Considering an Alternative Fuel Vehicle In Brookfield?

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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There is a clear and vocal demand in Pewaukee and nationally for a reduction in air pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. This is what is driving the WI market for alternative fuel vehicles. There are a number of these vehicles on Brookfield area roads today, and many more being developed. Yet each of these vehicles has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pewaukee drivers should learn what these advantages and disadvantages are before running out and purchasing one of these alternative fuel vehicles at your nearest Brookfield dealership.

Brookfield motorists should carefully research the car care before buying an alternative vehicle, as it may or may not coincide with the standards for gasoline vehicles. You should look at costs and fuel economy as well: these vehicles may help save our environment here in Pewaukee, but that might not represent a savings to your wallet. You’ll need to decide what you can afford, and what will work for your lifestyle. Also, your choice of vehicle may be affected by what fuels are available in your Brookfield area. Switching to an alternative fuel vehicle is not a bad decision, but it should be a carefully considered one.

Flex Fuel Vehicles
Flex fuel vehicles can run on gasoline or on a combination of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Because of the 85% ethanol content, this fuel is commonly called E85 in WI.

Ethanol is made from corn. So flex fuel vehicles lessen our dependency on fossil fuels. But they also raise the price of corn, which is a basic foodstuff in some areas of the world. Whether replacing fossil fuels with corn is a good idea is hotly contested right now.

Flex fuel vehicles do have lower harmful exhaust emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles. And in Brookfield, E85 is usually lower in cost than regular gasoline. When gasoline prices fall in WI, however, they can drop below the price of E85. This is to Pewaukee car owners’ advantage, since the vehicle can run on either fuel, but it negates the benefits of lowered exhaust emissions and lower consumption of fossil fuels.

One piece of Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee auto advice before we move on: do not put E85 into your Sedan unless it has an engine designed for flex fuels. Because of the high ethanol content in E85, engines need special seals and gaskets to function properly on this fuel. Running an ordinary engine with E85 can lead to gas leaks and fires.

Diesel
Diesel engines are nothing new on WI freeways, and many get great fuel efficiency. Diesel fuel can now be made from vegetable oil and other renewable sources. A diesel fuel made from algae will soon be on the market in Brookfield.

Natural Gas
Natural gas is less expensive than gasoline in Pewaukee and burns more cleanly. Also, gasoline engines can be adapted to run on compressed natural gas, and many natural gas vehicles are already on Waukesha roads. You can even install a special pump in your home gas line to use to fuel your vehicle. If you are interested in converting your gasoline engine to run on CNG in Pewaukee, ask your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional about it.

On the other hand, an engine running on natural gas is not as powerful as one running on gasoline, and it will get lower fuel economy. Also, the tank you need to store natural gas is large—it takes up nearly the entire trunk of your car. Further, refueling stations are still few and far between in some WI areas, or even unavailable, in many parts of the country.

Hydrogen
Another alternative fuel that has enjoyed a lot of hype in Brookfield is the hydrogen cell. The natural appeal is that the only exhaust is water vapor. In other words, hydrogen represents a truly clean-burning fuel. But hydrogen vehicles won’t come into widespread use until refueling stations become widely available here in Pewaukee and around the country.

Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles were all the rage in WI some years ago. But their limitations were quickly realized by Pewaukee drivers. These vehicles won’t come into their own until we find ways to improve their batteries. Currently, the cars have a short range before their power runs out, and can only be realistically used close to home. However, they are easy to recharge, since they can be plugged in at home, and there are many researchers working on improving the battery technology in these vehicles. They may yet be the vehicles of the future.

Hybrids
Hybrids have been one of the most successful alternative fuel vehicles here in Pewaukee and throughout the county. A hybrid gets its name because it has both a gas or diesel engine and an electric motor.

There are two types of hybrids. The full-hybrid relies on the electric motor for power, but the gas (or diesel) engine generates power for the battery. Thus, while still consuming fossil fuels, it uses less of them than a standard automobile, and also reduces harmful pollutants. Also, it overcomes the range problem of the strictly electric vehicle.

