Find the Right Transmission Repair Shop

Due to the complexity of transmission service, choosing the right mechanic to perform a transmission repair can determine whether your vehicle will continue to give you many more miles of service, or whether it will give out "before its time."

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Get an Estimate!

As with any vehicle service, obtain an estimate for a transmission repair before approving the work to be performed. Know what the estimate covers, and what it doesn't cover! If possible, compare multiple quotes in order to make a sound decision based on quality and value. Due to the wide range and severity of problems that can occur and the variance of costs involved in a transmission repair, it is advised to get mechanics to explain exactly what is wrong and what is required to fix it. They should also be able to give you a clear estimate as to what the price will be once they have done basic diagnostic tests.

Do some research!

To find a quality transmission repair shop with a solid reputation:

• Ask friends or family for a recommendation of a mechanic or auto shop who preformed a quality transmission service or repair for them.

• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence: Use their shop locator for finding certified mechanics.

• Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA): This association can help you find a shop that follows ATRA's Code of Ethics.

• Make sure the shop offers a warranty on their transmission repair. If not, don't use them!

• Pay attention to the appearance of the repair shop itself. Good repair shops are clean, inviting, and customer-centered. Less attractive options are dirty, poorly operated, and not as focused on the customers they're supposed to be serving.

With careful attention to certifications, warranties, and shop conditions, it's easy to find a low-cost, high-value transmission repair shop that can get the job done right.

For expert advice on transmission repair, contact an ASE-certified technician at a convenient Excel Auto Center. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for more information about transmission service and to find the location closest to you. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Failing Brake Rotors Lead to A Brake Replacement!

As most vehicle owners know, if they keep their vehicle long enough, it will start needing several forms of maintenance and repair, including a brake replacement. That is unless the vehicle never leaves the driveway. However, if regular maintenance has been kept up on the braking system, or a brake repair took place as soon as problems were noticed, such as for warped brake rotors, a brake replacement is usually minor, and thus not too costly. Just like all the other systems of your vehicle, if problems are ignored or neglected, a brake replacement can be rather expensive because of other damage that could take place in other components of your vehicle.

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Don't Let Failing Brake Rotors Cause a Brake Replacement!

The most common component of the braking system to fail is brake rotors. They have a highly machined surface where the brake pads make contact. Unfortunately, rotors will eventually wear out, usually in the form of ridges and groves where the pads rub against them. Damage to the rotors can be caused by worn-out pads. The cost of your repair will increase significantly if you have to replace both the brake rotors and the pads.

If your auto mechanic can machine and resurface the rotors, the cost of the repair will be lowered considerably. But this can only be done a certain number of times, as you can create the risk that thinner rotors will warp due to the high heat caused by the friction between the pad and disc. A certified brake repair specialist will be able to assess the condition of the rotors and advise you as to whether the rotors can be resurfaced, or whether they should be completely replaced.

Remember: For "stopping problems," schedule an inspection of your braking system, especially the brake rotors! Stay safe!

Need your brake rotors inspected? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our convenient Excel Auto Centers. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find out more about our brake replacement services. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Brake Repair: Please Explain Payload Effect!

Does payload really make a difference when it comes to the efficiency of brakes? You've seen the commercials for pickup trucks--heavy-duty machinery hoisting construction materials so hefty that when placed in the bed of a truck, the entire back dips under the weight, and then bounces back up. Most pickup drivers want to able to carry a large payload. But not all trucks are made the same. Be sure to read your owner's manual for the listed payload.

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What is Payload? Payload is the amount of weight a vehicle can safely hold. There are three main issues of "pay load" that affect the safe handling of a vehicle:

• Weight -- Overloading will change how a vehicle steers and brakes. Even a heavier payload that is within a safe amount puts a strain on brakes because there is a higher braking temperature. The increased weight can also make steering more difficult. Imagine walking and stopping while carrying an empty cardboard box—then think about what it would feel like carrying 200 pounds in the box. This same concept applies to a vehicle's payload.

• Distribution – ¬How cargo is distributed also plays a role in how payload affects steering and braking. The center of gravity can be shifted by where the weight is placed in the back of a truck. A heavy or oddly distributed payload has been known to cause brakes to lock up.

