Albert Lea Auto Repair

Choosing the Correct Snowplow I know, talking about snowplows in September seems crazy. This is actually the best time to have a discussion because it is the season of manufacturer rebates on snowplows. In case you didn’t know, Sanderson Auto Repair is an authorized dealer for Boss and Snoway plows and they both offer significant rebates in the fall! So, let’s talk about snowplows. Let’s start with why you would want a snowplow. Here in the Midwest, we have the pleasure of four distinct seasons throughout the year. Each season has its own benefits and challenges. The winter season can be beautiful; however, it can be brutal and snowy sometimes too. Shoveling snow is challenging enough on its own, but factor in the cold wind and it can become dangerous. Some choose to upgrade to a snow blower which is usually faster but chucks the snow in the air and that can be challenging for the operator. It can be hard to see and can cover the operator with lots of snow. Or you c ... read more

Before diving into maintenance recommendations on GDI engines, it’s important to understand what makes them different from other fuel injected engines. The changes in fuel delivery methods started in the pursuit of engine power and fuel efficiency. The development of fuel injection systems began around the 1930s for use in aircraft engines. Using mechanical fuel injection systems, engine manufacturers found that they could more precisely deliver fuel to the engine during all operating conditions, thus reducing fuel consumption and increasing power. By reducing fuel consumption, the aircraft developers were able to extend the range of the aircraft while reducing operating costs. By the 1950s, fuel injection systems began to make their way into the automotive market. Mercedes Benz was one of the earliest adopters of this technology in their 1954 300SL. It used a Bosch direction injection system on their 3.0L six-cylinder engine instead of a carburetor. The vehicle was a wild succes ... read more

That statement is the beginning of so many campfire stories! I’ve been guilty of saying it more than once. It’s like I know better, but just can’t resist. Let’s say that we’ve been out on the trail all day. Regular folks would be ready to head back to camp, but what’s around that turn up there or look at how fun this trail looks on the map, let’s go check it out. I can hardly resist the temptation! Yes, I might’ve been down that trail last year or maybe even last month, but the trails are always changing. Maybe a tree has fallen across the trail that we can climb over, or a big rock rolled down onto the trail. It’s the constant search for the unknown and unexpected that draws me in like a strong magnet. I always want to see what is around the next turn or over the next hill. Even driving a slightly broken rig doesn’t diminish my desire to go explore. If it still moves under it’s own power, it’s game on let’s ... read more

Is a License Required to Repair Vehicles? Modern vehicles are an intricate blend of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems that all need to operate together in perfect symphony to function properly and efficiently. A professional automotive service technician needs to understand how those systems function and work together to be able to properly maintenance and repair your automobile. Unlike other service industries such as plumbers and electricians, which require state licenses to work in those fields, the automotive industry doesn’t require the individual technician to hold a state license to work on vehicles. The business location is required to hold a state license to operate. The main difference is that plumbers and electricians travel to the customers’ location to perform their work. Many times, they operate independently from their coworkers. Which is why they both have established education paths that the service technicians must follow to become certified t ... read more

Prone to Wander – The Value of a Proper Wheel Alignment Have you experienced the terror of driving an old truck with excessive play in the steering? You’re trying to maintain your lane on the highway while frantically turning the steering wheel back and forth a full quarter turn before the vehicle responds.  Feeling like you’re playing bumper cars with the painted lines trying desperately to avoid any road construction situations.  Maybe it’s the family car that pulls so hard that if you take your hands off the wheel for just a moment, you’ll shoot into the other lane of traffic.  You detest driving it because of the pull, but you don’t have another choice.  How about driving your motorhome in the wind?  White knuckles gripping the steering wheel tightly trying desperately to just stay on the road, cold sweat running down your back while you’re questioning your life choices and trying not to puke.  Maybe it&rsquo ... read more