In a mild hybrid, the electric motor assists the gas or diesel engine in powering the car. Thus, it uses more gasoline or diesel than full hybrids and has higher emissions. But mild hybrids are available in larger body models like full-size pickups and SUV’s.

A Note of Caution about Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
One last note before we leave the subject of alternative fuel vehicles. The battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle is not as tame as the one in a standard vehicle. They carry enough voltage to kill you. These are not do-it-yourself vehicles when it comes to preventive maintenance or car care. Only a trained technician should work under their hoods.

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Shake It Up in Pewaukee!: Why Wheel Balancing

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Our vehicles are not massage chairs. While we may enjoy a good vibration in an overstuffed recliner, us Pewaukee auto owners generally want as smooth a ride as possible in our vehicles. One way to achieve this is to keep a vehicle’s wheels in balance.

When a tire is mounted onto a wheel, it is usually out of balance. This means that as the wheel spins, there is a slight wobble to the path of the tire. For best handling performance and safety on the road, Pewaukee auto owners want to minimize this wobble as much as possible. So we balance our tires. To balance a tire, your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor spins it on a machine or drum to determine where it is off-balance. He then attaches weights that counter-balance the uneven weight. Most Pewaukee car owners are surprised at how much balancing improves the smoothness of their ride.

High-quality tires generally hold their balance well. But over time, wear and tear take their toll and tires can become unbalanced. Pewaukee drivers can tell when a front tire is unbalanced if they feel a vibration in the steering wheel. If a back tire is unbalanced, you’ll feel a vibration in your seat. You may not notice these vibrations until they get fairly serious — or until someone else drives your Sedan — because they usually develop slowly. If a vibration starts abruptly, it usually means you’ve lost a balancing weight.

The average tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 mph. When a tire is out of balance, it actually hops down the highway, rather than rolling. So at 60 mph it is slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That’s what creates the dangerous vibration. When Pewaukee car owners’ tires are out of balance, they wear out more quickly. The lack of balance also causes extra wear on shocks, struts, steering components and vital suspension parts.

Getting a balance job at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee can prevent pricey repair bills and even an accident. It will improve the safety of your Sedan as well as its handling performance, and it will improve your fuel economy. When you change your rims or get a flat repaired at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, you’ll need to get your tires balanced as well. When you rotate your tires, you may want to have them balanced as well.

Some Pewaukee vehicle owners, however, only balance their wheels every other rotation. You can check your owner’s manual to see what the recommends for your Sedan. Balancing your tires is part of important preventive maintenance. It keeps your vehicle in good repair and prevents damage to many of its components, including some pricey ones. So practice good car care and make it a point to keep your tires balanced. It’s quality auto advice from Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. Massages chairs may vibrate away our worries, but unbalanced tires will just rattle Pewaukee drivers’ nerves.

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Drive Defensively In WI

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Car care is a critical part of auto safety in Pewaukee. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on WI roads is to drive safely.

Defensive driving is safe driving. And defensive driving is all about attitude. You have to decide that you will be a safe driver in WI, no matter what anyone else is doing.

Pewaukee motorists can start with awareness. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, the road conditions, other vehicles on the Pewaukee road or highway and road hazards. Have you ever suddenly realized that you have arrived somewhere, but you don’t really remember driving there? That is unsafe driving.

Never assume that other Pewaukee car owners are paying attention. You be the one on alert. You be the one to take initiative to stay out of the way of other WI drivers. And don’t let familiarity dull your alertness. Remind yourself to pay as close attention while driving on the roads near your Pewaukee home as you would in unfamiliar territory around WI.

Prepare your Sedan so you can give the road your full attention. Secure passengers and pets before leaving the driveway. Secure loose items in your Sedan so they can’t become projectiles if you have to brake suddenly. If children or pets become a distraction while driving, pull over and take care of the problem before re-entering traffic. Unclutter your windows. Take down the danglies from your rearview mirror. And don’t use your Sedan dashboard as an office. Move distractions and clutter to the backseat. Keep your windshield clear.

