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Engine Repair

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Top Signs You Need Engine Repair

Engine Repair — Mechanic Fixing The Engine of the Car in Plymouth, MN

Vehicles are extremely complicated machines, and any number of parts can malfunction. In a society that relies so heavily on their vehicles for work and recreation, an unexpected breakdown can spell disaster. However, increasing numbers of car owners are neglecting routine maintenance and ignoring the common signs of a need for engine repair that could leave them stranded and with huge repair bills.

Getting the most out of your vehicle means keeping it in the best shape possible, and that requires knowing and acting on important warning signs that your vehicle needs engine repair or maintenance. If you want to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown, take your vehicle in to your auto repair shop when you notice any of these signs of engine problems.

Warning Lights

That pesky “check engine” light is hard to miss, but many people do not take it as seriously as they should, especially if the light is not identifying a specific problem. Warning lights are connected to a sensitive computer with sensors monitoring important engine processes. Warning lights can signify problems that range from the relatively minor to very serious, and ignoring the light will only lead to greater problems.

Tapping, Clicking, Clunking Sounds

If your engine starts making loud and unfamiliar noises, it could be a sign of significant engine problems. Clunking sounds may indicate loose or broken parts, popping noises might signify premature detonation of fuel in the combustion chamber, and grinding might mean transmission trouble, for example. When you hear strange noises, it’s always best to let your repair shop track down the problem as soon as possible.

Jerking, Surging, Stalling

Driving should be smooth and free of lurching and stalling. If your vehicle is responding strangely, it’s a pretty strong sign that you have engine problems. Whether it’s due to clogged fuel lines, fouled spark plugs or any of a number of other problems, ignoring the issue can put you in the danger zone.

Bad or Unusual Smells

All vehicles emit smells, but when the smells are unusual or make it into the passenger compartment, it’s an important sign you need some sort of engine repair. Sometimes it might be something as minor as worn or loose belts. Other times it could be exhaust that contains dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide. Don’t take any chances and get your vehicle checked out by a technician immediately.

Even if you believe your engine is in relatively good shape, ignoring these signs of problems can lead to even more costly engine repairs. Have your automotive shop take a look and keep your car fit for the road.

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TIRES - WHATS THE BIG DEAL?

December 14, 2019

I think anyone owning a vehicle can with out a doubt agree having to get new tires can be a real hit to your bank account. Often times it is not a planned expense and once you ‘need’ to get this done waiting is not an option. Whereas it can be very tempting to try to keep ignoring the tread measurements given to you at each oil change it will be inevitable you will need to spend the time and money to keep on, keepin’ on. What most do not take into account, if we made it a priority sooner we would save ourselves a lot of time, money and maintenance. Tires matter...a lot . Changing out your worn tires for a fresh set has a huge impact. Here are four reasons why putting off making an appointment is not the best move. SAFETY Having a new set of tires will provide a cushion of safety for the next 65,000 to 100,000 miles of the vehicle's life (depending on the tire tread-wear rating). At the same time, new tires increase the ability of your vehicle to stop, go and turn. For around $400 every seven years, you can have brand new tires—a very small premium to maintain a safe and healthy driving experience. INCREASED PERFORMANCE The distance it takes for your car to come to a stop, or the speed at which you can enter a turn all depends on the quality of your tires. They determine how much power your vehicle can put to the ground, and whether or not you can brake fast enough to safely control it. Most tires are performance-oriented and are made from stickier compounds with aggressive tread designs. Be sure to choose a tire in the performance category that you intend on using it for (i.e. summer, all-year, racing). BETTER GAS MILEAGE The condition of your tires can drastically affect your gas. If you have a set of worn out tires with an uneven tread pattern, your gas mileage will suffer because your car must work harder to put its power to the ground. For best results, have your tires properly mounted, balanced and always be sure to inflate them to the proper pressure. Also, each time you replace worn-out tires, have your vehicle aligned by a professional mechanic. This will ensure that your new tires do not get worn out prematurely and provide you with the best gas mileage possible. IMPROVED TRACTION The way your tires perform in different road and weather conditions (like snow, rain, dirt and mud) greatly depends on their compound and tread life. Softer tires with "meatier" tread patterns are great for the snow and mud but will hurt your performance and gas mileage in the summer. The best option is to find a tire that meets all of your driving specifications. If you live in an area with four seasons, it may be best to have two sets of tires (that can be easily swapped depending on the season) to improve your safety and efficiency in different weather conditions. If you live in a hot and rainy environment, then a more performance-styled tire with a soft water tread will be more beneficial to your traction needs. Either way, do a little research to see what will work best for you. A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE Finally, the last benefit of a new set of tires is how they can make you feel. New tires with deeper functioning treads and designs are great for long trips because they provide the driver with a smoother ride. Also, new tires are less noisy when compared to worn out tires. Both of these factors are huge for those who have a long morning commute or frequently take long highway trips. Loud and uncomfortable tires can turn a vacation drive into a nightmare very quickly. Okay, Okay, I Get It Hopefully you now have a better picture of how critical your tires actually are. And you should also know that there are steps you can take after purchasing new ones to help preserve them. If you want to keep your fresh rubber in the best shape possible, here are a few tips: • Keep an eye on that pressure. Be sure to check and correct it monthly. • Have your tires rotated. Changing positions can help ward off uneven wear and ultimately lengthen each tire’s lifespan. • Do a monthly tire inspection too. Look for uneven wear, cracks, or blemishes. If you catch any of those red flags, consult your local tire dealer to find out what steps to take. • Pay attention to how your car feels. If you notice any shaking or dragging when you’re on the road, it’s likely that your tires may be the culprit. Again, you’ll probably want to schedule a service appointment to investigate further. By building those simple checks into your regular routine, you can identify tire problems early on and correct them before any unnecessary wear or damage occurs. It’s worth putting in just a little bit of time because it can significantly extend the life of your rubber, giving you more bang for your buck. Most importantly of all, remember not to ignore any issue that you think may be related to your tires. Nothing is worth risking your safety; that’s why it’s always better to remedy the situation right away. If you think that it’s time to replace your tires, get in touch with your nearest tire dealer and make an appointment. When your car is riding smoothly again, you’ll be really glad you did.