AUTONET TV

The Right Automotive Fluids for Cold Spring Drivers

All those automotive fluids can be confusing for Cold Spring drivers. Recent years have brought new grades of engine oil, types of transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid. The right fluid protects your vehicle and helps it perform at its best. The wrong fluid won't work as well and could even cause damage.

In addition to new grades of engine oil, many vehicles now leave the factory with synthetic oil. People in Cold Spring should always use the grade recommended by their manufacturer.

All coolant, also called antifreeze, used to be green. Now there are several other colors of coolant sold at Bauer Auto Service in Cold Spring. Each type is designed to protect the cooling system components that are particular to your vehicle. The wrong stuff can void your vehicle cooling system warranty and could even cause engine damage.

Most passenger vehicles on Cold Spring roads today use either DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid. Your vehicle power brake system is specifically designed to use ONE of these types – you need the right one. Higher numbers do not necessarily mean a higher, upgraded fluid.

Now, the thing is knowing that your vehicle requires specific grades and types of fluids; using the right fluid is good and using the wrong ones is bad. Once you've got that down, it's easy to remember to check with your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Bauer Auto Service or your vehicle owner's manual to find out which automotive fluids to use.

Give us a call.

Bauer Auto Service
320-685-8846
14455 State Hwy 23
Cold Spring, MN 56320

The Bauer Auto Service Guide to Vehicle Diagnosis

Modern Cold Spring vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle.

Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It's no wonder that when something goes wrong with their vehicle it can be pretty complicated for Cold Spring drivers to track down the source of the problem.

To help your service advisor at Bauer Auto Service figure out what's wrong, your vehicle is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine light comes on to tell you there's a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your friendly and knowledgeable Bauer Auto Service technician connects a scan tool to your vehicle's diagnostic port and retrieves the trouble codes as well as other important data.

Trouble codes are like clues for the technician to follow as he diagnoses what's wrong with your vehicle. In a way, it's like going to your Cold Spring doctor with a problem. She'll run some additional tests and gather the information she needs to make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. How much a vehicle diagnosis costs at Bauer Auto Service in Cold Spring depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call.

Bauer Auto Service
320-685-8846
14455 State Hwy 23
Cold Spring, MN 56320

Steer Right in Cold Spring

Virtually all vehicles come with power steering, so many Cold Spring drivers have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your vehicle steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer.

Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent years, a lot of vehicles have an electric motor that reduces steering effort and helps improve performance and handling.

The other kind of power steering is hydraulic. This is the kind most older MN vehicles — and a lot of newer ones — have. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a pump and is used to assist steering. Of course, vehicles need the right amount of fluid in the system. If it's too low, your steering is affected and you could damage your vehicle pump.

Also, power steering fluid can become corrosive over time and damage the pump, hoses and connectors, leading to leaks and repairs. Power steering service at Bauer Auto Service in Cold Spring includes removing the contaminated fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.

A word for Cold Spring drivers about power steering pumps: Some are powered by an electric motor. Others are driven by the serpentine belt. A worn serpentine belt stresses all of the vehicle components it drives, including the power steering pump, so replace the belt at Bauer Auto Service as advised to avoid undue repairs.

Losing your power steering while driving in Cold Spring can be unsettling – just remember that you can still steer, it'll just be harder. Check with your service advisor at Bauer Auto Service to see if it's time to service your vehicle's power steering system.

In addition to power steering service, at Bauer Auto Service we offer comprehensive automotive services.

Give us a call.

Bauer Auto Service
320-685-8846
14455 State Hwy 23
Cold Spring, MN 56320

Battery Basics for Cold Spring

It's important for Cold Spring drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold MN weather. Most Cold Spring area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Cold Spring trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Cold Spring drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable Bauer Auto Service service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a MN road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.

Give us a call.

Bauer Auto Service
14455 State Hwy 23
Cold Spring, MN 56320
320-685-8846