Keep Driving Smoothly With A Quality Oil Change!

Summer has arrived in full force, and it could not be a better time for you to take a road trip or vacation. However before you make haste to get away from it all, you should make sure that all of your T's are crossed and all of your I's are dotted by getting that essential oil change for your vehicle.

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Oil changes are a very important auto maintenance task that you should periodically have performed (about every three months) for a number of reasons that will enhance your vehicle's performance, such as:

Prevents the Car From Overheating

As the engine runs a car has a myriad of gears that rind and revolve. Oil is used to lubricate the gears and inner metal parts of the car that are constantly exposed to heat and friction. Dirty oil causes the gears to grind, thus making the vehicle's engine overheat. Clean oil will lubricate all of the parts that move and help to control the temperature peaks from the friction.

Omits Repair Costs Caused By Dirty or Low Oil

Often when a car does not have frequent oil changes, it can cause different parts of the car to become worn and not to perform optimally. It can cause permanent damage to your engine when it is consistently exposed to high temperatures. To prevent higher costs for auto repairs, it is wise to make certain that you get timely oil changes as recommended by your mechanic or owner's manual.

The Importance of Oil Changes: The Bottom Line

For the best performance, maintenance, and cost savings on your car, make it a priority to get that oil change every 3000- 5000 miles. It's easy!

Looking for quality oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about about our oil change services. Rum River also offers quality auto repair and auto detailing services. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman,MN.

Advice from an Auto Shop for Safe Winter Driving!

As you head out the door on a cold winter day, you certainly want a reliable vehicle, whether you are just commuting to work or school, or headed out for some fun in the snow!  Don’t take any unnecessary chances of a roadside emergency and find yourself looking for an auto shop for an urgent repair.  Be sure to schedule a standard inspection of the various systems of your vehicle to determine if there are any potential problem areas that may appear down the road. 

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Consider the following advice from professional auto shop technicians:

1. Stay on track with maintenance services: Check all the fluids (oil, brake, transmission, etc.), and change or top-off as necessary.  Spend a little extra for higher-quality filters for smoother performance.  Check the braking system, radiator hoses, transmission, battery charge, wiper blades, and all lights (both exterior and interior), and make sure everything is functioning properly.  Replace or repair as necessary.

2. Check the tires:  Make sure all your tires have the proper inflation pressure.  Inspect them for abnormal wear and if necessary, have them rotated.  You may need to purchase new tires, possibly snow tires, if the tread is too shallow.  Make sure the spare is in good condition too.

3. Clean out your car:  A clean car makes for more comfortable driving.  All-weather floor mats will protect your carpets and are easy to clean.  Make sure your windows are clean so nothing is obstructing your view.  Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and backseat to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

4. Antifreeze: Make sure the ratio of anti-freeze is adequate for freezing temperatures.

5. Emergency Supplies:  Make sure an emergency kit is left in the trunk.  This should consist of blankets, flares, jumper cables, flashlight, snacks, and water. 

Even with all this preparation, an auto shop can’t guarantee that the unexpected won’t happen.  But, if you follow the advice above and take care of routine maintenance tasks, not only will your gas mileage and driving performance be increased, but you will gain peace of mind for a stress-free drive! 

Call a reliable auto center to take care of any car problems before an emergency!  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 shop has served customers in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, Minnesota.

Heating Repair Needed? Find Quality Air Conditioner Service!

Winter was tough! During the frigid temperatures of winter, your A/C/heating unit received a lot of use. It may be time for a heating repair to get your cooling system in order before getting into the hot days of summer. Heating repair may simply mean that you need to add fresh coolant to the radiator. Prevent an urgent air conditioner service later down the road as the temperatures soar

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Because heating repair may be expensive, drivers often want to put off a needed air conditioner service as long as possible. With the introduction of computerized parts, today's A/C system has become more complex. Also, studies have proven the damaging effect of refrigerant to the ozone layer, and its production and use has been limited by law. Because of the environmental regulations governing air conditioning service, auto mechanics are required to be certified and auto shops must use specialized equipment to ensure that harmful chemicals are contained.

Basic knowledge of the A/C system is important. Take a look at the following descriptions of each component:

• Compressor – Compresses and transfers refrigerant gas by a belt-driven pump fastened to the engine.
• Condenser – Designed to radiate heat and is usually located in front of the radiator. Hot compressed gases are cooled, condensed, and then become a high pressure liquid as it exits the bottom of the condenser.
• Evaporator – the heat absorption component which removes the heat and humidity from the inside of your vehicle.
• Pressure Regulator – Designed to sense the temperature and pressure, and regulate the refrigerant flow to the evaporator.
• Metering Device –The primary function is to keep the gas and liquid separate, as well as remove moisture and debris.