• Shifting – Always secure cargo properly, adding padding as necessary to keep the weight from shifting. This not only prevents damage to the cargo, put will also prevent unnecessary strain on the brakes.

Note to Remember: Avoid sudden or hard stops while driving with a heavy payload to help keep the strain on brakes at a minimum. If in doubt as to the correct payload your vehicle can handle, be sure to ask your brake repair specialist for professional advice.

Need quality brake repair? For answers to any questions about brakes, contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our convenient Excel Auto Centers. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.

Radiator Service: Don’t Let It Blow!

Spring has arrived! Now is a good time of year to get a radiator service. No one wants to get stranded on the side of the road on a hot summer day! A professional radiator service will keep your car running smoothly and protect your engine from overheating, resulting in a radiator repair. A dependable vehicle doesn't just happen--it requires your attention, time, and some financial investment.

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So take the pressure off and cool down your radiator by taking preventative maintenance measures and complete any radiator repair that is needed. Keeping your vehicle cool under the hood may only mean a quick radiator service, or it could involve a more complex radiator repair. A trained technician can perform a detailed inspection of your vehicle's cooling systems to determine what type of radiator service or repair work is needed.

Here is a time-line for some of the essential radiator service to take care of periodically to keep your vehicle's cooling system functioning efficiently:

• Every 15,000 miles or 12 months –
1. Inspect and adjust belts and hoses for leakage
2. Inspect radiator, water pump, and core plugs
3. Inspect pressure cap

• Every 30,000 miles or two years –
1. Replace belts and hoses as needed
2. Replace pressure cap
3. Drain, flush and refill cooling system

• As recommended or as needed -
1. Clean deposits from the entire coolant system.
2. Remove the old anti-freeze and replace with new clean anti-freeze.
3. Use additives in the radiator fluid to increase the proper flow of coolant and thereby optimizing the performance of the cooling system.
4. Add coolant conditioner to revitalize gaskets and seals.

Remember, prevent overheating and breakdowns on the road this summer with professional radiator service!

Need a quality radiator repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at an Excel Auto & Tire Service center. We will be happy to help you with any of your vehicle maintenance issues. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our 3 auto shops in the Twin Cities area are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.

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Advanced Technology for Automotive Service!

Automotive service is becoming more and more complex with each year. The automotive industry is now considered as "high-tech." When it comes to automotive repair, you've undoubtedly heard references to today's cars being much more high-tech than their predecessors. What does "high-tech" really mean as it relates to the automotive industry?

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"CAR," Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit research organization based in Ann Arbor, MI, recently released a report stating that if an industry sector meets certain criteria and contains certain characteristics, it is considered high-tech. A high-tech industry is generally described as having 10% or more of its workforce consisting of technical employees, such as engineers. CAR's report summarized that the automotive industry is not only high-tech, it "leads the pack" when it comes to technological developments and applications.

Some facts reported by CAR:

• For every vehicle manufactured worldwide, an average of $1,200 is spent for research and development by automakers.
• Around 60 microprocessors (four times as many as just 10 years ago) is contained in today's vehicle.
• The average vehicle has more than 10 million lines of software code in a typical computer network--over half the lines of code that reportedly run Boeing's 787 Dreamliner!
• Approximately 4,800 patents are granted to the automotive industry every year.
• GM and Ford individually spend more money on research and development than either General Electric or Apple.
• Five automakers—Volkswagen, Toyota, General Motors, Honda and Daimler—are among the top 20 in all corporate research and development spending.
• 40% to 50% of the total cost of a vehicle is comprised of electronics (just 20% a decade ago).
CAR's report suggests that the most complex purchase ever made by consumers is their automobile. The report concludes that jobs in the automotive industry will require workers to obtain advanced training and skills to equip them for designing, building and maintaining the high-tech components found in today's modern vehicles.

Need the help of automotive repair professionals? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our three Excel Auto Repair service centers. We will be happy to answer your questions. Check our website atwww.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find out more about our automotive service. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in  Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.

