DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

Most people shake and shudder like a bad clutch at the thought of needing transmission repair in Wilmington, DE. The good news is, not all transmission repair jobs are expensive undertakings. Let’s take a look at the most common types of transmission troubles and how to tell the difference between the big and the small. Low Fluid Levels and Leaks Transmission leaks will eventually cause your transmission to run low on fluid. This is, by far, the most common need for transmission service. Leaks can be caused by several things and a certified transmission mechanic should be consulted in order to determine the exact cause. How expensive the repair will be is usually dependent on where the leak ... read more

You’ve just left Wilmington, and you’re on 95 south. The highway is crawling. You see a Bus pass you on the slow lane while driving in the heavy traffic. You must catch up with the truck, so you consider the fast lane because it’s moving faster. You finally see a gap in the cars, and you merge in. Excellent now you’ll catch up with that darn bus. Wrong! Your new lane becomes slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter, and the bus is nowhere in sight. AArrrgg! Losing time like this is irritating. We hope to give you some options on how to approach this problem while driving in heavy traffic. When the speeds slow down, and traffic begins to jam up, which lane should you choose if you want to beat the jam? Many factors impact lane speed when driving in heavy traffic. Here’s a list: Is it a car that needs simple tire service or ... read more

At Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Centers in Wilmington, DE, we have years of experience providing auto service to vehicles with all different mileage. While some auto problems can’t be planned for, our ASE Certified Technicians can give you a little insight on the auto repair in Wilmington, so you can plan ahead and keep your automobile running right! Check out the most common auto repair fixes needed at different points in your vehicle’s mileage. Auto Repair Services You Should Consider At The Following Mile Markers 3,000 miles – Oil Change It’s the most standard maintenance service for every car owner. Having your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles is essential for keeping the parts of your engine working fluidly and efficiently. 30,000 miles – Tune ... read more

Never Get Stuck In Wilmington, DE Traffic AgainThere’s a free cell phone application allowing you to receive traffic reports in Wilmington, Delaware that are generated from fellow users. The program works on both Iphone and Droid phones and is an absolute game changer when it comes to knowing what’s happening down the road. The software is called Waze and it draws its power from a large and ever growing group of users. These users share what see at their location which in turn helps you become instantly aware of any hazard that may arise. Local radio is a good source for avoiding traffic but can they warn you when there’s tire rubber lying in middle of the road? This system is so powerful that it will warn you of impending rain. You’ll have time to roll up our windows and turn you headlights on before it hits. It’s this by the second information that makes Waze the most valuable phone apps for your automotive driving experi ... read more

Cars naturally become noisier as they age; however, that doesn’t mean certain sounds are nothing to be concerned with. Here are five car sounds that should raise the red flag, because they signal a more serious problem could be getting ready to happen. #1. Screeching, grinding metal that sounds like the blade of a snowplow on pavementThis noise is likely due to brake pads that have worn completely through, causing them to press directly against the rotors. Worn brake pads could make it difficult to stop your car, and might even lead to rotor damage. #2.Whining or groaning when turning the steering wheel Whining or groaning when turning usually indicates that your power-steering pump is failing. This is serious because it could leave you unable to steer your vehicle. If you notice this noise, stop driving immediately and have your power-steering pump checked. #3.Tapping that sounds like a was ... read more

When you drive by the gas pumps and see the option for E85, do you ever wonder what the difference is between cars that can be fueled with E85 and cars that take regular unleaded gasoline? Who can use E-85 to save money on gas cost? E85 is an option for flex-fuel vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles are specially designed to accept fuel that mixes just 15% gasoline with 85% ethanol. The exact percentages can be adjusted for optimal performance in different climates and different elevations. So the E85 you buy in Delaware might be slightly different from E85 in other states, because it will be customized just for Delaware drivers. Fuel systems have to be modified to accept E85 because ethanol conducts electricity and gasoline does not. The fuel systems in flex-fuel vehicles are created without rubber, aluminum or magnesium parts, and the car’s fuel injection control system is ... read more

Car manufacturers never stop talking about how oil changes are necessary for the long-term functionality of their vehicles, but not many explain why. It turns out that there are indeed very good reasons that cars need regular oil changes even when they relatively new. The most important reason oil changes are needed is because oil becomes contaminated as it is used. Microscopic metal pieces break off of the pistons and other engine parts, and eventually, they accumulate enough to overwhelm the oil filter’s ability to remove them. Once this happens, the abrasive bits keep circulating through the oil and negate its ability to lubricate the engine. Another reason new oil is regularly needed is because the heat and friction generated by the engine breaks down the oil’s viscosity. This makes it lose lubricating power, and eventually, the old oil won’t be able to provide much of a benefi ... read more

Can air bags have the potential to be dangerous? If you mean capable of causing injury or even death then yes, they are. However, when properly used in combination with seat belts they do save lives. There are a number of reports including this one by the NHTSA that confirm this. Air bag Safety Starts With Understanding their Awesome Power The danger is their speed of inflation. Accidents happen in miliseconds so in order to be effective airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This intense speed doesn’t present a danger as long as the airbag is deployed before the passenger comes into contact with it. However, if the passenger isn’t properly seat belted, hard braking before the collision can bring him within striking range of the airbag before it inflates, and this could cause inj ... read more

Road trips can be an exciting adventure and provide time for plenty of bonding among passengers. However, very long road trips can also have their pitfalls, including: achy bodies, less than ideal nutrition, and exhaustion. In order to help combat these challenges, consider the following tips to keep comfortable during long road trips before embarking on your next journey: Real Food Not Junk Not only will this snack bag keep you fueled, but it will also help you resist the temptation to stop for less healthy food options on the road. Be sure, however, to make sure that your snack options are healthy and not sugar loaded, particularly if you have kids joining you on this road trip. Healthy snack options might include string cheese, rice cakes, nuts, and apple slices. Don’t neglect your hydration either– bring a cooler packed with plenty of water. Plan for Stops During Long Trips ... read more

You’re getting ready to head out and enjoy the sights around Wilmington, Delaware. But when you get to your car, you notice that it’s sitting at an awkward angle. Yes, you have a flat tire! It was fine last night when you parked the car, but now you’re down on the rim. You figure you must have picked up a nail or something somewhere along the line, and a small leak now has you grounded. Good thing you bought a can of Fix-A-Flat, right? Only if you’re going to head right to the tire shop. You might think that tire repair with FixAFlat is a savior in a can, but if you plan to carry on with your driving, here are the top 5 reasons why tire repair with FixAFlat is not smart: #1 Tire Repair With FixaFlat Is Not Permanent Fix-A-Flat is not permanent tire repair. It’s only meant to keep you rolling so you can get the tire repaired properly at a tire shop. To get to a tire ... read more