Let's face it. It's January here in the Northwest Metro, and today it's cold. Tonight will be even colder, and tomorrow will be, too.  When the temps drop this low, there's one thing I'm sure of. If you're cold, your car is too. 

One of the biggest reason people bring their cars to us in this cold weather is because their battery is dead.  Jumper cables or charging your batter with a battery charger may get you back up and running short-term, but often when it's this cold out even those options aren't reliable. Which means, it may be time for a new battery.  

Precision Auto Repair can get a new battery installed in your vehicle and get you back out on those frozen roads quickly and safely. 

See below for our NAPA battery, starter and alternator promotion. Now - February 28th, 2022.

Now through February 28, 2022, receive a rebate on any of the following when purchased and installed at Precision Auto Repair:

• Napa Legend Battery ($10 rebate)
• Napa Legend Premium Battery ($20 rebate)
• or qualifying Starter or Alternator ($20 rebate)

Additionally, receive a pre-paidVisa card by claiming online at naparebates.com by March 15, 2022.  Limit of two (2) Battery rebates and a limit of one (1) starter and alternator rebate per customer or household /address. ​

Save $25 on any service (can be combined with other offers) one time per season at Precision Auto Repair with our 2022 Seasonal Savings Card! You can find our savings card in our Precision Auto Repair app, or just let Rob know when you are in the shop that you'd like to use your "winter" seasonal savings. Good through March 31, 2022 (only one savings per season per customer, please). 

47 percent of consumers will keep their cars longer than they initially intended to; you can thank the pandemic for this. If you planned on getting a new car, but like many others, are putting these plans off, it's crucial that you know how routine car maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle. 

With that being said, here are some need-to-know tips to keep you driving in the right direction!

Check the Quality of Your Tires

The tire is the only point of contact between your car and the road, which means that if they're not in good condition, then you will begin to feel their impact. Inspect them closely every time you fill up with gas; look for cuts or bulges. If you find anything wrong, get them fixed immediately!

If your auto service provider notices your tires are worn out, it's best to have them replaced.

Monitor Your Cars Oil Levels
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Your car's engine is like the heartbeat of the vehicle; it pumps the oil to the rest of the vehicle to ensure it's working correctly to get you from place to place.

It's essential to keep an eye out for any warning signs or signals that there's something wrong with the engine. Your car owner's manual will contain specific information about your car model, but it's best if you take it to a car repair and maintenance shop to be checked.

When you bring your vehicle into Precision Auto Repair, we perform a 40-point check and email or text you the results. Think of this as a report card for your car, we'll let you know what pieces within your vehicle are working correctly or passing (green), needs work (yellow), or are failing (red).

Here's a sample of the report we will send when you bring your vehicle in for routine car maintenance.

Inspect the Wear and Tear of Break Pads

Your brake pads activate whenever you need to slow your car down or come to a complete stop. When the brake pads start to wear down, it will be difficult for you to stop your car.
This will affect how well you can brake in an emergency situation and increase the amount of noise coming from your breaks.

If you have issues stopping your car, it's a key indicator that your brake pads need to be replaced.

Don't Let the Radiator Fluid Get Low

You've heard someone say their car is 'running hot; this is a way of saying the car has overheated. But how does this happen?

If you have a radiator in your car, it helps to keep the engine cool by circulating fluid through the engine block. You mustn't check or touch the cap of your radiator when the cap is hot.

To ensure you remain safe, taking your car to a professional that knows how to diagnose auto problems is the safest bet. There may be an auto problem that could lead to more issues down if not repaired correctly.

Car Maintenance 101: Your Engine Light is On

To ensure the longevity of your vehicle, you've got to perform routine maintenance. The auto industry is constantly advancing its auto technology to ensure auto safety and auto performance.

Failure to keep up with auto maintenance could lead to a more significant issue resulting in a car not working at all or increased car maintenance costs. Are you in the Albertville, Minnesota area and need reliable auto services?

Schedule your appointment with Precision Auto Repair and let us get you from point A to point B using our car maintenance checklist!

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Precision Auto Repair is an AAA approved auto repair partner in the Albertville, MN area, and it is a partnership we are very proud of. 

When you are a AAA member, you never need to worry or be stressed out about car repairs ever again. AAA approved auto repair shops like ours offer an exceptional auto repair experience  by our highly trained auto maintenance and repair staff here at Precision Auto Repair.  All of our technicians are trained to meet or exceed the high standards set by AAA, and AAA actually inspects  the facilities of all of their approved partners to ensure we meet their requirements. 

