(763) 784-7944
MN Dealer License #23285

Tag Archives: Skilled and Certified Vehicle Technitians

Top Reasons To Get Your Vehicle’s Suspension System Inspected

Top Reasons To Get Your Vehicle’s Suspension System InspectedEach part of your car should work properly to provide a safe and smooth ride. You will have a difficult time controlling the car and preventing accidents from happening if any of the parts are damaged or not working properly. The suspension system of a car is important but often overlooked. The suspension system allows shocks and springs absorb bump energy to provide a smooth ride. Your car’s movements due to braking or cornering are also handled by the suspension system. The suspension system of your car is very important. You should get it fixed as soon as you see any of these signs:

If you hit a bump, your car’s nose dives: The easiest way to check the condition of your suspension system is to watch your car when you bump into something. If your suspension system fails, you should watch for signs such as a frontal dive when you apply the brakes. Then bounce back after the bump. As your vehicle’s suspension system ages, you can expect a decrease in its ability to stop and the vehicle’s shock absorbers. This type of car can cause you and your passengers to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

When your car is in motion, it makes a clunking sound: There are many parts to your car, and they all make sounds when you move them. If you hear unusual squeaking or clunking when you drive over bumps, it’s a sign that your suspension system needs repair. A clunking sound is usually an indication that your suspension system needs to be repaired immediately.

The steering wheel is vibrating or shaking: The vehicle’s direction is controlled by the steering wheel and its system. This component converts your rotational commands to the vehicle’s front wheels. You’ll struggle to drive if your steering wheel isn’t fully functional. If you have problems with steering or excessive shaking or vibrating, it is likely that your suspension system’s tie rods, springs or control arms are damaged. These issues can cause serious steering problems and make it difficult to control your car.

Your car pulls to one side: Your car’s structure is designed to balance the weight of both your vehicle and the road surface. Your car’s many wheels will allow you to drive straight or through curves with ease. If your car pulls to one-side while driving, it could be a sign of two things. Poor wheel alignment or your shock absorbers need repairs.

You notice uneven or excessive tire wear: You may notice that your tires are becoming more worn, pulling to one side, or feeling misaligned. It is time to have your suspension checked. Your suspension may be worn or weakening, which can cause uneven wear. Tire wear should be monitored on a regular schedule.

ASE-Certified Mechanics Available At Clark Automotive In Blaine, MN

Clark Automotive can help you if your suspension is having problems. Clark Automotive can diagnose and fix any issue with your vehicle’s suspension, whether it is a conventional system with shock absorbers and a strut-based system. This is a common configuration in front-wheel-drive vehicles today. Call us at (763) 784-7944 or come by the shop to discuss your problem. You are always welcome to come in!

Essential Maintenance Tips For The Fall Season

Essential Maintenance Tips For The Fall SeasonMany vehicle owners use the change of seasons to get their cars taken care of. This is a great plan, and as we leave the cooler fall season and head straight into winter, we at Clark Automotive in Blaine, MN want to share some of the more essential maintenance tips to keep your vehicle running at its best. Feel free to ask us to inspect your vehicle as well.

Having Your Battery Tested: Many auto parts stores perform this basic test for free, so it’s easy to have this service done. During the winter your battery is worked extra hard, not only to run, but to provide the “cold cranking amps” to start a cold engine. It’s not uncommon to see a car battery that seems to function fine but lacks the cold cranking amperage. This means that your battery is just barely strong enough to perform in the fall, but under pressure in the winter, the battery will likely fail. This is good to know now and have time to get a replacement before the onset of the colder months.

Check All Exterior Lights: Out of sight and out of mind. Well, in the event of heavy rain or snowfall, without lights, your car goes out of sight! It’s a good time to ensure that all the bulbs are functioning and furthermore, to ensure that the headlight and taillight lenses are not cloudy, as this reduces the amount of light that reaches the road. If your lenses are cloudy, use a headlight restoration kit, which utilizes fine-grit sandpaper and cleansing agents.

Checking Tire Conditions: Having tires that are in good condition and properly inflated are essential in ensuring that your vehicle has enough grip on the road during the heavy rainstorms, ice storms, and eventually the snowstorms during the winter months. The coin test is the simplest at-home test. Place a penny in the grooves of your tire with the head facing down. If you can see the entire head, it is time to replace the tires as they are too worn.

Check Functionality Of The Heater And Defroster: Perhaps it seems the most logical, but it is oftentimes the task that is least done. A simple check to ensure that the heater actually puts out warm air and that the defroster warms the windshield is sufficient.

ASE-Certified Mechanic Services Available In Blaine, MN

If you notice that your vehicle isn’t quite ready for the wrath that winter can bring upon Minnesotans, bring your vehicle by the certified mechanics at Clark Automotive. We have the knowhow and the experience to ensure that your vehicle is ready for whatever Mother Nature wants to dish out! Call (763) 784-7944 to schedule an appointment or just come on by!

Importance Of Preventative Maintenance For Your Vehicle

Importance Of Preventative Maintenance For Your VehicleOil changes, tire rotations and regular tune ups are examples of preventative maintenance for your vehicle that can prevent major car problems down the road. If you make these small investments in your car, then over time you can expect to save money on more serious repairs. It is also important to have your vehicle serviced by a certified technician so that small and manageable problems do not turn into larger (more expensive) ones. Clark Automotive is a full-service car repair shop in Blaine, MN, that can help you with preventative maintenance so that you can enjoy your vehicle for many years to come!

