WCCO's Car Care

Time To Check The Tires, Tips to Clearing the Windshield, Battery Changing Basics

With all the snow it would be a good idea to make sure your tires are in good shape. How to clean and maintain wheels. Are there differences in windshield washer fluids? How ice and frost can damage windshield wipers. Why its important to have a full tank of gas in the winter. Repairing and replacing an axel. How to change your own battery. Seeing problems with the starter. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Dec 06, 2025 28 min 31 annotations

Fixing a flat, Gearing up for winter, and maintaining a PSI!

It is that time of the year! The snow is falling and the temperatures have dropped significantly which means Nick Stoffel of Lloyd's Automotive is here if you need to monitor your car’s upkeep in the winter! We tackle your car questions regarding tires, tire pressures, CV joints, check engine lights, spark plugs, power steering issues and much more! Be sure to reach out to Nick and his team at Lloyds Automotive by visiting lloydsautomotive.net or you can call 651-228-1316

Nov 29, 2025 26 min 34 annotations

Why Tires Could Start Making Noise, Why Headlights Seem Brighter, Testing The Battery

Why tires could start getting noisy. Accuracy of tire gauges. Are headlights getting brighter? Does temperature impact windshield repair? Is catalytic converter theft still a major problem? Fixing a stuck seatbelt. What to know when testing the battery. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Nov 22, 2025 27 min 30 annotations

Brake Fluid Testing, Inspecting Suspension, Caring for the Key Fob

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.

Nov 15, 2025 27 min 27 annotations

Picking a Good Mechanic, Explaining the CARFAX System, Following the Fluid Maintenance Schedule

Resolving backup camera issues. Changing transmission fluid. How to pick a good mechanic. Figuring out why a car will not start. How the CARFAX system gets their data. Repairing the gear shifter. Why heat may not be working in your vehicle. The importance of following the fluid maintenance schedule. Checking for audio and navigation problems. Rubber vs. silicone wiper blades. Why heated seats wont get warm. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Nov 08, 2025 28 min 36 annotations

Wheel Bearing Basics, Time to Check Tire Pressure, Summer Tires vs. Winter Tires

Denny had to make another trip to Lloyd's for a wheel bearing issue in his vehicle. What are the signs you need to get a wheel bearing fixed and what could happen if that maintenance is delayed. Common causes behind humming sounds. Tire pressure problems. Is it time to switch summer tires for winter tires or invest in an all season tire? Tire rotation frequency. How to check your vehicle if it is recalled. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Nov 01, 2025 27 min 30 annotations

The Importance of Keeping Tires and Cars Winter Ready!

Making sure you have good tires before the snow hits - we discuss the importance of tread and winter tires in Minnesota, check engine lights, internal temperature issues, headlights, antifreeze, battery drains, overfilled oil and more as we tackle your car car questions this morning! You can find Nick and his team at Lloyd’s Automotive, just visit lloydsautomotive.net or call 651-228-1316.

Oct 25, 2025 26 min 25 annotations

Storage Preparations, Adding After Market Features, The Purpose of the Stop/Start Feature

Getting vehicles ready for storage. What to do and what not to do before putting your vehicle away for awhile. How to properly use a battery tender. How difficult is it to change the ignition? Can lane change sensors be added to a vehicle? Why heat may only work on one side of the vehicle. Signs of a bad battery connection. Why brakes begin to squeak. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Oct 18, 2025 26 min 33 annotations

Battery Basics, Getting Bugs Off of the Vehicle, Fuel Efficiency Failure

Denny makes an unexpected trip to Lloyd's Automotive. What is the typical life of a battery? Preventing rust on your vehicle. Why high beams may not be staying on. Best way to remove bugs from the vehicle. Trailer brakes malfunctioning. Signs of your vehicle having poor fuel efficiency. How accurate are tire sensors? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Oct 11, 2025 26 min 32 annotations

Preparing a Vehicle for Winter, Gas Milage Problems, Starter Issues

Steps to take to get a vehicle ready for winter. How mechanics maintain hybrid and electric vehicles. Getting certified as a master technician. Working on carborated vehicles. Why a vehicle may suddenly have poor gas milage. Signs a starter is going out. When it is time for new tires. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Oct 04, 2025 29 min 35 annotations

Preparing and tuning your vehicle now before the cold hits!

