With the hot summer temperatures forecasted for 2012, don’t be caught with poor or no air conditioning in your vehicle. 

Not sure if it’s time for an air conditioner inspection? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is my air conditioning not cooling as quickly or efficiently as in the past?
• Have I been good about changing my air filter regularly?
• Have I had my air conditioning inspected at least once a year?
• Do I have condensation or window fogging problems? 

If you can answer yes to at least one of the above questions, it may be time to have a mechanic take a look. Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers offer full air conditioning services and would be happy to address any issue you may encountering with your vehicle’s air conditioner. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit our website or contact us at any of our three locations in Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and Spring Lake Park.

The Penny Test has become a reliable, at-home test to check the tread condition of your tires. 

• Place a penny into a tread groove in your tire with the top of Abe Lincoln’s head pointing towards the tire. If the groove is deep enough to cover part of his head, you have more than 2/32” of tread remaining. Be sure to check several grooves around each tire to measure the lowest tread points.
• If you can see above Abe’s head, or the words “In God We Trust”, it’s time to replace your tires. Most state laws label tires as “legally worn” if they only have 2/32” of remaining tread depth. 

Even if your tires have not reached the official “worn” definition, it’s important to understand that as tires wear, their ability to perform in incremental weather decreases. If you expect to be driving in rain or wet conditions, it is recommended that tired be replaced if worn to approximately 2/32” tread depth. If snowy driving conditions are a concern, replace at 4/32”. 

Other tips that ensure the safety and performance of tires:

• Maintain the vehicle manufacturers recommended tire pressure.  The proper pressures can be located on the driver’s door post placard.
• Rotate your tires every 5,000-10,000 miles.
• Visually check for damage such as cracks or bulges.

Not sure how your tires are doing? Galaxy Auto and Tire Center would be happy to inspect your tires for free. Contact us or visit our website to learn more about Galaxy Auto and Tire Center’s tire services.

Winter has surely taken its toll on your vehicle. With road trip season approaching, Galaxy Auto and Tire Center has five simple steps to make sure the next few months of driving goes smoothly. 

Check the Fluids: Address fluids used to keep your car running strong. After a cold winter, your car was working overtime. Have your mechanic check the all of the fluids to ensure your car is off to a fresh start for spring. 

Check the Coolant:  The coolant system http://www.galaxyautocenters.com/services/engine-cooling works overtime in the summer so your engine won’t overheat. Over time, coolant becomes corrosive so it is important to have your mechanic flush and refill the coolant every other year. Keeping your vehicle’s engine cooling system functioning effectively can help extend the life of your car – a big plus these days. Schedule an appointment http://www.galaxyautocenters.com/schedule-appointment to have your coolant checked by Galaxy Auto Centers today. 

Check the Tire Pressure: It’s easy to notice if your car starts smoking or a strange smell is coming from the hood, but it’s difficult for drivers to detect when their tire pressure is low. Consumer Reports determined that tires lose two to six PSI (pounds per inch) every six months, which can be anywhere from a 6% to 18% loss of the total pressure in a car tire. Deflated tires force your car’s engine to work harder, lowering fuel efficiency. Incorrect tire pressure is also associated with decreased steering response. Check your door placard for the recommended pressure or stop by your local Galaxy Auto and Tire Center for tire pressure adjustments. 

Check the Wiper Blades: Don’t wait until the first thunderstorm of the season to find out that your wiper blades aren’t working properly. Between the snow and ice of winter, your wiper blades have taken a beating. Look to see that your blades are not cracked or dry and make sure that when on, they wipe the windshield clear, without lines or streaks. Drop in anytime at Galaxy to purchase your windshield wipers http://www.galaxyautocenters.com/services/windshield-wipers, and we’ll put them on for free! 

Clean Your Car: After months of salty roads and slushy drives, washing your car will not only make your car seem shiny and new, it can increase performance and prolong the quality of your exterior paint. Be sure to have the undercarriage thoroughly washed too as road salt can eat away at the metal components. For the inside, a standard spray vinyl cleaner is perfect for cleaning the door panels and steering wheel.  The spray will also help to protect your dashboard against fading and sun damage. 

After your spring tune up, you’ll be ready to roll down the windows, crank up the music and enjoy a summer cruise in your car. Make sure your vehicle is ready for anything that summer throws your way at any of our Galaxy Auto and Tire Center locations, including Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and Spring Lake Park. 

Schedule an appointment: http://www.galaxyautocenters.com/schedule-appointment

Air pressure in your tires:  Know your vehicle’s recommended air pressure, especially for cold winter conditions.  The correct tire pressure for your vehicle can often be found on the vehicle’s I.D. sticker on the inside of the driver’s door frame, visible when the door is open.

