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| this was to be a spacer.....don't know if we need this copied text any more????? Tires Experts, with 12 different Brands (learn more click here) Installing the proper tires on your vehicle is extremely important. That’s the only contact your vehicle has with the road surface. Always replace your tires with correct size and speed rating recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The correct size will insure that the tire will be able to carry the load and the correct speed rating will insure the correct tread compound for optimum handling and traction. For more information click on tire selector. Alignment Got the shakes, not steering straight? (learn more click here) Contrary to popular belief, poor wheel alignment will not generally cause vibrations. It is however, a major contributor abnormal tire and poor vehicle handling. Alignment is a series of angles, when adjusted properly allow the tires to roll squarely on the road for optimum tire contact. With wet and snowy road ways, it is extremely important that the vehicle is properly aligned. Proper Alignments. We start with a diagnostic test drive to note any vibrations, pulls or handling problems. Next, all of the steering, suspension, and bearing components are physically inspected for wear. Vehicle ride height is measured for excessive sag due to fatigued springs. Tire pressure is adjusted to manufacturer specifications, this is important for ride quality and tire life. A computerized print out of pre-alignment angles and the specs of what it should be is produced. Then the vehicle’s adjustable alignment angles are physically adjusted following the alignment computer as it changes. When all angles are properly adjusted the vehicle is road tested again to insure the vehicle’s handling is restored. Brakes Squeaks, rattles & vibrations(learn more click here) Brake squeaks are often caused by pads or shoes being “glazed” (or very smooth) due to being overheated at one time, poor quality friction material or mounting hardware in need of service. The noise you hear is an audible vibration. Rattles are generally caused by mounting hardware in poor condition. Brake vibration is usually caused by brake rotors or drums being warped. All brake Services should begin with a complete and thorough inspection. Remove all the wheels, inspect calipers, mountings, hardware, measure rotor thickness, pad or shoe condition, lines, hydraulic cylinders, and fluid condition. There are many different types of brake materials on the market and a wide array of quality and costs. It is very important to install the proper friction material designed vehicle specific. Brakes are a safety system and the quality of the parts in this area really does matter. If there is an upgrade or premium material available for your vehicle this may be money well spent. The better quality will generally produce decreased stopping distances. Smoother braking, longer lasting brake material. And increased safety. Struts & shocks Safety prevails rough ride is a symptom (learn more click here) Shocks & struts main function is to slow the oscillation of the springs after the wheel assembly hits a rise or bump holding the tire on the road surface. Worn shocks and struts cause extremely poor ride and handling because the tires are actually leaving the road surface becoming a safety factor. This happens gradually over a period of time usually around 50,000 – 60,000 miles and because of this gradual wear the primary driver may not notice. Some sure signs of worn shocks or struts are excessive forward body dive when braking. Excessive body roll on cornering. Excessive up and down movement after driving over an irregular road surface. Abnormal tire wear abnormal or excessive brake wear, and excessive spring and steering wear are generally sure signs of worn shocks & struts Transmission Neglected, $6,000.00 “Maintained Priceless” (learn more click here) Today’s computerized transmissions can actually cost more than the vehicle’s engine. Like the engine the only thing that keeps it from burning up do to friction is its fluid. The fluid in an automatic transmission serves a dual purpose. It is the hydraulic fluid that actually drives or operates the transmission as well as cooling and lubricating it. A periodic flush with all new fluid and filter change every other time will help insure longevity and peace of mind. Most vehicles are recommended at 30,000 miles but check your owner’s manual for exact service interval Engine Best when taken care of (learn more click here) Almost everyone knows that they need to change oil on the engine on a regular basis. But asked when the last time the coolant was flushed or the power steering fluid was changed they have no idea. As with the additive package in oil, coolant (antifreeze) and power steering fluid also have additives and essential chemicals that dissipate over time therefore they needed to be changed periodically. This will help insure the engine doesn’t over heat and the cooling system will be able to do its job keeping the engine at the proper temperature and the heating system for the passenger compartment will continue to operate at optimum. Flushing the power system ever 30,000 miles helps keep the seals in the steering rack pliable and guards against premature failure of the rack & pinion, or power steering pump Heating & Cooling Systems More than passenger comfort (learn more click here) Heating and cooling systems in today’s’ vehicles are designed for complete passenger comfort. Many newer vehicles have replaceable cabin air filters that filter the air through a fibrous filter and charcoal filter before the air enters the passenger cabin to eliminate allergens, odors, and pollutants. Most systems are controlled by a computer or body module. They incorporate both heating and cooling at the same time. For instance, when the defroster is turned on, the air conditioning comes on with the heating to dry the air in the passenger cabin and eliminate moisture in the air to take the frost or fog out faster. Because these systems work in unison as do so many others, it’s essential that the whole vehicle and all its systems be maintained properly. Have the heating & cooling system inspected and tested, yearly to avoid costly repairs. Replace the cabin air filter at the same time if it needs it. Typically the cabin air filter is good for about 30,000 to 50,000 miles and costs can range from $20.00 to $100.00. Electrical Systems More dependant then ever (learn more click here) Since 1973 Galaxy Auto has been known as the automotive electrical “EXPERTS”. Almost everything on the vehicle today is operated by electricity. From the windows to the fuel injection all need electricity to operate. If something goes wrong in the electrical system chances are good the rest vehicle will not operate correctly. We repair anything electrical. From alternators, starters, & batteries to electrical wiring shorts, lighting, power seats, windows, heating & air conditioning, dashes, radios. If it’s electrical and on your car we repair it. Computers How many computers does a car have? (learn more click here) Most vehicles have anywhere from 3 to 10 different control computers or control modules. These modules control all engines functions such as fuel, ignition, and