At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee we are one of the destinations where you can get your cars emissions tested when trying register your car or shortly after purchasing a different car.
The testing is very simple and consists of very few steps
We test Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 PM. We’re open till 5:30 PM, testing ends at 5:00 PM
No appointment is needed and testing is done in less than 15 min
Bring you car and the paperwork to our front office
We will take the car into the shop
The car will get plugged into the State’s computer
After the car and the computer communicate, the engine computer will be checked for codes, an illuminated check engine light and verify the necessary vehicles monitors have run and passed.
The operator will record the mileage and verify that the Check engine light operates properly.
Some vehicles will need the gross vehicle weight recorded.
After testing a report is printed explaining it passed or why it failed to pass.
That’s it, you will get your car back with the report and the state will already know you were tested and how things went. All that’s left is for you to purchase your new stickers either through us for a nominal fee or just mail it in and wait for your new stickers to be returned to you.
Of course if you have questions, the web site www.wisconsinvip.org has just about everything on it you will need to know about this entire process or you can call us or the DMV to talk to a person.
This is something really amazing: For every gallon of gas your Pewaukee car burns, it uses 12,000 gallons of air. All of that air has to be filtered to keep your engine clean.
That’s like a hundred gallons of air every block! The engine air filter is just another example of a very inexpensive part that has to do a tremendous amount of work. And when it works, everything goes well. But, when it doesn’t, well, it can lead to costly problems. Of course, your manufacturer recommends intervals for changing your air filter. But like most service intervals, where and how you drive your car affects when your filter needs to be changed.
Dusty conditions in and around Pewaukee or polluted city driving means you’ll need to change your filter more often. Your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician can check your filter for you. In fact, it’s often a routine part of an oil change.
When you think about it, a clogged air filter won’t allow as much air through as a clean filter. Your car needs this air to efficiently burn its fuel, giving you better fuel economy and performance.
Dirtier filters don’t work as well as clean ones. A filter can only hold so much, after that, it allows dirt to pass right into your engine. Air filters come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in different grades. There are high performance air filters available for most cars. These high performance filters cost a little more, but they increase horsepower and may improve fuel economy to boot.
So have your air filter checked. If it needs replacing, it doesn’t cost very much and it should easily pay for itself in better fuel economy before your next oil change.
Stop by Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee at N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr, Pewaukee, WI 53072, and we’ll take a look at your air filter for you. Feel free to give us a call at 262-691-7113 to make an appointment.
Let’s talk about air quality in Pewaukee. It’s a global issue, but affects us wherever we are. Many decades ago, we began to become aware of how air pollution negatively affects health. But what about the air inside your vehicle?
Cabin air filters are now coming on most new Sedans in Pewaukee. These filters clean the air in the passenger compartment. They can filter particles down to three microns, so that’s good enough to clean out dust, pollen and most pollutants. If you suffer from allergies in Pewaukee, this is very good news. Your car can be a haven during your Pewaukee commute.
Now, it’s only been in the last few years that cabin air filters have become common. You can look in your owner’s manual to see if you have one. If you do, there’ll be a recommendation for replacing it when it gets dirty. If you live in an area of Pewaukee where there’s a lot of dust, pollen or pollution, you may need to change it more often.
You can also ask your service advisor at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee. How hard is it to change an air filter on a car? It depends on your vehicle. Some are quite accessible; others take some doing to get to them. They’re usually in the engine compartment or under the dashboard.
Because cabin air filters are so new on the scene, some Pewaukee people haven’t heard of them – even people who have cabin air filters in their Sedan. Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisors have discovered that many Pewaukee customers who complained about an unpleasant odor in their Sedan simply had a dirty cabin air filter.
Most Pewaukee and Sussex car owners want to save on gas and seek our advice on improving fuel economy. At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we are frequently asked, however, if it is really worth the extra effort. Just how much money can Sussex car owners actually save?
The US government has a website dedicated to helping us use less fuel. It presents the cost savings in a way Sussex car owners can relate to and is relevant for all vehicles. Let me give you an example: Having your Sedan engine properly tuned, can save up to 4%. If you’re paying three-fifty for a gallon of gas, you could save fourteen cents a gallon.
In today’s Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee article, we’re focusing on the things you can do to improve your Sedanfuel economy driving around WI. We’ll tell you the potential savings per gallon of gas at three dollars and fifty cents, and we’ll show a chart that also shows the savings at three and four dollars.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
TUNE UP 4%
.12
.14
.16
The next item is replacing a clogged engine air filter. Your engine needs enough air to burn fuel efficiently for the best fuel economy. A clean air filter means you get plenty of air. The fact that the air’s clean protects your engine. That can save you up to ten percent or thirty-five cents a gallon.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.OO
$3.50
$4.00
AIR FILTER 10%
.30
.35
.40
Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve economy by up to forty percent. That’s a whopping dollar forty in savings per gallon. Bring your car to Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee and we’ll check your oxygen sensor.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
FAULTY O2 SENSOR 40%
1.20
1.40
1.60
Chances are that if your oxygen sensor is kaput your check engine light will come on. Now, there’s any number of things that could cause your check engine light to come on besides oxygen sensor problems. But if it’s on, get it checked out as soon as you can at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee.