We recommend an air conditioning service heating repair to make sure that all the parts of your A/C system are working properly. 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 heating repair. Since 1997, our auto shop has served customers in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Car Pulling Problems? It could it be the Wheel Alignment!

If your car is pulling to the left or right, it could be one or more of several different causes. Improper wheel alignment is just one cause, and actually not the most common. A car alignment technician will check out several things before actually performing a wheel alignment.

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Causes of steering problems:

• Road Crown -- If your car pulls to the side only on certain roads; it may be the "road crown." Roads are never built perfectly level, but are intentionally designed to slant about 1/2" per foot which allows the rain to drain off. However, it will also cause a vehicle to pull slightly in the direction of the slant. A skilled wheel alignment technician will offset the car alignment very slightly to allow for a road crown.
• Conicity – Conicity is when the belts are not perfectly aligned under the tread of the tire, causing the tire to inflate in a cone-shape. This defect causes a hard pull in one direction, and is a result of poor manufacturing. Properly aligned belts inflate squarely, across the tread. This type of pull gets worse as the vehicle travels faster.
• Belt Separation – Air can force the belts to separate from the tire carcass. This is dangerous, causing the tire to fail unexpectedly. A shake or shimmy may also develop, especially noticeable at low speeds.
• Air pressure – When air pressure is lower on one side, the height of the tire changes—also changing the wheel alignment. An under- inflated tire has more rolling resistance, making the pull more noticeable. A low rear tire can also change front wheel alignment, causing a pull.
• Tread Pattern -- Different tire brands, or even the same brand with different wear patterns, do not have the same rolling characteristic. For instance, replacing one tire in a set, or putting a new tire on the front with an older tire, may cause a pull to the side. Replacing tires in pairs is ideal, generally on the rear of the vehicle.
• Tire Rotation – A pull may be noticed after rotating tires. A mismatched tire may have previously been on the rear. When rotated to the front, the problem will be noticeable. Leaving it on the rear may be the best solution if the tire is safe to operate.
• Brakes -- A brake problem or a loose suspension component may cause a pull only when braking. With a sticking caliper, wheel cylinder or even a hydraulic fault, one brake may remain applied, causing the vehicle to drift in the direction of the problem, and for the brake to overheat. A burning smell, combined with a pull, might suggest a brake-related pull.
• Worn suspension -- Worn suspension parts may also shift position when the brakes are applied. When the brake is released, a quick pull may be noticed.

Tip: Find a reliable auto shop that will check the above items before trying to sell you an unnecessary wheel alignment job!

Wondering if you need a car alignment? 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 shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Engine Repair: Is Your Check Engine Light Glowing?

The average car on the road today is almost 11 years old, and even though cars are built to last longer, all that wear and tear takes a toll. In fact, 80 percent of vehicles are in need of some form of engine service or engine repair right now. If you've been ignoring that "check engine" light on your dash, you're not alone. According to CarMD.com (which tracks repair trends on cars up to 10 years old), more than 9 million US drivers have ignored their car's "check engine" light for three months or more.

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Ignoring that message, and any corresponding engine service, could wind up costing you a bundle down the road. The light is alerting you to a problem with the car's engine or related systems. A blinking "check engine" light indicates there's a more severe problem that is doing mechanical damage to your car and should not be ignored. When this occurs, the best thing to do is limit driving and have the problem diagnosed by an engine repair techecnician as soon as possible.

Virtually all vehicles manufactured since 1996 are equipped with a "check engine" light, which is part of an on-board diagnostics system that constantly checks information from the engine to the transmission sensors to emissions-related problems. It covers about 80% of the systems on most cars, light trucks, SUVs and minivans.

Common failures that could cause the "check engine" light to glow are:

• Oxygen sensor, which monitors the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and tells your car's computer when there is either too much, or not enough fuel.

• Mass air flow sensor, which calculates the amount of air coming into the car and determines how much fuel to shoot into the engine.

• Spark plugs, which are responsible for igniting a car's air/fuel ratio. When they fail, they can cause an engine "misfire," reduce your gas mileage, and ultimately ruin your car's catalytic converter.

Turn the light off! Prevent car problems by having the proper engine service and maintenance performed on schedule!

Looking for quality engine 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 about engine service, other repairs and maintenance, and vehicle detailing. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.