Brake fluid helps your car stop by transferring force from the brake pedal to the brakes themselves. It can absorb water over time, which can make it less effective, so it's important to check it regularly.
When something is hygroscopic, it means it can soak up water from the air. For brake fluid, this can be a problem because it can make the fluid less effective over time.
The Jeep Wrangler is a tough vehicle designed for off-road driving. The 2005 version is known for its strong build and ability to handle rough terrain, making it popular among adventure seekers.
An O2 sensor helps your car's computer know how much fuel to use for the engine to run efficiently. If it fails, it can cause the engine to run poorly or waste fuel.
The VIN is a special number that identifies your car. It’s like a social security number for vehicles, helping to track its history and specifications.
The check engine light is a warning light on your dashboard that tells you something might be wrong with your car's engine. It's important to check it out when it comes on.
An OE sensor is a part made by the original company that built your car. It's usually a good choice because it's designed specifically for your vehicle.
Bosch is a company that makes car parts, like sensors and brakes. Many car manufacturers use Bosch parts in their vehicles, so they're considered reliable.
A shock absorber helps control how your car moves over bumps and dips in the road. If it's broken, your car might not handle well and could wear out tires faster.
The Ford F-150 is a big truck that can be used for many purposes, like hauling things or towing. The 2008 version is known for being tough and reliable.
The cylinder head is the part of the engine that covers the top and helps control the air and fuel mixture that goes into the engine. It's important for making the engine run properly.
A valve job is when a mechanic fixes or replaces the valves in the engine to make sure they work well. This helps the engine run better and last longer.
The Ford Fusion is a type of car called a sedan, which means it has four doors and a separate trunk for luggage. It's popular because it's comfortable to drive and has a lot of space inside for passengers and their things. The 2017 version is especially liked for its modern features and safety.
Transmission issues are problems that can happen with the part of the car that helps it change gears. If something goes wrong, it can make driving difficult and might need expensive repairs.
The emergency brake is a special brake you use to keep your car from moving when it's parked. It's important to use it, especially on hills, to make sure your car stays in place.
An electronic parking brake is a modern version of the parking brake that uses electricity instead of a lever or pedal. It can automatically set itself when you park, making it easier to use.
The brake caliper is a part of the car's brakes that holds the pads and helps squeeze them against the wheels to stop the car. It's important for making sure your brakes work well.
The Honda Fit is a small car that is great for city driving. It has a unique seat design that lets you store things in different ways, which is really handy.
The Subaru Forester is a type of SUV that is great for families and outdoor activities. The 2015 version is known for being safe and having good traction in different weather conditions.
LIVE
Time once again for a little car to care show and if you are new to the show
thanks for joining us next awful is the guy that gives us all this great
information that will analyze any problems you might have with your car
your truck your van Nick runs a place called Lloyd's Automotive in in St.
Paul and I good morning Nick by the way good morning good morning I missed you
the other day I was in actually I rode with my son who had the day off on
Veterans Day and he wanted to get his oil change so we made an appointment hung
out there and you know what but and I've said it a thousand times I suppose but
you guys being located on Grand Avenue if you have to bring in your car for
service and you need to wait for it what a great avenue to wait for it you've got
the great coffee shops and other other shops along the way and it's it's a
neighborhood feel you know it's not like a strip mall or something it's it's
you know you're kind of poised right in the neighborhood Lloyd's is aren't you
guys you're absolutely right that's kind of our kind of our theme you know we you
know like I'm not there as much as I used to be in the truth behead I'm not
sure if you learn this or not but we actually bought our third shop here a
couple weeks ago I think I heard rumors of that you should tell our listeners
before you go on of where those other two some now you're at 982 grand Lloyd's
Lloyd's is at 982 grand right there in the corner of Granon Chatsworth where
where we've been or I've been since 1998 so it's still still home to me but here a
few years ago we were able to to purchase a place called Parkway Auto Care
which is up right on Fort Parkway and Snelling right by the Highland Water
Tower there in St. Paul and their most recent business that we've acquired is
now named Longfellow Automotive which is as you can imagine the Longfellow
neighborhood of Minneapolis so it's kind of scary for a St. Paul guy across the
river but you know it's not that bad it's okay but it's you know 45-22 East
Lakes so it's a we're really happy we got some good folks started out there and
