St. Cloud Automotive and Diesel Repair

Yearly Archives: 2020

How Often Do I Need a Timing Belt Replacement?

How Often Do I Need a Timing Belt Replacement?

As a proud car owner, you'll know that repairs and replacements of broken parts can be expensive and it's usually better to replace parts before they break. Most components in your car will let you know when they're wearing out and need replacing — when the water pump is wearing out, for example, you may notice leaks and noises which warn you to have a mechanic carry out an inspection. The timing belt, however, doesn't always cause any noticeable symptoms until it actually breaks. It's important to have your timing belt replaced regularly to avoid the risk of it breaking while on the road. What Is a Timing Belt? The timing belt is one of the most important belts in your vehicle. If the name hasn't given it away, it's responsible for making sure that the timings of the movements of engine components are synchronized. You could think of it as a conductor, keeping the orchestra of engine parts in time and together. It has teeth like a bike chain that i ... read more

Ways You Can Unintentionally Hurt Your Vehicle

Ways You Can Unintentionally Hurt Your Vehicle

Your vehicle is an investment, and it is important to protect that investment in order to save yourself money over time. Many of us don’t realize it, but there are some habits that some drivers practice every day that are actually hurting their vehicles unintentionally. Here are some things that may be damaging your vehicle that can be avoided:    Don’t forget to use your vehicle parking brake. When you put your car in park, you engage the parking pawl, which is a small metal pin that disengages the transmission’s output. The job of the parking brake is to immobilize the wheels, easing the weight that is put on this small metal pin.    Make sure your tire pressure is always correct. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your vehicle will let you know when your tires are low on air, however it is always a good idea to check them yourself because the TPMS could be faulty. Low tire pressure actually lowers your fuel efficiency and can put yo ... read more

Car & Medium-Truck Alignment in St. Cloud, FL

Car & Medium-Truck Alignment in St. Cloud, FL

Bumper dents and flat tires are easy to spot if you recently hit a curb, but the real damage may not be easy to spot. Your vehicle depends on proper wheel alignment for smooth handling and stability. Here at Flo State Auto Diesel, we are the alignment and front-end specialists in St. Cloud, FL. Our mechanics are ASE Master Technicians and have specialized training and expertise with all front-end alignment issues you may be experiencing. We have been providing top-notch alignment services to the Osceola county community for over ten years.  We specialize in all vehicle makes and models, and all makes of medium-duty trucks as well. Medium-duty truck alignments require special machinery and our facility features only state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Flo State Auto Diesel has one of Osceola county's largest alignment machines that can restore medium-duty trucks to optimal performance.  Driving your vehicle with poor wheel alignment and can cost you. Misaligned alignme ... read more

What Causes Warped Brake Rotors?

What Causes Warped Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors are important because they spin with and stop the wheels when the brake pads clamp down on them. The brake rotors withstand a lot of heat during the process of braking, and need to dissipate this heat quickly so that the brake pads will be able to be pressed down again. Because of this mass amount of heat, the surface of the brake rotors can become uneven over time, which is often referred to as warping. This can cause your vehicle's brakes to become jittery and less effective.  Brake rotor warping isn't as severe as it sounds. Warping actually just refers to an uneven surface, mainly caused by heat. The brake rotors can be warped in the following ways:  The brake rotors can become glazed with material from the brake pads. This happens when the brake pads get very hot which causes the pad material to rub off onto the brake rotors. This causes the brake rotor surface to become uneven and decrease the overall efficiency of the brakes.&nb ... read more

Safety Tips for Tailgating This Fall

Safety Tips for Tailgating This Fall

Fall season means the start-up of America's favorite sport - football! Nothing says football like tailgating. Firing up the grill, enjoying the company of others, and watching your team win or lose (hopefully win) is one of the fall season's best assets. Whether you're new to tailgating or it's something you've done for years, it's important to remember the following safety tips to make your experience as pleasant and fun as possible: Be sure to store and cook your food properly! If you're planning on grilling meats, be sure that any raw meat is properly packaged to prevent cross-contamination and is chilled correctly to prevent spoiling. You might want to bring a thermometer along to check that meats such as chicken are cooked to the proper temperature.  Have your vehicle inspected before any big events. A nice tailgate can be quickly ruined by a vehicle that won't start. Have a fall vehicle maintenance inspection per ... read more

