Is Your Muffler Too Noisy? Your Exhaust System Needs Help!

Are you noticing loud noises coming from your muffler, or is your car starting to idle rough or the motor die at a stop light? Maybe the "check engine" light flicks on and off, or stays illuminated. These are common problems in vehicles that have a leak in the exhaust system. Your exhaust system may need some help from an auto repair technician.

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If you have the right tools and a little assistance, you may be able to determine if there is a leak in your vehicle's exhaust system and also pinpoint the location and source yourself. By following the advice below, you can save valuable time and money spent in an auto shop:

• First, before touching anything, make sure the car is cool while you look under the hood. Especially because metal expands as it heats up, any small leaks will get smaller, making them difficult to detect.
• To force the exhaust through any possible leak, cover the muffler temporarily. Starting at the engine, follow the exhaust system, feeling for hot air escaping through the pipe, especially at the connectors as these areas commonly have leaks. The muffler will get hot, so be careful not to touch it.
• Remove the plastic engine cover in order to inspect the exhaust manifold for cracking or warping. This is a common problem typically found in older cars.
• Check the gaskets for cracking. You may feel hot air escaping as well as a strong smell of fumes. In older cars, it is common for the gasket connecting the manifold to the cylinder head to crack just through normal wear and tear.
• Check the muffler for rust. If it is just on the surface, or if it goes all the way through the metal. Leaks can occur in areas weakened by rust.

Of course, make sure to have your auto repair technician inspect the exhaust system if you're not comfortable conducting these tests yourself. Most auto shops will run diagnostic tests free of charge in order to recommend the appropriate repair service.

Got a noisy muffler? 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 exhaust system maintenance. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Basic Auto Repair Service Equals Greater Fuel Efficiency!

Summer is just around the corner and many people are starting to plan their family road trips. This means that the price of gas and diesel will be sliding up the scale again. We would like to offer a few auto repair tips to help you save cash on fuel at the pump! The auto repair services and good-sense driving tips listed below will not only help you keep money in your wallet, but also help keep our environment cleaner as many vehicles hit the road this summer.

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Auto Repair Services = Increased MPG:

• Replace air filters. A clogged air filter causes your engine to work harder and your vehicle to become less fuel efficient. Replacing a dirty air filter can increase your mileage by 10%, or 15cents/gallon.
• Be serious about auto repair. Your car's performance depends on it. Always try to follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance.
• Regular oil changes using the right oil. Proper oil viscosity (5w30 over 10w30) can be a 1-2% increase in mileage.
• Avoid idling. Turn the engine off if you have to sit more than a few minutes.
• Watch the speed limit. Driving over 60mph decreases fuel economy. Use your cruise control on long stretches of road to maintain a steady speed and avoid unnecessary acceleration.
• Use lower octane fuel. Buy the lowest octane appropriate for your car unless it requires premium. Pricey premium doesn't boost fuel economy.
• Don't "top off" when filling your tank. Overfilling wastes $$ on gas you won't use. Additional gas will slop and seep off.
• Tighten the gas cap. Gas evaporates if it has an escape. A loose, missing, or damaged cap can cause you to lose up to 30 gals per year.
• Correct tire pressure. Underinflated tires create more resistance and make your engine work harder, reducing fuel mileage and tire life by as much as 15%.
• Keep your engine serviced. A poorly running engine can reduce mileage by up to 4%. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by 30%.
• Eliminate drag. Make sure the wheels are in proper alignment, roof racks or bicycle racks removed when not being used, and the trunk empty.
• Fuel Injector cleaning service: A clean fuel system restores performance and improves drivability, maximizing fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions.
• To see the auto repair technicians in action at Rum River Automotive, click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHkjmI3o0WE&feature=youtu.be

On your summer road trip, make sure you are as safe and prepared as your vehicle can be with quality auto repair. 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 and to find out more about our auto repair services. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Oil Changes: What are Oil Deposits?

When your arteries became clogged, your doctor usually wants to take immediate action to fix the situation. The same applies to your vehicle. If your car develops oil deposits, you'd be well-advised to take immediate action as well. We know that a poor diet and too little exercise cause sticky deposits called cholesterol to block our arteries. But what's the culprit behind oil gumming up the engine of our vehicles? 

When oil is subjected to a high enough temperature, it can solidify and become baked onto the surface of whatever is close by (i.e., a narrow engine oil passageway or critical engine parts). Oil can also lose its viscosity and become a tar-like goop that makes your engine work harder than usual to run.

When enough of these deposits collect, the possibility of engine problems goes up dramatically. Thick or solid oil can have the reverse effect that clean, normal oil has. Instead of cleaning, lubricating and cooling your engine, it can pollute, hinder and contribute to overheating.

While some makes and models of vehicles are more prone to oil deposits than others, there are several things you can do to keep your vehicle's engine healthy:

• Have regular oil changes, including the filter--follow the manufacturer's recommended intervals stated in your owner's manual.
• Pay attention to signs from your car; such as difficult starting, misfiring, engine running hot, low oil indicator light coming on, or a bad oxygen sensor.
• Use synthetic oils, if affordable for you.
• Be careful with using additives--they may react chemically with your oil in undesired ways.

Need a quality oil change? Make sure you are as safe and prepared as your vehicle can be after an inspection and service by the auto experts at Rum River Automotive! Contact our ASE Certified Technicians 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.

Auto Electrical Repair: Does Your Car Refuse To Start?

If your vehicle is starting to show some of the warning signs below, it is probably in need of some form of auto electrical repair. Your car may have a problem that is commonly associated with starters or alternators. Ignoring the problem will lead to car trouble ranging from "slow" starts to a car that refuses to start at all.

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1.Warning Lights – Don't ignore the warning lights on the dashboard. These lights are alerting you that something is not working properly and needs immediate attention.

2.Sound – If your engine is starting to make strange sounds you've never heard before, have it checked as soon as possible.

3.Smell – Over-heating electrical connections will create a burning smell, a symptom of a serious electrical circuit or fuse malfunction.

4.Dim Lights – If your car's exterior and interior lights dim periodically, it usually signifies an electrical issue. Alternators that aren't working properly won't keep a battery charged to run the lighting system.

5. Dead Battery - A dead battery is especially common in the freezing winter months when lights are on for extended periods of time. Now that spring is here, have your battery checked. Of course, lights left on without the car running may also result in a dead battery. A jump-start should take care of the immediate problem, but then don't forget to have the car battery inspected to see if it needs to be replaced. A strong battery can prevent future repairs to starters and alternators.

6 Broken or Loose Electrical Connections - A single little wire or connection that is broken can lead to a series of electrical malfunctions in your car. A simple auto electrical repair, such as reconnecting an on-line fuse or connection can bring life back to your car. Don't delay in having an auto electrical repair if you find something not working properly.

Need expert auto electrical repair? 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 starters and alternators. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.