Elysian Auto Service

  Is Your Vehicle Ready For The Holidays? Before we know it, Christmas and the New Year will be upon us! For a lot of us, that means extra miles on our vehicles.  Making sure your vehicle is ready to take on the fierce Minnesota winter and holiday travel is very important, and might help give you some peace of mind the next time you have to hit the road. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your vehicle is in top shape and ready for the season: 1. Check your tires, make sure they are in good condition and have a tread depth of at least 5/32". Buying a set of winter tires is another good option, they contain a specialized tread that can help with traction.  2. Check your tire pressure and make sure they are up to manufacturer recommendations. The cold causes tire pressure to drop. 3. Test your battery, the cold is very tough on batteries. Especially pay attention to your cold-cranking amps, this is what will determine if your battery starts in cold temperatures....

    What Are Winter Tires And Why Do I Need Them? Benefits of Winter Tires It is true that many all-season tires can handle light winter driving to a certain extent. In Minnesota, you might want to think twice about your all-season tires and consider switching over to a winter tire for the snowy months. Winter roads are very unpredictable, you might encounter black ice or heavy snowfall. You will want to be prepared for those situations and to have the best tires possible to help get you on your way.  Here are a few advantages you get with winter tires:  -Longevity: Buying a set of winter tires means you are able to put fewer miles on your regular season tires and they will last longer, and because you will only need winter tires for a few months you will get multiple seasons out of them as well.   -Tread Depth & Traction: Winter tires have a deeper tread depth which helps lessen snow buildup. The specialized tread design also pushes water away from the...

    Why is my brake pedal spongy? A “spongy” brake pedal can result from a few different things. You could have air in your brake line. Or you may have a leak in the brake line. If you have an air bubble in your brake line this can prevent the fluid from flowing down the brake line causing that spongy sensation. The other culprit, a leak in the brake line, can cause this spongy sensation, or your brake pedal may press all the way down to the floor. These are major symptoms and should not be ignored! In a disc brake vehicle, the process is simple to follow, every time you step on your brakes hydraulic brake fluid is sent down the brake line to an item called a caliper. The caliper then squeezes the brake pads against that shiny round silver disc called a rotor, which stops your vehicle. If you have any interruption in the process you have a major problem, and will lose braking power. If there is air in the line we perform a brake fluid service or brake bleed to get all the old ...

  When Should I Replace My Brakes? How often should brakes be replaced? When was the last time my brakes were replaced? You might find yourself wondering about the answer to these questions. There is no simple answer, it depends on where you are driving and your driving style. Someone who is frequently applying brakes (bumper-to-bumper traffic, only drives in the city) is going to need to replace their brakes more frequently than someone who mainly puts on highway miles, meaning they apply their brakes a lot less frequently. Brakes are crucial and should be checked out immediately if there are ever any concerns. Our Minnesota winters make brakes that much more important, can you imagine going into the winter without adequate brakes? There are a few telltale signs to be aware of that will help indicate it is time for new brakes.  Grinding brakes. This is a great indicator that your brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced. If your brakes start grinding, get them checked...

    What Does Brake Fluid Do? We install hundreds of sets of brakes during the year here at Elysian Auto Service, but not everyone is aware of the importance of brake fluid! Did you know that every time you step on the brakes it heats up that fluid and sends it through the system? When it cools, condensation is created and that moisture is absorbed into the fluid which will cause corrosion, especially in the calipers.  So to avoid a costly repair and to keep your brakes operating at peak efficiency we encourage everyone to have a BG brake fluid service at regular intervals to protect those components as you head down the road. Brake fluid should be a part of your regular maintenance schedule much like your coolant or transmission fluid. We like to see most fluids changed every 30,000 miles. When getting a brake job done is the perfect time to perform a brake fluid service. That way you have brand new hardware and fluid. During the month of October is Brakes For Breas...

  What is Brakes For Breasts? Starting September 19th, 2022, Elysian Auto Service in Elysian, MN will join hundreds of Independent Auto Repair Shops across the US and Canada to raise funds for breast cancer vaccine research as part of the Brakes for Breast fundraiser. As part of the fundraiser, participating auto repair facilities will give away FREE (quality) brake pads . The customer simply pays for the labor and any other parts necessary to complete the brake job, and the shops then donate 10% of the brake job directly to Dr. Vincent Tuohy & the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Brakes for Breasts fundraising efforts started in 2011 with 5 automotive repair shops in the Cleveland, Ohio area that raised $10,000 and has now evolved to incorporate hundreds of shops in the United States and Canada. Since then, these shops have collectively raised over $1,000,000, making Brakes for Breasts the largest third-party fundraising entity at the Cleveland Clinic. Mor...