How to Care for an Idle Vehicle

How to Care for an Idle Vehicle

With the current pandemic still very much active, the day to day of most people may still look a lot different. Many students are now ordered to stay home and learn remotely, while others are still working from home. For this reason, you may find that you aren't driving your vehicle much or at all throughout the weeks or months. This may leave you wondering, do I need to care for an idle vehicle?  While it may seem counterintuitive to have to do maintenance on a car that isn't in use, the truth is that idle vehicles still need care. When your vehicle doesn't run, it actually isn't good for it. Think of your vehicle as your own body - sitting on the couch for months at a time wouldn't be good for your health. When you get up and move, it helps get your blood pumping. This is the same with your vehicle - when it runs, the battery is charged and fluids move throughout important systems. Our vehicles need to run in order to stay healthy!  So, how can you car ... read more

5 Signs You Need New Tires

5 Signs You Need New Tires

Having good tires is more important than more car owners think. They are the only thing between you and the road, and they need to create the right amount of friction in order for you to properly control your vehicle. Worn down, under-inflated, or damaged tires can put your safety at risk, especially during certain driving conditions. This is why it is so important to pay attention to your tires and understand what signs indicate you need a new set.  Here are 5 signs that you need new tires: Tread wear - your vehicle's tire tread is what helps create friction with the road on a variety of different surfaces. When the tread is low, even just in one area of your tire, it makes it hard for the tire to actually grip the road. One way you can test tire tread is with a penny test. Place a penny into the tread of your tire with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is dangerously low, and your tire should be replaced.    You ... read more

Safety Tips for July 4th

Safety Tips for July 4th

July 4th is a cherished day here in the United States when it comes to celebrating our freedom and getting together with family and friends. We know that Independence Day may look a little different this year considering the current pandemic, but you may still be planning on watching fireworks or BBQing with your household. Regardless of what your plans are, there will more than likely be many more vehicles on the road and a lot of people out celebrating. This is why it is important to prioritize your safety and do what you can to have a safe holiday celebration.  Read up on some of our tips on how to remain safe while celebrating July 4th this year:  If you're planning on traveling far or using your vehicle a lot during the weekend, we recommend ensuring that your vehicle works at its best. Here at FloState Auto Diesel Repair, we offer pre-trip vehicle inspections to verify that your vehicle can handle the drive. If not, we help you take care o ... read more

Protect Your Vehicle During the Summer

Protect Your Vehicle During the Summer

The weather is getting warmer, and during this time of year a lot of us spend time taking trips and spending time outdoors in the sun. If you’re planning on going to the beach or taking a road trip during the next couple of months, here are some tips on how to protect your vehicle from the harshness of the warm weather: Have your car’s air conditioning system, cooling system, and belts and hoses inspected by an expert here at FloState Auto Diesel Repair. The A/C will be necessary for long drives in the heat. The cooling system also needs to be in top working condition to prevent your engine from overheating. Belts and hoses are also affected by the warm weather, so an inspection can prevent belts from snapping and hoses from breaking, which can cause breakdowns and lengthy repairs.    Make sure that your vehicle’s tires have proper tire air pressure. An under inflated tire can cause decreased fuel efficiency and puts you at risk f ... read more

How Does a Diesel Engine Work?

How Does a Diesel Engine Work?

  Diesel engine vehicles are great options for those who need efficient and cost effective vehicles. While typically diesel engines were only seen in larger trucks, they have been growing in popularity among smaller vehicles.  Diesel can have a bad rep - for some reason, they are seen as having bad emissions and black exhaust smoke. However, diesel engines actually are better for the environment and use less fossil fuel to run. They are extremely efficient, and can run smoothly under heavy loads.  So, how exactly does a diesel engine work? First off, diesel engines use diesel fuel. This is a type of fuel that is uses compression rather than being ignited by a spark. It is derived from the same type of fuel that a standard gas engine uses, but it goes through a refinement process. Plus, there are new type of diesel fuel being developed using more sustainable sources called bio-diesel fuel. In a standard gasoline engine, fuel is ignited using a spark plug. In a di ... read more

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