So if you live or are traveling in the Albertville, Otsego, Rogers, or St Michael area and are looking for a AAA approved auto repair shop in the area, please check us out. You can have your vehicle towed directly to us, and we even have a secure after hours drop off box for your keys right next to our door.  There are forms in the drop off box that you can fill out to let us know what is going on with your vehicle and we will call you the next business morning.  

Give us a shout at 763-497-1677 or reach us via our website at:  precisionautorp.com. 

Welcome to Precision Auto Repair!  We are here to help you with your auto repair and maintenance needs in Albertville every Monday - Friday, and we also have a secure after hours drop off box if you need to leave your car with us after we have closed. 

We have a new drop off box right near our front door, and it has a place to drop your keys and a slip to fill out giving us some information on your vehicle as well as your contact info. 

So whether you are an early bird or a night owl, feel free to drop off your vehicle and keys and we will contact you as soon as possible after opening on the next business day.  

​When you turn the key in the ignition and you hear a series of rapid clicks but nothing else, it's easy to think your car battery is to blame. While that can be true, here are some ways to help determine if it is your car's alternator instead. 

1.  Service Engine Light - When your alternator starts to go back, it can cause your "check engine" light to come on. If your car has more specific messaging, you may even see "ALT" or a battery icon indicator.  

2.  Dim Lights - Dim or flickering lights is one of the most common signals that your alternator may be starting to fail. It can be more obvious at night, but if your interior / dashboard lights brighten when your vehicle is increasing speed (increasing RPM's), then you should have your alternator checked asap. 

3.  Odd Noises - If you hear a squealing noise, growl or grinding noise while driving, these are all signs that your alternator may need some attention. 

4.  Engine Stalling - if your engine cuts while driving, it is often the alternator, caused by lack of fuel injection due to lack of electrical power. Without fuel, the engine dies. 

5.  Electrical Issues - If power seats and/or windows start to fail or are slow, this is a sign they aren't getting enough electrical power, which again, points to a faulty or worn out alternator. 

6. Dead Battery - If the alternator fails, the vehicle will quickly use up your battery's capacity, even if it is new. This can completely drain your battery. People will replace their battery but not check their alternator, and this can result in being stranded once again. 

If you suspect your alternator is failing, give us a call at 763-497-1677 and we can get your scheduled for a diagnostic test and evaluation. 

This month is all about mom, and we are ready to help you celebrate her by winning a $100 gift card towards any spa service with Advanced Practice Esthetician Tanya St Marie at Insparation Salon in Albertville, MN! 

Below is a menu of Tanya's services at Insparation Salon. The winner will receive the gift card from Precision Auto Repair and can schedule with Tanya on or before July 30th, 2021 at:  (763) 497-5054. 

To enter, simply share this post on your timeline up to one time per day and each share will be considered an entry. We will draw the winning name on Friday, May 7th.  Winner will be notified via Facebook, and can pick up the card at Precision Auto Repair during normal business hours.  

There is no purchase necessary to win, and there is no cash value for the gift card at any time.
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One of the most common problems we see at Precision Auto Repair is when people skimp on regular maintenance on their car.  They come in for regular oil changes and such, but balk at spending to maintain other basic functions of the car. One such problem that arises when this happens is they neglect to change the air cabin filter. It's an easy one to say "oh, not today", but   most people  don’t understand the real dangers of not changing air cabin filters regularly – partly because of the way cabin air filters have been marketed. Why? Because they think if it doesn't smell bad, no need to change it. Really.

But many problems occur when it isn't obvious by smell alone. The reality is that a foul-smelling cabin is not the most pressing problem drivers will face if they never change the cabin air filter or don’t change it often enough. Depending on the season or weather conditions, a clogged cabin air filter can be downright dangerous. Suddenly, a clean cabin air filter is less about comfort and more about safety.

When a cabin air filter gets clogged, a lack of airflow will occur in the dashboard vents and will result in poor defrosting and defogging as well as reduced air conditioning and heating within the car. The other problem is the added stress that gets put on the system's blower motor. If air flow gets completely blocked, it can cause the motor blower to fail.  Trust me when I say that when this happens, it would have been much less expensive to replace the air cabin filter. 

Changing the cabin air filter isn’t just about air quality –it is also a safety concern and the maintenance is very important to the overall health of your car. 

We check your air cabin filter when we inspect your vehicle at every shop visit and will let you know if it needs replacing.  If you have further questions, or would like to schedule an appointment please visit our home page at precisionautorp.com or give us a call at 763-497-1677.  

