Albert Lea Auto Repair

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

When Should I Change My Oil? This is a very important question that is worth your consideration. It is a question that will get many varying answers depending on who you ask. OEM manufacturers will commonly say anywhere from 7,500-10,000 miles under “normal use” depending on the engine and the vehicle make and model. Independent maintenance and repair facilities will usually recommend oil changes more frequently than the OEM recommendations. Maybe you have a friend or relative that never changes their oil and has “never had a problem”. What is the right thing to do? Let’s delve into some key points used in determining the proper oil change interval for your vehicle so you can make the best decision for your application. We should start with the basics of what an oil change is and why does it need to be done. An oil change consists of replacing the oil filter with a fresh filter, draining the old oil, and filling the engine with new oil of the correct visc ... read more

What Is a Tune-Up and Why Do I Need One? What do you think of when you are told your vehicle needs a tune-up? Does that mean an oil change? How about spark plugs or a filter? Maybe it means some kind of fuel injector cleaner labeled as “tune-up in a can”, or is it just a good inspection? It’s one of those automotive terms that can mean different things to different people. Let’s look back at what the term historically meant before we look forward to what it means now. Way back at the dawn of the automotive area, the Ford Model T was first unveiled in 1908. It was designed as a cost-effective vehicle that many people could afford. Introduced at $825, and due to the development of the assembly line, the price dropped down to $260 by 1925. These vehicles are simple in design but require significant maintenance to keep them operating at peak performance. With daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance schedules, the vehicle owner got to know their vehicle intimately. I ... read more

Can I Save Money by Fixing My Vehicle at Home? Bob says, “We can fix that wheel bearing next Saturday.” Which could potentially save you $600! Sounds good right? Who doesn’t like to save money? I know I do. The bigger question is, will you actually save money doing the repair yourself? Let’s start our story from the beginning and see how it plays out. You drive a 2010 Ford Edge, silver in color. It is your only car, and you use it every day. It makes a humming noise that gets louder the faster you go. You brought it to your local shop, and they told you that you have a front wheel bearing that has failed and needs replacement. They quote you about $650 to get it replaced. You freak out a little bit! $650 can’t be right! You look on-line and find the wheel bearing for about $25 plus shipping. Your buddy, Bob, says he knows how to fix it, and he can help you next Saturday. Great! You’re saving bank and Bob likes to be paid with beer. The only problem ... read more

Driveline Service: What's the "diff"erence? Driveline, A.K.A drivetrain, service is easy to overlook. Driveline components are located under your vehicle and are easy to ignore. Making proper inspection and maintenance vital to the reliability and longevity of your vehicle. Failure to maintain these systems can lead to unneeded expense and downtime. The good news is most of these systems will last the life of the vehicle with proper maintenance. You can find the specific maintenance intervals for your vehicle in the owner’s manual. Remember to look at the “Severe Use” maintenance schedule. For more information as to why, see our BLOG from March 2024 “What do I need to know about Interval Service of my vehicle?” Let’s discuss each component and the industry’s best maintenance practices for each. Automatic Transmission: Automatic transmissions can be very costly to repair or replace. Regular maintenance is vital to the long ... read more

What do I need to know about Interval Service of my vehicle? Interval Service is what vehicle manufacturers call their maintenance schedules for their vehicles. The maintenance schedules are different for every manufacturer and can vary from model to model. The maintenance schedule for your vehicle is in the owner’s manual. I know, who looks at an owner’s manual anyway? Well, if you would like to get the maximum life from your vehicle investment, it would be a good idea. Here are a few key points to know before digging out your seldom/never used owner’s manual. The first thing to determine is how is your vehicle used. Is it considered “normal use” or “severe use”? You might be tempted to say, “I drive my car nice” or “I only drive to the store or work”. I must be a “normal use” driver, right? Most vehicles operated in the United States would be considered “severe use”. Read on to find out why ... read more

So, you purchased your first vehicle or are new to maintaining a vehicle. What do you need to know about keeping your vehicle reliable and on the road? What are the vital steps to take to make sure you can count on your vehicle when you need it most? Waiting until you are broke down on the side of the road is by far the most expensive way to maintain your vehicle. Here are some great ways to prevent that situation! 1. Get to know your vehicle. Each vehicle has its own quirks and peculiarities. Almost like a personality. Get to know the personality of your vehicle. Learn how to operate the systems that your vehicle is equipped with. It may have many creature comforts, but do you know how to use them? Your owner’s manual will have more details about each system related to your specific vehicle. Headlights. Know how to manually turn them on and off if the automatic function quits. Door Locks. It may seem silly but with most vehicles using power ... read more

  What do I need to know about shocks and struts?   Most modern vehicles provide the operator with a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks in part to your vehicle’s suspension system.  A critical component of the vehicles suspension system are the shocks and struts.  Often overlooked, these parts play a vital role in ensuring not only your comfort but also your safety on the road.  Let’s explore what you need to know about shocks and struts. The Basics: Shocks vs. Struts Before getting into why you would need to replace either, it is important to understand the difference between shocks and struts. While they provide the same function in a vehicle, to dampen suspension oscillations, how they are incorporated into the vehicle suspension system is very different. Shocks (Shock Absorbers) These are usually hydraulic, and gas filled cylinders that control the bouncing motion of the vehicle tires and ... read more