Minneapolis Auto Repair

Car exhaust smells can be caused by many different things. The exhaust port is an essential part of your car, as it neutralizes the harmful fumes that are produced by the engine. The smells coming from the back end can vary; including odors such as rotten eggs, sickly sweet scents, or smell of unburnt fuel. These are all signs that something may be wrong, it is essential to bring your car into a shop such as ours. DJ Foreign Auto Care can diagnose these car smells and help fix significant problems in the exhaust or engine. Rotten Eggs A rotten egg smell is due to a chemical compound called hydrogen sulfide. It comes from the small amount of sulfur that is present in the fuel. Usually, the sulfur in the fuel converts to sulfur dioxide, which has no odor. When a catalytic conver ... read more

Summer or Winter Tires vs. All Season Tires: Which tires would be the best for my car? This is a question we get quite often at DJ Foreign Auto.  It may come as a surprise to you, but we believe it is beneficial to get a pair of summer tires and winter tires. In the following blog, we at DJ Foreign Auto will provide you with the pros and cons of summer tires, including handling, temperature ranges and how summer tires manage heat. We also cover the appropriate weather conditions for each type of tire. What Makes a Summer Tire a Summer Tire? Summer tires, also known as performance tires, are called that for a reason. Performance tires are invented to produce excellent dry and wet traction along with precise handling. They are intended to be used during warm summer months, or all year in regions that don’t get a true winter (unlike us lucky folk up north). Why Summer Tires Perform Better in Heat and Rain ... read more

Transmission Failure Warning Signs:Fluid Leaks Transmission failure can be caused by leaking transmission fluid. A little liquid on your driveway can swiftly turn into an immense car predicament. Transmission fluid is vital to your car’s shifting capabilities. It is bright red and sweet smelling. Unlike motor oil, your transmission does not absorb or burn up fluid during use, so if you notice your fluid is running low, it is usually caused by a leak. Keeping an eye on your transmission fluid level is an excellent way to stay on top of this issue. Common causes for a transmission fluid leak are: -A loose transmission pan/pan leak -Any recent service or part replacement that involves disconnecting cooler lines -Out of balance drive shaft -Worn seals or gaskets -Damaged bell housings -Worn axles (FWD), engine and transmission mounts Warning Light Activates Cars in modern times have sensors meant to pick up and trigger your vehic ... read more

How Air Suspension Systems Work: Instead of steel or leaf springs, an air suspension system typically consists of air springs, also known as plastic/airbags, sturdy rubber, and an air-line system, connected to an onboard air compressor, valves, solenoids, all under electronic controls. The built-in compressor is an electric pump, used to feed air to the air bags via multiple lines. Valves play a vital role in air path control, letting air enter different sections of the system. In electronic systems, when the system accommodates for different driving conditions, solenoids inflate and vent the airbags by opening and closing to adjust the quantity of air entering each airbag. An electronic control module regulates the on/off switches, monitors pressure and manages ride height. Air springs are flexible and have a certain amount of elasticity. The more they are compressed, the stiffer they are. The principal difference between a traditional shock or strut is that they have a dampening mec ... read more

A "check engine" or "service engine soon" light can mean many various things, from a misfiring engine to a loose gas cap. Below are the five most common reasons a check engine light will be displayed: 1. Replace the Oxygen Sensor An oxygen sensor monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust. The oxygen sensor monitors combusted fuel. A faulty sensor means it is not providing the right data to your car's computer and causes a decrease in gas mileage. What causes a faulty sensor?  The sensor gets covered in oil ash over time and reduces the sensors ability to alter the oxygen and fuel mixture. A faulty sensor not only reduces gas mileage, but it also increases emissions. What you should do Not replacing a broken oxygen sensor can eventually lead to a broken catalytic converter. 2. Loose or Faulty Gas Cap A cracked or loose gas cap will cause the fuel vapors leak out, and can throw the entire fuel system off.  A loose gas cap causes a reduction in ... read more