St. Peter drivers may have an alignment problem if their car drifts or pulls to one side, the steering wheel’s off center, they notice uneven tire wear or the car doesn’t feel like it handles right as they drive down St. Peter, MN, streets and roads.

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Running into potholes, smacking a curb or other objects around St. Peter are great ways to knock a car out of alignment. Then one or more of your wheels start pulling in a slightly different direction and the problems begin.

The team at Autotronics of St. Peter in St. Peter wants you to know that driving for an extended time when your car is out of alignment causes your tires to wear unevenly and excessively. Sometimes the tire can be worn so badly that it will fail.

At the very least, those who drive with wheels out of alignment will have to replace their tires sooner. You could end up with premature wear to your suspension system, which can be expensive. The front wheel alignment is adjustable on all vehicles, and the back wheels are also adjustable on some cars.

Now, let’s discuss some alignment basics. Wheels are adjustable for toe, caster and camber. The ideal alignment for your car was designed by its engineers.

So, what is involved in an alignment check at Autotronics of St. Peter in St. Peter? First, there’s an inspection of the steering and suspension to see if anything is bent or broken. Tire condition will also be evaluated.  Next, the vehicle is put on an alignment rack and we take an initial alignment reading.

If all four wheels are adjustable, they are lined up perfectly parallel with the vehicle’s centerline. If the back wheels aren’t adjustable, the direction they push is determined and the front wheels are aligned to match.

Like most things, vehicle manufacturers have recommended a mileage interval for having alignment checked. But if you run into a curb, pothole or something else that’s given you a big jolt, pay attention to whether your vehicle is pulling to one side when you drive around the St. Peter area. It’s better for vehicle owners to have their alignment checked before waiting to see if there is uneven tire tread wear; by then, the damage is done.

Getting your alignment checked at Autotronics of St. Peter when necessary is a great way to extend the life of your tires and suspension parts. It also makes sure that your tire meets the road properly for maximum performance and safety in MN.

Come see us at  for more information about your tire alignment. We look forward to serving you.

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

With St. Peter gas prices being what they are, many of us in MN are driving less and looking into purchasing smaller or more efficient vehicles. St. Peter area residents who have to drive a lot, have large families or need four-wheel drive are particularly hard hit by the cost of fuel in MN. But there are things all St. Peter drivers can do to save fuel: We can improve our driving habits and stay on top of preventive maintenance at Autotronics of St. Peter. These things make small savings possible, but they can really add up.

Let’s start with driving habits. One major gas-eater is jackrabbit starts. A smooth, gradual acceleration uses a lot less fuel. It’s also easier on your engine and drivetrain, so you’ll prolong their lives as well.

If you drive with one foot on the brake, stop. That creates drag, increasing fuel usage and reducing the useful life of your brakes.

Slowing down can really add up on gas savings over time for St. Peter drivers. Driving five to ten miles over the speed limit can use up 10 to 15% more gas. The time savings is only a few minutes per hour, so the cost per minute can be rather steep.

A little extra planning can save fuel for vehicle owners  in St. Peter as well. Leave a little early so you have time to slow down and still arrive on time. Also, plan errands ahead of time and group them as much as possible. Driving shorter distances is a great way to save fuel.

Using your cruise control where safe can save on fuel. Check your owner’s manual for guidelines on when cruise control is recommended and when it isn’t.

Clean out your trunk. Every ounce in your vehicle translates to a bit more fuel required to drive around St. Peter.

Many St. Peter residents let their car warm up during the winter – a major fuel drain. Your engine doesn’t benefit; modern engines don’t require a warm up to get up and running, although it’s best to take it easy on them for the first few miles.

Now that we’ve gone over a few tips for improving driving habits, let’s talk about the maintenance of our vehicle. Good car care at Autotronics of St. Peter in St. Peter actually pays for itself in fuel savings.

First, if your gas cap is leaking or worn, get a new one.

Second, keep your engine clean. Clogged fuel filters, dirty fuel injectors and plugged PCV valves all cost you in loss of fuel. Replacing them or cleaning them will both improve fuel economy and increase the power you’re getting from your engine.

Third, don’t ignore your Check Engine light. Problems that cause that light to come on usually affect your fuel efficiency.

Fourth, check your ‘s owner’s manual for service that should be regularly performed on your vehicle, and follow the schedule. Or talk to your friendly service advisor at Autotronics of St. Peter . Oil changes, transmission checks and cooling system service all improve fuel economy if they’re done when needed. Low fluids and dirty fluids also create conditions in your vehicle that require more fuel. So routine maintenance is a must to maintain fuel economy and save cash.

Last, keep your tires inflated. Underinflated tires increase your vehicle’s friction with the roadway, which increases the energy it takes to move. Keeping your tires properly inflated is great for saving gas as you drive around St. Peter.

So if the cost of gas in St. Peter has got you searching the sofa for extra pennies, you might want to start making a few changes in your driving habits and getting your vehicle the service it needs at Autotronics of St. Peter in St. Peter.

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

St. Peter drivers know that if their air conditioning system isn’t making cool air like it used to, there is a problem. It may be as simple as adding more of the right kind of refrigerant.

Your A/C requires special compressor oil, which circulates through the system along with the refrigerant, to lubricate and protect expensive components and keep seals and gaskets from drying out. If refrigerant has leaked out – so has the compressor oil. This oil needs to be replenished whenever refrigerant is added.

An air conditioning inspection at Autotronics of St. Peter will uncover any potential problems and identify any necessary repairs needed to get St. Peter drivers on the road to cool air once again.

Give us a call.

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