Minneapolis Auto Repair

    Electric vehicles are now becoming the future of the automotive industry.  From their easy to use interfaces to their sleek designs, these cars have solidified their place in history & have shown that they are here to stay.  But along with the advantages of being more energy efficient and better for the climate, there are some problems that can come with owning an electric car, which is why in this article we will show you how to identify some common electrical car problems you may run into when driving your electric vehicle. Battery Degradation & Why It HappensBattery Degradation refers to the common occurrence of electrical car batteries diminishing over time affecting performance, range, and the longevity of the vehicle. This is a common electric car problem many Tesla, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQS owners eventually face driving an electr ... read more

Winter car starting can be challenging on cold winter mornings. There are four reasons we believe why the cold weather makes it harder to start cars: 1. Batteries hate the cold Cold weather and car batteries do not mix, making winter car starting more difficult. Chemical batteries produce less current when it is cold — sometimes a lot less. At DJ Foreign Auto Care, we recommend changing it every three years, though you could get away with five years, depending on how much you drive and how you drive. Make sure the battery cables aren't disconnected. With your engine off, check if the cables can slip free from the nodes.  Tightening the nut is an easy job and can save you from a mid-drive battery loss that would require you to get out of your car and take off your gloves. Check for corrosion. If there is a white powder around the nodes and/or clamps, it could be a sign of corrosion. If you can't get a new battery, we recommend cleaning the nodes and ... read more

The arrival of winter in Minnesota always stirs up a longing for adventure (or warmer destinations). After a few months cooped up inside and navigating icy roads, blue skies and sunny weather are reason enough to pack up your car and hit the road. However, your best planning will be ruined if you cannot rely on your car. A malfunction on your everyday commute is one thing, but could you imagine your car leaving you stranded miles outside your hometown? Car care is essential year-round, but especially before a road trip, so complete this road trip inspection before becoming a horror movie cliché. Neglecting to do a quick mechanical once-over (even on newer cars) before hitting the road is asking to be stranded. We are not talking about rebuilding the cylinder head or performing a line-bore on the crankshaft mains. We are merely stating a few reminders that may slip your mental checklist in a rush to get bags packed, and the children prepared. Fluids Fluids are ... read more

Car battery replacement in newer European vehicles is more complicated than you might think!  Some customers may try to install their own battery without having a qualified shop program the battery to their car's computer. While initially the car may work and warning lights such as the "check engine" or "service engine soon" may not be triggered, attempting to do your own car battery replacement can cost you a lot more than you were bargaining for in the long run. The electrical systems in today's newer import vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini Cooper, Land Rover, Jaguar and other makes, are so sophisticated that they tailor the electrical charging to both the age and type of battery in the car. There is a computer module inside the car that controls the alternator.  When you replace a battery, this computer needs to know that the car battery replacement has occurred, and also whether the battery is a traditional L ... read more