ADVANCED
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ON FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC VEHICLES
REPAIR SERVICES
The first step in repair is to diagnose. Here at Advanced Automotive Service, we are a full-service maintenance and repair facility. Upon diagnostic conclusion, we make a point to contact you with a full estimate and to inform you of the advised services before we start with the repair.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
When your check engine light comes on, you may be torn between utter panic and just wanting to ignore it and hope it goes away. That's perfectly understandable. That same check engine light could come on for anything from a serious engine or transmission problem all the way down to a loose gas cap.
There's a very common misconception that the trouble codes stored in your engine computer when your check engine light comes on will specifically identify a problem. It's really more like pointing to the symptoms of a problem.
Think of taking your temperature. Say it's 101. Your heat sensor – the thermometer – tells you that your temperature is out of the normal range. But it doesn't tell you why you have a fever. Is it the flu or a sinus infection? You need more information; more tests.
For any given trouble code, there could be a number of causes. So we take the trouble code as a starting point and begins a diagnostic process to determine the cause of the problem. Some problems take longer to solve than others.
When your engine management system logs a problem and illuminates the check engine light, we will plug in a scanner, download the trouble codes and go to work tracing the cause of the problem.
If your check engine light is flashing it means that the problem could lead to serious damage. You should get to your local Park Rapids MN service center as soon as possible to get the problem solved. If it's on but not flashing, you have some time to get in at your convenience.
FUEL PUMP
Your fuel pump sends fuel from your fuel tank to your engine. Sometimes fuel pumps fail – usually with little or no warning – and they need to be replaced.
The majority of fuel pumps are inside the fuel tank, so getting to them can be a big deal. In some vehicles the fuel tank must be removed to access the pump. Depending on the design of the vehicle and the condition of the fuel tank, it may need to be replaced along with the pump.
As you can imagine, that is pretty labor intensive. It’s also dangerous because that flammable fuel must be properly handled; so don’t try it at home.
There are some best practices we follow that you should know about. First, it’s recommended that the entire fuel pump assembly, including the electrical relay, be replaced. When one component has failed, another one is probably close to failure. With all of the labor involved, replacing the entire assembly is a long term cost saver.
Another best practice is to always use a quality replacement pump that matches your original equipment specifications. So-called universal replacement pumps may spin at a different speed than the engine management computer is calibrated for. The mis-match could cause performance and longevity issues.
There are some things you can do to help your fuel pump last longer. First, don’t let your fuel tank run too low. When fuel is low, the pump has to work very hard to suck up enough fuel from the bottom. Also, the pump is submerged in fuel which cools and lubricates it. Re-fueling at a quarter tank or so will extend fuel pump life.
Also, E85 gasoline can damage your fuel pump if you do not have a Flex-Fuel vehicle. The high level of ethanol can damage seals in your fuel system creating a fire hazard.
DISC BRAKES
Your brakes are extremely important as you drive. Having good brakes just keeps you out of trouble. You'll want to carefully maintain your brakes. With disc brakes, brake pads rub on a disc – or rotor – to slow the wheels.
The brake pads are attached to a caliper that squeezes the pads against the rotor. It's kind of like how squeezing the handbrake on a bicycle pushes the brake pads against the wheel of the bike.
Now pads just wear away with use – kind of like a pencil eraser wears out. The good news is that replacing brake pads is a straight-forward repair.
If you hear squealing or grinding when you use the brakes, have us check them out. We'll perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done. We'll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they're working properly.
We can tell you if it's time to replace the pads or if there are other issues with your brakes that should be addressed. Some people ignore the warning signs and keep driving long after the pads are completely worn out. When that happens, metal brake components will grind on the rotor, damaging it enough that it needs to be resurfaced or replaced.
Rotors can also warp or crack, in which case they'll need to be replaced. Brake calipers also wear out over time. They can develop leaks or the caliper pistons can freeze open or closed – either way it's not good. When this happens it's time to replace the calipers. A thorough brake inspection will reveal worn bearings or seals as well.
The new brake pads we put on your vehicle will restore your brakes to manufacturers' specifications. Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust. We have several options to meet your braking requirements and your budget.
Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and you could prevent premature brake repairs down the road.
There are numerous mechanical and electrical issues that may arrise with your automobile; Advanced Automotive Service is ready to face ANY of your repair needs that you may encounter.
Call us to schedule your diagnostic and repair appointment today: (218)732-1164