Uncategorized

There’s a good reason car manufacturers and suppliers test new vehicles in Minnesota during the coldest winter months. Our weather will quickly expose any flaws in the design of a battery, tire, starter, and other mechanical systems. Winter is just as unforgiving when it comes to vehicle maintenance. It’s only a matter of time before…

With the holidays right around the corner and winter driving conditions not far behind, now is a good time to review a few winter driving tips to stay safe behind the wheel when Minnesota’s roads turn snowy and icy. 1. Clean Your Car Off – Before driving off in winter weather, brush off snow and scrape…

Brake pads are designed to stop your car by creating friction against the brake rotor when the brake pedal is pressed. When the material on the brake pads has worn to within 2 mm of the pad backing plate, they should be replaced with new pads. To ensure that the pads have not worn below…

Does your car feel like it’s bobbing up and down while driving down the road? Does it nose dive under moderate or hard braking? These are typical symptoms of worn out shocks or struts. Shock absorbers are designed to dampen or counteract the springing action of the suspension’s coil springs. Over time, the shock absorber…

Having brakes that are in good working order are essential for safe driving, especially when road conditions are poor or when coming to a quick stop in an emergency. Fortunately, your car is likely to give you early warning signs when there are problems with the brakes. Here is what to keep an eye and ear, out…

For many Minnesotans letting the car warm up fully before driving off is a ritual they have been following forever. But is it a necessary? There are two reasons drivers typically let their car warm up before driving. First, it’s more comfortable to drive in car that’s warm, especially if you have remote start and…

If you live in Minnesota long enough its likely you will need to jump-start a car or truck battery at some point. Here are the supplies you will need and the steps to take to safely perform a jump start and restore enough power to your battery so you can start the engine. First, you…

Most drivers pay little attention to their tires. While keeping your tires properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is the most important tire maintenance task, rotating your tires regularly is a close second. The reason is tires wear differently depending on where they are located on the vehicle. As the only part of the…

With the cost of new and used cars becoming more expensive in recent years, many people looking for ways to keep their older vehicle running longer. While there are many car maintenance tasks that the average person can tackle without advanced skills, such as changing wiper blades or replacing cabin air filters, there are many…

After a harsh Minnesota winter your care could use a little attention to help prepare it for the warmer months ahead. Here are 10 items to check to ensure your car is ready to hit the road in good shape this spring. 1. Wash and WaxWhen washing you car pay particular attention to the underside…