  Do Brake Pads And Rotors Need To Be Replaced At The Same Time? Have you recently started to hear grinding when you press on the brake pedal? Or maybe your brake pedal has started to feel squishy? These are both telltale signs that it is time to have your brakes looked at. To answer the question on brake pads and rotors needing to be replaced at the same time, our answer is yes. What are brake pads? Brake pads are flat pieces of steel. On one side they are smooth and on the other side is a thick material that absorbs friction. When you press on your brake pedal, your brake pads make contact with your rotors which slows you and eventually brings you to a stop. Every time you brake, your pad loses a bit of the friction-absorbing material.  What are rotors? Rotors are a disk that oftentimes can be seen from your wheel well. Rotors are what absorb the high pressure from your brake pads. When you press the brake pedal, your pads make contact with the rotors. Rotors are subject to ...

  Elysian Auto Service: Tips For College Commuters For most college students, summer has ended and classes have started. Many students attend a school away from their hometown, meaning they might have a long commute when going home. Elysian Auto Service wants to pass on some tips so that commuters can safely get where they are going.  -Look over your car before getting in, make sure the tires all look full, check that nothing is leaking onto the ground, and make sure all your lights work. -Fill your gas tank before leaving, that way you don’t have to worry about making it to the next gas station.  -Let someone know when you leave, that way they know when you should arrive and can look out for you.  -Carpool! Many colleges have Facebook groups specifically for ride-sharing and carpooling. This will help save money on gas and also make the drive a little less lonely.  -Pack a bag of essentials. Grab an extra phone charger, a water bottle, and some extra snacks. An...

  Auto Repair Shop Near Me: Elysian Auto Service Did you know that Elysian Auto Service is a local family-owned business and has been around since 1984? Owners Carl and Susan Morsching can be found at the shop every day, taking pride in the business they created. We are located on 203 East Main St. in Elysian, Minnesota. We love our small town and supporting communities.  Our technicians are ASE-certified. And our shop is AAA-approved. No job is too big or small, we do it all. Everything from an oil change to a new motor. We also sell tires and offer alignments. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00-5:00.  Why choose Elysian Auto Service? We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. Working with customers and making them happy is our main priority. We do everything possible to make your trip to Elysian Auto Service as convenient and quick as possible. We also offer unique amenities such as: -Free Loaner Cars -Free Shuttle Rides -Free Pick Up and Delivery -Digital Ve...

  Elysian Auto Service: Do My Tires Need To Be Balanced? Have you had your tires balanced recently? One of the biggest signs you are in need of a balance is a vibration/shake, especially at higher speeds. It can be frightening at first, especially if you aren’t familiar with tire balancing. The good news is that it is a rather quick and easy fix.  How are tires balanced? A specialized machine is used which tells technicians exactly how much weight needs to be added and where. Each wheel is inserted individually onto the machine. All of your tires are different and will need weights added in different spots. The added weight counterbalances the heavy spots in the tire. Now you will have perfectly balanced tires. This not only gives you a smoother ride but also more even tire wear.  How often should tires be balanced?  Elysian Auto Service recommends this service be performed every 3 tire rotations or every 15,000 miles. Keeping your tires regularly rotated, balanced, ...

  What Is A Fuel Induction? Do you feel like your vehicle might be losing fuel efficiency? Maybe it is idling kind of rough? These could be signs of carbon buildup on your fuel injectors. Carbon builds up over time, and a fuel induction service will help clean up carbon deposits within your engine. Modern GDI engines can see performance and efficiency loss at as early as 3,000 miles.  There are many benefits to this service. You will see your fuel efficiency and performance restored and improved. How does a fuel induction work? At Elysian Auto Service, we perform fuel inductions using top-of-the-line BG Products. We use a machine with a cleaner in it that is able to get in hard-to-reach and see areas and knock down the carbon that has been deposited.  We recommend a fuel induction service every 15,000 miles! If you ask me, it is worth every penny. Give it a try for yourself today at Elysian Auto Service. 

Tips For Traveling With Pets Most of us own a pet that we love like a family member. Approximately 78% of Americans travel with their pets. For some pet parents, this can seem like a daunting task, and for others, it is as easy as can be. Here are some tips to help make traveling with your pet easier.  -Invest in a harness or some type of restraint. This will ensure that your pet is secured in case of an accident. The back seat is the safest place for pets. The front seat has an airbag which could cause injury.    -Portable food dishes. These are usually lightweight and packable, which means they take up less space. -Make sure they have an ID tag with up-to-date information. Have you recently moved or changed phone numbers? If your pet has a microchip make sure to update your info in there as well.  -You never know what traveling might bring, be sure to have extra cleaning supplies and towels along.  -Bring familiar or comfort items. Traveling can be very stress...

