Getting the Right Tires And Wheels In Pewaukee

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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A lot of people get custom wheels in Pewaukee. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes, once they’re mounted, they just don’t fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don’t want that.

Consulting your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tire professional can ensure you get the right fit. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your Pewaukee driving needs and what you want in your new wheels. Now, not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.

If you don’t want to make any modifications to your Sedan, you would need to focus on the wheels that would fit. With trucks, some Pewaukee people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Pewaukee drivers don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s, like the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your Sedan anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong speed. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your Sedan engine control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in WI. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and how to select the right tire for your Sedan. Your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor will help you find the best tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs in Pewaukee.

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Why is My Check Engine Light On?

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Pewaukee motorists and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us Pewaukee motorists.

Let’s get the urgency issues out of the way first. If your check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause essential engine damage. Naturally, you need to get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at WI highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to your Pewaukee service center.

Why is My Check Engine Light On?

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician to get it checked out.

Some more Pewaukee information on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative for Pewaukee drivers. Most of your engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive.

In order to make these adjustments, the computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Sedan’s Check Engine Light.

A simple example is a loose or missing gas cap. This may cause one of the sensors to read out of range. The computer doesn’t know if it’s a serious condition that caused the reading or just a loose gas cap, so it stores a trouble code and turns on the Check Engine Light.

Now when you tighten up the gas cap the sensor readings will be in the correct range. The computer will keep checking on the report for a day or two. Since a bad reading didn’t come up again, it turns off the Check Engine Light. The computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your Sedan looked at. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give the technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

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Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee Helps You Decipher The Menu Board: Part 2

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Pewaukee service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some Pewaukee drivers may not be familiar with all of the items on the board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee fuel system cleaning: Over time, the Sedan fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas, by the way.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It’s usually good to change them every year or so.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee inspections: Pewaukee drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for WI summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used Sedan and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee oil change: – there are several options: Some Pewaukee centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. In my way of thinking, the full service option is best because it makes sure you have adequate fluids and may uncover an emerging problem. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee PCV valve replacement in Pewaukee: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee power steering service: Often overlooked. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the Sedan system running well for a long time.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee serpentine belt service: That’s the belt that powers the Sedan engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks, because that’ll shut you down.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Pewaukee people don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tire rotation and wheel balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear.

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Automotive Detective Work In Pewaukee

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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There’s a reason we use the word “diagnose” when we talk about fixing cars in Pewaukee. Figuring out what’s wrong with your Sedan has a lot of similarities to figuring out what’s wrong with someone who is ill. Vehicles are a mass of complex systems that can produce a variety of symptoms when something goes wrong. As with human diagnoses, a specific symptom may be indicative of a number of problems, and figuring out the specific cause takes training and experience.

Sometimes the diagnosis of your Sedan’s trouble comes down to a matter of trial-and-error. This can be frustrating for Pewaukee car owners because time and money are on the line. You may feel you should only be paying for repair work. Of course, you only want to pay for the right repair – and a proper diagnosis is part of getting it right. Like at the Pewaukee doctor’s office — some of what you pay for is the doctor’s time and effort to figure out what’s wrong with you, not for the actual cure.

The good news is that Pewaukee car owners can do a lot to help out their Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist in figuring out what’s wrong with their Sedan. Again, the medical office is a good analogy. The more information you can give your doctor about where it hurts, when it hurts and how it hurts, the more quickly he will be able to help you. In the same way, the more you can tell your Pewaukee service technician about when the problem occurs, what is sounds like, how often it occurs, where it occurs, etc., the more efficiently he will be able to get you back on the road.

Good auto advice: learn how to talk to your Pewaukee service specialist.

If fluid is leaking from your Sedan, you should note the color of the fluid, where under the car the puddles form, and when they form (e.g. only when it’s parked for a while, only if the engine’s hot, when the weather turns cold, etc.). For example, if your Sedan is making an unusual sound, you should indicate where the sound is coming from, what kind of sound it is, and when you hear it (again, be very specific). The more details you can give, the more helpful you will be. “I hear the sound when I turn left” is more helpful than “I hear the sound when I turn.” After a few conversations with your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional, you should get a feel for the kind of information he needs.

If you drop your car off, leave a detailed note describing information about your Sedan’s problem. A quickly scrawled “Making a funny noise” will only lead to frustration for both your technician and for you. Good communication leads to better car care for Pewaukee motorists.