timing while others control heating & air conditioning. Still others handle security for doors and lighting, while it also monitors tire pressure. On today’s’ vehicles when you step on the gas your telling a computer you want to go somewhere. From engine controls to the drivers’ seat and window chances are its computer controlled. Galaxy Auto has the ability to access the information stored in the computer systems and make any necessary repair your vehicle might need. Exhaust Don’t get gassed (learn more click here) Exhaust systems have several key duties to perform. First they are designed to move harmful gases away from the passenger compartment of the vehicle through a series of pipes. A faulty, broken or leaking exhaust can be very dangerous in stop and go traffic due to exhaust gases getting into the vehicle. Secondly, today’s exhaust systems have catalytic converters which chemically changes some of the harmful engine gases into less toxic elements. Finally the exhaust gases flow though series baffles in a muffler which quiets engine noise and adds to driver comfort. Fuel systems Save dollars every day (learn more click here) Fuel filters and injection service. Today the fuel systems in our vehicle are almost all computerized high pressure fuel injection. This system consists of a high pressure pump usually mounted in the fuel tank. A fuel filter somewhere in the fuel line. A fuel regulator which regulates the amount of pressure going to the injectors, a fuel rail or tube that connects to an electronic fuel injector for each engine cylinder. The engine computer controls the amount of time the injector is open and fuel is allowed to flow to the engine. This time is usually measured in milliseconds and the holes in the injectors are smaller than a human hair. Because there are impurities and moisture in fuel, it is imperative that the fuel filter be replaced on a regular basis about every 25,000 – 30,000 miles. This will help save the fuel pump, as a restricted filter will over work the pump. A new filter will help protect the regulator and injection system. Regular fuel injection service will clean carbon from the injectors and dissolve and flush any impurities that may be restricting them. At the same time the intake and throttle plate should be serviced. This service will restore performance and fuel mileage. YOU’LL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE Ask us about this important service. Suspension & Steering Save tires, brakes,& backs (learn more click here) Worn suspension or steering parts can be dangerous. Sagging springs, worn shocks or struts, loose ball joints, or tie rods will cause other items to prematurely wear. If springs and shocks are worn it will cause abnormal wear on the braking system due to additional weight shift forward when attempting to stop. Worn ball joints or tie rods will cause excessive play or looseness causing the tires to squirm or move laterally which causes abnormal and accelerated tire wear. As these parts continue to wear, a ball joint or tie rod can break which will cause loss of control or steering and a very dangerous situation. At Galaxy Auto & Tire we inspect these systems on every oil change and lubricate them if possible. Scheduled Maintenance Does my vehicle need it? (learn more click here) Everyone knows you need to change oil & filter to preserve the life of a vehicles engine. Because without lubrication excessive friction and heat will cause an engines untimely demise. There are other areas that need attention as well. See your owner’s manual for service intervals on your vehicle or Call us if you have questions; we have all the maintenance schedules for almost every car at our finger tips and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Oil Changes Who, what, and when (learn more click here) As a general rule engine oil should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles of regular driving in Minnesota due to the severe temperature changes. The grade of oil should meet SAE. Standards specified for the vehicle. You may choose to upgrade your chose of oil to say, a full synthetic, or a product designed for a higher mileage vehicle but DO NOT USE oil below the designed standard. Along with regular oil changes, the vehicle should be inspected for any irregularities or abnormal wear by a qualified trained person who knows what to look for. At Galaxy Auto & tire our certified technicians will visually inspect your vehicle at every oil change and give 44 point written report of what condition the vehicle is in. A.S.E. Certified Technicians Who are they & why should you care A.S.E. stands for Automotive Standard of Excellence. It is an organization that sets a standard through testing in all areas of automotive and truck repair. As an auto technician, you must have vocational training as well as experience to even take a test. Currently there are 8 regular tests plus L1 test for advanced electronic diagnostics. A “Master” certified technician is a person with extensive training, experience and has studied and passed all 8 tests. This person is a true professional and trained in all areas of service & repair. Vehicle inspections Why are they necessary Safety is important, and a vehicle with worn or broken parts can be very dangerous. Regular inspection of the suspension, steering, tires, and brakes will help avoid dangerously worn parts more costly repairs due to early detection. Check Engine Light What is it for? Tell me more The “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” Light is a very important warning light on the dash that tells the driver something is wrong. The on board computer system has detected something in the system that in out of normal parameters and needs attention now. In most cases the computer will store a numbered code that can lead and experienced technician to an area of concern. This code does not tell the technician what’s wrong, only an area to search. If this light comes on while driving it is extremely important to get the vehicle in and have the problem diagnosed as soon as possible. At Galaxy Auto & Tire we have all the latest information and computerized equipment to service these problems and the Master Certified technicians to diagnose and repair the vehicle properly. TPMS What is it? And how does it work? Tire Pressure Monitoring System. By law all vehicles produced after September 2007 must have a tire pressure monitoring system or TPMS. This system through a series of sensors activates a warning either through a light on the dash or rolling sign generally on the odometer letting the driver know if a tire is low on air pressure and which one it is. The sensors for this system are generally in each tire and wheel assembly. Most of the sensors are incorporated into the valve stem assembly of the tire. Special care needs to be taken if the tire is taken off the wheel not to disturb or destroy the sensor. When rotating tires on a vehicle equipped with TPMS the computer module must be reprogrammed after tire rotation so the computer can identify where each sensor has been relocated. All of our tire experts at Galaxy Auto & Tire have been properly trained to handle the tire and wheel assemblies and re-program the system to function correctly after service.
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