Myths passed around our New Ulm MN community start with a grain of evidence and are then built up with a lot of imagination and very elastic logic. And the internet is a breeding ground for automotive myths. Some bloggers recall the trucks of yesteryear and declare their modern decedents to be virtually maintenance free and that anyone who says otherwise is out to rip you off.
To get the truth about auto myths you hear around the New Ulm area, come over to Mike's Collision & Repair Center. You'll find us at 809 20th North, New Ulm, MN 56073. Give us a call at 507.233.4470 to make an appointment for your next auto service.
Let's examine a couple of the more popular rants and look at the truth behind them.
The first one is that the chassis no longer needs lubrication for suspension, steering and the driveline. They declare that anyone who has charged you for lubrication is a charlatan.
The truth on which this myth is based is that many new cars come from the factory with sealed joints and cannot be greased. However, there are still some grease points on many cars around New Ulm. A grease fitting may have been installed in conjunction with a repair. And most trucks and truck-based SUVs driving in New Ulm still require chassis lubrication. This is because they are more heavy duty and proper greasing is still required to keep them going.
Another common rant you'll hear around New Ulm is that modern cars don't need tune-ups. That depends on your definition of a 'tune-up', which has changed as technology has progressed. Before engine control computers, electronic ignition and fuel injection, a tune up meant replacing mechanical parts that wore out. Mike's Collision & Repair Center would manually adjust fuel and air mix and timing. When these adjustments were off, spark plugs would foul and need to be replaced.
This definition just doesn't apply to modern vehicles. Service centers like Mike's Collision & Repair Center generally consider a tune-up to be the major service visit, recommended by your manufacturer, every 30,000 miles or so.
Of course you can't lubricate a sealed joint. Of course you can't adjust a carburetor if your car doesn't have one. You probably don't need to change spark plugs every year if your manufacturer says they can go 30,000 miles. What are these bloggers getting so worked up about?
The danger with these modern-day myths, is that they prevent people in our local New Ulm community from taking care of the routine preventive auto maintenance that manufactures recommend. Check out this partial list of things you still need to do to take care of your car. How many of them are really any different today than they were 20 or 30 years ago?
You get the picture. Your truck is still a machine that needs to be maintained. And, hey, your service advisors at Mike's Collision & Repair Center have always adapted to keep pace with automotive technology. Next time you come across an angry voice about your car care, talk to your New Ulm service advisor at Mike's Collision & Repair Center, or do some research of your own.
Posted in the Maintenance category
Steer Right In Courtland
Posted June 13, 2013 11:43 AM
Virtually all vehicles come with power steering so many New Ulm car owners have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your truck steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer.
Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent years, a lot of Courtland vehicles have an electric motor that reduces steering effort and helps improve fuel economy.
The other kind of power steering is hydraulic. This is the kind most older MN vehicles, and a lot of newer ones, have. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a pump and is used to assist steering. Of course, Courtland car owners need the right amount of fluid in the system. If it’s too low your steering is affected and you could damage your truck pump.
Also, power steering fluid can become corrosive over time and damage the pump, hoses and connectors; leading to leaks and repairs. Power steering service at Mike's Collision & Repair Center in New Ulm includes removing the contaminated fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.
A word about power steering pumps: Some are powered by an electric motor. Others are driven by the serpentine belt. A worn serpentine belt stresses all of the truck components it drives, including the power steering pump, so replace the belt at Mike's Collision & Repair Center as advised to avoid undue repairs.
Losing your power steering while driving in New Ulm can be unsettling – just remember that you can still steer, it’ll just be harder. Check with your knowledgeable Mike's Collision & Repair Center technician to see if it’s time to service your truck power steering system.
In addition to power steering service, at Mike's Collision & Repair Center we offer comprehensive automotive services including air conditioning service, windshield wipers and tune up.
Give us a call
Mike's Collision & Repair Center 507.233.4470 809 20th North New Ulm, MN 56073
Posted in the Steering category
Fuel Saving Tip: Check Engine Light
Posted June 4, 2013 9:34 AM
Here's a question for New Ulm, MN motorists: How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your check engine light?
Hey, it's not there to create ambiance; it's a warning that something's wrong. (And, by the way, Homer Simpson's fix of covering it with tape is not a good idea.)
If your check engine light comes on, check your gas cap. A loose gas cap can cause a false sensor reading that'll make the check engine light turn on.
Many conditions that trigger the check engine light can hurt your gas mileage. A lot.
If your date's eyes are smoldering in the soft glow of the check engine light, try to think of all the gas money you'll save by getting it fixed. Give Mike's Collision & Repair Center a call when you are ready: 507.233.4470
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