Elysian Auto Service

  Can I drive with a bad thermostat? The short answer to this question is technically yes, but the long and smart answer is no. Yes, your car will still run but not very well. Without that thermostat properly working, it decreases performance and can cause damage. Most think a car would immediately overheat without a functioning thermostat and that may be true, but the car may also never warm up to its optimal temperature. Driving with a bad thermostat is a disaster waiting to happen. The thermostat serves an important role in your vehicle, it is basically a valve between the engine and radiator. When the coolant gets hot the thermostat opens letting the coolant pass to the radiator, if it is not hot then the thermostat stays closed allowing the coolant to circulate. Some common signs of a bad thermostat include your engine overheating or a fluctuation of your temperature gauge. If either happens get your vehicle into a certified shop as soon as possible. Overheating your vehicle i...

  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...

  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...

  Can I Drive With a Bad Thermostat? The short answer to this question is technically yes, but the long and smart answer is no. Yes, your car will still run but not very well. Without that thermostat properly working, it decreases performance and can cause damage. Most think a car would immediately overheat without a functioning thermostat and that may be true, but the car may also never warm up to its optimal temperature. Driving with a bad thermostat is a disaster waiting to happen. The thermostat serves an important role in your vehicle, it is basically a valve between the engine and radiator. When the coolant gets hot the thermostat opens letting the coolant pass to the radiator, if it is not hot then the thermostat stays closed allowing the coolant to circulate. Some common signs of a bad thermostat include your engine overheating or a fluctuation of your temperature gauge. If either happens get your vehicle into a certified shop as soon as possible. Overheating your vehicle i...

  BG Products: Cooling System Service  Have you ever been traveling down the road and had your vehicle overheat leaving you stranded? There is nothing worse! Regularly servicing your cooling system can help avoid those situations. Over time coolant/antifreeze breaks down and becomes very acidic, which can be extremely damaging to your radiator, heater core, water pump, hoses, and many other components. When we service your vehicle with BG Products we add a cleaner to the old fluid to get rid of those harmful deposits, then we use a pressurized machine to extract all of that broken-down fluid before refilling the system with new coolant. Some people ask if you can just drain it and then add fluid and the answer is no. Did you know about 50% of the old fluid is left in there when done that way? If you have a tub half full of dirty water and then you fill it you now have a full tub of dirty water, and that is what happens when you just drain and fill the system. The coolant servi...

  Winter Maintenance: Fluids  Winter is right around the corner! Living in Minnesota, it is important to make sure your vehicle's fluids are ready for the cold. A couple particular fluids are very important to ensure your vehicle runs properly. You want to pay close attention to your: -Anti-Freeze/Coolant: Antifreeze ensures that your engine does not freeze up in the winter or overheat in the summer. Some antifreeze comes as a concentrated liquid and some are already pre-diluted. Make sure you pay special attention to which you buy, and that if needed you properly dilute it. We suggest a coolant service every 30,000 miles or 3 years.  -Oil: Make sure your oil change and filter are both up to date. Cold oil has a thicker consistency which puts more pressure on the filter. You want to make sure you have a clean filter, this will ensure that the oil can pass through with minimum resistance.  -Windshield Washer Fluid: Check your windshield fluid level and make sure you h...