Big Nick and I are trying to learn how to run businesses which is a little bit
different than running just a car shop so we're yeah oh yeah we're doing great
I couldn't be happier well I know you hire good people and those people stick
with you for a long time oh that's interesting you you're kind of not don't
spread yourself too thinly now that's what we're learning Danny I bet well
good luck with with with those shops great great locations I'm sure people
will love it now I guess my next question besides by the way let me invite
in our listeners to join in if you have any kind of a car care question and we
always like to say call or text sooner rather than later because Nick takes his
leave about 745 so our time goes by so quickly so call or text with any kind of
a car care question you may have 6514619226 now you you bought these
these are existing shops and they had you know technicians already there how
is it how difficult is it to hire folks to find good folks well I think you're
I think you're right you know we're very fortunate of good people and I think we
attract the right the right people you know you know there's a lot of good
folks out there I know there's there's this the shortage of a lot of skilled
labor in the world you know people are starting to maybe make that turn where
you know they're going to the trade schools and the tech schools and you
know whether you're a mechanic or a carpenter electrician plumber pipe fitter
you know the list goes on and on but I do I do believe that there is a
resurgence to some extent of young folks get into our industry and you know we
you know at Lloyd's we have a young man that's been out of school for a couple
of years at the new facility there we have another young man just
just finished up a school so we're we're learning how to recruit those that
been seasoned and they're looking for a home as we like to call it and then
we're also learning how you take these young folks right out of school surround
them with some experience and mold them and train them the way we want them so
we're very fortunate I think we have I think we have a lot of things that we
do right that keep people you know we treat them well respectfully all that
pay them well now all that kind of goes without saying in my opinion and we're
fortunate that people but have the buy-in and when they buy in and they
believe us it's good for all of us no I and you said the right word I think more
management should be hip to and that's respect respect your your employees
that's such a huge difference well best of luck to you well we'll we'll we'll
have to stop by and visit those two places just for the fun of it all right
we're getting text messages now if you want to call and chat that's the same
number 6514619226 Texter says this regarding brake fluid what do you think
you're gonna have to help me with this what do you think of those digital
brake fluid testers that measures water content are they more accurate than
those paper test strips what's that texture talking about so break fluid is
hydroscopic meaning absorbs water usually becomes discolored at that point
you can kind of tell by that by just looking at it to be honest and the
accuracy of those tests I don't know which is more accurate or not quite
honestly it's one of those services that gets forgotten quite often to you know
if you look at your service interval or maintenance interval it's gonna have a
schedule there that probably gets neglected we most often recommend
changing the brake fluid when we're doing a break replacement therefore the
calipers removed you can open up the bleeders you can get fresh fluid flowing
through the whole system so I would tell folks if you're having your brakes
replaced do inquire about the brake fluid have them inspect that fluid it is a
very good opportune time to replace it very good let's grab a phone call this
morning Jeff I believe calling in from Hudson this morning thank you Jeff what
is your question for Nick good morning gentlemen I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler
four-liter six-cylinder with only 27,000 miles it's been in the family since
new it's like new and it did sit for about a year but I've run a tank full of
fresh gas through it and changed the oil on the air filter and it runs fine but
the check engine light came on code P0132 which is an O2 sensor I've old
each bank one sensor one so I replace that sensor and the other three lights
still on so I took it to the Jeep dealer here in Hudson and they checked
everything out and diagnosed it as needing a new PCM module which they
can sell but they say they can't program it since it's an O5 it's too old for
them so I need to go to a different dealer and a bigger dealer in South
St. Paul which is not real convenient so I bought a PCM module from car
computer exchange in North Carolina and they sent me a pre-program PCM module
based on the VIN number of the Jeep and the part number of the existing PCM
module and the check engine light still came on and I sent it back to him to be
reprogrammed twice and the lights still on so I sent it back for a refund I'm
getting real good at switching these things out I think I can do a blindfolded
now but anyway was wondering if I should try a different O2 sensor because it's
the ones I got were from Amazon and or you know should I just drive it for a
while and run some more fresh gas through it well you've mentioned it's a
high voltage code which tells me something's not being grounded and you