Thanks! 

​Rob and Rudy 

April is National Car Care Month, and here in Minnesota, we know why!  After a grueling winter of snow, ice, salt and sand, regardless of the age or shape of your car it probably could use some TLC.  

Below is Rob's 5-point spring vehicle maintenance checklist to help you prepare for spring so you can enjoy the wonderful weather and roads. 

1. Get your oil changed.
Getting your vehicle's oil changed at the appropriate intervals is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your car. Motor oil lubricates and cools the engine when driving, and as it does it picks up impurities. When oil becomes too old, it becomes thick and slow, and cannot protect your engine.  Having your oil checked and changed at the beginning of each Minnesota season is a great way to make sure this is always taken care of correctly and on time. 

2. Have your car battery tested.
​Minnesota winters are tough on car batteries, and we guarantee you don't want to find out your battery is dead when you go to start your car and head out for work, school, or a day of fun. Lower temperatures force batteries to work harder, and higher temperatures will use up more essential battery fluids and speed up corrosion.  Leaving a drained battery until the last minute will always result in the same outcome. Your car won't start. 

3. Check tire pressure and tread.

Try to check your tires before you drive your car for the day. You may need to adjust the pressure accordingly. Be sure to know what the recommended tire pressure is in your vehicle manual, and ensure all four tires have approximately the same pressure. It's important to check your tire pressure between seasons because the temperature can cause fluctuations in tire pressure.  Be sure to start your season off on the right tread by completing this simple check at home, your local gas station or at our shop. Spring is also a good time to check on your tire tread, because Minnesota roads wear on tire treads more than many other locations in the U.S.  Google the tire penny test - it's a great way to quickly and easily see the condition of your tires. 

This is the perfect moment to check tire tread depth, too. Without sufficient tread, your tires can’t grip the road as they were designed to do. This could compromise your car’s handling in wet weather and your ability to come to a quick stop. Thankfully, you only need one thing to check tread depth (and it’s not fancy). Grab a penny and perform the penny test!

4. Check / replace your wiper blades and wiper fluid.

Springtime is ALWAYS a good time to replace windshield wiper blades and fluid when you live in Minnesota. Ice, snow, sleet and rain take a toll on wipers in the winter, and so a fresh set will make driving in springtime rain much safer (and clearer). New wipers and topped off fluid will also help you while driving in bug season, and we all know what that is like during the Minnesota summers.

5. Check your exterior lights and replace as necessary.

The winter months make our vehicles dirty, and it does the same to our vehicles. Unfortunately, car washes don't always reach the dust and grime on exterior car lights, so go ahead... give them a good scrubbing and polish while you're at it.  Don't forget your tail lights! 

We hope this list helps you get your car ready for springtime driving and ensures you're ready to cruise on in to summer. Whether you'll be driving across our great state for summer fun or across the US, having your car in top top shape will make your spring and summer driving that much better! 

Remember, our spring seasonal savings discount is available April - June, so don't forget to use it when you come in. You'll save $25 on any service at Precision Auto Repair. If you don't have a card, just ask!  

Here are the top 5 questions we get asked about noisy brakes and what to do about them:

1. Why does my car make noise when I brake?
2. Why do my brakes sound like they are grinding?
3. What is brake dust and does it mean my brakes are wearing out?
4. What does it sound like when your rotors are bad?
5. Why do I hear thumping when I apply my brakes?

When you apply your brakes, pressure on the rotor slows the wheels down and stops your car. With properly functioning brakes, you should hear minimal if any metal to metal noise.
Typically, the first sign of brake-pad wear is a high-pitched squealing. A metallic grinding sound means that brake pads may be damaging the brake rotors, and immediate attention is required. This grinding sound is how you know your rotors are going bad.

Brake dust doesn’t just show up. It is mostly iron that comes from the abrasion of the rotors and the pads, and some cars have more of an issue than others. However, it does not typically require attention… just cleaning if it bothers you.
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Other sounds like thumping in the front or rear of your car while braking can indicate an issue with the drums or rotors, and should be checked out by your mechanic ASAP.

If you are ASE certified and have at least two years of experience at an auto repair shop, we would love to chat with you! We offer paid leave, an employee retirement IRA match, a 4 or 5 hour work day (we're flexible) AND you'll never ever work an evening or weekend. 
If you're interested, please fill out the form below and we will reach out to you.  

Please also feel free to share with this with someone you think might be a good fit. Thank you!