Serving All Makes & Models Since 1947
651-228-1316
982 Grand Ave • St. Paul, MN 55105
Mon-Fri: 7am - 6pm
982 Grand Ave • St. Paul, MN 55105
Mon-Fri: 7am - 6pm
Drive with Caution in Winter
When you drive in the winter weather, it will present new and different driving skills than you are used to during the rest of the year. You will have to drive on snow, ice, and slick roads. Sometimes the roads you drive on will be in less than ideal condition. This is why it will be important to slow down and drive with caution. Before you travel, it is always a good idea to check the weather. This should include the current weather, and even the future forecast of where you will be driving. It would also be a good idea to look up what the road conditions are. This will help you to be aware of how to drive on the roads when you head out.
Tire Checks before you Drive
The tires should be inspected for any issues that they might have. This should include checking the air pressure of each one. The pressure is important because they can properly rotate as you drive. If the tires are not at the correct pressure, then they will not travel as smoothly either. Tires that are under inflated can have an increased chance of blowing out. You will also want to make sure that the tires are not over inflated either. When they are over inflated, they can be more likely to pick up sharp debris or objects on the road.
Winter survival kit
You will also want to make sure that you are prepared in your vehicle. Make sure to have a winter survival kit in there as well. This should include items like non-perishable food, bottled water, a flashlight, a blanket, and even a small shovel incase you get stuck in snow. If you need suggestions about what should be in the kit, you can also ask us. Being as safe as possible is important when traveling on winter roads in the upcoming months. You will want to make sure your vehicle is also reliable for the winter.
Driving with Clear Windows
Now is the time of the year that you will notice frost on your windshield and windows. In the morning before you drive to work, you will want to make sure that all of the windows are cleared off. Make sure you can see out of every window, including the back window or windshield. This should also mean checking the side mirrors to ensure they are cleared off as well. You will want to take a snow scraper to remove the frost. If you try to run your windshield wipers, you can end up damaging the rubber portion of the blades on the frost or ice.
Allow it to Warm Up
To help get your car going sooner, take a few extra minutes to have it start running. Letting it warm up for a few minutes helps to get the oil warmed up. This helps to move through the engine as you drive. Make sure that you switch the heat onto defrost, so then it can assist in warming up the windshield. With the windshield getting warm, then it can help to remove frost and ice that might be on the windshield.
Remove Snow
You will also want to remember to brush off any and all snow from your vehicle, once it is snowing. Otherwise, the snow can blow off and impair the visibility of drivers behind you. The hood should also be clear, because that snow can blow up and impact your own visibility. This can be dangerous while on the interstate or with crowded and busy traffic.
Another good rule to follow is to make sure you have washer fluid filled up. This will help removed any dirt or road grime from the windshield. In the winter, sometimes clearing the windshield can leave smudge marks. When you use the washer fluid, it will quickly help to get the windshield clean and improve visibility for you again.
Be Prepared for Winter
The winter weather means that you will want to be prepared when you drive. Part of this means to make sure that the vehicle is properly maintained. We can help you to figure out when regular maintenance inspections should be done for the vehicle. Doing so will help improve the efficiency and also the performance of it as well. Also be aware of any issues that your vehicle might have. Any strange or odd noises that your vehicle makes should be a reason to worry about an issue. It is always best if you bring the vehicle in, and we can inspect it for you. If the issue is caught soon enough, then there will be less of a cost when it is fixed. The longer you let the issue go on for, the more expensive it might be.
Winter and Tires
Also remember to check the overall condition of the tires for your vehicle. They should be in proper condition, and free of any damage. If you see a puncture mark, make sure to have it inspected by us. We should patch and repair it before it becomes a larger issue. It may also be dangerous if you drive on a tire that is damaged or in poor condition. It will also be beneficial to check the air pressure in each tire for your vehicle. This should also include the spare tire.
Winter survival kit
The vehicle you are driving may also benefit from having a winter survival kit in it. This is very beneficial, especially if you go in the ditch. There may be an instance where you will not be able to be pulled out of the ditch for a few hours. Having a kit can be helpful to make sure you have some bottled water, granola bar, other non perishable foods, and some flares as well. You will also want to have a blanket or two in the vehicle as well.
Tire Inspections for your Car
Each tire should be properly inspected for your vehicle. The overall condition should be inspected for all the tires. This should also include the spare tire. Besides the tires, the vehicle should have an overall maintenance inspection done on regular intervals as well. We can also help you by recommending when these maintenance inspections should be done for your vehicle. This will help keep the vehicle working properly as you drive this fall and into winter.
