Does Your Car Need a New Year Check-Up?

Give your car a check-up in the new year! Winter is the best time of year to ensure everything on your auto is in working order. At Auto Electric, as a shop that specializes in car repair and service for Golden Valley, we know all the parts of your car that can use a little extra care and repair, especially with the cold winters we have here in Minnesota. Here are a few of the areas to focus on and how to make sure your vehicle is ready for the frigid months ahead:

Have you considered snow tires? As care repair and service experts, we can help you determine if these are something you should invest in, if they are a good idea for your specific needs and what kind of tires you should get.

Another important part of care repair and service is to check your tire pressure. You should do this several times a week because the variances in temperature can also affect the amount of air that is in your tires. Too much tire pressure is just as dangerous as too little.

We get a lot of snow, sleet and ice around this area and you never know when it will start, so it is important to make sure you get new wiper blades put on as soon as possible. You should also be sure that you have plenty of wiper fluid. When other cars kick salt and slush onto your windshield it can become very difficult to see. Wiper fluid will keep your windshield clean so you can see and get to your destination safely.

One of the most important care repair and service tasks to take care of this winter is checking your car’s battery. Bring your car to an auto repair shop like ours and we can check your battery to make sure it still has plenty of charge and to make sure it does not need to be replaced. If it does, we can help you with that to help make sure your battery is not an issue for you this winter.

Do you want more information about car repair and service in Golden Valley? Call us at Auto Electric at 763-537-1221 or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

Getting the Facts Straight on Some Misleading Car Myths

At Auto Electric, we specialize in car maintenance for the Twin Cities and know a thing or two about cars. We also hear many misleading car myths and see firsthand the differences between reality and what people have been told. So, we thought we would take a moment to address some of the most common car maintenance myths and what the actual truths are.

 When it comes to automotive repair work, there can be a lot of information and ‘fake news’ being spread. And like with all myths, some are more believable than others. So take a look below and the next time you encounter a possible car myth, enlist the experts at Auto Electric.

An oil change is required every 3,000 miles.

False. It is always a good idea to follow the advice in your car’s owner’s manual. Some vehicles can travel 7,500 miles or more between oil changes, it all depends on your vehicle. Experts in car maintenance like the ones at Auto Electric can help advise you if you’re unable to locate your manual.

Car batteries recharge after a jumpstart as soon as it starts driving.

Not exactly It can actually take hours to get the battery fully charged again, especially in the winter. Heated seats and other accessories draw so much power that the alternator has little juice left to recharge the battery. You can actually have a load test to check at your local car maintenance shop to see if the battery will still hold a charge.

Warm up your car before driving it in the winter.

Although warming up your car does increase your comfort level, it isn’t necessary to the health of your car. Thanks to fuel injectors, you do not have to worry about warming it up to help its performance.

When brake fluid is low, simply top it off.

When it comes to your all-important brakes, you should actually bring your car or truck to our car maintenance and repair shop. We can look over your brakes and put in the proper amount of brake fluid. Sometimes, low brake fluid indicates a bigger problem.

A new gas cap is likely needed to fix a check engine light.

Cars these days actually have on-board diagnostics. So if your check engine light comes on, you should take your auto to a car maintenance specialist and repair shop like ours so we can troubleshoot the problem and get it fixed before it becomes an even bigger issue.

And, these are just a few of the car myths floating around. In order to ensure you get the quality car maintenance your Twin Cities car needs, it is essential to enlist the experts. Call us at Auto Electric at 763-537-1221 or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

After the Potholes: Consider Wheel Alignment this Spring

Winter snow and ice create pot holes and other road hazards that can cause issues for your car including poor wheel alignment, low tire pressure and more. Now that it’s spring, the potholes may not have yet been filled but you can begin your car repairs today. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the warmer weather ahead by adding routine tire maintenance to your spring car care checklist.  We provide expert wheel alignment in Robbinsdale and the surrounding areas, and we have a few suggestions on what you can do to prepare your car for spring and summer.

Wheel Alignment

Get your car’s alignment checked by a reputable automotive service and repair shop, like Auto Electric. Potholes can affect the alignment of your car, and that can cause a host of other problems. Improper wheel alignment can affect the overall functionality and efficiency of your car. When your wheels are knocked out of alignment by poorly maintained roads or pot holes, it can cause your tires to wear out quickly and even affect the way your car drives as well as its gas mileage. So, if you notice uneven tire wear, a feeling of wandering or a vibrating steering wheel; these could all be signs you need wheel alignment.

Bring your vehicle in to Auto Electric and we can inspect your wheel alignment and repair it for you if needed.

Tire Check

Driving on underinflated or overinflated tires can be dangerous, especially when those spring showers arrive. In the winter, tire pressure can drop about one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. So, while you’re here for a wheel alignment, we can check the pressure of your tires and get them back to where they should be.

We will also check your tire’s tread and rotate your tires. Rotating your tires can help alert us to any odd wear patterns which could indicate the need for wheel alignment or repairs.

Taking care of your tires today can not only extend their life and keep your car running optimally; it can even help you save money in the long run. Avoid unexpected, expensive damage by taking preventative measures like wheel alignment, tire rotation and more.

Do you need a trustworthy wheel alignment in Robbinsdale? Call Auto Electric at 763-537-1221 or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

It’s (Still) Getting Cold Out There: Our Winter Auto Care Checklist

Though the holidays have come to a close, there are still several more months of winter weather left! Some of us love winter, and your car can love winter too! But, hazards like icy roads, salted streets, freezing temperatures and heavy snow can keep you and your car from enjoying the season to its fullest. As a full service auto care shop around Minneapolis, we would like to provide you with a handy checklist to keep you, your family and your auto safe.

Check Coolant Levels

Contrary to its name, coolant is an essential to keeping your engine from freezing. You may have already noticed towers of this stuff popping up at your local gas station, that’s because it’s an absolute winter essential! Make sure your vehicle is never low on coolant and that there aren’t any leaks in your engine, this could cause unwanted drainage.

Check Your Lights

Snow can make driving a little hazy. That’s why you should always provide the brightest illumination possible for the road in front of you. Make sure all of your car’s lights are in excellent shape and if a bulb is out, get it fixed right away! Or, when you’re scraping snow off of your car, if you notice snow is covering a headlight, make sure to remove it as well.

Check Your Washer Fluid

Salt is what makes this an absolute winter auto care essential. With each snowfall comes a new layer of salt on the roads. As messy roads abound and salt continues to get kicked onto your windshield from the car in front of you, constant window washing is a necessity to see where you’re going.

Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure can drop along with the temperature, losing up to one pound with every ten degrees! Not only can driving with low tire pressure cause tread separation, your car is no longer able to handle the roads with predictability, something everyone needs on a snow packed street. Also, if it’s not the temperature that’s to blame, it could be something else like a tear or a nail, so best to check your tires.

Bring Your Survival Kit

A survival kit is always a good idea. Select one that includes flares, a knife, a flashlight, matches or tea light candles for an alternative heat source, a blanket, a first-aid kit, jumper cables and a cell phone charger.

At Auto Electric we want you, your family and your vehicle to be as safe as possible no matter the season. Do you need auto care service and repair around Minneapolis? Call Auto Electric at 763-537-1221 or you can Contact Us.