Windshield Wiper blades:  Make sure your wiper blades are in good working condition and can keep your windshield clear during winter weather.  Also, make sure your washer fluid reservoir is full before heading out.

Headlights and Taillights:  Make sure all the exterior lights on your vehicle are working.  Did you know that in many communities a “fix-it ticket” can cost you?  Many communities charge fines upwards of $100 for burned out taillights and headlights.

Come in and have us check out your vehicle for safety before you take that big holiday road trip. We are open Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.  We are closed Christmas Eve, but will be open Monday, December 26 during regular business hours.

Remember to always check the weather reports before leaving home for your holiday road trip.  Know what kind of weather you may have to encounter.

Travel safe and happy holidays from your friends at Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers!

But, don’t just take our word for it…

“GAL”axy Auto & Tire Centers should have the first three letters capitalized and bolded because their Brooklyn Park shop is GAL-friendly!  I have been taking my cars to GALaxy for years and I have NEVER felt like they were taking advantage of me, just because I am a GAL.  Paul and Gary always greet me and explain everything to me.  They always call and go over all the details.  I always ask, “and what would YOU do if this was your wife’s car?”  They have always been truthful and dependable.

Just recently I had a flat tire on a major freeway.  When I called Galaxy, they were quick to give me a tow contact number and later answered my questions when the tow truck brought my car and myself to the shop.  They explained that there would be no charge for the tire repair as it was still under warranty!  I wouldn’t have kept track of that kind of information, but my friends at GALaxy are always there for me!Thank you, Paul, Gary and your crew.  I am a VERY satisfied GALaxy customer!

Deb O.

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Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers in Brooklyn Park came through for me in a pinch.  I was on my way to work and blew a hole in my tire.  As I slowly drove through an unfamiliar neighborhood, I was so happy to come across Paul Jensen at Galaxy!  Not only did Paul make me feel very comfortable they could handle the job in short order, he also provided an accurate price estimate.  The best part was that he offered to have someone give me a ride to work!  I am so grateful for the great customer service and friendly smile offered to me by the team at Galaxy!  I will definitely come back to Galaxy for service in the future.”

Thanks again for your help!

Christine S.

…………………………………………

Scott,

Thank you for the great customer service!  You’ve taken personal time to test drive our cars, driven them in for service and even delivered them back to our house.  We truly appreciate it and it’s really nice having a place to take our cars for service that we trust!  Thanks again!!

Steve, Deb, Sarah and Maggie

…………………………………………

Galaxy Auto Centers, Your Neighborhood Auto Repair Pros since 1973. Experts at Galaxy Auto’s three convenient locations deliver top quality, full-service auto repair, preventative maintenance, and a full range of tire selections for all makes and models. ASE-certified technicians get repairs done right the first time, while providing customer service that is second to none.

Questions About Your Vechicle?

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*Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers also Accepts all Competitor Coupons

As you can imagine this filter can quickly fill with bugs, leaves, grass and other debris as you drive.  We’ve even found pet food and mice nests. Your vehicle is a warm and cozy spot for a mouse and your pet food is also mouse food.

As your filter fills with debris, it reduces the amount of air that can flow into your vehicle.  If it is allowed to go too long it will eventually plug completely eliminating all air flow. When this happens both heat and air conditioning can appear to be non-functional.

Inspection of the cabin air filter is a regularly scheduled service on all vehicles that have this filter. There is often a charge associated with this inspection due the location of the filter often being inside the dash assembly or in the duct system such that disassembling of vehicle components is required.

As we approach the heating season check both your homes and your vehicles “furnace filter” to assure maximum efficiency of both heating systems.

Galaxy Auto Centers, Your Neighborhood Auto Repair Pros since 1973. Experts at Galaxy Auto’s three convenient locations deliver top quality, full-service auto repair, preventative maintenance, and a full range of tire selections for all makes and models. ASE-certified technicians get repairs done right the first time, while providing customer service that is second to none.

Questions About Your Vechicle?

Ask An Expert

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*Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers also Accepts all Competitor Coupons

You have just described what is commonly referred to as brake pulsation.

A pulsating brake pedal that is often accompanied by a jerky stop is normally caused by brake rotors being warped.  While both front and rear brake rotors can warp and cause pulsation the front rotors are the most common cause of pulsation.  Brake rotors warp for many reasons, however, the two most common are over torqueing the wheels lug nuts and overheating during normal brake operation.

Over torqueing occurs when excessive torque is applied when tightening the lug nuts that hold the wheels on to the vehicle. Each vehicle has a factory recommended amount of torque that is to be used to complete this task. In order to assure that the proper torque is applied either a hand adjusted torque wrench or a torque stick specifically designed for this purpose should be used.