Here’s an easy one. Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. That could save you three percent or eleven cents a gallon. Even a little drop in pressure will bring down your fuel economy, so check your tires every week.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
TIRE INFLATION 3%
.09
.11
.12
Your Sedan manufacturer has recommended a specific weight of motor oil. The recommendation is based on engine design and will give you the best protection. Using a heavier weight could cost one to two percent in reduced fuel economy, or up to seven cents a gallon.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
RIGHT GRADE MOTOR OIL 2%
.06
.07
.08
Here’s one that’s free: Take it easy when you drive. Aggressive driving (we’ve all seen this on Sussex roads), rocketing away from stop lights, standing on the brakes, punching it for lane changes – really takes a toll on your fuel economy.
Cutting out aggressive driving around Sussex can save five percent or eighteen cents a gallon. Now on the interstate it gets really costly: thirty three percent or a buck sixteen a gallon. Think about that – and leave a little earlier.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
DRIVE AGRESSIVELY – MIN. 5%
.15
.18
.20
DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY – MAX. 33$
.99
1.16
1.32
A related item is exceeding the speed limit. For example, if the speed limit is sixty miles per hour an additional five miles will cost seven percent or twenty-five cents a gallon. Fifteen miles per hour will cost you upwards of eighty cents a gallon.
DOLLARS PER GALLON
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
SPEED LIMIT – MIN. 7%
.21
.25
.28
SPEED LIMIT – MAX. 23%
.69
.81
.92
The last thing we’ll talk about is excess weight. Our Sedans tend to accumulate a lot of things and the weight adds up. Clear out the trunk and only haul stuff when you really need it. For every one hundred pounds you can save two percent or seven cents a gallon.
Sorry honey, your brother can’t come with. It’d cost an extra thirty cents a gallon.
If you’ve ever been in a car accident around Pewaukee WI, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It’s hard to think straight and know what to do.
Let’s review what you should do in case of an accident in Pewaukee, WI:
When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a crime in WI – even if it’s not your fault. And hit-and-run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your driver’s license or even jail time in our local Pewaukee lockup.
Most states, including WI require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able.
Warn other Pewaukee motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood.
Call 911 as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed.
Always file a police report. It’s tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy can say whatever he wants about the accident later, and you won’t have an objective report to help defend yourself.
Discuss the accident only with the police. Emotions are strong after an accident and we naturally want to talk about it – don’t. Never admit fault or guilt to anyone including the police officer. Sometimes we may feel at fault, but in the eyes of WI law, the other guy may be responsible.
Truthfully give the officer the facts: such as “I was going 35 miles per hour” not “I wasn’t speeding”. Remember, anything you say to the officer or anyone else can be used against you.
Also get the officer’s name and badge number and ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.
Get the facts on the driver and owner of the other vehicle:
Name
Address
Phone number
Date of birth
Driver’s license number and expiration
Insurance information
Also take down a description of the other vehicle, license plate and vehicle identification number. Most insurance companies don’t record license plate numbers, so the VIN number is the best way to track the vehicle.
Ask witnesses, including passengers, to wait for the police. If they can’t wait, ask for contact information and request that they write a brief description of what they saw. If someone refuses to leave their name, write down their license plate number so the police can track them down later if necessary.
Always call your insurance agent or your WI auto insurance company’s 800 number.
Call or see your local Pewaukee physician if you think you may have been injured.
If you’re gonna drive around the Brookfield area, you’ve got to be able to see! So having a good pair of windshield wipers is extremely important. We’ve all experienced the frustration and fear of not being able to see clearly during a storm, or when our windshield is just dirty.
It seems like your wiper blades are always at their worst when you need them the most. But windshield wipers are like most other vehicle parts– they require regular attention in order to work their best.
You really ought to replace your wiper blades twice a year; in the spring and the fall. If it’s going to be a particularly harsh winter in Pewaukee, you may even want to get special winter blades in the fall. Winter blades are designed to resist freezing.
Speaking of winter and freezing conditions, if your car has been sitting for a long time and the windshield becomes frozen, don’t use your wipers to clear off snow and ice. That’ll just tear up the blades and cause them to wear out more quickly. It may even damage the wiper motor.
