Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Need a Car Battery Replacement? No Power, No Performance!

A vehicle cannot provide reliable transportation without a continuous strong electrical current surging throughout a vehicle's electrical components. No matter how proficient the other components are, they still cannot make the car do its job without a strong car battery. If it doesn't have the necessary power, or if a car battery replacement becomes necessary, every electrical component in the vehicle will be adversely affected.

If you are looking for Car Battery Rochester MN your search can be over now with our Excel Auto Repair Rochester MN shop. Find us for Vehicle Maintenance Rochester MN to solve any of your vehicle problems.


If your car starts having electrical issues, a weak or dead car battery is one of the most likely causes. An electrical accessory left on for an extended period of time or a faulty electrical component can drain the power out of a car battery. When there is not a sufficient charge, there is not enough power to start the engine. You will hear clicking noises, or slow turn-over when attempting to start the engine. If the battery is too old, or just worn out, it is probably not rechargeable and you will be looking at a pending car battery replacement.

Stop guessing as to whether or not your vehicle needs a car battery replacement. Here is a simple way to check:

    * Turn the vehicle's windshield wipers on. Do they move much slower than usual? Look at the dome light. Does it dim when trying to start the engine or when turning on the wipers? If so, the car battery is most likely discharged or not fully charged.

If the car battery is relatively new, it can be recharged by jump-starting your car and letting the engine run for awhile. Be aware however, if the car battery is more than 4-5 years old, it might be completely dead. If this is the case, it won't take a charge and your car won't restart after you turn the engine off. It's inevitable that a car battery replacement is needed.

As a word of caution—problems with your vehicle's charging system could be the cause of the battery not to re-charge. Have your car' electrical system checked out by your auto mechanic in order to determine if there are other problems other than a dead car battery.

For a car battery replacement, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at an Excel Auto & Tire Service center. We will be happy to help you. Check out 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.

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Is a Car Tune Up Necessary?

"Car tune up" is probably the most misused and misunderstood all automotive terms. Merriam-Webster defines "tune-up" as a "general adjustment to insure operation at peak efficiency."

If you are looking for quality Tune up Car Rochester MN than contact our Excel Auto Repair Rochester MN shop. Find Air Conditioning Repair Rochester MN mechanic to solve all your air conditioning problems.


    * Yesterday's vehicles -- Older model vehicles have a simple ignition system--one ignition coil for each spark plug. The coils are adjusted so that they each provide equal spark intensity, resulting in better idling and acceleration. These coils make a buzzing sound as they work. If they are adjusted properly, they all buzz in tune. Thus, the term "tune-up," applied to the service of replacing spark plugs, distributor points, inspecting or replacing the cap and rotor and possibly replacing the fuel and air filters. It also included several adjustments--point gap, ignition timing and idle mixture.

* Today's vehicles – On newer model vehicle, distributors are gone and even spark plug wires may be missing. An onboard computer adjusts fuel mixture, timing and idle speed control. Just spark plugs, fuel and air filters, and the PCV valve remain of the items that were considered part of a "tune up." Spark plugs may also disappear someday.
What is the purpose of a tune up?

Because the term "car tune up" can mean so many different things, manufactures don't list it in their maintenance schedule, but they list the individual items at specific miles or duration of time. Every auto repair shop determines what their particular meaning of a "tune-up" consists of--what parts are replaced and what type of tests are performed. While one shop may consider a "tune-up" as just replacing a set of spark plugs; another shop may replace spark plugs and other ignition components, fuel and air filters, PCV valve and include testing to verify the electronic system is doing its job.

Should you request a tune up?

If you request a car tune-up, ask what is being included. Don't expect it to cure your performance problems. A tune-up is a maintenance procedure and if it makes your car run better, you waited too long for the service. Performance problems on today's cars are usually caused by something that is not normally replaced during a maintenance tune-up. Many of the performance problems are caused by a malfunction sensor or control unit. If the spark plugs or fuel filter are overdue, get them replaced to see if it helps, but if they're not, have a qualified technician with the correct testing equipment diagnose the performance problem.

Is it time for a tune up? 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, and Rochester, MN.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Radiator Service: Keep your Cool with these 4 Tips!

As the hot summer months are here, you will want to give special attention to your vehicle's cooling system. Regular radiator service is vital in avoiding overheating and protecting the engine from high temperatures. Follow these maintenance tips to keep your vehicle's cooling system operating at peak efficiency and prevent a costly radiator repair:

If you are looking for Tire Rochester MN than contact our Excel Auto Repair Services Rochester MN. Also find Radiator Repair Rochester MN mechanic to solve all your vehicle problems.

1. Check Fluid Levels – Check the cool

ant level regularly, about once a month. Also, make sure that the reserve tank or overflow tank levels are where they should be. If the levels are too low, schedule a radiator service. Your auto mechanic will know the appropriate mix of antifreeze coolant that should be added.

2. Drain and Flush -- Dirt and contaminants build up in the cooling system over time. Antifreeze can also become acidic and lose its effectiveness. A radiator service will include draining the radiator and refilling it with new coolant and water. This service should be done at least once a year in colder climates, and at least every 18 months to two years in warmer climates. To keep the clean antifreeze/coolant flowing efficiently, the radiator should be flushed to remove all other dirt, contaminants and other metal particles that may restrict the flow.

3. Check Caps and Hoses -- Check the radiator cap and water outlet cap on the reserve tank for cracks or other damage and replace if they appear damaged. Inspect the hoses and tubes connecting the radiator to the water pump, thermostat and reserve tank for cracks or cuts that may result in antifreeze leaks. Hoses can become dry and brittle, so replace them about every three or four years.


4. Check the Tanks -- Visually inspect the radiator tank and reserve tank every few months. Small cracks that begin as very small pinholes or punctures can be easily repaired. However, if left unattended, they will become larger and difficult to repair, leading to a costly radiator repair.

Add radiator service to your summer planning list. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at an Excel Auto & Tire Service center. We will be happy to help you with any radiator repair 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.