Properly maintain your Sedan. Preventive maintenance doesn’t just prevent repairs; it prevents unsafe vehicles. Make sure your tires, lights, brakes, suspension, alignment and steering get regular check-ups at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. Also, listen to your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor when he gives you auto advice about other systems in your Sedan. Knowing about the wear and tear on your Sedan can help you avoid dangerous situations.

Avoid driving when you are sleepy or angry. Get a good night’s sleep before a road trip in WI, and learn to set aside relationship, job or other issues while you are in a vehicle. Again, you have to take charge of your own safety. Don’t daydream in your vehicle. Also, talking to passengers can be a distraction. Keep your mind on the road. Conversations may keep you from daydreaming or excessive boredom on a long trip, but always keep your driving foremost in your mind.

Maintain a proper speed. Driving too fast is dangerous on crowded Pewaukee roads, but driving too slowly can cause accidents, too. At night, don’t overdrive your headlights. Your stopping distance needs to be shorter than the distance your headlights are illuminating.

Never drink and drive. Alcohol plays a part in half of all fatal accidents in WI and nationally. Also, don’t drive drugged. Pay attention to the warning labels on any medications you are taking.

Other Sussex motorists need to see you and know what you want to do. Use your Sedan turn signals, and stay out of other WI drivers’ blind spots.

If you can, avoid driving over debris in the road. You can damage your Sedan or end up in an accident. Of course, if swerving to avoid the debris is dangerous, then slow down and navigate as best you can. Do what you can to alert other motorists to the problem. You may want to pull to the side of the Waukesha road and report the debris or move it to the side of the road, if you can do so safely.

Never follow too closely on Brookfield roads or expressways. Observe the two-second rule. Choose an object ahead such as a tree or traffic sign. As the car in front of you passes it, start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand. If you reach the object before you’re done, you’re too close. Back off.

If you are on one of the WI expressways, or if you are hauling a heavy load, or if you are tired, or if in any way you are not the model of the alert and attentive driver, then increase that two-second rule to three seconds. Give yourself an added measure of safety. If the Brookfield weather is bad, increase the rule to five seconds.

Inevitably, someone always pulls in front of you when you are trying to follow the “seconds” rules. Don’t get mad. Just back off and leave them to their bad driving habits. Remember, you are not going to give up your safety for anyone else’s cussedness. It’s always a bad trade.

If someone is following you too closely, pull over and let them pass. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you’re late, worry about it after you’re there, not while you’re on the road.

If you see a vehicle driving erratically in Pewaukee, stay away. Take the next right or the next exit off the highway. Notify the Pewaukee police as soon as you are safely stopped.

And of course, don’t be the idiot driver we all complain about in Pewaukee. Don’t contest your right-of-way, don’t race to beat someone to a merge, and don’t cut into someone else’s two seconds of space. Winning these types of ego trips may end up losing you your Sedan—or worse, your life or the life of a friend.

The professional automotive team at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee wants all Pewaukee car owners to stay smart and stay safe.

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Breathe Free In Pewaukee: Cabin Air Filter Replacement At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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There are a lot of new features, both optional and standard, on Pewaukee car owners’ vehicles these days. One you may not have heard of is called a cabin air filter. Simply put, its job is to keep the air in the passenger compartment of your car nice and clean.

A cabin air filter is similar to the filter you use on your furnace at home in Pewaukee. Cabin air filters can catch particles down to three microns. By comparison, a grain of sand is 200 microns. So cabin air filters are effective against dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores and most pollutants in our Brookfield atmosphere. Good news if you suffer from any types of allergies, or if you live in an area in Pewaukee prone to air pollution.

Cabin air filters are generally located in the engine compartment or under the dashboard. They can be tricky to access and replace, so you’ll probably want to go to your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional to get it done. Check your Sedan owner’s manual to find out if your Sedan is equipped with a cabin air filter and how often it should be changed. Recommendations vary, but generally a cabin air filter should be changed every twelve to fifteen thousand miles.

Of course, if you are an allergy sufferer in Pewaukee, you may want to replace it more often. Also, if you do a lot of driving in polluted or dusty areas in WI, you’ll also want to shorten the cabin air filter replacement period. Dirty air filters just don’t work well, and they can exude an unpleasant odor if ignored for too long.

