Your vehicle gets its power from burning fuel, usually gasoline, and it counts on something called fuel injectors to send gas to the engine in a spray that is easy to ignite. It’s a precise operation, and when it’s working well, you have plenty of power and an efficient engine.
But after time, contaminants in the fuel system may prevent the injectors from spraying like they’re supposed to. They can also shoot contaminants into the engine.
One sign that could point to dirty fuel injectors is a misfiring engine. Misfires can be caused by several things, so it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle to us so we can trace the cause. Another sign is that your fuel economy has gone downhill or your engine doesn’t have the “pep” it used to.
If we discover that your injectors are clogged or not working the way they should, we can clean them to get rid of those contaminants to restore your engine to its top performance. When you bring your vehicle to us, we will connect the flushing equipment, flush out the injectors and reassemble the system.
A good time to have fuel injectors inspected is when you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance. An oil change is an ideal time to have a technician take a close look at your entire fuel delivery system.
When you have your fuel injectors cleaned, you may see your mileage go up, your engine performance improve, and your exhaust emissions decrease.
Diesel engines have been used extensively in Europe and Asia for many years. They haven’t been as common in Cleveland because of the high sulfur content in our diesel fuel. But the government is now mandating lower sulfur content and, as a result, we are going to see more St. Peter motorists driving diesel-fueled vehicles on the road, especially in passenger cars and SUV’s.
Diesels are popular in St. Peter because they get better MPG than gas-powered engines. They also last longer. Modern diesel engines are quiet and powerful. And if you associate diesel engines with black smoke, then you’re not up with the times. That smoke is a thing of the past.
Diesels don’t produce any more pollutants than gasoline engines. The pollution standards for diesel-powered vehicles are as strict in MN as for other vehicles.
Also, diesel engines can run on bio-diesel fuels as well as fossil fuels. Diesel fuel can be produced from vegetable oil or from cellulosic waste like wood chips and sawdust. In Cleveland, we may soon see bio-diesel produced from algae. These fuel sources will lessen St. Peter auto owners’ dependence on fossil fuels and may even become truly renewable and sustainable.
Diesel-powered vehicles perform as well as other passenger vehicles, also. Most Saint Peter people don’t notice a difference in driving one or the other. If you haul heavy loads or tow a trailer in Le Sueur, however, the diesel is a definite improvement.
So, you may be asking, if diesels are so great, why don’t all Cleveland motorists drive them? Surely there are disadvantages you haven’t told me about. That’s true. Diesel engines are heavier than gas engines, and they cost more in MN. The better fuel efficiency of the diesel engine is partially offset by the higher purchase price.
Because of higher fuel prices, diesel engines used to be more expensive to drive in Cleveland. But now, with higher volatility in the prices of both gasoline and diesel fuel in MN, that cost difference is less definitive. Whether a diesel or gas engine is more expensive for St. Peter drivers depends now on the current price of fuel in MN and how many miles you drive.
Consider also that diesel-powered vehicles have a high resale value in the Cleveland area, and the costs of owning and operating a diesel vs. a gas-powered vehicle in MN becomes a real toss-up.
Preventive auto maintenance for diesel vehicles has also become similar to that of gas-fueled vehicles in recent years. The major difference is that diesels require cleaner fuel, air and oil, so their filters are more expensive in St. Peter than those for gasoline engines. The engine air filter must be changed more frequently as well.
The costs for car care and repairs in St. Peter are similar. Wait, you may be thinking, but you just told me that filters are more costly and have to be changed more regularly. True, but that is offset by the fact that diesel engines have a much longer lifetime than gasoline engines. So if you are the type of owner who prefers to hang on to a vehicle for a long time, you will be more than rewarded with a diesel engine.
So if you have been looking for Autotronics of ST Peter auto advice on whether to switch to a diesel vehicle or stay with a gas-powered one, then we hope this helps. The answer as to which type of vehicle is better is that it depends on the St. Peter driver and their driving habits. Now that you know the facts, you can make an informed choice based on your own priorities and needs.
If you’re a quart low in your minivan, there isn’t enough motor oil to lubricate your engine properly. The extra friction causes drag that reduces fuel economy while you’re driving around the Cleveland area.
The same goes for dirty oil; it doesn’t reduce friction properly. The result is you get to watch those numbers at your local Cleveland gas pump rolling higher and higher.
The transmission also needs the proper amount of clean fluid to do its work. When it’s in need of service, the transmission drags your fuel economy down.
So keep it clean and give yourself a fighting chance.
