Tag: North Branch

Paying close attention to your vehicle’s warning lights is one of the surest ways to know whether your vehicle needs a minor automotive service, or a more extensive automotive repair. The dashboard lights are color-coordinated according to the severity of the warning (i.e., yellow is caution, red is serious). Each time you start the car, all of the lights and indicators appear as the car’s computer checks each system. When the lights go out, the computer has verified that each of the vehicle’s systems is functioning properly.

If an indicator light remains on several minutes after the car has been started, or if it comes on while driving the car, you should be concerned about it. You will want to treat all dash warning lights like traffic signals.
The two basic kinds of warning lights; Yellow and Red, are further described below:
Yellow Warning Lights –

On most cars, a yellow “Service Engine Soon” light means “proceed with caution.” Your car’s computer system has indicated a potential problem and is alerting the driver.

The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is telling you that you need to consult a technical manual and/or schedule an automotive service. If the light comes on while you are driving but doesn’t come back on again, the computer system probably corrected the problem without any further intervention.
Common problems that may cause the “Service Engine Soon” light to come on are:

* computer-related problems, such as faulty sensors
* anti-lock brake systems
* safety restraint systems, such as air bags
* emissions components

Red Warning Lights –

A Red Warning light indicates an immediate danger to your car and you should immediately pull over and turn off the car. Whatever caused the red light to come on can be a safety issue (i.e., brakes), so proceed with caution as you maneuver to stop the vehicle.

Unfortunately, when the red light comes on, the problem is already occurringthis is NOT a pre-warning. It can be a matter of seconds before permanent engine damage occurs. Call for road-side assistance for automotive repair.
Problems that normally cause red warning lights are:

* low oil pressure
* engine over-heating
* brake failure
* transmission over-heating
* low battery voltage.

Like smart phones, vehicles these days are ‘smart’ and are continuously monitoring the performance of your vehicle.

For professional automotive service, contact our ASE-certified technicians at A&C Automotive & Machine by calling 651-674-4733, or go online at http://aandcautomotive.com for more information. Since 1985, our auto center has served vehicle owners in North Branch, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Harris and Stacy, MN.

Regular automotive service to keep a properly maintained and operated vehicle is definitely a win-win situation. It will decrease the pollution impact on our environment, and ensure that your vehicle will run more efficiently, last longer, and be safer. In addition to saving our natural resources, you will find that in the long run, you will save time and money that you would otherwise spend for automotive repair.

Take care of the environment and your vehicle with these automotive service tips:

Car Tune Up. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner’s manual. For example, a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%.
Tires Properly Inflated. Under-inflated tires, alignment problems, or wheels out-of-balance will make the engine work harder to push the vehicle, thereby wasting fuel. Maintain your tires so they will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires in the tire graveyard.
Maintain your A/C. Air conditioners contain gases that have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. Make sure your A/C is serviced by technicians certified to handle/recycle refrigerants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost one third of the gases released into the atmosphere come from vehicle air conditioners; either by leaking, or escaping during an automotive repair.
Dispose of used vehicle parts properly. Used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries should not be dumped on the ground or in open streams. Many auto shops will dispose of these used items for you, or call your local government for recycling sites.
Observe speed limits. Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible. Speeds above 55 mph will decrease mileage. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-go’s.
Limit idling. Shut off the engine if waiting more than a few minutes. Don’t worry about those five-minute warm-ups on cold mornings as today’s vehicles are designed to “warm up” fast.
Lighten the load. Remove excess items from your trunk. Less weight means better mileage. Store luggage in the trunk (rather than on the roof) to reduce drag.
Eliminate unnecessary driving. Consolidate your daily errands. Join a car pool.
Remember: How you drive, how your car runs, and how you dispose of old parts and fluids, will have lasting consequences on the environment. Leave your mark for good!

Need quality automotive service? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at A&C Automotive & Machine by calling 651-674-4733, or go online at http://aandcautomotive.com for more information. Since 1985, our auto center has served vehicle owners in North Branch, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Harris and Stacy, MN.