Most Pewaukee folks know that good car care includes keeping your Sedan clean, including the air inside the passenger compartment, so changing your cabin air filter should be part of your routine preventive maintenance. It’s good auto advice as well as good medical advice that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You really shouldn’t wait until the interior of your car starts to smell and your eyes start to water before you change your filter. And trying to cover it up with a dangling green pine tree is not the right answer, either!

Cabin air filters can be a welcome relief to Pewaukee allergy sufferers, but they’re also a great idea for anyone in Brookfield who just wants to breathe better.

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Straight And True In Pewaukee: Wheel Alignment

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Most Brookfield folks worry about running out of gas or having a breakdown on the side of the road. That is why we practice preventive maintenance on our vehicles — that and to keep our repair bills down. But one important part of preventive maintenance that may get overlooked by Pewaukee car owners is a periodic alignment inspection.

Poor alignment causes tires to wear rapidly, unevenly or both. This means they will have to be replaced early, and new tires are more costly than an alignment check in Pewaukee. Bad alignment can also cause damage to suspension and steering systems, which can be expensive to repair in Brookfield.

Tire wear on misaligned wheels can also lead to blowouts, which are dangerous, can lead to serious accidents, and can seriously damage your Sedan. Also, poor alignment itself can be the cause of an accident, since the Sedan may not steer properly.

One or more wheels on your Sedan can be knocked out of alignment by running over a curb or a pothole on a bumpy Pewaukee street. An accident, even a minor one, that involves a wheel on your car can lead to misalignment. The small bumps and bangs of everyday Waukesha driving can also gradually put your wheels out of alignment.

If you have had wheel damage to your Sedan, or if you suspect that your wheels are out of alignment, you should get your alignment checked NOW. Any Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional will give you that piece of auto advice. But good car care suggests that you also get your alignment inspected on a regular basis. At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee, we can take care of that for you.

Your owner’s manual or Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician can give you a suggestion on how often your alignment should be checked. If it doesn’t, then once a year is a good rule of thumb. However, if you drive a lot and especially if you drive on rough surfaces a lot, then you may want to consider a diagnostic examination more often. Ask your Friendly and professional service specialist for a recommendation.

If your Sedan is out of alignment, one or more of the wheels is not tracking correctly and will “pull” against the others. Thus, one sign of poor alignment is that your Sedan pulls to one side when you drive around Brookfield. Also, if you are driving a straight path and your steering wheel is off-center, that usually indicates an alignment problem.

Pewaukee drivers should also check the wear on their tires. If they seem to be wearing out too quickly, or if you notice that a tire is wearing on one side more than the other, you should get your alignment checked.

When you get an inspection, your vehicle will be put on a rack and all the parts of the steering and suspension systems will be inspected for wear or damage. The alignment of the tires will be charted and compared to the original factory settings. If no repairs are needed on the steering or suspension systems, the wheels will then be adjusted to bring them back into alignment.

This may seem like a lot of bother for Sussex auto owners, but it’s a lot less trouble than a blowout or an accident. The old adage is good auto advice for all Pewaukee residents: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So keep on driving, and keep all four tires on the road.

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Cool Breeze: Air Conditioning Service At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee In Pewaukee

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Most WI auto owners know that their vehicles need regular preventive maintenance like changing the oil and filters, rotating the tires and refilling the washer fluid. But did you know that your air conditioning system needs routine maintenance as well? Taking care of your air conditioning system can extend its life and prevent costly repair bills.

Why is it important for Brookfield car owners to get routine maintenance on their air conditioning system? First, the refrigerant contains an added lubricant. As the refrigerant circulates through the air conditioning system, its parts are lubricated. This constant lubrication keeps the parts functioning well. But over time, this lubricant is used up, and without it, the parts will eventually seize up and fail.

Pewaukee folks should understand, however, that the air conditioner will continue to pump out cool air even without the lubricant, so you won’t know the system is sick until it actually dies. So good car care includes regularly checking the refrigerant and lubricant in your Sedan air conditioning system and replacing it if needed.

