When your vehicle has a problem or just needs some routine service, you might get a little nervous. Your vehicle’s so important to your life in St. Peter, you need to get back on the road as soon as possible – with the problem fixed right the first time.

If you’ve ever checked into some of the technician training Autotronics of St. Peter professionals receive, you may be surprised at how much specialized knowledge and skill goes into diagnosing and repairing a modern car. For example: Today there are four cylinder engines that generate more power than the 1980s-era V-8’s. I mean a new V-6 Toyota Camry could beat Sonny Crocket’s Ferrari in a race to 60 mph/100 kph.

Our engines are more and more powerful and at the same time their fuel economy keeps inching up – even with steep St. Peter gas prices. They are also amazingly reliable: Kudos to the automotive engineers. But the advances come at the price of simplicity. The modern vehicles driven around MN are so much more complex from a mechanical standpoint that it makes your head spin – not to mention the electronics.

Some vehicles have several networked computers controlling most of the engine functions and many other vehicle operations as well. St. Peter motorists take all of this sophistication for granted, but somebody has to fix it when it breaks. It’s a real challenge for Autotronics of St. Peter in St. Peter technicians to keep up, but we work hard to stay ahead of the technology. It requires a high level of commitment on the part of the technicians and the St. Peter service centers as well.

Autotronics of St. Peter technicians receive training through a combination of formal classroom training, training provided at Autotronics of St. Peter by parts and equipment manufacturers, online courses and home study courses.

In addition to the expensive training, there’s the financial commitment for Autotronics of St. Peter to purchase the diagnostic and repair tools.

There are many independent certifications held by the pros at Autotronics of St. Peter. The ability to repair your vehicle requires a strong combination of training and resources. No one can know everything, so St. Peter auto service centers subscribe to data services, technical libraries and even online communities that can help them when they run into a difficult problem.

It’s like those medical diagnosis shows on TV. Here are the symptoms – what’s the diagnosis and treatment? Diagnosis is every bit as much an art as a science. At Autotronics of St. Peter, we want everything to be simple, straightforward and inexpensive – but sometimes it just isn’t.

The next time you bring us your vehicle, don’t worry. You’re in good hands at Autotronics of St. Peter.

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

Uneven tire wear, the car pulling to one side or a steering wheel that is off-center are signs for St. Peter drivers that their wheels may be out of alignment.

When doing an alignment inspection, the service advisor at Autotronics of St. Peter will inspect your tires for uneven wear as well as suspension and steering parts for signs of wear or damage. He?ll also compare your current alignment with the vehicle manufacturer?s settings.

Your vehicle owner?s manual will have a recommendation for when to check alignment. Of course, this recommendation is based on normal driving. If you have been in a crash, hit a curb/pothole, frequently drive off-road around St. Peter, or notice any symptoms of misalignment, have your Autotronics of St. Peter service advisor perform an important alignment check.

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

Used vehicles are certainly an economical choice for budget-conscious St. Peter drivers. But how can we know we’re getting a good used vehicle and not just inheriting someone else’s problems?

There are good used vehicles for sale in the St. Peter area. Vehicles are sold when families upsize, when families downsize or even when someone just wants a new ride. So the used vehicle may be just fine. But some St. Peter used vehicle owners sell them because they don’t want to deal with developing or existing problems.

When you’re considering buying a used vehicle in St. Peter, ask for service records. Check to see if the recommended schedules for preventive maintenance have been followed. If so, you probably have a great used vehicle on your hands. If there aren’t any service records, then assume the worst.

Check the vehicle for obvious signs of problems. Kick the tires if you want to but definitely check them for uneven tread wear. This can indicate alignment problems, worn shocks or suspension issues. Listen to the engine for unusual sounds and pay attention to unexpected odors. Take the vehicle for a test drive and make a list of any concerns you might have.

If the used vehicle you’re looking at is a late model vehicle with under 35,000 miles/55,000 km on it, take it to Autotronics of St. Peter for an inspection. This inspection will reveal many basic or developing problems. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Autotronics of St. Peter about concerns you had on the test drive. Get a heads-up on needed repairs or maintenance.

Previously leased vehicles are often tempting to used vehicle buyers because they are generally newer models with low mileage and have been factory-cleaned. Be cautious, however. Many St. Peter residents who lease vehicles don’t bother with preventive maintenance because they know they’ll be turning the vehicles in. Again, ask for maintenance records, take the vehicle in for a full-service oil change and consult with the pros at Autotronics of St. Peter about any problems the vehicle may have.

Older used vehicles are even more problematic for St. Peter used car buyers. Older vehicles simply come with more maintenance and repair issues than new ones. Take these in for a used vehicle inspection at Autotronics of St. Peter. Usually, a seller will let you do this before you purchase the vehicle. These inspections are very thorough and will help you know what you’re getting into. You’ll be able to make an informed decision about your purchase. That peace of mind will make the cost of the inspection more than worth your while. It’s always good auto advice for St. Peter drivers to purchase a Carfax report on any used vehicle. This report will let you know if the vehicle has been in a major accident and will give you a title history. You’d be surprised what used vehicle buyers have learned from those reports. Know before you buy.

Once you purchase a used vehicle, give it some tender loving care. Give it a thorough cleaning, inside and out — and don’t forget the engine compartment. A good wax on the outside will make it look and feel “new.” And, of course, stay on top of preventive maintenance. Used vehicles bought in MN can last a good, long time if they’re properly cared for. They’re economical to buy and can keep on saving us money if we look after them.

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