  What Are Some Common Dash Warning Lights? We have all been there, driving down the road and minding our own business when a dash warning light suddenly pops on. You might have known the meaning, and maybe even the cause right away. Or if you are like me, you might have no idea! Dash warning lights can be scary, the last thing you want is to have your vehicle brake down. Being informed about what specific warning lights mean will help ease some stress and you will be more knowledgeable about what is going on with your vehicle.  Check Engine: This light could mean dozens of different things. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, or as serious as a major mechanical issue. The check engine light relates to the vehicle's emissions system and the motor. It is important to note when it came on, and if you noticed anything else out of the ordinary going on with your vehicle at the time. This can help your mechanic pinpoint what is going on.  Oil Pressure: This lig...

  4th of July Travel Tips Are you planning to put on some miles this 4th of July? Maybe taking a trip up north to the cabin? An estimated 42 million people are expected to travel somewhere this weekend. If you plan to leave on Friday, July 1st the best time to hit the road is before 10:00 a.m or after 9:00 p.m. according to Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst. It is best to plan ahead and anticipate running into traffic. Here are some tips for planning a successful 4th of July road trip: -Check your tires. Look at all 4 and make sure they are free from any slashes and have a safe amount of tread. Check your inflation, and make sure all your tires have adequate air. This will save you from an unplanned tire failure. -Do you have a full-sized spare tire? Did you know that traditional “donut” spare tires are only meant to be driven at slower speeds and for only a few miles? Basically, they are adequate enough to get you to the nearest gas station. Purchasing an extra tire when you ...

  Why Choose Elysian Auto Service? Elysian Auto Service has been serving the Elysian area since 1984. Owners, Carl and Susan Morsching have many years of experience in the industry. Exceptional customer service and quality repairs are our main goals. We love the small community of Elysian, where customers are like family. We are located at 203 East Main Street Elysian, MN 56028.  We do things a little differently here. Some reasons to choose Elysian Auto Service: -Complimentary Loaner Cars -Complimentary Pick-Up and Delivery -Customer Shuttle -Digital Inspections -Text Communication -Text or Email Bill Pay -After Hours Key Drop and Pick-Up -3 Year/36,000 Mile Warranty We offer the following services and more! -Oil Changes -Tire Rotations -Alignments -Fluid Services -Tires -Transmissions -Engines -Diagnostics -Brakes -Most Major Repairs and Maintenance Come give us a try and see what we are all about! We look forward to meeting you and servicing your vehicle soon. 507-267-4435

  Does My Vehicle Need an AC Recharge? Can you imagine a Minnesota summer with no AC? Me neither. If you feel like your vehicle is taking longer than usual to cool, or maybe it isn't cooling at all you might have an issue. These are just a few signs that your vehicle's AC needs a recharge.  Additional issues you might notice:  -Your AC is cooling on only one side of the vehicle. -The back is cooling more than the front, or vice versa. -You periodically have cool air which eventually turns warm. -You can see an oily residue on the vents or blowing from the vents.  An AC recharge is when refrigerant is added to the cooling system which will then allow it to resume blowing cold air. At Elysian Auto Service, we will remove all old refrigerant and replace it with new fluid. Some are still under the impression that you can just top off the AC yourself with some refrigerant every summer, which is not the case and can actually damage your cooling system. It is important you ...

  What Happens If My Coolant Is Low? When a vehicle has a low coolant/antifreeze scenario some common symptoms will occur. The first symptom in almost all cases is a rising temperature gauge and a dashboard warning light if the vehicle is equipped with that feature. The internal heating system will not function properly blowing hot air in summer or cold in the winter. A distinct sweet smell may occur on the inside of the vehicle if there is a leak. In some cases, the vehicle will go into a shutdown mode automatically if the car is too hot. The coolant/antifreeze is the most important fluid underneath your hood, this fluid circulates throughout the engine to prevent overheating. If you expose your motor to overheating it can do severe damage to many internal components leaving you stranded, and with a hefty repair bill in your hand. Some causes of low coolant could be a leak from your coolant hoses, or even the radiator itself. Your radiator cap could be leaking due to not being pro...

Vehicle Maintenance Tips: Summer The season to hit the open road is nearly upon us! Whether you are heading up north to the cabin for the weekend or loading up the family to take that big cross-country vacation. You need to be prepared, and so does your vehicle. Elysian Auto Service has a couple of tips and reminders to make your travels safer and give you peace of mind. Most of these things just take a few minutes but that does not mean they are not important so let us begin.  The first item on the agenda is your tires, check them for low tread, abnormal wear like less tread on the inside or outside of the tire, or incorrect inflation. We know most are not tire experts, but if it looks bad or odd you most likely have a problem. As far as inflation is concerned, on the inside door frame of the driver's side is a sticker with the correct inflation. Be sure to check your spare tire as well! Secondly, how are the fluids? You have coolant, transmission, brake, and power steering fluid ...