DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

How do I heat the inside of my car faster in the winter? Turn on you ignition without starting the engine. This will cause the fuel pump to prime the engine. Start the car but do not turn the heater on right away. Though it is primed, you still have a cold engine, meaning everything else is also cold, including the air coming out of the vents. Turning on the heat immediately will also prolong the engine from getting hot, keeping your car colder longer. Next, idle the vehicle for about 30 seconds. This allows the heater core to produce warm air. You can now begin to drive. It is recommended to point the vent at the passenger’s chest first, followed by directing the heat towards your feet. If you find that your car is still taking an abnormal time to heat up, you may want to bring it a Pau ... read more

How do I extend the life of my brakes? Brakes are the most important safety feature on a vehicle regardless of the type. Before finding yourself having to get them replaced by a certified mechanic such as Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, there are a few ways you can prolong the life of your brakes. Allow plenty of room to stop: Sudden stops are hard on your brakes and put a lot of pressure on the brake pads which will wear down the rubber and metal. By leaving a fair amount of distance to come to a full stop, you minimize the amount of pressure you need to apply to stop the vehicle.   Slow down: Speed also contributes to wear on the brakes. Braking at a lower speed dissipates less energy than braking at a higher speed. Lighten up ... read more

Why does it take so long for your car to heat up? There is nothing worse than having to wait for your car to warm up on a cold winter day. Every second you need to wait seems like a lifetime. You tell yourself, if you drive more the car will get warmer, yet your car remains cold.  The lack of heat is certainly not a feature you are looking for in your car, and it is time to take it in for an inspection to Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Centers. There a few possible reasons for the delay in your car warming up; let’s explore. Low or Dirty Coolant: Usually, the first thing that would be assessed if you are having heater issues would be the coolant levels. While it is referred to as coolant, what some people don’t realize is that coolant is most important ... read more

Why are my tires deflating in the cold weather? It's not your imagination, cold weather can (and does) affect tire pressure. Here's a closer look at why. Air contracts when the temperature drops—and the air inside your tires is no exception. The reason this occurs has to do with the speed at which air molecules move. Warmer molecules move faster. These fast-moving molecules spread further apart and take up extra space. Colder molecules move slower and stay closer together taking up less space and don't push up against the walls of your tires with as much pressure. Though the decrease in pressure due to temperatures is perfectly normal, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about your car’s tire pressure. You should always check your tire pressure on cold days, if your tires appear deflated, or any time you have a reason to believe your psi isn't ideal. Here are some things you can expect from driving with low tire pressure ... read more

Are Shocks and Struts the same part? Both shocks and struts are an essential part of your vehicle’s suspension system. They keep the springing movement of your car to a minimum, eliminating the bounce that can otherwise be damaging to the underside of your vehicle or make it hard to steer properly. Though people typically use the terms shocks and struts to describe the same part since they essentially serve the same function they are actually not the same part and each have a significantly different design. Shocks act strictly as shock absorbers, and that’s all they do. Their only goal is to give your car better handling. They ensure that the vehicle’s tires always remain in contact with the road surface. The key components of shocks are a piston, a coil, and hydraulic fluid. For example, when a car wheel dips down into a pothole, the shock initiates a compression cycle, and a piston exerts pressure on hydraulic fluid in t ... read more

Do you really need to purchase an extended service contract? Though they are commonly referred to as extended warranties, the correct term is extended service contract. They do not lengthen the manufacturer’s warranty, and they may not cover the same parts or have the same benefits and restrictions. They are more of an insurance policy that promises to repair or replace certain parts if they break, and they always come with specific exclusions. A warranty is included in the cost of the vehicle whereas you pay extra for an extended service contract. The main reason people will purchase extended service contracts is to protect themselves from major bills after the standard manufacturer’s warranty has ended. While a service contract might seem like a good idea, there are a few reasons why not to buy when purchasing a new or used vehicle—especially if it is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. A service contract will not pay for repair ... read more

How can I prepare for my vehicle’s state inspection?...Delaware and Pennsylvania explained. Your state inspection involves many different systems and components on your vehicle that affect its safety, which is why it's important to have your car pre-inspected at a qualified, licensed service center, such as Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers A typical Delaware automobile state inspection consists of a safety inspection covering such items as tires ... read more

What is the difference between 4WD and AWD?All Wheel Drive (AWD): All-wheel drive is a drive system automatically sending engine torque back and forth between the front and rear wheels. All this activity takes place without any driver input. The idea is to maintain optimum traction. On dry pavement, all or most of the engine’s power goes to either the front or rear wheels. When the AWD system senses wheel slippage on one or both primary drive wheels, it shifts some engine power to the other set of wheels. AWD Pros Added traction in bad weather Operates automatically and seamlessly System reaction is quicker than a human’s More fuel efficient than 4WD Added value if you sell AWD Cons Cost Not engineered for more extreme situations   Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Four-wheel drive is typically a part-time system engineered more for off-road than foul weather. w ... read more

What do the different tread patterns mean? If you look at different tires on the market you will notice different tread patterns.There are three different types of tread patterns, each available at Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers. Symmetrical Tires—Deliver a smooth drive, high directional stability, and low rolling resistance. Symmetrical Tires are the most common and the most flexible for the vehicle owner. PROS: They are quiet, long lasting and fuel efficient. CONS: They are less adaptable to changing conditions on the road and will not be as effective in wet conditions as other tires. Directional Tires—Provide high protection against aquaplaning, excelle ... read more

What to know when you get stuck in the snow... No one wants to think about their car getting stuck during a winter storm, but it happens. A little preparation and know-how can go a long way towards keeping you safe in snowy conditions. Before the snow: Don’t just wish you prepped your car better for weather conditions—get yourself prepared before getting in an emergency. Check the basic components like your battery, serpentine belt and pulleys, make sure you have working lights and wipers, and check your tires’ tread depth and pressure. These are all services that are performed at Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers, including purchasing Winter Tires if you live in a particularly snowy location. How to get unstuck from the snow ... read more