Benefits Of Regular Oil Changes

Oil changes are important because your engine’s oil can lose its lubrication quality and viscosity over time. An oil change will keep your engine running well, prevent it from getting overheated and get rid of dirt and debris which will make your engine run less efficiently. Failing to get regular oil changes can result in damage to your engine. Routine oil changes are one of the most important ways to extend the life of your vehicle and protect your investment.

Tire Rotations And Engine Tune Ups

Tire rotations are another important preventative maintenance strategy. We recommend rotating your tires every third oil change (approximately every 9000 miles). This helps you prevent tire damage and keep the tread even so that you wear down your tires evenly. If you do not rotate your tires regularly, your tires can become damaged, and this can impact steering and the overall safety of the vehicle.

A vehicle tune up can be helpful when you have noticed an overall decline in how your vehicle is performing or the overall feel while you are driving. Clark Automotive will check your spark plugs, change your transmission fluid, replace your air, oil and fuel filters, check for leaks and complete a thorough oil change. Very often a tune up will be just what your vehicle needs to get back to its optimal driving condition.

ASE Certified Mechanic In Blaine, MN

Our team at Clark Automotive believes that preventative maintenance can be a difference maker in the life of your car. This small investment can identify problems before they become significant and can keep your car in the best possible shape so that you feel confident that you are safe and taken care of. If you want more information about our preventative maintenance services, call us at 763-784-7944 to schedule an appointment with our ASE Certified Mechanics.

Can You Trust Your Auto Repair Shop?

Can You Trust Your Auto Repair ShopDoes it stress you out to think about having to take your car in for a repair or even a routine maintenance check. You are not alone. We find that many of our clients tell us that they have always dreaded visits to a car repair shop. Why? Well, there are many reasons. First, generally speaking, you may realize that you do not know as much about the way your vehicle works as those who are completing the repairs. You may feel like you are vulnerable to being taken advantage of, that you may be charged for repairs that you do not actually need, or maybe you are concerned that you may not be certain the repairs are completed correctly. All of these concerns are completely valid.

Local Auto Shop Offering Affordable Prices Clear Communication

When you bring your car to Clark Automotive, your worries will disappear. We operate our car repair shop differently than most. We work just as hard to earn your trust as we do to fix your vehicle. That’s right – we believe that our job is not just to fix your vehicle. We want to build trust with each of our customers and we do this by communicating clearly, answering all of your questions, giving you accurate information about how fast we can complete repairs as well as how much it will cost. Many of our current customers only bring their cars to us and come back again and again. We find that many of our new customers have been referred to us by an existing client as well.

As a small local, Minnesota business, we are proud to serve our community in this way. We want you to feel comfortable stopping by for all of your automotive maintenance and repair needs. We offer a wide variety of services including brake service, tire rotation, tune ups, battery replacement, starter and alternator replacement, engine diagnostics, heat and AC repair, timing belt replacements, suspension, alignment, exhaust/muffler diagnostic and repair and much more. Our repairs are affordable, our team has extensive experience and training to be able to work on all types of vehicles. We will not pressure you to complete repairs that you do not need.

Trusted Auto Shop In Blaine MN

Clark Automotive in Blaine, Minnesota is a car repair shop that you can trust. You do not have to feel stress when you think about a car repair. We are committed to being honest with you and will treat you with respect. For more information about scheduling an appointment for vehicle maintenance or repair, call us today at 763-784-7944.

Comprehensive Car Repair Services

Comprehensive Car Repair ServicesIn addition to becoming an important part of our local community, Clark Automotive offers our customers the benefit of decades’ worth of collective experience in automotive repair and maintenance. As reliant on our vehicles as we are in the modern world, and as important as it is to be a part of our community, Clark Automotive offers an important combination of qualities that add value to our customers’ lives. Try us once…and you will use us for life. But do not take our word for it…ask our current customers.

Experience Auto Repair Shop in MN

The automobile is like the airplane in that it is a marvel of engineering. It may be less complex than the airplane, but it is still a marvel. The modern automobile is so reliable that most of us have the luxury of taking for granted that it will function when we need it to. But, like any complex machine with so many components and moving parts, the automobile will occasionally need repairs and maintenance. There are thousands of locations throughout our country that provide automotive repair services, but there is a relatively small number among them that place such a high priority on offering a wide range of automotive repair services. Clark Automotive is in that exclusive group. We care about our customers, and we have expanded our expertise in auto repair because we care. As a result, we have a very loyal list of customers who have come to trust our knowledge and execution of auto repair.

You can bring your vehicle to us for issues as simple as oil changes and filter replacements, which are part of good scheduled maintenance. You can also bring your vehicle to us for such matters as tire rotation, wheel alignment, exhaust and muffler repair, and general drive ability issues. If your vehicle has a more complex problem, such as an electrical issue or if it needs a starter replacement, Clark Automotive is an ideal choice. As the issues become more complex and/or mysterious, Clark Automotive’s mechanics apply their experience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to identify the underlying issue and make the most efficient and affordable repair possible.

Routine Vehicle Maintenance And Complex Auto Repair

Because even minor maintenance issues can decrease the overall safety of your vehicle, our problem-solving skills are all the more important to ensure that a small problem does not become a larger one, and that your safety is never in jeopardy. That motivation is tied to our commitment to our community.

Whatever issues you may be having with your vehicle, Clark Automotive is here to help. Call us at (763) 784-7944.

ASE Certified Mechanic
Schedule Your Repair
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Leave Us A Review!
Auto Repair Car Mechanic Blaine, MN
We Accept