Albert Lea Auto Repair

WD (Weight Distribution) hitches have been around for a long time and can be an asset when towing large or heavily loaded trailers. Designed for use with bumper pulled trailers (the name used for all trailers connected to a hitch behind the rear axle) or RV trailers. WD hitches come in many different configurations and can offer additional features like sway control or tongue weight gauges. Let’s touch on why you would want a WD hitch, the advantages and disadvantages of different designs, and how to pick the correct WD hitch for your application. First, we need to explain the purpose of the WD hitch to understand why it can be an advantage when towing. When you’re towing a trailer with a standard rear hitch, the tongue weight of the trailer presses down on the trailer ball, which acts like a tetter totter with the rear axle as the pivot. As the trailer presses down, weight is placed on the rear truck axle and removed from the front steering axle. This is not a problem with ... read more

Trail Ratings From a Trail Guide Point of View We trail guided at the amazing Crawl 4 the Cure event in Gilbert, Minnesota this year. It is a supurb event, put on by a great organization, led by wonderful people with huge hearts, raising money for Multiple Sclerosis and we get to do some off-roading at the same time. We look forward to attending this event every year. Several years ago, I was encouraged by my friend Gemini Kuether to try trail leading for this event and she would “trail gun” for me. Which is the person at the end of the group who makes sure we don’t lose anyone. I am very familiar with the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Park up there as we have been going there every year for more than 20 years. With that said, the trails do change from year to year. What was easy last year might be extra spicy this year. You just never really know until you’re on the trail. The beauty of the trails in Gilbert is that there are alternate lines or parallel trail ... read more

Has this happened to you? You’re out running errands and make a quick stop at the store only to get out to a car that doesn’t start or you’re on the way out the door for work only to find the truck doesn’t start. It can happen to anyone at any time. Do you know what to do? Here are some tips to help you figure out what to do next. Let’s start by determining what kind of no start you have, which helps narrow down what to do from there. Each situation requires a different approach. Knowing what is and isn’t working will provide some direction on what to do and at least help you gather some important information to communicate with your repair facility. Engine cranks over but doesn’t start – Listen to the sound of the engine while you try to start it. Does it sound normal, or does it seem to spin faster than normal, or crank over unevenly? Does it pop, like it is trying to start? Are there any unusual dash lights on? Norm ... read more

Planning a Great Road Trip! I love road trips! I often say that I only need half of a good reason to go on a road trip. I enjoy the adventure of the travel, exploring new areas, sights along the way, and memories made with my fellow travelers. For me, the road trip begins when I leave the house. It is more than just traveling to the destination; it’s about the travel itself. I can turn a regular drive home after work into a memorable road trip just by taking an unusual route home. There are cool sights along the roads all around us. You just need to slow down and look for them. Here are my best tips to turning your next drive into a memorable road trip. Plan your route - The first step to any great road trip is proper planning. It starts with answering a few questions. What kind of adventure are you looking for? Do you want to make stops along the way or are you looking to view the scenery without stopping? Are you traveling a short distance or long distance? H ... read more

Choosing the right gasoline for your vehicle is essential for optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and engine longevity. With various fuel types and octane ratings available at the pump, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let’s see if we can clear up the confusion today. Why the Right Gasoline Matters Different vehicle engines are designed to run on specific fuel types based on their engine design, compression ratio, and performance requirements. Using the correct fuel ensures: Optimal Performance – The correct gasoline allows your engine to operate as designed, delivering the intended power and performance. Fuel Efficiency – Proper gas prevents inefficient combustion, maximizing your miles per gallon. Engine Life – Incorrect gas can cause knocking, wear, or damage to engine components leading to costly repairs. Warranty Compliance – Using the manufacturer recomme ... read more

Are you new to the world of off-road trail driving? Maybe you just purchased your first Jeep and now you want to see what all the hype is about. Well then, this is the article for you. I’m going to touch on a few key points and share some tips to get you out there having fun on the road less traveled. I’d like to help take some of the frustrations out of your travels and keep you moving on the trail having a great time. Read along and see if you are aware of these tricks for trail driving. On Trail TipsAiring down – This is simply letting air out of your tires to improve ride quality and traction by increasing the footprint of the tire. There is a bit of an art and science to it, but the short answer is getting your tires aired down to the 10-15 PSI range makes a dramatic difference on how the vehicle rides and how much control you will have off-road. See my article &l ... read more

This article might stir up a hornet’s nest of opinions, but it is an important question to consider. Does a person need to return to the dealer to get their vehicle serviced properly? Is there an advantage to dealer service over independent repair facilities? What can I or should I expect from both? What’s in my best interest as a vehicle owner? Today we will answer these questions and more. The opinions in this article will be based on my more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry working as an automotive technician, parts store manager, business owner, and vehicle owner. We all know what a dealership is, it’s the place where many go to buy a new ride or new to you used vehicle. It’s usually a big place with lots of windows, shiny new vehicles, and some used vehicles. They like to proudly display big well-lit brand specific signs out front. Let’s focus on the service departments of those car dealers. Typically, when you purchase a vehicl ... read more

Recommended Recovery Equipment for Off-Road Adventures It’s time to start thinking about gearing up for summertime adventures. Time to dig out your toys and get them ready for some fun. Maybe you are part of the select few that never put the toys away through the winter or your summer toy is your daily driver. If you wish to seek the trail less traveled, it is a great idea to be prepared for the unexpected. Let’s face it, none of us think we’ll get our rigs stuck or disabled, but sooner or later it is bound to happen. Having the right recovery gear with you can help you get back on the trail safely and successfully. It’s more than just the gear though, it’s about having the right gear and knowing how to use it properly. Nobody wants to get hurt or destroy their rig unnecessarily while they are out having some fun. Take the time to collect the right gear and learn how to use it properly. Today, I’m going to focus on some recommended gear, but I can&r ... read more

Warmer weather is on the way! Soon it will be time for those summer road trips and travel plans you have been thinking about all winter. Before you know it, you’ll be loading up the vehicle, corralling the children, and hitting the road. Are you ready? Is your vehicle ready? Do you know what should be checked before we enter the warm season? Let’s explore what you should look at or have looked at before you take the next summertime road trip. Tires - Cold weather and salty roads are hard on everything, including your tires. Check the tire pressure and fill them with the recommended pressure as stated on the driver’s side door placard. Tire pressures vary depending on the temperature outside. Check the overall condition of your tires. Look for weather cracks in the outer casing and the depth of the tread. The state minimum is 2/32” but we have found that due to the weather extremes and changing road conditions in Minnesota, 4/32” is a real ... read more

Breaker, Breaker Is There Anyone Out There? Since the beginning of motor vehicle travel, people have been looking for good ways to communicate between vehicles while traveling. Driving alongside each other and yelling out the window has its limitations. The US military was one of the first to start using radio communications to speak to troops in moving ships, aircraft, and vehicles. The original equipment was big and bulky, but it worked much better than yelling out the window! Radio communication made its way to civilian use in 1945 when the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) created the Citizen’s Radio Service. The early CB (Citizen Band) radios were UHF around 460 MHz. In 1948 the FCC reallocated the 27 MHz band for citizen use, making it easier and more affordable for individuals to use. The original CBs started out with only 23 channels, and you needed a license operate them. By 1977 the FCC expanded CBs to 40 channels and dropped the need for a license for operation ... read more