 Strange noises when the system starts up
🔹 A/C works sometimes, but not consistently

Many people assume their A/C just “needs a recharge,” but refrigerant doesn’t normally get used up over time. If the system is low, there is often a leak or another issue that should be properly diagnosed before simply adding refrigerant.

An A/C inspection allows us to check system performance, pressures, components, and look for leaks so we can recommend the correct repair instead of guessing.

Nobody wants to sit in traffic on a 30-degree day without cold air! ☀️🚗

Call Wells Garage to book an appointment and help keep your summer driving a little more comfortable.

Call now to connect with business.

06/23/2026

☀️ Summer Hours Update ☀️

Wells Garage will be closed on Fridays for the summer starting this week through Labour Day weekend.

📞 Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🔧 Shop Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (by appointment)

As always, messages left outside of business hours will be returned the next business day.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer!

03/18/2026

Explore summer, winter and all-season tyres from Finnish tire maker Nokian Tyres. Find new tires for your car, van or SUV.

03/18/2026
03/08/2026

🌷 Spring Tire Season is Almost Here at Wells Garage 🚗

As the weather starts warming up, it’s time to start thinking about your seasonal tire changeover. Here’s a quick guide to help you plan ahead and stay safe on the road.

When should I switch from winter tires?
A good rule of thumb is to switch once daily temperatures stay consistently above 7°C (45°F).

Winter tires are made with softer rubber for cold temperatures. When it warms up, they wear faster and don’t perform as well.

In Ontario, this usually means mid-April, but it may be later if overnight temperatures are still below freezing.

⏳ Wait a bit longer if:
• Nights are still below freezing
• Snow is still possible
• You do early-morning highway driving

If we’ve had a couple weeks of double-digit daytime highs and above-freezing nights, you’re generally safe to book your swap.

🔧 Services to Consider During Your Tire Appointment

Wheel Alignment
Recommended if:
• Steering wheel isn’t centered
• Vehicle pulls to one side
• Uneven tire wear
• You hit a pothole or curb
• New tires or suspension work were installed

Tire Balancing (set of 4)
Signs you may need balancing:
• Steering wheel or seat vibration
• Uneven tread wear
• Vibration after seasonal tire changes

🛞 Do Your All-Season Tires Need Replacing?

You should consider replacing tires if:

• Tread depth is 3 mm (4/32") or less
• Tires are 6–8 years old
• You notice slipping in rain, longer stopping distances, or increased road noise
• There are cracks, bulges, air loss, or sidewall damage

For Canadian driving conditions, 3 mm tread depth is strongly recommended for wet safety, even though the legal minimum is lower.

💰 Tire rebates are typically available from late March through June (brand dependent).
For tire quotes, please reach out by email.

📦 Seasonal Tire Swap & Storage Packages (Fall/Spring)

All packages include a general vehicle inspection:
• 40-point suspension inspection
• Brake inspection
• Fluid level inspection (top-ups extra)
• Air filter inspection
• Road test

Package A –
Vehicles with two sets of tires already mounted on rims

Package B –
Vehicles with one set of rims or when mount and balance is required

📌 Helpful Reminders

• Please mention all services or concerns when booking
• Tire season schedules fill up quickly and additional work may not be possible once you arrive
• If you receive a winter tire insurance discount, check the required install/removal dates

📅 If you have a specific date or time in mind, we recommend booking early.
Appointments fill quickly once the warm weather arrives.

