St. Cloud Automotive and Diesel Repair

It’s time to ring in the New Year, celebrating that another year has passed and hoping that the New Year will bring us all good health and fortune. Many people will be out celebrating the holiday with their loved ones, which is why it is so important to remember to stay safe tonight wherever you plan to be.  If you are planning on driving to a destination tonight to celebrate, be sure to remember the following safety tips which will protect your safety and the safety of others on the road:  NEVER drink and drive. If you are planning on partaking, we suggest not driving at all and getting a ride share or taxi sorted to get you where you need to be. If you do drive to a friends house and partake in drinking, ask to spend the night until morning when you will be safe to drive home. When you drink and drive, you risk taking your own life and the lives of others.  You may want to leave early to get to your destination to avoid heavy traffic in populated areas.  ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at FloState Auto Diesel Repair! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at FloState Auto Diesel Repair before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone ch ... read more

There is never any harm in being prepared and being safe. When you hit the road, especially for a long drive or road trip, it is important to make sure that you always have some key emergency items in your car. These certain items can come in handy is situations where your car may be stuck on the side of the road or you find yourself in a vehicle accident.  Here are the top emergency items to always keep in your car:  Jumper Cables Spare Tire, Tire Iron, and Jack Blanket/Sleeping Bag Water Phone Charger Flares  Flashlight and Batteries All of the items listed above are essential to have in your vehicle at all times. You never know when you may get stranded on the side of the road at night, and might need jumper cables or a charged phone to call for help.  Next time you plan a trip on your car, don’t forget the emergency essentials listed above. You’ll thank us later! If you suspect that your vehicle may need a repair or is due for service, don ... read more

The catalytic converter is an important component of your vehicle's emissions system which essentially has the job of converting harmful compounds into less harmful compounds. This process is necessary for protecting you as the driver of the vehicle since some emissions can get into your vehicle's cabin. It also helps to protect our environment.  As with most vehicle components, your catalytic converter can fail and cause your vehicle to fail emissions testing and affect the overall performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle. If your catalytic converter is failing, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:  Reduced engine performance Rattling noises coming from underneath your vehicle Smell of rotten eggs coming from the exhaust Check engine light is turned on Your car is failing emissions testing As soon as you being experiencing any of the items listed above, bring your vehicle into the experts here at FloState Auto Diesel Repair at your earli ... read more

With regular use of your vehicle and driving through extreme weather conditions, your vehicle's paint job can begin to fade, lose its luster, and can rust. In order to protect the paint coat of your vehicle, taking certain measures with your vehicle can help prevent damage and keep your vehicle look its best.  Here are some ways that you can protect your car's paint job:  Try to always park in the shade if possible. Waxing your vehicle will help protect it under the sun, but the sun can start to fade the paint on your car with extensive exposure.  Clean off bird droppings carefully, using a wet cloth and swiping upwards.  Avoid accidently getting drops of gas on your vehicle after filling your tank - this can also damage the paint job.  Get your vehicle washed regularly, because dirt can actually scratch your vehicle and run the outside coat.  When you do get a car wash, we recommend a hand wash. Some rough machines at drive through car washe ... read more

The windshield wipers on your vehicle are very important to the overall safety of your car. Especially here in Florida, rain can strike at any time, and not having properly working windshield wipers can make it impossible to see the road clearly. Many car owners don't realize that on average, our vehicle's windshield wipers need to be replaced at least once a year to ensure that they work properly. However, here in Florida, you may need a new pair of wipers as soon as every 6 months.  Wipers aren't just used for rain - they will also come in handy on those hot days when your windshield wiper is dirty and needs to be cleaned. When the weather is extremely hot, like during the summer, windshield wipers tend to dry out and begin to crack and fray. This is when they should be replaced. The best time to replace your vehicle's windshield wipers are - after the summer, and before the spring.  If your windshield wipers need to be replaced, you will notice some speci ... read more

When you look up proper preventative maintenance practices for your vehicle, you may find that an important part is having your vehicle regularly inspected. Regular inspections are the best way to catch any issues early on before they turn into major problems. This not only helps keep you safe on the road, but also helps you save lots of money over time!  So the top question about inspections is - how often do I need them? The answer depends on a couple of different factors. First, how often you get an inspection will depend on the age of your vehicle. An older vehicle should get an inspection more often than brand new vehicles. It will also depend on your driving habits, and how often or far you drive your vehicle. If you drive your vehicle quite a lot and are often driving far distances, an inspection more often would be ideal.  If you have a more recent vehicle and drive your car normally, we recommend having your vehicle inspected at least twice a year as preventative m ... read more

When it comes to your car’s safety, brakes are one of the most important that need to be monitored. Although it may seem like a brake problem would be blatantly obvious, there are some signs of brake problems that you may not recognize immediately without understanding the true signs of brake problems.    We always recommend that brakes are inspected at least once a year to ensure that everything works properly. A problem with a major brake component, such as the brake line, can cause sudden brake failure and is definitely something that we all want to avoid. Regular brake maintenance will help you avoid these dangerous and scary situations and keep you safe on the road.    If you notice any of the following symptoms, bring your vehicle into our shop as soon as possible for a brake inspection:    Brake warning light is on Noticeable decrease in brake power Vibrating while braking Brake pedal feels spongy Brake pedal goes to the floor Brake peda ... read more

Spring is a great time to take control of your vehicle’s maintenance. Driving in the winter weather can take a toll on our vehicles, causing wear and tear that can affect overall performance and fuel efficiency. Before your spring and summer road trip plans, be sure to come by our shop for a spring vehicle inspection. Here are the top spring maintenance items to keep your vehicle running smoothly into the summer!   Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual and see if any recommended services are due Make sure you are current with your vehicle’s oil and filter change Have coolant levels, condition, and concentration checked Inspect belts & hoses for any wear and tear Test air conditioning and verify if it is working properly Check your tires - look at the overall condition, tread, and check tire pressure  Look at all lights, interior and exterior, to make sure they work properly including headlights, tail lights, and brake lights Change your windsh ... read more