If your Sedan is occasionally stalling or sputtering, you may need a little more patience than with other types of car trouble because these types of problems are intermittent. In order to fix the trouble, your service specialist often finds it helpful to reproduce the symptoms. And if the problem is intermittent, it may take a while to do so.

In these cases, specific information can be invaluable, as it can significantly reduce the time it takes for your Friendly and professional service specialist to get your Sedan to misbehave. For example, if you can tell your technician that the vehicle only acts up after it’s been driven for 20 minutes and over 50 mph, it will allow him to quickly reproduce your problem, greatly reducing the time it will take for a car diagnosis in Pewaukee and then get it fixed.

Good preventive maintenance goes a long way to keeping your car out of the Brookfield repair shop, but if you need to get it corrected, good communication will get you back on the road quickly.

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The Cold is here.

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Jim Nelson

The sub zero cold is here and something Pewaukee is no use too. Regardless, its here and now we have to deal with it.

I personally think winter is not complete unless we get close to –20 or colder and just see it as just another gift from god that we should try to enjoy the short time it is here. The almost no humidity, bug free, near allergy free environment I find comforting. The challenge of your car starting or not every time you go out. The sounds of the crunchy snow on top of the quietness at night I happen to enjoy.

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Pewaukee Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Jim Nelson

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Pewaukee car owners, Sedan manufacturers publish two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Pewaukee motorists follow?
Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are most of your trips less than four miles around Pewaukee?
Are most of your trips less than 10 miles in below-zero WI temps?
Are most of your trips off-highway in WI?
Do you drive often in dusty Brookfield areas?
Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Pewaukee?
Do you drive in very hot or very cold WI weather?

Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Pewaukee freeway on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute to Brookfield or Pewaukee? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Pewaukee surface streets?

Let’s suppose your owner’s manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles and the standard recommendation is 5,000 miles. You know that you need to change the oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Analyze your driving patterns and Pewaukee weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you’re closer to.

Why should Pewaukee drivers care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Pewaukee or winter driving means that the engine doesn’t heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. The water in the oil turns to harmful oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn’t let the oil protect it adequately. That’s why WI drivers need to change their oil more often – to clean the sludge out before it causes problems.

Carrying heavy loads (with or without a trailer) in bright WI summer weather causes your engine and transmission to run at higher temperatures and with more stress. The fluids will break down more quickly. Additives that clean and prevent harmful corrosion will be depleted sooner. Air pollution and dust cause fluids to get dirty faster. Ditto for filters. All of these things can lead to premature wear and eventual repairs, not to mention your fuel efficiency. If you want some expert advice, talk with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee advisor. We can help you restore your Sedan to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.

To learn more, watch our informative AutoNetTV auto video tips at the top of this post.

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee
262-691-7113
N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr
Pewaukee, WI 53072

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The Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee Guide To Vehicle Diagnosis

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Jim Nelson

Why is my check engine light on?

Modern Pewaukee vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle.

Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It’s no wonder that when something goes wrong with their Sedan it can be pretty complicated for Pewaukee auto owners to track down the source of the problem.

To help your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician figure out what’s wrong, your Sedan is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine Light comes on to tell you there’s a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech connects a scan tool to your vehicle’s diagnostic port and retrieves the trouble codes as well as other important data.

Trouble codes are like clues for the Brookfield technician to follow as he diagnoses what’s wrong with your Sedan. In a way, it’s like going to your Pewaukee doctor with a problem. She’ll run some additional tests and gather the information she needs to make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. How much a vehicle diagnosis costs at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee
262-691-7113
N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr
Pewaukee, WI 53072
www.nelsonsautomotive.com

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Which Item is Most Stolen from Vehicles in Pewaukee?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Jim Nelson

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in Pewaukee?

Is it:

  1. Stereo
  2. Wheels
  3. Air Bag
  4. DVD System

Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in Pewaukee – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in Pewaukee.

Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them.

Contact Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee for more information about where to get your airbags checked or replaced.
Find us at N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr, Pewaukee, WI 53072
You can reach us by phone at: 262-691-7113

There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.

That is definitely one car part you don’t want to take a chance with, so Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee recommends following these guidelines:

    • Use a reputable collision repair center that employs ASE certified mechanics (we can offer recommendations at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee).

 

    • Inspect the invoice to ensure that the repair shop purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, dealer, or recycler. If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer.

 

  • You will see the SRS light (Supplemental Restraint System) when you first start your vehicle up. This tells you that the airbag system is activated. If you do not see the SRS light, there is likely a problem with the airbag system.

For more information, contact Jim at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee by calling 262-691-7113.