know very well could it be the PCM could also be the wiring you know quite
honestly I think I would stop get the wiring diagram out check my powers and
grounds make sure we have all the readings where we need them and figure
out where the break is it very well might be the sensor you mentioned you
bought that sensor online you know best practice my opinion is by the OE sensor
or the OE brand on the original sensor it probably says Bosch or Nip and Den's or
one of those manufacturers you can find that same part aftermarket and that
that'll be sufficient but using a third-party part you you run into these
types of problems where you had a problem you diagnosed it or got a code and I'm
not sure what they did as far as diagnosis one thing that you always
worry about is what steps and procedures that they do just getting a code
isn't the whole story so if they follow the procedures and there's a procedure
test procedure for that code determine what is faulty replace it with the known
good part see what happens if we start going down the path where we get
something that's aftermarket and then maybe we create a secondary problem you
know this party North Carolina I don't know of them I don't know how they
operate I'm sure they're in business I'm sure they're capable but did we create
a third problem there you know so that's that's where I always get a little bit
worried where I'd say to stop let's go back to the drawing board get the code
get the diagnostic procedure follow that entirely don't skip any steps and see
where you land obviously our caller is a good do-it-yourselfery knows this stuff
but I want to alert our listeners you don't have to be a talented do-it-yourself
or a technician an auto technician yourself if you have problems with your
vehicle and you drive and you want to know what could be wrong with it you're
a candidate for a caller a text on the show every week by all means love to
hear from you 6514619226 Nick we're gonna take quick break be back on the
other side with more car cut talk here on news talk 830W CCO good morning
welcome back to CCO's car care show Denny Long here along with AOC certified
technician Nick Stoffel from Lloyds Automotive Nick for those folks who
again need some help from Lloyds from that particular maybe one of the other
shops but how do we get in touch with Lloyds first of all absolutely so if you
ever have a question please don't hesitate we are there to help you you
don't have to bring it to us but we will answer your questions you can reach
us at 651-228-1316 if you're in St. Paul on Grand Avenue you'll find us on
the corner of Grand and Chatsworth which is 982 Grand Avenue and if you're
looking for more information you can always look at our website which is
LloydsAutomotive.net very good we'll get you that info before Nick leaves us at
745 or so this morning a bunch of text messages this morning Nick let's put
you back to work here's a 2014 Kia it's making clunking noises in the back it
happens texture says as I turn right or going straight do you think it could be
shocks yeah it could be something with the rear suspension I wonder about a
mount you know if a you know if a shock or strut is deteriorated the point where
it's coming apart and clunking that's that's pretty significant that'll
affect tire wear handling as you know it's cooler this morning than it was so
the weather is turning if you do have any kind of suspension noises this is
probably time to have it looked at before you're running into problems so you
know a shock amount you know if it has a sway bar sway bar links there's probably
a handful of components back there that could wear get loose and rattle so have
that checked out good morning texture says have a 2008 F-150 F-5.4 with a
stuck valve I am planning to pull the head for repair in the next week or so do
you know of a good machine shop I could bring the head to get checked out or
repaired who does the work like that does Lloyds do work like that or is this a
specialty shop it's a specialty in the sense that there's still machine shops
out there and you know I would tell you you know go to your neighborhood shops
see who they use you know ask around call around you know depends what year on
what side of town but you know they still there's still folks out there they'll
take a cylinder head engine block depending on the vintage and they they
make a model and they'll tear it down resurface do a valve job as they used to
do so that those repair shops are still out there it's the most common for a
shop like ours or your dealership even will remove that head send it to those
folks who have the equipment to properly do the job refurbish it give it back to
us and we reinstall and reassemble all right the antifreeze sexism is orange in
my new Chevrolet is that a new type they're always evolving you know at
Lloyds I bet you we have I don't know a dozen different coolant snow or antifreezes
you know every make a model there's some global multi-fit type products out there
that we will use to top things up but we try to put back in if all possible what
came out so you know General Motors forward a lot of the Europeans Asian
makes them out makes have different coolant specifications so if you're
topping up you can get one of those global products that makes it has their
specification if you're doing a big service like you know even a flush you
probably want to put back what came came out of it all right here's a 2017 Ford
fusion Texter loves it but I keep reading things about fusions having