The second reason your air conditioning system needs preventive maintenance is that air and water can get into the system. Air, water and the contaminants they contain will reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning system and can cause corrosion of the system’s parts. Keeping the air conditioning system clean is an essential practice and will extend its life and keep you from losing your cool on hot Brookfield days.

How often should you get a routine car air conditioner inspection? It varies from vehicle to vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for the auto manufacturer’s recommendation.

Here’s a good piece of auto advice for WI motorists that will extend the life of their air conditioning systems: You should run your air conditioner in the winter every once in a while. This circulates the refrigerant, which lubricates the seals. That way, they won’t dry out during cold Pewaukee weather.

Your air conditioning system doesn’t just cool the air in your Sedan; it dries it out as well. So if you have trouble with a foggy windshield, flip on your air conditioning on the defrost setting. You may be surprised at how quickly it takes care of the problem. Of course, some vehicles can’t run the air conditioner and defroster at the same time; you should check your owner’s manual or with the car maker if you are uncertain whether this feature works in your car or not.

So, after learning about preventive maintenance for your A/C, you might now be wondering if your air conditioner is in trouble. Two early warning signs of a failing air conditioner are (1) the air just isn’t getting as cold as it used to and (2) there’s a strange noise when the air conditioner turns on. If you notice either of these symptoms in your Sedan, you should bring it to Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee as soon as possible.

Just some good auto advice to keep you cool in Brookfield and keep you on the road!

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Blind Spot Safety For Pewaukee Driving

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Blind spots may be a good thing when it comes to a spouse’s annoying habits, but when driving an automobile in Pewaukee, they are definitely to be avoided. So, while it’s not good marital advice, it’s good auto advice to minimize your own blind spots and stay out of other Brookfield car owners’ blind spots, especially when it comes to large, heavy vehicles like trucks and buses.

First, minimize your own blind spots. Do this before you pull out of the driveway or parking space. Adjust your rearview mirror so that you see as much of the area behind you as possible. And, no, this doesn’t include the passengers in the back seat. The rearview mirror isn’t designed to be a baby monitor.

Next, lean to the side until your head almost touches the driver’s side window. Now adjust the driver’s side mirror so that it just catches the side of the Sedan. Then, lean to the middle of the car and adjust the passenger’s side mirror in the same way. These adjustments will ensure you the widest possible view behind your vehicle.

Of course, you can’t eliminate blind spots entirely. There is always an area behind any vehicle where the driver just can’t see what’s there. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot. Toddlers are just the right size to hide in a pickup’s or SUV’s blind spot. The blind spot on an RV or tractor-trailer can actually hide your crossover! You should always check behind any vehicle before getting in and backing up. And if you sit in the Sedan for a few minutes before backing up, it is critical to get out and check again, especially if you are pulling out of a neighborhood driveway in Pewaukee. No precaution is too extreme if it saves the life of a child.

Once you have taken care of your own blind spots, be aware that other Pewaukee auto owners have them, too. And avoid them. Trucks and buses have large blind spots, and they have blind spots on all four sides, so they should always be given extra room on Waukesha roads. They are also heavy, which means they need more room to stop, and their length means they need a wider area for turns, and their large size makes them less maneuverable than a car.

Trucks may cause about 60% of the accidents involving a truck and a car, but 78% of fatalities in such accidents are with the smaller vehicle. The number of fatalities in WI, as well as the number of crashes, could be cut significantly if Pewaukee car owners learned to properly share WI roads with trucks.

Never follow a truck too closely. If you can’t see the driver’s face in his side mirror, then he can’t see you. If you need to pass a truck, it is vital to make sure you give yourself enough time to pass the rig. Wait for the right opportunity rather than “cutting it close.” On a two-lane WI highway, it’s always a good idea to wait for a passing zone if they are available. A little patience could save your life or the lives of others. Turn on your turn signal so the truck knows what you’re planning, and pass on the left whenever possible. Remember those blind spots? They are much larger on the right side of a truck.