Over time, wiper blades become hard and brittle, and then tear. They also lose their flexibility and just don’t cover the windshield effectively.
Worn wiper blades aren’t just a safety hazard; they can also scratch your windshield. That may require replacing the entire windshield; a big cost for such a little part.
Replace worn blades right away. Your local service center can provide you with a quality replacement blade. They cost about the same as they would at the store; but installation is included at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee.
Of course you also need washer fluid to help your blades do their work. Even though your local Pewaukee service center will top off the washer fluid with a full service oil change, it is a good idea to have some extra fluid at home, or in the car if you are on a long trip.
Always use windshield washer fluid. Plain water, even that fancy bottled water, may freeze in the fluid reservoir or on the windshield itself, making things worse. Besides, water won’t do a good job of cleaning your windows.
And remember that some vehicles have two reservoirs: one for the windshield and one for the back window – which may be under the hood or somewhere in the back.
So follow these tips to keep your windshield clear and your eye on the road, and give us a call at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee or come by our shop at N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr, Pewaukee, WI 53072. Call to make an appointment at 262-691-7113
There are so many tire choices in the Pewaukee, Sussex, and Waukesha area, selecting the right one can be a bit overwhelming for Brookfield auto owners. And even though it’s kind of fun to have new tires on your Sedan, they’re a significant investment for most Brookfield folks so you want do it right.
Tip: talk with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tire professional. He’ll help you sort through the choices.
Here are some of the issues you’ll talk about: One is size – you know, all those numbers on the side of the tire. The right size is vital. All new vehicles are required to have stability control which, along with other important safety systems, is calibrated to work with specific tire sizes. Your Pewaukee tire professional can help stay within car makers’ specifications or program a different tire size into your Sedan’s computer.
And you’ll want to discuss how and where you drive in Brookfield to determine the type of tire you need: summer, winter, all-season tires or all-terrain. There are tires for every Brookfield auto owner’s needs.
Like we said, tires are a big investment, so you want to get a good value on tires. Now that doesn’t always mean the cheapest tire. A top tier tire from Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee will last a long time and give Brookfield auto owners good performance throughout its life. Tires sold in Pewaukee bargain tire shops may not live up to that promise. Again, your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tire professional can give you options that offer the best long-term value within your immediate budget.
Last, with a 2-wheel drive vehicle you should always replace both tires on an axle. Modern sensors and computer safety systems for Sedan brakes, stability and traction control need both tires to have the same amount of wear to work properly. And always put the new tires on the rear so you don’t fishtail in a turn. With all-wheel drive you should replace all four tires at the same time.
Schedule a tire inspection at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee to see how much life is left in your Sedan tires and seek the help of a professional when choosing new shoes for your vehicle.
Give us a call
Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee 262-691-7113 N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr Pewaukee, WI 53072
Scratching your head? Don’t worry, if you don’t know what a differential is – you will in a moment. That fact is that if you drive a car anywhere in Pewaukee, WI, you have a differential. Whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you have a differential. You might even have two or three.
Not surprisingly, a differential’s job is to compensate for differences. Specifically the differences in wheel speed when turning. For instance, imagine taking a corner near your Pewaukee, WI home. Your inside wheel has a shorter distance to travel than the outside wheel as you turn the corner. That means that your outside wheel has to turn faster to keep pace with the inside wheel.
The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while still providing power to your vehicle. Without a differential, our tires would scrub and hop along the pavement during turns like the early cars.
Ever noticed the big bulge in the middle of the rear axle on trucks? That’s the differential. Rear-wheel drive vehicles have a differential in back. Most four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs will also have a similar differential on the front axle. Front-wheel drive vehicles’ differential is called a transaxle because it combines the differential and transmission in one unit. An all-wheel drive vehicle will have a differential or transfer case that adjusts for speed differences between the front and rear drive wheels.
It can seem a little complex to some Brookfield auto owners – but you can see that all of the engine’s power is routed through your differentials. They’re strong enough to handle the work, but- we’ve said it before – they need to be properly lubricated in order to stay strong. So from time to time, you need to have your differential serviced at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. The used fluid is drained and replaced with clean fluid. Some car makers advise certain differentials to have special additives installed.
Get your differential serviced at our Pewaukee automotive center: Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr Pewaukee, WI 53072 262-691-7113
Recommendations for the time and mileage interval for servicing your differential, can vary greatly by vehicle. A front-wheel drive vehicle’s transaxle will need servicing more frequently than the rear differential on a pick-up truck, so check with your Pewaukee, WI Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist or your car makers owner’s manual for recommendations.
How and where you drive in Pewaukee will have an impact as well. If you drive on dirt roads or through streams around Brookfield, WI, you’ll need to service the differential much sooner than if you always stay on expressways.
