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! 

Many of us have good intentions of following the recommended maintenance schedule when we buy a new car. Whether brand new or new to us, it’s easy to have good intentions when it comes to car maintenance, but we often become complacent or listen to others who like to share their wisdom when it comes to car maintenance.

People often ask us what car maintenance services are really necessary and when should car maintenance be done.

The answer is really pretty clear and simple:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine when you should have specific maintenance done, and make sure that you follow the scheduled laid out for you in your owner’s manual as closely as possible.

Properly maintained automobiles are safer and stay on the road longer. If you are unsure of what scheduled maintenance should be done when, give us a call! We’d be happy to help you out. Additionally, if you are a Precision customer, we will have all of the records necessary to let you know when your last services were done and what is coming up, PLUS send you an email when scheduled services are coming due.
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Extend the life of your car and avoid costly and unexpected repairs with proper and regular maintenance. It’s much easier and less expensive than waiting until your car is breaks down.
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