St. Louis Park & Minnetonka Auto Repair

When it comes to buying a car, engine reliability is a key factor to consider. A reliable engine can help ensure your car runs smoothly for years to come, saving you money on repairs and replacements. In addition to that, its upkeep shouldn't be expensive. Here are three of the most reliable engines on the market today, so if you see them in the car you are looking at, you are set to go: Toyota 2.5L 4-Cylinder Engine Toyota is known for producing reliable engines, and the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is no exception. This engine is used in a wide range of Toyota vehicles, including the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander. It's known for its durability and longevity, with many owners reporting over 200,000 miles on their engines with minimal issues. Of course, this is only achievable if you maintain it properly, but that doesn't mean that it has to be serviced every week. The engine produces up to 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and its dual VVT-i system improve ... read more

Wheel alignment procedures are offered at almost every shop. But are they really that important? Well, we will let you decide that by giving you five benefits you get from a simple wheel alignment procedure. 1. Increased Comfort When your wheels are out of alignment, you may experience a rougher ride due to the uneven distribution of weight on your tires. Proper wheel alignment can help ensure that weight is distributed evenly across all four tires and correct the wheel's angle, so it makes good contact with the road. This especially applies to AWD vehicles because all four wheels are connected to the drivetrain - even one can cause issues. 2. Better Performance Proper wheel alignment can improve your vehicle's overall performance by optimizing tire contact with the road, reducing resistance, and correcting the direction of the force the wheels create. Even being one angle off can result in subpar performance or even handling issues ... read more

Check engine lights can come on because of a variety of problems and issues. Some are quite large, while others are not. But it will certainly inform you that something is wrong and needs attention. Below, we have listed five of the most common reasons for a lit-up check engine light. 1. Engine Problems Engine problems include everything from misfiring to coolant leaks. After all, it's called a check engine light, so it has to indicate problems with the engine. If you want to know more about the issue and its exact cause, make sure to have it checked by a mechanic or via a diagnostic tool. 2. Transmission Problems Despite its name, the check engine light can also turn on for a variety of different things, such as problems with the transmission. It's responsible for switching gears and distributing power to the wheels; therefore, it's one of the most important systems in your car. Things like an oil leak or gear damage can cause the ... read more

The Star Tribune is looking for your favorite Minnesota businesses - and BAM! Automotive is nominated for Best Auto Service! Will you vote for us so the people of Minneapolis can hear about our trustworthy auto repair and maintenance?   Voting is easy:Click here to visit Minnesota's BestClick MotorsClick Auto Service Center Scroll down and click BAM Automotive (it might be easier to use the "Find" or "Search" feature in your browser) Click the green Review and Cast My Ballot button Click the black Submit Ballot button You're done! Voting is open through April 5, 2023, and you can vote once per day.  

One of the most common mistakes car owners make is driving their vehicle in the cold immediately after starting it. This can damage vital systems and components, leading to frustrating problems - shortening the car's lifespan. If you want to know more about why it's bad and how to start it properly, read along to find out. What Can It Cause? When the engine is cold due to the temperatures outside, the fluid becomes viscous, metal is more brittle, and the gaskets and seals are stiff, just to name a few. While the vehicle is stationary, it starts to warm up and get all these things going and working. If you cold start the car and immediately after that drive it, parts are more prone to damage or even stopping to operate. This can also cause problems with sensors which are vital for your car's ability to run. To put it in short, continuous driving with a cold engine can damage parts and systems all over the vehicle - resulting in a shorter lifespan. How To Properly Do It ... read more