The Common Practice That Can Lead to the Early Death of Your Engine It’s so common that it has become normal for most drivers. So normal that many people might think that I’m “paranoid and delusional” or “just trying to sell them something”, but that is not what is going on here. As I state my case, think about what you have been told in the past. What your Dad, or your Grandfather, or Uncle told you growing up. What the car salesman may have told you when you purchased your last vehicle. Perhaps some of the vehicle manufacturer literature you have read. Even what your vehicle is programed to tell you. Some of this information may be based on old information, much is based on what the manufacturer would like you to believe based on testing in ideal operating conditions. Maybe it’s a buddy or neighbor who thinks he’s a “mechanic” because he can keep his lawn mower running or, heaven help us, you saw it on TikTok. So, what&rsq ... read more

Wipers and Windshield Coatings Vehicle windshields first started out as an optional luxury feature in early vehicles beginning in about 1904. The early versions were made of simple plate glass and could fold out of the way for cleaning and were removable. They became standard equipment in 1915 Oldsmobile vehicles. By the 1920s they started using laminated glass to make them more robust and protect vehicle occupants from glass shards. The first curved windshields showed up by 1934 to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics. Wiper blades share a similar history and have an interesting story of origin. The invention of wiper blades, as we know them, is credited to Mary Anderson during a trip to New York in the winter of 1902. She was riding on a streetcar (aka trolley) and observed the driver struggling with poor visibility. The driver had to frequently stop the vehicle, open the split pane window, and lean out to manually wipe away the melting snow, exposing himself and his passengers to th ... read more

Filtering Out the Ick and Grit Grit: Ick, you’re smelling particularly fowl today. Is that a new scent? Ick: (Smiling manically) Why yes, it’s called Fermented Rodent. Do you like it? Grit: Not really, it’s making my abrasiveness sharper than normal. I don’t know whether to thank you or grind you to dust. Ick: Perfect, just what I was going for. We don’t need you to go smooth or anything. Next week I plan to break out the Summer Swine Farm just for you. Grit: That will definitely sharpen my edges! Vehicle air filters, both engine and cabin are designed to keep the grit, both large and fine, out of the engine and passenger compartment. The fine grit particles are very abrasive over time and can reduce the life of the vehicle engine and cause wear on the vehicle interior surfaces. It is very important that the engine has a significate source of clean air to keep it operati ... read more

How many times do you let the gas pump handle click when you’re filling your gas tank? Do you like to round off the cost to the nearest dollar? Maybe you like to make sure your tank is as full as it can get, and keep clicking the handle until it doesn’t pump anymore? Or do you have some special system where you fill it until it clicks, wait 30 seconds, then click it again, and continue until you’ve reached precisely three clicks of the pump handle? I’ve found that it varies depending on who you ask, but what is the right way to fill your gas tank? Well, today is your lucky day because we’re going to answer that question and provide you with some interesting knowledge along the way. To fully unpack the conundrum of filling your gas tank, we need to understand how the gas pump handle clicks off in the first place. The fuel fill nozzle was first developed in 1938 by Richard C. Corson. It’s an elegant example of a completely mechanical design that uses t ... read more

Ole: (strutting into the local café wearing his best flannel) Yah, Sven, I have an appointment today at dis fancy auto shop in Albert Lea.  I called ahead, told ‘em I’m Ole Gunderson, a big-time farmer from Kiester.  Dey gotta roll out da red carpet for me, you betcha! Sven: (laughing) Oh, yah, Ole? You tink da auto shop is gonna treat you like some kinda Viking king? Dey’re fixin’ cars, not servin’ lutefisk! Ole: (puffing out his chest) Sven, I got da premium oil change package! I read it on da internet - $99.95 for the “Platinum Elite Service.” Dat means I get the works: free coffee, a shinned up truck, and maybe even a foot massage while dey change my oil! Sven: (still laughing) Foot massage? Ole, you been eatin’ too much pickled herring. Dey’ll probably just hand you a stale donut and tell you to sit in da watin’ room with last year&rsq ... read more