Tire Repair: Is the Air Pressure in Tires Important?

Automobile manufacturers are required to list the original air pressure of tires in the owner’s manual for your vehicle. If the inflated pressure has consistently varied from the manufacturer’s recommendation, it's likely that the wear and tear on your tires has been accelerated and you will need a tire repair sooner than expected! Your trusted auto mechanic can help you determine the remaining life expectancy of your tires.

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There are usually three major problems leading to tire repair:

• Under-inflation -- If your tires are under-inflated by only 6 psi it could lead to tire failure. Additionally, their tread life could be reduced by as much as 25%. Lower inflation pressure will allow the tire to deflect (bend) more as it rolls. This will build up internal heat, increase rolling resistance, and cause a reduction in fuel economy of up to 5%. You will also find a significant loss of steering precision and cornering stability.
  

• Over-inflation -- If your tires are over-inflated by 6 psi, they can be easily damaged when running over pot holes or debris in the road. Higher inflation pressure cannot isolate road irregularities very well, causing the ride to feel stiff and harsh. However, higher inflation pressures usually provide improvement in steering response and cornering stability, but only up to a point. Avoid intentional over-inflation.

• Time and Temperature -- Inflation pressures change due to time and temperature. Tires lose about 1 psi per month due to air escaping through the rubber as it stretches. Inflation pressures also fluctuate with changes in the outside air temperature at a rate of about 1 psi for every 10°F (plus or minus). So the inflation pressure you set correctly with an 80°F ambient temperature will be under inflated by 6 psi at 20°F. Improper inflation can cause irregular wear and void the manufacturer's warranty.

If the inflation pressure is repeatedly either higher or lower than recommended, you could be headed for a costly tire repair. Check the air pressure about once a week, preferably before the vehicle has been driven. Spending about two minutes a week will achieve the optimum performance from your tires and can prevent you being stranded on the side of the road.

Need quality tire repair? Our qualified auto mechanics can help you keep your car on the road. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

 

Need a Reliable Auto Center? 5 Tips to Find a Quality Auto Shop!

Whether or not you have just moved into a new community or have resided there for some time, locating a quality auto center can be somewhat stressful. Trusting a strange auto shop with the care one of your largest investments, your vehicle, is no small thing.

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Here are some simple tips to get you started:

1. Do a search on the internet for an auto shop nearest you—or ask a neighbor or good friend for a referral.
2. Once you select your top three picks, take time to visit each auto shop. Ask pertinent questions and learning all you can so you can make an intelligent decision.
   
3. Pay attention to first impressions--don’t be fooled by thinking that the service from an untidy auto shop will be less expensive than the clean and fancy auto center with the neon sign and well-kept lawn. You are probably looking for a shop that you can call home for a long time, with well-educated mechanics, service writers, and any other shop personnel. You want honest, reputable, and easy-to-deal-with people who desire to satisfy their customers.
4. Talk to the service manager and possibly one of their head mechanics. This will give you an idea as to their customer service relations and their level of interest in your business. It will also give you a general idea as to their knowledge and skills in automobile servicing.
5. Inquire into their schedule of maintenance fees and charges and the details of making an appointment, loaner vehicles and completion of the work. You might also ask about mechanic training, certification and the quality of their systems and equipment.

Selecting a quality Auto Center can give you a great deal of peace of mind. Be diligent, do your homework, and your effort will pay off in terms of financial savings and vehicle reliability and care.

Are you looking for a professional auto center? We are here to serve you. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about our auto shop. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Brake Replacement: Master Cylinder Troubleshooting for Brakes!

Are you feeling a bit uneasy when your auto mechanic recommends a brake replacement because the master cylinder on your brakes has failed? How can he tell? Or is he just trying to sell you an add-on job to the other repairs on your car. How do you know if he is doing his job correctly and looking after your best interests and your safety, rather than taking you for a ride with a brake replacement?