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Don’t Ignore 5 Important Vehicle Maintenance Items

When your car's running reasonably well—there's a strong temptation to leave it alone. But you've heard it over and over again from reliable mechanics: Don't wait for something to go wrong before taking care of vehicle maintenance items. By monitoring the health of your car and being proactive, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run, not to mention gain peace of mind behind the wheel.

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Here are five car maintenance items that every driver should take care of:

1. Check the Oil -- The various seals in your engine will inevitably deteriorate with age, allowing oil to seep out that could result in oil contamination or a full-on engine seizure. Check that dipstick—when the engine's warm—at least 2-3 times between oil changes. If the oil level drops rapidly, don't just "top it off" with an extra quart and hope for the best. Report the issue to your mechanic before your oil light comes on.

2. Tires -- Tires play a huge role in your vehicle's ability to stop and turn effectively. Invest a few bucks in a tire pressure gauge and check the tire pressure every thousand miles or so (when the tires are cold) and add air as required. Correctly inflated tires can be the difference between slamming into the car ahead of you or stopping in time. You will get better fuel economy, too! Also, have your tires rotated regularly to promote uniform tread-wear. If the tread dwindles down to the wear bars, order a new set immediately. It's worth the extra cost to make sure your vehicle drives safely.

3. Brakes -- Brakes and tires work together--one can't deliver safe stopping distances unless the other's in good shape. Ask your mechanic to check your brakes every time your car's in the shop. You should also watch out for telltale indications of brake decline, especially squealing noises, pedal softness, and pedal vibration. It could be time for new pads or rotors—or both.

4. Transmission -- If you're having transmission problems, make sure you schedule a car maintenance service as soon as possible--don't end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, at the mercy of whatever garage is close. Mechanics don't commonly road-test transmissions as part of basic vehicle maintenance, so it's up to you to identify and report signs of problems in normal driving, such as clunky shifts (a.k.a. "shift shock"), an increasing reluctance to downshift, and "slipping," which is roughly when engine speed and throttle response become volatile because the transmission has lost its ability to hold gears. If you're lucky, you might just need fresh transmission fluid, but it never hurts to ask your mechanic whether what you've been noticing is anything to worry about.

5. Recommended Vehicle Maintenance Services -- Scheduled car maintenance can sometimes cost more than you'd prefer to spend, but it's worth it. Follow the appropriate service schedule in your owner's manual to prolong the life of all the parts that make your car function smoothly. These schedules are provided by the vehicle's engineers as an instruction manual for keeping everything operating together at peak efficiency.

Have questions about a needed vehicle maintenance service? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our convenient Excel Auto Centers. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and make an appointment for a car maintenance service. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in  Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.

Afraid To Take Your Vehicle to an Auto Repair Shop?

With the price of fuel still eating a hole in our budget, most vehicle owners have learned the importance of fuel economy. However, it appears that many vehicle owners are hesitant to take their cars to an auto repair shop for needed maintenance and auto repair work. It seems they would rather trade their older vehicles in on new cars and many consumers have now downsized into smaller and more fuel-efficient cars.

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However, as the prices of new vehicles are also rising, smart vehicle owners will understand the connection between regular preventative maintenance and increased fuel mileage. It is the same as making a long-term investment by preventing more costly auto repair work.

Kelton Research published a study in recent years showing that nine-in-ten American vehicle owners believe they do everything they should to properly maintain their vehicle. However, the study went on to show that only 41 percent of these owners actually followed the manufacturer's service recommendations for their vehicles. Only 28 percent serviced their vehicles at dealerships, and just 23 percent made sure to use only authentic manufacturer parts. The study further reported that less than one in four (23 percent) of vehicle owners work together with a qualified mechanic at a local auto repair shop to help them develop a maintenance plan.

It is easy to deduct from the stats above that there are a lot of vehicles on the road that are greatly in need of some type of auto repair. This could make for some scary driving!

Don't be afraid to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for regular scheduled maintenance. The facts speak for themselves--it is much less expensive to maintain regular vehicle maintenance than to purchase a new vehicle or to be surprised with an unexpected and costly auto repair!

Need a quality auto repair to keep your vehicle running safely down the road? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our convenient Excel Auto Centers. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.