Overheating can occur for a variety of reasons. If the brakes are applied in a panic situation that requires stopping from a higher speed quickly excessive heat is created and the rotors can easily warp because of this. Warpage also occurs if the rear brakes are not properly adjusted or are not working properly causing the front brakes to overwork and thus create excessive heat.

One of the most overlooked causes of premature brake failure is improperly serviced ride control components. Fatigued or worn shocks and struts fail to absorb the energy they are designed to and thus this energy transfers to the braking components causing excessive heat absorption and thus warpage.

As with most vehicle services it is advisable that this situation be addressed at your earliest convenience. The longer that this is allowed to occur the more likely that the cost of repair will increase due to damage caused to other components in the braking system.

Galaxy Auto Centers, Your Neighborhood Auto Repair Pros since 1973. Experts at Galaxy Auto’s three convenient locations deliver top quality, full-service auto repair, preventative maintenance, and a full range of tire selections for all makes and models. ASE-certified technicians get repairs done right the first time, while providing customer service that is second to none.

Questions About Your Vechicle?

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*Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers also Accepts all Competitor Coupons

If you’re not sure what fluids you are losing, place an old sheet or a large piece of white cardboard under the vehicle overnight. If the leaks are the following color, you have a good indication of what fluid you are leaking.

• Clear -If the liquid is clear, it’s probably water from your air conditioner, which is normal.  If it’s slippery, it may be brake fluid. Gasoline is also generally clear, but has a very distinct odor. 
• Red – Reddish fluid may be transmission or power steering fluid
• Amber – Amber colored fluid may be gasoline. There will be a distinct odor.
• Yellow – Clear or yellowish fluid may be brake fluid. This is also slippery to the touch. This can be a life-threatening problem!
• Green – Green fluid is likely coolant from the radiator. This is also slippery to the touch.
• Blue, Pink – Windshield washer fluid comes in a variety of colors. Check to see if your leaking fluid matches your windshield washer fluid under the hood.
• Light Brown – May be gear lube. Gear lube also smells like rotten eggs. Or, if you’ve recently had your oil changed, it may be and oil leak.
• Dark Brown – If you haven’t changed your oil in a while, it may be engine oil. Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Older cars may leak engine oil normally, but large quantities may be cause for concern.

The most common types of leaks are: Coolant Leaks, Oil Leaks and Water Leaks. A puddle that is 3 inches or wider under your car is considered a serious leak and requires immediate attention. Except for the air conditioner and small engine oil leaks, most of these fluid leaks are signs of a potentially serious problem and should be examined immediately.

The location of the leak could also be a dead giveaway. If you can, be sure to note the location of the leak, the color of the fluid, it’s texture and smell.

Galaxy Auto Centers, Your Neighborhood Auto Repair Pros since 1973. Experts at Galaxy Auto’s three convenient locations deliver top quality, full-service auto repair, preventative maintenance, and a full range of tire selections for all makes and models. ASE-certified technicians get repairs done right the first time, while providing customer service that is second to none.

Questions About Your Vechicle?

Ask An Expert

Discounts & Coupons

*Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers also Accepts all Competitor Coupons

In times of high gas prices and in inclement driving conditions, tire pressure can make a major difference in driving, wherever you are. Should the unexpected occur, Galaxy Auto and Tire Centers would like you to be prepared.

CHECK YOUR TIRES 

Get a Tire Pressure Guage - Tire Pressure Guages are available at any auto parts store. They range in price from a few dollars to $20.

Check Your Tire Pressure - Tire pressure is monitored by Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). Over-inflated tires are just as dangerous as under-inflated tires. If you are unsure about the PSI for your tires, check the tire pressure stated on the inside of your vehicle’s door or in the owner’s manual - or contact Galaxy.

CHECK YOUR TRUNK

The Basics

• Jumper cables and/or a battery jumper
• A tool kit, including pliers, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench and a pair of work gloves
• A basic first aid kit, including a hand towel
• A few bungee cords
• Tow strap
• Emergency road flares
• Flashlight
• Flashlight batteries
• Folding shovel
• Kitty litter
• Spare boots
• Spare socks
• Blankets
• Power bars
• Fully charged SPARE cell phone. In addition to your main cell phone, have a backup that you can use to call 911. Cellular carriers are required by law to complete 911 calls from any cell phone, even if it is not activated. Just throw that old cell phone into your glove compartment.
• Cell phone car charger

*take into account the number of people in your family, the climate where you live and your mechanical capabilities. It may make sense to put together a kit for the driver and a special, secondary package with key items for the rest of the family. The secondary kit can be packed with baggage when the family goes on an extended road trips.

Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers Always Matches Competitor Prices, but They NEVER Match Our Service. *ASE Certified Technicians.

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