Once you’ve committed to passing the truck, don’t muck about. Pass it quickly and give yourself plenty of room to move back over. It is important to wait until you can see both headlights in your rearview mirror before pulling back in front of the truck. Once again, use your Sedan turn signals. After you pull in front of the truck, decelerate to the regulated driving speed slowly. Remember that the truck has a long stopping distance, which translates into a long slowing distance. And, since trucks are so big, we often perceive them as traveling more slowly than they really are. Trucks are a lot of weight moving at a high speed, and we need to treat them accordingly.

Never pull to the right of a truck at an intersection unless you are absolutely certain it is not going to turn. Check if its turn signals are on or if it has angled to the left or right. (Trucks often begin a right turn by angling to the left to widen their turning area.) Trucks need a lot of room on city streets, and they probably can’t see you if you pull along their right side. Too many cars have ended up in Pewaukee body shops because the car owners thought they could beat that truck to the right turn, or they only noticed the seemingly open lane, and not the truck angling into a turn.

While learning to share Brookfield area roads and interstates with trucks and other large vehicles may not seem like preventive auto maintenance, it does, in fact, go hand-in-hand with good Pewaukee car care. Keeping your Sedan out of the body shop can save you big bucks and prevent the stress of a major accident, along with the injuries that could come with it.

The team at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee urges you to stay safe, and stay on the road!

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Clean Air for Your Engine: A New Engine Air Filter at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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All of us Pewaukee auto owners know we have to get the oil changed in our Sedans periodically. That’s just part of good car care. But when Brookfield techs change your oil, they also usually inspect your air filter. That’s why they sometimes let you know that your air filter needs to be changed before releasing your Sedan.

Don’t just chock this up to trying to sell you something else. Waukesha auto owners really do need to change their air filter when it gets dirty. You can check your owner’s manual to see how often your air filter should need to be changed, but remember, if you live in an area in WI with poor air quality, or if you drive a lot or drive under harsh conditions in the Brookfield area, you may need to change that filter more often than is recommended.

Changing an air filter isn’t guesswork. If a filter’s dirty, it needs to be replaced. Air filters aren’t very expensive at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee. But the problems they cause if Pewaukee car owners don’t change them can get to be pricey.

For every gallon of gas your Sedan burns, it needs 12,000 gallons of air. Clean filters allow better airflow into your engine, which means that your engine will get more air more quickly. That means your Sedan engine runs more efficiently.

Dirty air filters cut airflow to your engine. All the debris in the filter clogs up the spaces the air needs to pass through to get to the engine. This dirty air can damage costly electronic components.

If you are in tune with your Sedan, you’ll notice a difference when you change a really dirty air filter for a clean one. Your Sedan may actually purr for you again. Its performance improves when it has a new, clean filter. So remember, changing your air filter is one of the most essential elements of preventive maintenance. At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, it’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and it’s important.

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Smart Pewaukee Drivers Protect Against Overheating

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Engines get hot when they run. This heat can build up and damage vital engine parts, so engines need a cooling system to keep them running. Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical failure in vehicles. This is unfortunate, because these failures are usually easy for Pewaukee car owners to prevent.

The radiator is the best-known and most recognizable part of the cooling system. Hoses filled with coolant (also known as antifreeze) connect the radiator to the engine. The coolant draws heat from the engine, and then flows to the radiator. Air passing through cooling fins on the radiator cools the coolant. The coolant then cycles back into the engine to start the process over again.

The most critical component of the cooling system, however, is the coolant itself. A mixture of water and coolant/antifreeze helps keep it both from freezing and from boiling away. Either can result in serious engine damage.

Different engines require different types of coolant/antifreeze. The owner’s manual will list what kind a vehicle requires. Using the wrong type or mixing different types of may void the warranty on the cooling system and may damage it as well.

Insufficient coolant can lead to engine failure. Coolant levels need to be checked regularly and topped off as necessary. If coolant levels drop quickly or consistently, the cooling system should be inspected for leaks. Coolant/antifreeze contains additives that protect the radiator and other coolant components from rust, scale and corrosion. Over time, these additives are depleted, so it is necessary for Pewaukee motorists to replace coolant at specified intervals. Changing coolant should be part of routine preventive maintenance for any vehicle.

