Auto Shop Offers Tips To Survive Pothole Season!

How many potholes do you drive through on your commute to work or school? Most of them may be small, but some of them may be quite large, resulting in a very uncomfortable ride. Auto shops would like to advise drivers to be extra careful navigating the roads, especially on rainy days and at times close to dawn and dusk. Auto centers report that they see a lot of vehicles this time of year suffering from pothole damage.

If you are looking for  Tire Repair Princeton MN your search can be over with our Rum River Auto Center Princeton MN  shop. Also find Car Service Princeton MN mechanic with us.

Why are there so many potholes, you ask? It's not just poor road repair! The constant freezing and thawing of water under the pavement weakens the road and causes large cracks, which when combined with the weight of vehicles, eventually turn into potholes. Thus, severe winter weather often results in roads full of potholes--and auto shops full of damaged vehicles.

An auto center offers these driving tips to help reduce the risk of incurring damage from driving over potholes:

• Leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle so you can avoid potholes without getting into an accident.
• If you can't avoid a pothole, slow down before you hit it. Braking directly over a pothole can actually cause more damage.
• If you have to drive over the pothole, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.
• Use caution when driving over a puddle of water because it might be a deep pothole in hiding.
• Take roads you know well so you are familiar with the location of any potholes.
• At night, try to drive on well-lit roads so you can see the surface.

Running over large potholes is not good for tires. Even small potholes can cause serious damage, such as alignment problems or a blow out (especially in underinflated tires). However, damage from potholes doesn't stop at tires. Some potholes can have as much impact as a 35 mph car crash! In one quick moment, you can experience more extensive damage to your car's shock absorbers, suspension system, struts and wheel rims.

Need a trustworthy auto shop for a vehicle suffering from pothole damage? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto center has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Radiator Service: Don’t Build Up Steam!

Spring is here and now is a good time of year to get a radiator service before the hot summer months are here. Protect your engine from overheating and keep your car running smoothly. Prevent an inconvenient radiator repair with regular radiator service performed by a qualified auto mechanic. A dependable vehicle requires a little extra attention, time, and financial investment.

If you are looking for quality Oil Changes Princeton MN your search can be over with our Automotive Repair Princeton MN shop. Also find Radiator Service Princeton MN with our dedicated mechanic.

To maintain your vehicle's cooling system to keep it from blowing off steam, it is wise to periodically take care of these essential radiator service items:

• Every 15,000 miles
• Inspect and adjust belts and hoses;
• Inspect radiator, water pump, core plugs, and hoses for leakage;
• Check pressure cap;
• Every 30,000 miles or as needed
• Replace belts and hoses;
• Replace pressure cap;
• Drain, flush and refill cooling system
• As recommended by your autmechanic
• Clean deposits from the entire coolant system;
• Remove the old anti-freeze and replace with new clean anti-freeze;
• Use additives tincrease the proper flow of coolant;

Use coolant conditioner additive thelp revitalize gaskets and seals which may prevent overheating and breakdowns.

So don't let the steam build up--cool down your radiator with preventative maintenance and complete any necessary radiator repair. Keeping your vehicle cool under the hood may only mean a quick radiator service, or it could involve a more complex radiator repair. A trained technician can perform a detailed inspection of your vehicle's cooling systems to determine what type of radiator service or repair work is needed.

Need a radiator repair job? Ask the auto mechanics at Rum River Automotive for expert advice about your car or truck's cooling system. They will be happy to help you. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about radiator service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Brakes: The Payload Effect!

You've seen the commercials for pickup trucks--heavy-duty machinery hoisting construction materials so hefty that when placed in the bed, the entire back dips under the weight, and then bounces back up. Most pickup drivers want to able to carry a large payload. But are all trucks sturdy? Does payload really make a difference when it comes to the efficiency of brakes? Be sure to check with your brake service specialist for expert advice.

If you are looking for Brake Repair Princeton MN your search can be over with our Rum River Auto Repair Princeton MN shop . Also find Engine Repair Princeton MN with our dedicated mechanic.

What is the Payload Effect?

    * Weight - Payload is the amount of weight a vehicle can safely hold. This amount doesn't change over the life of the truck. Overloading a truck will change how it steers and brakes. Even a heavier payload that is within a safe amount puts a strain on brakes because there is a higher braking temperature. Steering can also be more difficult because of the increased weight. Think how you can move and stop when holding an empty cardboard box. Now think about trying those quick moves with 200 pounds in the box. This same concept applies to a vehicle's payload.

    * Distribution – The distribution of the cargo also plays a role in how payload affects steering and braking. The center of gravity in a truck can be shifted by placing a lot of weight in the back. Brakes and steering can be affected differently depending on what constitutes the payload--and how it is distributed. Occasionally, a heavy or oddly distributed payload can cause brakes to lock up.

    * Shifting - Cargo should always be properly secured, with padding added as necessary to keep th¬e payload from moving. Don't put any unnecessary strain on the brakes, or allow any damage the cargo.

Remember: While driving with a heavy payload, take extra care and avoid sudden or hard stops. This will help to keep the strain on brakes to a minimum. If in doubt as to the correct payload your vehicle can handle, be sure to ask your brake service technician for professional advice.

Looking for quality brake service? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about brakes. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Is A Hybrid Car Battery Replacement Necessary?

Gas-electric hybrid vehicles have gone from the drawing board to the streets in just a few short years. But many consumers still have questions about the "electric" part. Hybrids use electric motors that are powered by battery packs. Will the batteries last, or are they disposable like laptop and cell phone batteries? Will you be looking for a car battery replacement for your Hybrid vehicle after just a couple of years?

If you are looking for quality  Car Battery Princeton MN your search can be over now with our Rum River Auto Repair Shop Princeton MN. Meet us for Transmission Repair Princeton MN to have safe driving.

Hybrid Car Battery Basics:

Even though lithium-ion batteries (the default power source for consumer electronics) are starting to invade the automotive industry, most gas/electric hybrid vehicles on the road today use nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery packs. What are the advantages:

    * Less toxic inside than traditional lead-acid batteries, making them good for the environment;

    * More space-efficient than traditional lead-acid batteries; and

    * Cheaper than lithium-ion batteries.

In spite of this, it is expected that lithium-ion car batteries will become more prevalent in hybrids as time goes on. Due to their superior efficiency, they're already featured in some cars with full-electric modes. They are relatively new, so there's not much durability data to see how the lithium-based hybrid car batteries fare over time.

As a computer or cell phone user, you have probably heard that batteries will last longer if you neither charge it fully nor allow it to run down to zero. Hybrid vehicles are one step ahead. They have been manufactured with safeguards that limit both the maximum and minimum charge levels of the battery pack. This ensures that the car battery will keep working without prematurely losing its effectiveness, no matter how you treat your car. NiMH battery packs are designed and built to last the life of the vehicle. The industry reports that the number of car battery replacements is extremely low.

NiMH battery packs in general are a mature product with millions of miles and countless refinements already on the books. Hybrid drivers should enjoy many years of trouble-free motoring from their complex power systems.

Have questions about a hybrid car battery replacement? We will be happy to answer your questions. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for professional advice about transmission service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.