Filling in on this Saturday morning for Nick Stoffel is our friend Dan Burns checking in from Lloyds Automotive, together we tackle a variety of your car questions from changing spark plugs, wax coats, preparing your vehicle before the cold hits, was there ever a ‘Lloyd’ with Lloyd’s Automotive?, knowing whether it is your battery or starter, run flat tires - that and much more with Dan this morning - if you have any car care questions reach out to our friends at Lloyds Automotive visit lloydsautomotive.net or call Nick, Dan and his team by calling 651-228-1316.

Sep 27, 2025 27 min 5 annotations

The Growing Need for Auto Mechanics, Making a Vehicle Last, Tips When Buying a Used Vehicle.

There are major benefits of seeking a career as an auto mechanic. The importance of cleaning carbon in your vehicle. Broken gas gauge. How long can a vehicle last with proper maintenance? Solving radio issues. Investigating electrical problems. Getting a vehicle started after years of being idle. What to know before buying a used vehicle. Are catalytic converter thefts still a big issue? Signs to get a new battery. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Sep 20, 2025 26 min

Changing Oil By Time or Milage, Mice Making Problems in Vehicles, Strange Smells in Vehicle

Detecting air condition problems. Is it better to change oil by time or milage? How to know if a vehicle needs rotors or pads. Why there could be a gas smell in the vehicle. Preventing mice from doing damage to your vehicle. What could be causing clicking sounds in the ignition system? What to do when the vehicle can't detect a key fob. Where to look if there is a strange smell in your vehicle. When to not use your windshield wipers. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Sep 13, 2025 28 min 5 annotations

Recharging The Air Conditioner, Dimming Dashboard Lights, Headlight Cleaning Tips

Why would the air conditioning lose its strength? Solutions to key problems. Carburetor questions. Dash lights dimming. Why would an engine be shaking? The importance of fuel ventilation. Why would a car suddenly shut off at a stop sign? Differences in transmission. Do more cylinders in an engine make more noise? How to clean headlights. The ideal car for a new driver. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Sep 06, 2025 26 min 10 annotations

Whining Steering Wheel, Tire Rotation Rules, Wildfire Smoke Impact on Vehicles

The steering wheel whines when turning. Giving a car a jump with a hybrid. The general rule for rotating tires. Does wildfire smoke have an impact on vehicles? Finding debris in the oil. Windows randomly rolling down. Replacing dust shields. Is it possible to change the height of a tire? How difficult is it to change a seatbelt? Why oil weight is important. Why a vehicle wont start even though everything is in order? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Aug 30, 2025 27 min 4 annotations

Oil upkeep, keeping your car wired and conditioned!

Joining Denny LIVE on the veranda at the WCCO Radio stage is Nick Stoffel to answer any and all car care questions. We begin breaking down the importance of your oil upkeep with oil changes, heater or evaporator core replacement, traditional vs. synthetic oil - and should you switch over, potential issues with electrical wiring and switches, stop/start troubleshooting and much more with Nick! f you have a car care question or need your vehicle looked at you can contact Nick and his team just visit lloydsautomotive.net or you can call 651-228-1316.