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Master Cylinder Troubleshooting Tips:

One sign that a master cylinder is starting to fail is that you will notice a soft or squishy feeling when you press down on the brake pedal. As constant pressure is maintained on the pedal (like at a stop light), it will begin to sink to the floor as the brake fluid leaks internally to the master cylinder. This is called "extended travel." You may have to "pump" the pedal to regain normal pressure and keep the car from moving forward as the brakes slowly release. The red warning dash light should come on to indicate low fluid, or excessive movement "travel."

The fluid level alone isn’t an indication of a good or bad master cylinder. Typically, the leak is internal, leaking past internal O-rings, so there is no obvious external sign that the master cylinder is "bad."

What is another sign of a possible faulty master cylinder? An external fluid leak could be possible, and would be visible to a mechanic during an under-hood inspection. The master cylinder usually has a plastic reservoir that holds the fluid, mounted with rubber grommets. The grommets allow for some movement caused by the pedal and fluid pressures. These grommets can develop a leak that can be seen with the naked eye.

Another sign of a possible faulty master cylinder is that the metal lines attached to the master cylinder can leak fluid at the threaded connections, or from the internal O-rings. When this happens, the fluid will drip down the power brake booster (the booster is what the master cylinder is bolted to). Brake fluid will dissolve paint rather quickly, so this kind of leak usually leaves a tell-tale sign of blistering, bubbled paint.

If you experience any of the symptoms explained above, check the following:

• Check the fluid level and add more as needed;

• Make sure the cap fits snug and is not leaking or shows obvious signs of past leakage;

• Visually inspect for external fluid leaks;

• Wipe away accumulated dirt and debris for ease of future inspections;

• Have your brakes inspected if more than 1 or 2 ounces is needed to top off the reservoir;

Are you looking for professional advice on your brakes? We will be glad to help you. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today for transmission repair and advice today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Transmission Repair: 4 top signs of transmission trouble!

At some point in time, it’s inevitable that some form of transmission service will be required for your vehicle, whether it’s a manual or automatic. If you are having transmission problems, a trusted, well-qualified auto mechanic can determine the precise cause. Those strange noises coming from your vehicle may be a sign that a transmission repair will be required sooner rather than later.

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4 signs of trouble:

1. Leaking Fluid. Without the proper quantity of transmission fluid, the transmission pump and other components can quickly begin to wear out. Making sure that the pump and filter are working properly is part of the transmission service needed to maintain the life of a vehicle. Just like oil, transmission fluid and filters need to be replaced periodically to keep a car’s motor running smoothly and at optimal efficiency.
   
2. Check Engine Light. The check engine light is an early indicator that something is starting to go wrong with your transmission. In today’s newer cars, there are sensors throughout the engine that pick-up irregularities and notify the computer that there's something wrong in a particular area. These sensors can pick up vibrations and early problems you may not even be able to feel or see.
3. Grinding, Shaking, Whining, Clunking, Buzzing. With a manual transmission, a common sign of trouble is a grinding sound or feeling when you shift into a new gear. Sounds will usually be abrupt and mechanical sounding. In automatics, you may hear a whining, or buzzing sound. Most likely, you'll feel the car shimmy into each gear rather than the typical, almost unnoticeable shifts, or you will feel it make a jarring transition into the next gear. If you notice anything other than a smooth transition between gears, a transmission repair may consist of a simple adjustment.
4. Lack of Response. Transmissions are designed to go into the correct gear every time, with no hesitation. With a manual, you may notice after shifting that the car's engine will rev up, but the car won't be moving as quickly as the engine is running. In this case, a worn out clutch or more serious problem may be occurring. The stick shift could possibly pop out of gear and back into neutral if the shift linkage is out of adjustment. Automatics can have the same lack-of-response problem, but will usually manifest the issue while engaging the "Park" or "Drive" selection. If your car hesitates to go into gear, then it's highly probably a transmission repair is in your future.

Are you looking for expert transmission service? We will be glad to help you. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today for transmission repair and advice today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.