This service is often ignored, though, since old coolant still cools the engine. Vehicle owners don’t realize there is a problem until the system fails. They are left with major repairs and possibly a damaged engine, which could have been prevented with a cooling system service at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee.

If your Sedan sends a warning message to check its coolant or if the temperature gauge is reading in the red or hot zone, then the cooling system needs an inspection. This service is important and should not be put off since the potential for damage is high.

In an emergency situation, water or antifreeze can be added to your Sedan so that it can be driven to a service center for proper car care. For this reason, owner’s manual contains instructions for how to top off insufficient coolant – allow 45 minutes for the engine to cool before attempting to add coolant or water. However, the fluid should be added to the coolant overflow bottle, not to the radiator itself. Removing the radiator pressure cap can result in severe burns.

Topping off in an emergency, however, does not fix the problem. The vehicle should immediately be taken to your Pewaukee service center or Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee where they can inspect the cooling system, repair any leaks, and clean it if necessary. They can identify what caused the emergency situation in the first place and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Regular maintenance of a vehicle’s cooling system is just good auto advice for Pewaukee motorists. Cooling system service is relatively inexpensive and doesn’t take long at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. Lack of it, however, can put a vehicle in the scrap heap.

Talk to your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional for more information.

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What

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Would you be surprised to learn that about half of the passenger cars in Europe have diesel engines? You might also be surprised to learn that most vehicle manufacturers produce a variety of diesel-fueled cars for purchase abroad.

Diesel-fueled vehicles haven’t been as popular in the North American markets like WI. But that won’t be true for long. North Americans are seeing a lot more diesel-fueled vehicles on the road. And we’re not talking about buses and trucks. These vehicles will be passenger cars, pick-ups and SUV’s.

There are two reasons for this. The first is a recent change in environmental laws that have upgraded emissions standards for diesel fuel in North America. Diesel fuel in North America used to have higher sulfur content than European fuel, meaning that it was a dirtier fuel to burn. That was okay for larger vehicles, but the lighter-weight engines in passenger vehicles just couldn’t tolerate it.

But that high sulfur content is now a thing of the past. Fuel producers are now required to sell cleaner diesel fuel in Pewaukee. That opens the North American market to more diesel-powered vehicles. The second reason we’re going to see more of these vehicles in Pewaukee is that they’re more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Diesel fuel has higher energy density than gasoline. That translates to more power per barrel of fuel. In your tank, that translates to better engine performance and about 20% more miles per gallon.

Pewaukee motorists may associate diesel engines with black smoke, noise and a definite “shake, rattle and roll.” That’s also a thing of the past. Modern diesel engines are smooth and quiet and produce cleaner emissions than gasoline engines. Also, forget that three-second wait behind a diesel vehicle at a stoplight. Modern diesels are just as quick to accelerate as other vehicles on Pewaukee roads.

Diesel engines have other advantages over gasoline engines. Diesel engines are heavier than gasoline engines because they require more heavy-duty parts, but that means the engines are more durable and can last longer than gasoline engines. Also, diesel engines may be the engines of the future since they can burn many of the new bio-fuels.

Bio-diesel can be manufactured from vegetable oils, including used cooking oil from Pewaukee restaurants. Just think, one day you could fuel your vehicle on stuff that was once considered waste—one step closer to a cleaner environment here in WI. And if you think hybrid cars are environmentally sound, consider what a diesel-electric hybrid could mean. They will soon be available for
Pewaukee auto owners.

Pewaukee drivers who are considering buying a diesel-fueled vehicle, should know that critical preventive maintenance and inspection schedules are different for a diesel engine than a gasoline engine. Diesel fuel is harder on emissions systems than gasoline, so the filters and other devices have to be changed and checked more often. Also, the fuel injection system operates at much higher pressures for diesel than for gasoline, so keeping it clean becomes a higher priority.

When you switch from a gas vehicle to a diesel, you’ll have to learn some new rules of car care. But you won’t be alone. Most
Pewaukee service centers are aware that diesels are coming to North America and are already prepared to provide service for diesel engines. At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we are well-versed in diesel technology. You can rely on our team of automotive professionals to provide quality service for diesel powered vehicles.

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