transmission issues should I be concerned about my card only has 45,000 miles on
it I've owned it for a year love it if you love it you should drive it maintain
it you know that you can't predict the future just because one person had an
issue doesn't mean you're gonna have the same problem and to be honest you know
every make a model has its little quirks or its things but I can also tell you
based on being in the industry if you maintain the vehicle those things are
less likely to happen you know people will complain about a certain model or
an engine or transmission but not not maintain and not take care of it well
if you don't take care of it the end results can be a failure so if you you
follow your maintenance interval gives you the best chance for it to last a good
long way for you very good we talked about this issue from time to time and
not that long ago in fact question is should drivers set emergency brakes
every time parking if it is your habit sure I will also tell you a lot of
newer vehicles do that for you the brake calipers have electronic solenoid on
their motor on there now so they will engage even my truck if I'm on a hill
my parking brake will automatically set so it's kind of interesting that they're
doing that it used to be where it was on a drum brake and that pedal you know if
you didn't use it every time we're always worried there's gonna get stuck on and
now I think where it's mostly a brake caliper where the mechanisms built into
the caliper there may be a little more reliable so if it's part of your routine
by all means you're fine if you don't normally use it I probably wouldn't
start you know number one it could get stuck or number two you'll forget that
it's on you start driving now you have a bigger problem so if it's like I said if
it's something you've always done that wouldn't change now like your vehicle I
mean when you put it in park is that when it automatically connects the brake
well it's funny because I have to think how I realized this so it's parked on a
pretty steep hill you know and I parked got out you know and when I went to get
back in I fared the truck up and I put it in the in the gear but it didn't move
until I touched the brake pedal and then also you felt the brake release and
started to roll so you know honestly it's not the worst idea especially if
you're worried about rolling into something right into someone you know
and like I said I've known that you know other banks and models have been doing
that for a while usually pick up trucks or sometimes the last ones to get you
know the newest and greatest stuff but I would say you know there's a lot of
features on vehicles that some people might you know might not like or might
complain you know even me you know there's some of these technologies that you
know that frighten me some of these where the seats are buzzing at you they're
dingy and yet because you're too close to the side of the road or what have but
I know honestly all that stuff is there to make us safe you know absolutely so as
we get older we complain about how hard things used to be used to be well
things just be a lot more dangerous to us I think cars are safer more reliable
than they ever have been it's just our job it's drivers and mechanics to keep
them running well so yeah you do your part we'll do our part and once in a
while read the manual it's amazing what you can learn how the Texas is how does
a person know if the torque converter is failing different symptoms chattering
slipping you know the way the transmission shifts you know oftentimes if
there is start to be a failure there the check engine it's going to come on
because it's going to see the input no put not where they need to be and the
computer will try to control it and they cannot there's a lock-up aspect so when
you're up to cruising speed the torque converter kind of locks into gate into
a gear their neck here but it locks up to kind of help take the load off of the
transmission but if you're having some if you're questioning how do I know that
if the torque converter is bad it means there's a symptom there so depending on
that symptom we kind of leave this down one one another path I know we have to
break here momentarily for the weather but this listener wants to know how can
I tell when it's time to change the windshield wipers on my car if you're
about that a couple weeks ago we all neglect forget I'm pretty sure it says
to do it annually you know to be honest I probably don't do that but you know when
you think of it and you put them on you're like oh boy I should have done
this a while ago so if we're talking about it today everybody should go and get a
set of wiper blades especially before we get into the winter season where you get
all that stuff that smears over our windshield a good rubber or whatever
they're made of blade will make your driving experience a lot easier and some
of them the good ones are kind of costly but they work what they are and you
know if you're old enough which I keep reference in age here but they used to
be those metal skeletal type blades where all the ice would get caught up in
there and they'd have like this smearing if you're old enough you've been
driving you know what I'm talking about but the new ones are beam blades there's
nothing you can do to keep them from clearing the windshield so it's well
worth the price of admission I would say you get yourself a fresh out of wiper