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Emergency Items For Brookfield car owners

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Jim Nelson

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Safe WI travel starts with preventive maintenance and good car care at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. But there are other things Pewaukee car owners can do to prepare for emergencies on the road. Here’s some auto advice that can help you plan for emergencies, and just may save your life — or someone else’s.

First, Pewaukee car owners should consider keeping an auto emergency kit in their car. The kit should contain items that will allow you to deal with common emergencies on the road.

Some vital items you should carry in your Sedan include jumper cables (or a booster box), flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools. Other useful items include gloves, two quarts of oil, some antifreeze, water and everything you need to change a tire. You might also consider a can of tire inflator, which is a great temporary fix for minor flats.

But taking care of your Sedan is only part of emergency preparedness. It is critical to take care of the people in the car, too. For this reason, you should carry a first aid kit, drinkable water and blankets. Other items to consider include high-calorie food items (like energy bars), toilet paper, a towel, a hat and boots. And, of course, when you travel in WI and out-of-state you should always have your cell phone, some emergency cash and a credit card.

Depending on where you live, you may need to add other important items to this list. For example, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra water would be good to have on hand in a hot climate. For the cold and snowy WI season, some salt, a hand shovel, emergency blankets and matches might be in order. Also, if your WI area is prone to severe weather or earthquakes, you should check with your local Red Cross or disaster preparedness office for their recommendations on what to keep on hand in your Sedan for emergencies.

When you travel away from your Pewaukee home, you should check the weather forecasts before you leave, and pack appropriate emergency supplies. Also, do some research about the areas you will be traveling through so you can be prepared for the climate and terrain. Remember the basics: heat, water, shelter, light, and food.

When you travel, it is essential to leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Check in periodically at prearranged checkpoints. That way, if something does happen, someone else will quickly know you are in trouble and will be able to send help. These checkpoints will also help rescuers find you quickly, as they will have a better idea as to where you are.

The automotive professionals at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee want Pewaukee motorists to be safe. Preventive maintenance, proper planning, smart communication: these are the basics of safe travel.

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Deep Clean Your Fuel System At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Jim Nelson

Having trouble with your fuel system? Bring your Sedan into Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee for a check up.

N49W22900 Commerce Center Dr
Pewaukee, WI 53072
262-691-7113

In today’s Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee auto post, we’re talking about fuel system cleaning. The first thing to know is how critical it is to have a clean fuel system. Pewaukee drivers need fuel to go, and the cleaner the fuel system, the more efficiently the fuel will burn. That means more power and better fuel efficiency.

A clean fuel system saves money for Pewaukee motorists at WI gas stations. We guess you could say, it all starts and ends at the pump. One of the most important things Pewaukee drivers can do to keep their Sedan fuel system clean is to buy good quality gas. Major brands have detergents that keep gum and varnish from rapidly building up in the fuel system.

So buying cheaper gas in WI can actually be more expensive for Pewaukee car owners in the long run. Now, most cars on WI highways are more than five or six years old. That means they’ve had time for some dirt and rust to start accumulating in the fuel tank. This junk needs to be filtered out of the fuel before it hits your Sedan engine. That’s the fuel filter’s job.

When the fuel filter is clogged, the dirty fuel will bypass the filter and go on up to the engine where it can clog fuel injectors and get into the cylinders. That could be dangerous. So Pewaukee auto owners should have their fuel filter changed when recommended. Check your owner’s manual or ask your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician if your fuel filter is due for replacement.

The fuel then goes up into the throttle body. This is another area where varnish and gum can accumulate. A professional fuel system cleaning at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee will use a combination of special cleaning chemicals and old fashioned swabbing to clean out the throttle body. Now, the fuel injectors are the last stop in the fuel delivery system.

It’s important for Pewaukee auto owners to keep those fuel injectors clean. The fuel injectors need to deliver a precise amount of fuel, at exactly the right time, in a particular spray pattern. They just can’t do that if they’re dirty. Dirty fuel injectors really rob power and hurt gas mileage.

It is important for the fuel system proper, but there are a couple other things that will help keep your Sedan engine clean as well. Of course, air is mixed with the fuel before it’s burned. Dirty air means dirt gets into your engine, so you need to replace your engine air filter when it’s dirty.

The PCV value routes unburned fuel that escapes into the lower engine back up into the intake system to be burned. A sticky PCV valve needs to be replaced at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee to make sure that system is working properly for Pewaukee drivers and the breather filter needs to be replaced if it’s dirty as well.

Do all these things and your Sedan engine’s air and fuel will be as clean as possible. You’ll get much better fuel efficiency and better power.

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