Category: Uncategorized

Light’s Out! Trouble Ahead (Exterior Light Bulb Service)

Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they’re vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you.

Headlights are important. Not only do they help you see safely down the road at night, they also help oncoming drivers know that the vehicle they’re approaching is not a motorcycle. Both headlights should be working properly and aimed so that they don’t blind other drivers.

Taillights are also important for a few reasons. They tell drivers what your intentions are (changing lanes, turning, stopping). So, the bulbs back there must be all in working order for maximum safety. Ditto for the front turn signal lights. They alert oncoming drivers to your lane changes or turns (if you use your turn signals!). Some side mirrors also have turn signal bulbs in them.

There are a few other important bulbs. You may not care about the ones that illuminate your rear license plate, for example. But they are there to help public safety forces identify your vehicle. In fact, in many municipalities you can be pulled over and ticketed if ANY of the standard lights are burned out. So not only does having all your exterior lights working improve your vehicle’s safety, it may keep you from getting a ticket.

Many newer vehicles have a light on the instrument panel that will go on if on-board computers detect voltage problems in any of your vehicle’s bulb circuits. Sometimes it can be hard to figure out which light may be not be working since there are so many. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of replacing a bulb, but it may be an electrical problem causing the problem. Stay legal and safe by having your service repair facility diagnose and fix a non-working light, a really bright idea, don’t you think?

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

St. Peter Customer Detective Work

One might say the most challenging part of being an automotive service technician at Autotronics of St. Peter is diagnosing a problem before it can be fixed.

Cars are made up of a bunch of complex systems. There usually could be a number of reasons for any given symptom. So, it’s challenging to track down the actual cause of the problem. And it can be frustrating for the vehicle owner because it can take time and money to get to the bottom of a problem. If it’s not something obvious, it’s easy for the customer to focus on the fixing and not the diagnosing.

Let us at Autotronics of St. Peter introduce you to something we’ll call ‘Customer Detective Work’ – helping your technician find clues to what’s wrong.

We start with the detective basics: What, Where and When. Play along with me; You come in to Autotronics of St. Peter and your car is making a funny sound…

Q: Where’s the sound?
A: Around the right front wheel.

Q: What kind of sound?
A: Kind of a clunk, clunk sound.

Q: When do you hear the sound?
A: When I turn and accelerate.

Q: Right and left? Forward and back?

Do you see where we’re going? You’re gathering additional information to help your technician at Autotronics of St. Peter know where to start. Based on your car and the tech’s experience, he’ll know where to look and can start with the obvious suspects.

You can see how that would be more helpful than dropping the car off with a note that says “making a funny noise.”

If the tech can experience the problem personally, he’s better able to make a diagnosis and repair and then test to see if the repair solved the problem.

Ask us for details.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Time Out: Suspension Problems in St. Peter

Your vehicle’s suspension system has two jobs: to prevent the passengers from getting tossed around inside the vehicle every time it hits a bump in the road and to keep the tires firmly planted on the road around every corner and over every bump.

To see your suspension system, you’ll have to look under your vehicle. Anything that connects the wheels to the vehicle’s frame is part of the suspension system. They’re heavy-duty parts that work hard while you’re driving and take a lot of wear and tear. Because of this, you should have your technician at Autotronics of St. Peter look at them once a year as part of your preventive maintenance routine. A good time for it is every time you get your alignment checked.

If your suspension is in trouble, you often feel it in how your vehicle drives. You should get a check of your suspension system: if the vehicle pulls to one side or wanders, if the steering is erratic, if your ride isn’t as smooth as it should be, or if your vehicle handles poorly. Uneven tire wear can also indicate worn parts in your suspension system. If your shocks are leaking oil then they definitely need to be replaced. All in all, if you don’t feel in control when you’re driving, go get your suspension inspected.

Shocks and struts wear out. Wheel bearings may need to be repacked every few years. Some parts of your suspension may need to be lubricated whenever you change your oil. Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle under control. Good care can prevent accidents for St. Peter drivers.

If you are in an accident, even a minor one, it can damage your suspension system or knock your wheels out of alignment. Even hitting a curb, pothole or large rock can damage your suspension. A wheel balancing or alignment won’t correct a suspension problem, and after any suspension work, you may need to get an alignment.

At Autotronics of St. Peter, we advise St. Peter drivers never to procrastinate on getting their suspension system repaired. A damaged suspension system can lead to loss of control of a vehicle in an emergency situation and serious accidents.

Potholes are unsightly nuisances around St. Peter, but they’re also a major cause of suspension damage for St. Peter vehicles. To avoid this, St. Peter drivers should always keep their tires properly inflated. This gives the tires maximum resiliency. When you’re driving around the St. Peter area, avoid potholes if possible. If you can’t avoid one, then slow down before driving over it. Slower speeds limit pothole damage. But if you’re a little late detecting a pothole, don’t brake on top of it. This will throw the vehicle’s weight forward and increase the damage.

The suspension system may not be pretty to look at, but it provides you with a safe, comfortable ride — as long as you maintain it properly. You don’t have to show it off, but you should be proud of it.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com