blades when weather does turn you're gonna be very happy you did of course I
have no idea what you're talking about about that old stuff okay Nick stand by
they didn't have it on the horse and buggy huh oh zing all right we'll suddenly
we've disconnected from Nick no we'll we'll be back after the weather Nick to
answer more questions stay with us news talk 830 WCCO welcome back to our car
car show Denny along here along with ASC certified technician Nick Stalfell
from Lloyd's automotive etc Nick we've got a bunch of text messages and by the
way if we don't get to these this week we'll carry over next week so we'll
open up the show next week as we always like to do if we shortchange folks this
week here's another one my sister has a 2017 Chevy Equinox 55,000 miles on it
she brought it in for tires and a front end alignment she was told that her
lower control arm bush bushings were bad and need to be replaced or she
couldn't get a decent front end alignment tech told her that it's pretty
common to replace lower control arms and bushings at 55,000 miles texture says I
found that hard to believe that I think she might have been taken advantage of
she's 80 years old what do you think of that story well I I don't know I've said
didn't see it and then you know mileage is always a tough thing you know things
used to last longer things have gotten better is a combination of them to be
honest I will tell you that the facts of it is control on bushings the bottom of
the vehicle they see all the weather year-round that the rubber compound will
break down they will get worn they will allow some movement or shifting which
does make it pretty much not possible to line it correctly that is true it also
will affect tire wear you know control on bushings you know we have ball joints
we have tie rods just a lot of a lot of different components in that steering
suspension that will affect those items I would say going forward if you ever
have question have something demonstrated to you you know and not in that
that you even if you don't trust them you're just curious you know I'm a
curious person you know I'm always I don't know how everything works to be
honest but if somebody tells me I need something I always ask a follow-up
question well why is that or can you show me can you explain it to me and
usually if they are confident and come back and respond and demonstrate or
answer your questions you should trust them if they him and hall and they're
kind of seem little you know the their reactions a little different well that
could be a good you know a little test for you so you know I've done this my
whole life we don't have any time in our day to take advantage of people I'd like
to believe that most people in the same situation obviously I don't know every
situation so if you can ask a question they can follow up with some confidence
and an explanation you should trust them yeah and if you I guess if you feel
compelled you can always get as they say another doctor's opinion right absolutely
when you know those control rooms are probably expensive you know I mean that's
the other thing too is you know with the cost of parts out there the cost of
labor with everything's going on in the world some of these decisions are very
expensive and we as the professionals need to tell you what you need and you
have that faith and trust in us if you do have a posture do have a question
absolutely get a second opinion especially if they can't explain or show you
what why and how that's that's the only time I would say okay if they're not if
they can't really tell you what's going on I would take pause and get a second
opinion our phone numbers also our text numbers 6514619226 another text says
this I have a 2018 Honda Fit we recently spent a few days working on the car
battery thinking a new one was needed only to find out it was the car fob would
you please share what care the fob needs well it's one of those forgotten things
you know and it is quite quite funny honestly people bring their car cars in
and we go out to get the mileage and information off the vehicle the fob the
fob won't work you know and then we'll go back in and you know we'll do the
service on the vehicle we'll do maybe we do those control arms or a timing
bubble the people spend a thousand dollars on their their their car but
the one thing they notice is that $1 battery put in that fob changed their
life the the timing belt you don't see you don't notice that it's new and makes
any different it makes your engine happy but that key fob battery is another
one of the things like wiper blades you know from time to time you got to
replace it they're just a little two or three dollar battery and you push them
every day and day out and you know for years and the one day doesn't work and
we seem to just kind of go without it but you know if you'd one thing that
would caution you is do look online if you before you try to replace your key
fob battery we do them all the time every shop does if you're don't break it
because those fobs are very expensive don't take a screwdriver do it if you
don't know the proper process if you break some of that really small plastic
and may not go back together and that's another issue so if your key fob
doesn't work or you you know they don't work now you're on your secondary that's
another thing that happens all the time when you bring your car in bring both
keys loves replace both batteries yeah that's a good point I was thinking
yesterday when I talked to Nick tomorrow meaning today I'm gonna tell him I took