Tire Rotations
Proper rotations of the tires will help to ensure that they are wearing evenly. With age and miles, the tires will start to wear a certain way. Sometimes they wear down incorrectly. If you take a penny, you can check the tread and the depth of it as well. Place it upside down in the groove of the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tread has worn down and it is not deep enough. We can also inspect the tread wear for your tires. This will help to make sure that they are in the best condition possible when you drive.
Air Pressure
The tires should also have the air pressure checked on a regular basis. Each time you fill up with gasoline, it would be an ideal time to check the tires over. Check each one for the correct amount of air, tread wear, and overall condition. If you notice an issue, make sure that you have it inspected as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure if it is a severe issue, we can let you know. When we inspect the vehicle bumper to bumper, we check the tires entirely for anything that might be starting to form. Noticing the sign of an issue should not be ignored. If you do it can cause the problem to become worse and also will cost you more in the long run.
Car Care in the Fall
A change of seasons means that you should inspect your vehicle for any issues or problems. Bring the vehicle in and we can do a bumper to bumper inspection of the vehicle for you. This will help your vehicle be ready for the fall weather, and even winter. If you are not sure what regular maintenance should be done for your vehicle, make sure to contact us. We can recommend and set up a schedule for your car. Depending how often you drive, and what roads you drive on, the frequency of some tasks might be different. If you put a lot of miles on your car, the oil will need to be changed on a more frequent basis. This will help your driving so you are safe on the road for you and your passengers.
Fall Inspections
As the weather changes, now is a good time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. We can check all the belts and hoses of the vehicle to help ensure they are working efficiently and correctly. If a belt is starting to wear and fray, it may need to be replaced much sooner than later. A worn belt can break suddenly, causing several issues for your vehicle. If you notice a noise or thumping sound under the hood, it could be a belt going out. It is always in your best interest to bring the vehicle in, so we can inspect everything for you.
Check the Lights
You will also want to make sure that all the lights on your vehicle are working properly as well. These lights are important because other drivers will see them, and therefore see you and your vehicle. They will also be alerted to which direction you are planning on turning or switching lanes. This will improve the safety and the safety of those around you if the lights are properly working. If you are not sure if they are working correctly, you can always bring your vehicle in, so we can check the lights for you.
The Sound your Car Makes
When you drive, there is a lot you should pay attention to. One of the things is what sound or noises you might hear coming from your vehicle. These will be indications that something is wrong with your vehicle. Sometimes it can be something minor, while other times it can mean a larger more expensive fix. The best precaution you can take is to bring the vehicle in on a regular basis for proper maintenance inspections. This way we can inspect the vehicle. A bumper to bumper inspection will help locate any issue or problem that might be occurring for your vehicle. If you ignore these sounds, the problem with eventually get worse and lead to an expensive repair bill.
Brake Noises
A noise coming from your brakes will indicate an issue with them. This can include anything from needing a little more brake fluid, to a full brake job needing to be done. When you bring the vehicle in, we will be able to locate what the issue is. You might hear a clunk-clunk noise when you apply the brake pedal. Another noise that your brakes can make is a squealing noise. This happens when a part will start to wear on another. It is mostly caused by the brake pads and rotors. As the brake pads wear, there will be metal to metal connection with the rotors. This will then result in the squeal noise you hear coming from your brakes.
Grinding Noise
You might hear a grinding noise from your vehicle if there is an issue with power steering. As you turn the vehicle, you may find it more difficult to do so. There may also be a grinding noise or low rumble. This could mean that the power steering is going out, or that the fluid is low. Since this can be difficult to diagnose, it is always recommended that you bring your vehicle in. We can find the source of the issue, and make sure it is repaired as quickly as possible.
Proper Fluid Inspections for the Vehicle
When you have a car, it is important to keep it up to date on maintenance. This will help it to be efficient, as well as improving the condition that it runs in. There can be several things to check for your vehicle. One thing that can be overlooked is each fluid under the hood. The various fluids help your vehicle in different ways. The transmission fluid will help the transmission to operate correctly. Brake fluid is needed to help keep the brakes responsive. If you ever need to know when each fluid should be changed, make sure to contact us and we can recommend a schedule for your vehicle.