Aug 23, 2025 25 min 6 annotations

Vehicle Drainage Solutions, Benefits of Synthetic Oil, Seat Heater Repair

With all this rain we are getting, what issues could come with drainage systems in vehicles? Sliding door problems on a van. Hot weather causing overheating concerns. What to do if a key fob stops working. Do newer vehicles have better transmission? The differences in oil types and brands. What defines a master mechanic? What problems do electric vehicles typically have? How to repair a seat heater. What to consider before buying a vehicle. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Aug 16, 2025 28 min 1 annotation

Used Vehicle Inspections, Driving Cars Through Water, Getting a Smoky Smell Out

The importance of a used vehicle inspection. What could happen to a vehicle if it's driven through deep water? How often should brake fluid be changed? Getting a smoke smell out of a vehicle. Other vehicle cleaning tips. Benefits of changing filters. Are extended warranties worth it? Can rearview cameras be repaired or replaced? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Aug 09, 2025 27 min

Adding the right amount of fluid, clean cabin filters

When should you use eco mode in a vehicle? How much fluid is too much? This among other questions regarding vehicle top offs, fuel efficiency, cabin filters with the current air quality, oil filter troubles and more! If you have any questions regarding your vehicle you can contact Nick Stoffel and his team at Lloyds Automotive, visit lloydsautomotive.net or call 651-228-1316.

Aug 02, 2025 25 min

Electrical issues and problems within your vehicle!

Many times our car problems are not just under the hood but inside our vehicles - we discuss with Nick Stoffel of Lloyd’s Automotive on various starting ignition issues, amplifier troubleshooting and more! Also, we tackle some lifter issues, battery and other electrical issues and some maintenance questions as well! If you have any car care questions you contact Nick and his team at lloydsautomotive.net or call them 651-228-1316

Jul 26, 2025 25 min

Signs of Transmission Issues, Overheating Solutions, Fixing Squeaky Brakes

What are the symptoms of transmission problems? Diesel fuel differences. What could be causing a car to overheart? Dash light malfunctions. Should oil change be based on mileage or the oil life indicator? Battery connection problems. Fixing squeaky brakes. Mirror replacement. The purpose of an 02 sensor. Can fuel quality depend on the gas station? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Jul 19, 2025 25 min

Radio Repair, Causes Behind Carbon Buildup, Acceleration Issues

The world of auto technicians is always changing. Repairing a broken radio. Why moisture could be getting in a headlight and how to clear it. Venting problems. Carbon collection on an intake valve. Why an auto stop/start may be malfunctioning. Dashboard lights dimming. Recycling auto parts. Why a vehicle may be having trouble accelerating. Fuel additive benefits. Working with a vehicle with a carburetor. What do mechanics do with old oil? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Jul 12, 2025 26 min

Keeping cool, staying car aware when traveling in the heat!

As the song goes - the heat is on - so it may be time to turn on your air conditioning in your vehicle or maybe you need some tuning up to get that cool air flowing - we discuss and answer this and other questions regarding brake noise, when to change your transmission out, unusual sounds and growls, a unique Honda key fob trigger and much more with Nick Stoffel of Lloyd’s Automotive! If you have any car care questions you can contact Nick and his team at lloydsautomotive.net or give them a call at 651-228-1316.

Jul 05, 2025 25 min

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for a Road Trip, Brake Pad Thickness Rules, Rust Repair

Advice on getting your vehicle ready for a summer road trip. Catalytic converter thefts are becoming less frequent. How to identify transmission trouble. What material should be used as a door lock lubricant? Proper vehicle storage. Smelling gas fumes after filling up your vehicle. What to know about brake pad thickness. Explaining adaptive steering. What to do if you start seeing rust. Wear and tear with electric vehicles. Why certain vehicle parts can be so expensive. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Jun 28, 2025 27 min

Overheating Vehicles, Tire Replacement Tips, Defrost Difficulties

Why do cars not overheat as often as they used to? What to do if you’re having an overheating issue? The basics of adding fluid to your vehicle. Stabilization repair. Why would a vehicle need multiple water pump replacements? Why would the defrost be blowing cold air? What could cause a squeaking noise under the hood? Leather seat repair advice. When to use a parking brake on an incline. Should oil be changed even if a vehicle is not driven very often? Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

Jun 21, 2025 24 min