the key and I don't know if a lot of fobs still have keys inside I'm gonna take
the key out and actually try them in my door to exercise those locks in my cars
well I never got around to it but it there's still a good idea isn't it
whatever time of year maybe especially without a doubt you know we like said
over the years we've touched on that too most most fobs still have a key blade
the driver's door there might be a cover a cap but there's most likely still a
lock cylinder to go exercise that a little bit isn't a bad idea because in
that one day when the battery is dead you're trying to get in there to get the
hood open to give it a jumpstart and you can't just makes matter worse so
all those little things that we talk about you know checking your tires to
key fob battery the lock cylinder wiper blades all these little things that we
go without thinking about really play a big role in the quality of our
experience with our car so go try all that today and then let reporters next
week when you're done very good yeah that's something to do with yourself or
easy easy to do say we have time for grab a phone call Diane checking in from
St. Paul I believe this morning thank you Diane what is your question yeah
thank you I have a 2015 Subaru Forester and I had a little scrape accident on my
rear panel passenger side and it shows some you know kind of light surface
scratching but there's two areas where the paint about the size of a nickel like
was silver now it's very dark gray so I'm assuming it's undercoat how could I go
about having that fix so that I don't have rust there well a couple things
depending on which panel it is it may be plastic a lot of times the the actual
bumper covers plastic and then it transitions into a fender or a quarter
panel which will be metal the plastic parts obviously we're not gonna rust the
metal parts can and will eventually I would say you know find your neighborhood
body shop somebody that's willing to do a little touch-up have them look see if it
really is through the paint into the primer you know if that's the case it
might also be just a little bit through the undercoating where they can buff it
and clean it up for you so I would I would get in there you know get it get an
inspection on it you know especially before the weather turns get an idea what
you're looking at if it's in the plastic it might just tell you hey that's fine
you know it's a cosmetically might be a little bit of an eyesore but nothing's
gonna get any different or if it's in the metal you might decide to have them
kind of feather in that paint or see what the options are to reseal that
before we get any self in the air very good think we have time then Nick for
one more 2018 cross trek is it a good idea to steam clean engines I don't know
how to you know we come wintertime no don't do anything the winter we want
things freezing in the summer months you know if you are cautious and we're
gonna take a hose you know with the regular nozzle and kind of clean things
up you know D dustings that's fine no pressure washers be very careful whatever
kind of product or chemical you're using so just do some research you know I
don't want to say you know because you know people want things clean and nice
I actually understand that but you just can't go can't go to town there you
know you got to take some caution you know less is more you know all those
little things saints go you know obviously we clean engines every day
but we know where and what and how what can't get wet you know this you don't
want to be sticking a bunch of water into some electrical areas or into the
engine yeah intake area so you gotta be careful so if you do some research you
want to be gentle by all means as it's getting colder I would probably wait
till things warm back up I think that's a good idea Nick thank you for the help
today how do we find Lloyd's automotive yes sir as you know very well Denny
we're at 982 Grand Avenue in St. Paul that's two blocks east of Lexington Parkway
if you have a question and I say this every week and I truly do mean it we
are here to help give us a call 651-228-1316 if you're looking for more
information you can just find on our website which is Lloyd's Automotive.net
we will do that too Nick have a good week and good luck with everything we'll
let we'll talk next week sounds good thanks Danny next awful from Lloyd's
automotive
About this episode
Nick Stoffel from Lloyd's Automotive shares valuable insights on brake fluid testing, suspension inspections, and key fob care. He discusses the importance of changing brake fluid during brake replacements and addresses listener questions about vehicle maintenance, including O2 sensor issues and the necessity of using quality parts. Nick emphasizes the significance of respecting employees in the automotive industry and provides practical advice for maintaining vehicles, such as checking wiper blades and exercising key fob locks. The episode is filled with expert tips and relatable stories that resonate with car owners.
Lloyds Automotive continues to expand. Hiring quality mechanics. When to inspect and replace brake fluid. What could cause "clunking" noises when making a turn in your vehicle. Why is antifreeze different colors? How to know when a torque converter is failing. When to change windshield wipers. How to properly maintain your key fob. Repairing small scratches and dents. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.
