Thursday, 17 May 2012

Need a Car Battery Replacement? Don’t kill your summer fun with a dead Car Battery!

Spring has arrived and summer vacation planning is well on its way. Along with this, it’s time to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top mechanical shape. There is nothing worse than car problems to spoil a great summer vacation. A dead car battery has been the culprit many times. If neglected, your vehicle’s dependability is in question, including your long-awaited vacation. To add to your misery will be the inconvenience and the cost of a car battery replacement.
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The following simple tips can assist you in keeping your car battery strong and reliable:

  • Preventative Measures – In order to prevent a premature car battery replacement, check terminals and cables. Loose or dirty cables are a common “no start” condition. Cable ends and terminals should be cleaned with a wire brush and light sand paper periodically to remove any corrosion build up. Spray coatings for terminals are helpful in reducing the formation of corrosion. Dirty or corroded terminals can severely reduce the lifespan of the car battery and alternator.

  • Periodic Check-ups - Have your auto mechanic check the load levels at every oil change interval if the car battery is over 2 years old. A weak battery that is not storing enough power will cause the alternator to work harder and possibly cause alternator failure.

  • Load Restrictions – This is how much of a “load” or drain can be placed on the electrical system before the stored electricity in the battery begins to discharge itself and needs to be recharged. It is not uncommon for batteries to go completely "flat" without ever giving a warning signal. Be careful to not overload your battery.
  • Car Battery Replacement – If a replacement is necessary, the new car battery should have the same dimensions, the same cable connections, and the same electrical capacity as the original. If you are in doubt, your mechanic can help you identify and install the proper battery for your vehicle.

Paying attention to these simple tips will get you on the right track for a fun and safe summer.

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Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Oil Changes: 2 Facts to know about oil before your vehicle’s next Oil Change!

As you know, regular oil changes are important so that the moving parts of your vehicle’s engine are kept lubricated and prevent excessive engine wear and tear. Any auto mechanic will usually recommend an oil change on a regular basis to keep your vehicle functioning efficiently.
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A couple of facts you may want to know about oil before your next oil change:

  • Grades: The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) grades each type of oil according to how thin or how thick it is. The higher the grade–-up to 70–-the higher the viscosity (or thickness). These grade numbers are referred to as the weight. You’ve probably heard the terms referring to the common weights of 5W-30, 10W-20 and 10W-30.
  • Viscosity: This is an important factor in determining which type of oil is right for your car. Most vehicles can use “multi-viscosity” which has passed the SAE specifications--thinner oil at lower temperatures, and thicker at higher temperatures. When it’s time for your next oil change, consider the range of temperatures and the time of year in which you are driving.

Here are the differences between the three main types:

  • Conventional: Organic and limited in its capabilities, and highly reactive to temperatures.
  • Synthetic: Gives better engine performance, more slippery, and has fewer imperfections in its chemical buildup. Synthetic can cost up to three times as much; but the interval between oil changes can be greater longer.
  • Synthetic blend: Combination of conventional and synthetic, is usually less expensive, but provides the same performance enhancement as a synthetic.
If you still have questions when it’s time for an oil change, it is best to follow your vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations. For the final say, consult your local auto mechanic--they’ll know what’s right for your vehicle.
Need expert advice about oil changes? Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information and find our oil change coupons. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Wheel Alignment: Why is it Important to have a proper Car Alignment?

Following the rough winter driving conditions, you may have noticed that your vehicle isn't moving down the road in a straight and true path. This compromises the safety of your passengers, as well as other motorists. If a vehicle no longer has the proper wheel alignment, its tires will wear out more quickly and potentially create some driving hazards. In order to prevent some of the hazards listed below, it's good to have some information about car alignment.

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Here are some of the hazards caused by improper car alignment:

  • Uneven tire wear and tear-- relative to each other and within each tire's own tread.
  • Rough and slightly torn appearance.
  • Shortened life span of tires, leading to premature replacement.
  • Poor driving traction, which affects ability to stop under all circumstances, especially in poor driving conditions, such as mud, snow or ice on the ground.
  • Poor handling.

If you are experiencing any of the conditions listed above, schedule a car alignment as soon as possible. The cost to ensure proper wheel alignment will be much less than the cost of replacing four tires that wore prematurely.

Tires get a number of ratings, including the uniform tire quality grading (UTQG) system ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These ratings indicate the tread wear, traction and temperature capabilities. There is also manufacturers' information (such as tire type, width, aspect ratio, construction type, and rim diameter). All of these ratings are based on proper inflation and alignment. If your car is “out of alignment” and has worn tires, it is impossible to determine how much heat your tire can take, how much load your vehicle can carry, and how quickly your vehicle can come to a stop. As a result, with an improper wheel alignment, a driver could be literally driving blind regarding what his or her car can do.

Do you have questions about your car alignment? 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 MN and Zimmerman MN, Minnesota area.