Because 90% of our driving decisions are based on visual information, unobscured vision is paramount. Which brings us to the topic of today’s Autotronics of St. Peter article: wiper blades. While this isn’t the most exciting automotive subject, it’s important. You wouldn’t drive at night in St. Peter with your headlights off, but a dirty or streaked vehicle windshield can catch the glare of the sun or on-coming headlights and make it just as difficult to see.

Most of us in St. Peter replace our wiper blades when they no longer do the job. They are so worn, hard or brittle that they can’t clean the windshield. They may even be falling apart. In other words, we deal with our wiper blades from a failure perspective. We address them when they no longer function. The theory, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” doesn’t apply here. Instead, we should think about wipers blades as an important safety system that we should maintain rather than repair.

MN automotive experts recommend that we change our wiper blades twice a year, in the spring and fall. That way you have functional blades for those St. Peter spring showers and winter storms.

When we use our wipers a lot, they get worn from the St. Peter road grime and bug juice. Even if we don’t use them very often, they’re exposed to the sun, heat and cold, and air which cause them to dry out, become brittle and break.

And of course, you need a good windshield washer fluid in your vehicle to help the wipers do their job. Always use washer fluid because plain water doesn’t work as well and it can freeze in the reservoir. If you’re driving where there are a lot of bugs in MN, you can pay a little more and get fluid that does a better job of clearing them. If you live where you have extremely cold winters, you can get fluid that resists freezing.

Like everything else in the automotive world, there’ve been some big advancements in wiper blades, both in terms of the design and the materials from which the blade is made. If you are a local St. Peter driver that has a need for better than average windshield wipers, you can pay some more for an upgraded wiper. And if you live where there’s a lot of snow and ice in MN, they make special winter blades that don’t clog up and freeze like standard blades.

At one of your fall and spring oil changes, ask your Autotronics of St. Peter service advisor which is best wiper blade for your driving conditions. Replace your blades on schedule so you never have to struggle with your vision when you switch on your wipers.

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

When you get an oil change, it’s always a safe bet to just use the type of oil the manufacturer recommends. But sometimes we’re asked if we’d like conventional or synthetic motor oil. We glance at the price tags on the two options and choose the cheaper one. But in this case, the more expensive oil might be the better bargain for St. Peter drivers.

Conventional oil is made from petroleum. Its molecules form long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil is either more highly refined petroleum or completely man-made. Its molecules are more uniform. This provides advantages over conventional motor oil.

First of all, the molecular structure of synthetic motor oil makes it more slippery than conventional oil so it lubricates better. This translates to better wear protection for St. Peter drivers, cooler operating temperatures and more engine power.

Further, synthetic oil is more heat-resistant than conventional oil, and it doesn’t vaporize as easily. It provides better protection for severe conditions like stop-and-go driving around St. Peter and very hot or freezing MN temperatures.

Also, synthetic oil doesn’t generate oil sludge like conventional oil. This prevents small engine passageways from becoming clogged, which can significantly extend the working life of your vehicle engine.

Manufacturers are aware of the advantages of synthetic oil, and many of them are using it to fill their vehicles before delivering them to be sold. Many owner’s manuals now come with the recommendation to use only synthetic oil. Because synthetic oil wears better and protects better than conventional motor oil, it can be changed less often. If your vehicle came with a recommendation for synthetic oil, you may have noticed that the recommended period between oil changes is longer than what you’re used to. However, if you switch to conventional oil, you need to be aware that you can’t follow this longer service interval. You’ll have to change your oil more often.

On the other hand, if you are using conventional oil and you switch to synthetic oil, you may be able to lengthen the time between oil changes. You can ask the pros at Autotronics of St. Peter for more information. They can offer you good auto advice about oils and service intervals based on your driving habits and requirements.

Oil changes are the hallmark of preventive maintenance at Autotronics of St. Peter. All St. Peter drivers need them. So we should get excited about a product that reduces how often we need them. Synthetic oil is more expensive, yes, but it can pay for itself by lasting longer than conventional oil. And when you add in the hidden savings of an extended engine life and improved fuel economy, not to mention increased engine power, there’s a good chance that synthetic oil actually saves cash in the long run. All St. Peter drivers pay for vehicle care. But understanding what we’re paying for can make us more savvy shoppers.

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

Wiper blades are critically important to St. Peter drivers for good driving visibility and safety. When it’s time to replace your wiper blades, there are a number of different wiper blade designs and grades. St. Peter drivers should always use at least the design or grade that came with their vehicle.

If you live in MN where there is a lot of wet weather, flying insects, or you do a lot of highway driving, you may want to upgrade to a more advanced design or premium quality wiper blade. Your friendly and professional Autotronics of St. Peter service advisor can share the options available for your vehicle and help you decide which wiper blades are optimal for you.

Give us a call.

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