We look forward to seeing you this season!
Wells Garage

02/26/2026

🚗 Does Your Vehicle Pull When Braking? Don’t Ignore It!
If your vehicle pulls to one side while braking, it may be something simple like sticking brake pads — but often the cause is related to worn suspension or steering components.
Worn or damaged ball joints and control arm bushings can allow unwanted movement in the suspension, causing the vehicle to shift or pull when braking.
Common causes of pulling during braking include:
🔧 Sticking or uneven brake pads
🔧 Worn ball joints
🔧 Cracked or worn control arm bushings
🔧 Suspension movement under load
🔧 Uneven braking forces caused by loose components
These parts help keep your wheels properly positioned and stable. When they wear out, braking forces can cause the alignment to change momentarily, resulting in pulling, vibration, or unstable handling.
❄️ Winter driving and potholes can speed up wear on suspension components. Impacts from rough roads put extra stress on joints and bushings, sometimes causing damage you may not notice right away.
⚠️ Ignoring these symptoms can lead to uneven tire wear, poor handling, and increased stress on other steering and suspension parts.
💡 Helpful Tip: If your vehicle pulls while braking, it’s best to have it inspected sooner rather than later — catching suspension wear early can prevent bigger repairs down the road.
If something doesn’t feel right when you hit the brakes, we’re happy to take a look and keep your vehicle driving safely and smoothly!

02/16/2026

🚗 Suspension Spotlight: Shocks & Struts Matter More Than You Think!
Your vehicle’s suspension system does more than just keep your ride comfortable — it plays a major role in handling, braking, and tire wear, especially after a harsh winter.
❄️ Winter weather can be tough on suspension components. Freeze-thaw cycles create potholes, rough road surfaces, and hidden impacts that can accelerate wear on shocks, struts, and other suspension parts. Even one hard pothole hit can affect ride quality or knock components out of spec.
Shocks and struts help:
✔ Keep your tires firmly on the road
✔ Reduce bouncing and body roll
✔ Improve steering control and braking stability
✔ Prevent uneven tire wear
Signs your shocks or struts may be worn or damaged:
🔧 Excessive bouncing after bumps
🔧 Nose-diving when braking
🔧 Uneven or premature tire wear
🔧 Clunking noises over bumps or potholes
🔧 Vehicle feels loose or unstable at highway speeds
Because suspension wear happens gradually, many drivers don’t notice the change until handling and comfort are significantly reduced.
💡 Helpful Tip: After suspension repairs — or after a rough winter season — a wheel alignment is recommended to restore proper handling and maximize tire life.
If your vehicle doesn’t feel quite right after winter, we’re happy to inspect your suspension and keep you driving smoothly and safely!

02/12/2026

🔋 Vehicle Battery Health – Is Yours Ready to Go? 🚗

Your car battery works hard behind the scenes every time you start your vehicle. But like all parts, it doesn’t last forever.

Most vehicle batteries last 3–5 years — and our Canadian weather definitely doesn’t make that any easier. Cold temperatures are especially tough on aging batteries.

⚠️ Signs your main battery might be on its way out:
• Slow engine cranking
• Dim headlights or interior lights
• Electrical features acting up
• Battery warning light on the dash
• You’ve needed a boost recently

If your battery is getting older or showing any of these symptoms, it’s better to test it now than get stranded later.

🚘 Volvo Owners — There’s More Than One Battery!

Many newer Volvos have a support (secondary) battery along with the main starting battery.

This smaller battery helps power:
✔️ Stop/Start function
✔️ Electronics when the engine shuts off at lights
✔️ Sensitive computer systems
✔️ Comfort and safety features running in the background

When the support battery gets weak, you might notice:
• Stop/Start not working
• Warning messages on the dash
• Odd or inconsistent electrical behaviour

Even if the vehicle still starts fine, a failing support battery can cause frustrating warning lights and system issues.

🔧 Good news: We can test both batteries and the charging system to make sure everything is working the way it should.

Don’t wait for a no-start surprise — or mystery warning messages. If your vehicle is a few years old, now’s a great time for a battery health check!

02/11/2026

Wells Garage will be closed for vacation from February 25 – March 4. We will reopen the afternoon of March 5.

Messages will not be monitored while we’re away. We’ll respond as soon as we’re back. Thanks for your understanding!

Address

Kitchener, ON
N0B1K0

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+15197815305

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