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....

    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 ...

    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 ...

  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...

  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 fluid a...

  Tire Safety 101 When you think about major components of your vehicle, your first thought might go to your engine. After all, without an engine you cant drive. The same thing can be said about tires! Tires are put through more wear and tear than we realize. They provide traction to help keep us on the road, increase our breaking power, and assist us with handling. Here are a few tips to consider and be aware of to help keep your tires in the best possible condition and last longer; One of the major causes of bad tires or extreme wear is lack of rotation. If you don't rotate you can have uneven wear on the inside or outside of your tire and that can result in bad handling but also the worst-case scenario of a blowout. The best practice to follow is to rotate every 5000 miles. If your tires are low or your tire light comes in it is important to check your pressures. Inside the driver's door, you should see a small sticker on the frame with the correct tire inflation number, fol...

  How Often Should I Replace The Belts In My Vehicle? Did you know that there are multiple different belts within your vehicle? Most vehicles come with what is called a serpentine belt, this belt carries power to several components including the alternator, A/C, and power steering. If it fails it can leave you stranded. There are many vehicles that have more than one serpentine, so keep in mind you may have to replace multiple belts. The other is the timing belt which basically keeps the vehicle's valves working together, if this snaps it can cause catastrophic damage to your motor. Now back to the original question, the serpentine belt or belts should be replaced between 90,000 and 100,000 miles in most vehicles. This tends to be a general rule of thumb but they may need to be serviced sooner due to manufacturer recommendation or premature wear. If you do need new belts it is not a major repair and can usually be done in minimal time for a moderate cost. If components that work in...

  Do my wheels need balancing? Have you ever had your wheels balanced? Many customers at some point will experience a serious vibration or shake while driving and assume they have an alignment or tire problem and that may be true, but often times your wheels are out of balance. Tires and wheels don’t have equal weight distribution, they will be heavier in spots. That is why the weight must be evenly distributed around the circumference of the wheel to make sure each tire rolls smoothly. Imagine one or a few of those weights getting worn down or falling off, which can happen over time. You can see how it can throw off the precise balance of the wheel very quickly.     When you bring your vehicle into Elysian Auto and we do find an imbalance we will mount the tire on a balancing machine and then the wheel is spun while vibration measurements are taken. This process will tell the technician how much weight to add to the wheel and where to add it. Wheel balancing work is...

  Can I Drive With Bad Struts?  Technically yes, you can drive a vehicle with bad struts. But Elysian Auto Service wants to remind you it is not a good idea to wait very long to have them replaced. Over time struts become worn and in some cases leak which means the stability of your vehicle is now compromised. Struts are a component unlike filters or tires where you can see the problem, they are much harder to see. When is the last time you looked under your vehicle? You will know when your struts have gone bad by some common symptoms including poor handling, excessive bounce, body roll, poor traction, and possibly a steering wheel wobble. If your struts are binding, which we do see on occasion, the ability to steer the vehicle can be affected causing other issues. The other area where bad struts have a major impact is your tires. The instability will cause abnormal tire wear which leads to handling issues and costly replacement. If you just put new tires on recently or are pl...