Improved fuel economy has two benefits: less fuel is necessary and fewer emissions are released. Waukesha cars and trucks run cleaner than ever. Waukesha drivers may not realize that the first federally mandated pollution control device came out almost fifty years ago.
WI drivers that were around in the early 60’s may remember that the PCV valve came out on 1964 model cars. PCV stand for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. The crankcase is the lower part of the engine where the crankshaft is housed and where the engine oil lives. The crankshaft is connected to the pistons that power the engine.
When fuel is burned in the Sedan engine, it pushes the pistons down and the crankshaft rotates and sends power to the transmission. Some of the explosive gases from combustion squeeze past the pistons and down into the crankcase.
Now this gas is about 70% unburned fuel. If it were allowed to remain in the crankcase, it would contaminate the oil and quickly turn it to sludge. Sludge is like Vaseline and clogs passages in the engine leading to damage.
Also, the pressure build up would blow out seals and gaskets. So in the old days, there was just a hose that vented the crankcase out into the air. Obviously, not good for our air quality in Pewaukee. Enter the PCV valve. It’s a small, one-way valve that lets out the gases from the crankcase, and routes them back into the air intake system where they are re-burned in the engine. Fresh air comes into the crankcase through a breather tube. This makes for good circulation in the crankcase. And that gets the bad air out. As you can imagine, however, the valve gets gummed up over time.
Waukesha drivers that skip oil changes now and then will notice that the PCV valve gets gummed up even faster. If the PCV valve is sticking in your Sedan, the gases won’t circulate as well, leading to increased pressure in the crankcase. That, in turn, can lead to oil leaks. Fortunately, the PCV valve is very inexpensive to replace at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee. Some can even be checked by your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee advisor.
Your Sedan car makers usually recommend they be changed somewhere between twenty and fifty thousand miles. Unfortunately, PCV valve replacement is left out of some Sedan owner’s manuals, but at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we will make sure your PVC is replaced if needed.
All of us Waukesha car owners can do our part for the environment. Watch that lead foot, stay on top of our automotive maintenance and don’t forget to replace our PCV valve.
Many Brookfield drivers don’t realize that there is more to exhaust system maintanance than just tailpipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. Exhaust service at a full-service automotive center like Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee is really a lot more comprehensive these days.
For example, in the U.S., the federal government required catalytic converters for all cars in Pewaukee in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. WI and federal emissions requirements have forced vehicle manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental laws. This also goes for cars sold in Canada.
So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now necessary. And because it’s so sophisticated, vehicle manufacturers recommend having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, like the ones we have at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, regularly to make sure everything’s working right – which is usually every six months or 6,000 miles.
If your ‘check engine light’ comes on while you are driving around the Brookfield area, especially if it’s flashing, then you need to bring your car into Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee ASAP. Chances are it’s an emission related problem. Signs of exhaust or emissions trouble include difficulty starting, engine noise or smoke.
So let’s do a quick rundown of the exhaust system. First up, the exhaust manifold. That’s the part that attaches to the engine and collects the exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust gaskets help seal the connection with the manifold and other joints along the way. Now, if the manifold is cracked or loose, or a gasket is leaking, then dangerous gases could escape into the cabin, where you ride. Carbon monoxide can be deadly, so it’s important that your exhaust system doesn’t leak.
The exhaust pipes connect the various components. They can rust or be damaged by a rock, so they need to be inspected periodically.
Next comes the catalytic converter. This part actually looks like a muffler. It changes toxic chemicals into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any maintenance itself, but eventually it wears out. If yours has stopped working, you probably won’t discover it until your car fails an emissions inspection.
Next, the muffler. The main job of this aptly-named part is to muffle engine noises. Mufflers work by either absorbing or baffling sound. Many Brookfield drivers don’t know that you can actually customize your car’s sound with different mufflers – which is pretty cool because in addition to changing the look of your ride, you can also customize its sound!
Rusted or road-damaged mufflers can actually leak and they need to be replaced right away. The exhaust system is attached to the car by a series of hangers and clamps that hold the system in place. And when these hangers come loose or break then hot exhaust components can touch and melt wires, hoses and lines. Just think of the damage a hot curling iron can do – but worse. It’s not good to have that waving around.
And finally, we end at the tailpipe. Appropriate name. This is the final outlet for the exhaust. And one other component is the oxygen sensor. It monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust so the engine-control computer can adjust the fuel-to-air mix to keep the car running right.
We hope this hasn’t been too ‘exhausting’ of a discussion. Remember that a properly functioning exhaust system is important to your health and safety. Talk with your Friendly and professional service specialist at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee if you think you might need an automotive analysis of your exhaust system. A quick look can sure save a lot of pain down the road.
