Wondering What Does An Automotive Service Technician Do?

How do you know if you are getting the best automotive repair possible when you take your car to your favorite auto shop?  Most car owners are aware that technicians change oil, repair tires and check brakes, but are you aware of the extent of the training and knowledge that they acquire in order to become master technicians?  

Consider the typical work performed by a certified automotive repair technician. This will give you confidence in knowing that your car will be well taken care of correctly!  

What does an automotive service technician do?  

• Uses specialized diagnostic equipment to pinpoint existing or pending issues so that repairs and maintenance are done right the first time.
• Knows maintenance checklists to ensure that all critical parts of your vehicle are thoroughly checked on a regular basis.
• Recommends and performs vehicle maintenance at the right service intervals, including oil changes, tune-ups, transmission flushes, tire rotations, belts, A/C units, and much more.
• Can repair worn-out parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, air filters, and much more.
• Can disassemble, clean, and reassemble major car parts, such as transmissions, radiators, and engines.
• Receives specialized training to understand and repair the auto electronic systems that are now being controlled by computers.
• Knowledgeable about cars that run on alternative fuels, such as ethanol and electricity.
• Knows how to explain to customers in easy-to-understand terms their car issues, the automotive repair wanted, as well as the cost and time required.

Let your certified automotive repair technician take care of your vehicle so that you are driving as safely as possible with peace of mind!   

Wondering what does an automotive service technician do?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about our automotive repair services and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

Are you wondering How to know if Your Muffler is Bad?

Even today’s newer cars have mufflers as part of their exhaust systems.  As long as cars have combustion engines, they will require some type of exhaust and muffler system.  A muffler not only reduces the noise level created by the engine, it plays a major role in diffusing the toxic fumes away from the passenger cabin. Thus, it is just as vital to keeping up on regular maintenance for your muffler as for the rest of your car.  

Wondering how to know if your muffler is bad?  Here are three of the most common, but vital, warning signs that it's time to have the exhaust system checked:

1. Increase in the exhaust noise level - When the muffler is working correctly, your car should run relatively quiet.  Although, if something is wrong, the noise level will increase dramatically.
2. Reduced gas mileage - Well-tuned exhaust systems typically produce the best fuel efficiency. If you're filling up your tank more often than usual, but your driving habits have stayed the same, could be a sign of a muffler issue.
3. Smell of exhaust fumes - If you smell exhausted fumes inside your car's cabin, there could be a leak in your exhaust system. Your muffler should be funneling these fumes outside and away from your car; but if they're going inside the car, they can be fatal over time. Have your car’s exhaust system inspected out as soon as possible. 

If you’re noticing any of the above signs of issues in the exhaust system, don’t procrastinate!  You really won’t save money as a minor issue can easily and quickly turn into a much larger and more costly issue.

Need to know more about how to know if your muffler is bad?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about mufflers and exhaust systems and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.

What Car Maintenance Needs To Be Done?

There is still plenty of winter weather to come so remember it’s vital to make sure your car can continue to meet the challenge of hazardous winter driving!  Preventative vehicle maintenance is vital in any season, but knowing what car maintenance needs to be done for winter should take top priority.  Ask your mechanic about the items that should be on the winter vehicle maintenance checklist to help prevent an emergency on the road.

What car maintenance needs to be done to finish out winter in safety?  

1. Use winter wipers – These wipers are equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on them.  Replace them when spring arrives as they are heavier than regular wipers.
2. Winter/snow tires – These tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, thus providing better traction.  Inspect the tread and air pressure commonly.  Keep chains in the trunk and know how to install them.
3. Keep washer fluid reservoir full – You will be using a lot of windshield washer fluid when driving in snow and ice.  Keep a spare bottle in the trunk.
4. Winter safety kit – Include an ice scraper, bag of sand, shovel, flares, extra antifreeze, flashlight and batteries, tool kit, including jumper cables, and lug wrench and jacks for changing a tire, blankets and extra warm clothing and boots, plus non-perishable food and water.  Don’t forget a charger for your cell phone.
5. Recommended vehicle maintenance – Have that needed oil change, a new battery, radiator inspection, and make sure you have the correct antifreeze to water ratio.  Inspect all belts and hoses, spark plugs, wires, and cables.
6. Fill up the tank – A full fuel tank can help prevent gas line freeze ups. If you get stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.
7. Keep rear-window defroster in working order – Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions. 

A Word to the Wise:  It’s true that something can happen any time of year, but it is especially hazardous in winter!  If the roads are too dangerous, stay home if at all potential.  Don't risk an accident!

Need to know more about the winter vehicle maintenance checklist?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive about what car maintenance needs to be done for winter driving and to Make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

Do you Know What Does an Engine Rebuild Consist of?

Most vehicle owners have heard of an engine rebuild but not many really know what does an engine rebuild consist of and why it is compulsory. There are two main reasons for an engine rebuild:  

• Worn engine bearings -- The moving parts of the engine are mounted on bearings lubricated by the engine oil so that they move freely.  When the bearings become worn, they produce loud knocking sounds and can ultimately cause failure of the engine.  The bearings are actually built to last thousands of mines, but wear is accelerated when a vehicle is not maintained correctly and is run on low levels of oil or even dirty oil.  
• Poorly-sealed piston rings -- Piston rings to seal in the expanding gasses created by the burning of gasoline within the engine. As piston rings wear, they no longer seal the cylinders correctly, resulting in a phenomenon called "blow-by.”  Blow-by occurs when crankcase oil escapes past worn rings and is burned with the fuel mixture in the cylinder. This may be the reason that older engines have an unnecessary amount of smoke in the exhaust.

What does an engine rebuild consist of?  First, the "short block" or lower half of the engine is removed, disassembled, and then cleaned so that the condition of the block can be correctly assessed. Depending on the condition of the external parts of the engine, the piston rings, bearings and occasionally the pistons themselves are replaced. The internal surfaces of the cylinders are also reconditioned to ensure that the new piston rings can form a correct seal with the cylinder walls. The cylinder head may also be renovated at a similar time.

Do you understand the benefits of an engine rebuild? First, you know that everything has been closely checked and now has new parts. Second, the worn parts are recycled to help reduce the amount of scrap in the environment.  The third, and the best, the benefit is the connectivity and compatibility with the existing ECU and electrical system. 

Do you want to know more about what does an engine rebuild consist of?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about engine service and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.