Oil Changes
The oil is another thing that you should not overlook. The oil will need to be changed on a schedule. This is usually determined by the vehicle make and model, and how many miles you will put on it. If you drive a few hundred miles a day, you will need the oil changed sooner than if you were to drive twenty miles each day. Also, what type of roads you drive on is important as well. If you have to drive in stop and go traffic, your vehicle will wear differently than others. So make sure to follow the recommended oil changes that are needed for your vehicle.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid will also need to be inspected regularly. Doing so can help the longevity of your brakes. It will also help increase the safety of the brake system as well. If it is gone, then the brakes will not be able to respond as they otherwise typically should. If you notice there is a delay in when the brakes respond, check it as well. You can also bring the vehicle in and we can inspect it for you to ensure everything is where it should be.
The Lights Should Always be Inspected
When your vehicle is inspected, it is important to remember to check all the parts and components of it. This should include all the lights of the vehicle. The headlights, taillights, and turn signals will need to be checked to ensure they are in the best operating condition. If the light bulb goes out, it will need to be replaced as soon as you can. When it is dark out at night or during a storm, the lights will need to be turned on. If the lights are not working, then your safety will decrease. Make sure that you bring the vehicle in if you happen to notice any issues with the lights.
Headlights
The headlights should be checked to ensure the high beams and low beams regularly. By doing so, you can make sure that your visibility is the best it can be. When you put the lights on bright, you should be able to see further ahead when you drive. The ditches can also be seen easier when the lights are on bright. When the lights are on the lowest setting, or fog lights, then you can see when the weather is less than ideal.
Blinkers
Remember to also have the turn signals inspected. These operate in both the front and back of your vehicle. The turn signals or blinkers are important because without them, you might be involved in an accident when you drive. If a blinker does not work correctly, you might be turning in the direction that someone is passing you or trying to get around you on. You can check the blinkers by parking, turning on the left one and getting out to see if it works. Then go and do the same thing to the right blinker to ensure that it is also working. If there is an issue, or the blinker does not always work, bring it in so we can inspect the vehicle for you.
Proper Maintenance of the Brakes
The brake system will need to be inspected and maintained regularly. This is the best way to help ensure that the vehicle and parts are in proper condition. If there is an issue, it should be replaced as soon as possible. This will help keep the vehicle lasting as long as it can. When an issue happens, you will want to make sure that it is taken care of and fixed. Ignoring it will continue to make the problem worse. It can also do damage to other parts of the vehicle as well. This can lead to further and costly repair bills.
Brakes with Odd Noises
Any noises or sounds you hear from the brakes can be a concern. These can range from squeaking to grinding. The noises usually occur when there is metal on metal friction. If this noise is ignored, then you will have more issues happen to nearby parts. The brake pads will wear thin as they are in use. This will then lead to the brake rotors starting to show signs of age and wear as well. The brake rotors should be looked at the same time the brake pads are to ensure that they are in the best condition they can be in.
Vehicle Pulls
Noticing if the vehicle pulls in one direction when you apply the brakes is important as well. This can determine if there is an issue. As the brakes start to wear, then the vehicle will handle poorly with time as well. The handling could also be caused by a steering issue, so it is always best to bring the vehicle in for a proper inspection by us. Also make sure you look at the fluid levels in the vehicle. If one is decreasing more often, there may be a leak in the system and it will need to be repaired as soon as possible.
Improve your Visibility for Driving
The vehicle will need to have the best visibility possible when you want to drive it. If you do not have proper visibility, you will risk the safety when driving down the road. The windshield should be free of cracks and divots. These can distract and impair what you see from the windows and windshield. These can sometimes line up so an object in the road is covered by damage or debris that is on the windshield. Always notice anything out of the norm, so we can help can inspect the vehicle for the source of that issue.
Wipers
The wipers are one of the most important components to inspect. They are needed to help clear way any debris on the windshield. As other vehicles pass you, road grime and mist can be sprayed up on the windshield. If you do not use the windshield wipers, you will notice poor visibility almost immediately. Worst yet is when you clear it, but there are still smudge marks. You will want those wipers to be in the best condition that they can possibly be in. If you notice any chattering or streaking noises they make, it is time for a replacement set.
Washer Fluid
Also make sure you take the time to check there is enough washer fluid. The windshield washer fluid is important because it will assist with removing more difficult grime and debris on the windshield. If a bug hits the windshield, more than likely you will need both the windshield wipers and washer fluid in order to remove it completely from your visibility. It is not a bad idea to have some extra washer fluid in the back of your vehicle, incase you run out at an inconvenient time when driving. If you have to refill the washer fluid often, it can be an indication there is a leak. This should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.