There’s a segment of the St. Peter area population that’s not committed to proper vehicle maintenance.

Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers). So tune-ups used to force you in to Autotronics of St. Peter for service, and while you were there you just took care of whatever else was on the list.

Also, in recent years, a large percentage of new vehicles in St. Peter have been leased. These folks plan on turning the vehicle in after two or three years, so they haven’t focused on the maintenance that helps a vehicle last longer.

Given all that, what’s the benefit to keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your vehicle will perform better and return better fuel economy.

Those benefits pay for themselves as they go along. The big plus is that major repairs are prevented. And these aren’t just repairs that are a long way off. Modern vehicle engines are far more sophisticated and have many parts that are in critical need of proper lubrication. Missing just one oil change can allow oil sludge to start forming. Sludge clogs small engine passages, robbing parts of the lubrication they need. An expensive failure could easily occur within two or three years.

And modern engines require more sophisticated fluids. Because of the different types of materials that are used to make auto parts, things like aluminum, plastics and steel, different types of additives are required to protect automotive components from corrosion. These additives deplete with time as well as with use.

Taking care of the little things now prevents big problems later. At Autotronics of St. Peter, we have been taking care of all those little things for years. Your vehicle still needs to be taken care of – it’s just that some of those points of care have changed with automotive advancements. The need for proper maintenance in St. Peter drivers vehicles did not go away.

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

Any St. Peter driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for St. Peter residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of this is the serpentine belt.

The serpentine belt gets its name because of its circuitous path around the engine. The serpentine belt is driven by the engine and powers a number of systems, as follows:

1. The serpentine belt spins the compressor that generates the cool air for the air conditioning system.
2. The serpentine belt powers the alternator. The alternator generates electricity for use in the vehicle’s electrical systems and to charge the battery. Without the alternator, the battery wouldn’t last more than a few miles.
3. In many St. Peter residents’ vehicles, the serpentine belt runs the pumps for both the power steering and the power brakes. In other vehicles, the power steering pump may be electric and the power brakes may use a vacuum boost.
4. On many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump keeps coolant circulating through to maintain appropriate operating temperatures. In some MN vehicles, a timing belt runs the water pump.

When a serpentine belt fails, all of these systems fail as well, which can lead to engine impact.

Replacing parts before they break saves money for St. Peter residents by preventing more repairs and the frustration of having your vehicle in the shop for an extended period of time. If you’re looking for an adage to apply to good car care, you might remember the old story of how “for want of a nail, the kingdom was lost.”

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

About 90% of our driving decisions in the St. Peter area are based solely on what we see. So having a good pair of windshield wipers is extremely important.

Most St. Peter drivers have experienced the frustration and fear of not being able to see clearly during a storm, or when our vehicle windshield is just dirty. In fact, it’s estimated that 46,000,000 drivers across the nation are driving with wipers that can’t adequately clear their windshield in a storm.

It seems like our wiper blades are always at their worst when we need them the most. If that sounds like you, you’ve got plenty of company in the St. Peter area. 78% of drivers only change their wiper blades after the blades function so poorly that they become a safety hazard.

St. Peter drivers need to change their thinking. Instead of blades being something to replace when they fail, we need to consider wiper blades as vehicle safety component. Then we’ll stay ahead of the storm.

St. Peter vehicle owners really ought to replace wiper blades twice a year; in the spring and the fall. If you live in the colder parts of MN, you may even want to get special winter blades in the fall.

Winter blades are made to resist freezing. Speaking of winter and freezing St. Peter conditions, if your vehicle has been sitting for a long time and the windshield becomes frozen, don’t use your wipers to clear off snow and ice. That can shred your blades and may even damage the wiper motor.

Your wiper blades live outside in the freezing cold and blistering sun. Over time, they become hard and brittle, and then tear. They also lose their flexibility and just don’t clear the vehicle windshield effectively. Worn wiper blades aren’t just a safety hazard for St. Peter drivers; they can also scratch their windshield. That may require replacing the entire vehicle windshield – that’s the consequence for neglecting such a small part.

Autotronics of St. Peter recommends St. Peter drivers replace worn blades right away. We can provide you with a quality replacement blade. At Autotronics of St. Peter, they cost about the same as they would at the store – but installation is included.

Of course you also need washer fluid to help your blades do their work. Even though Autotronics of St. Peter will top off the washer fluid with a full service oil change, it is a good idea to have some extra fluid at home. Take it with you if you’re heading out on a road trip.

Always use windshield washer fluid. Plain water, even that fancy French bottled water, just doesn’t cut it. It can freeze in the fluid reservoir or on the windshield itself, making things worse. Besides, water won’t clean your windows as well.

So follow these tips to keep your windshield clear and your eyes on the road.

Find us at:

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