DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

4 Secrets to Making 2023 Your Best Year Ever Here’s a hint: it starts with quality auto repair. At Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, we want to do our part in making your life, and the lives of your passengers, as easy and stress-free as possible. A reliable vehicle provides a convenient lifestyle! Here are four ways you can eliminate stress by using Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center: 1. Choose quality when you choose for transparent, professional service. We employ ASE-certified automotive technicians and advisors with years of experience and training. Our team has worked on nearly every make and model of vehicle. If you’re looking for a shop with advanced brake repair knowledge or engine diagnostics, we have you covered! 2. Save your money when you make Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center your go-to mechanic. Our pricing for auto parts and labor reflects the high-quality product ... read more

Tips for Saving Money on Gas Gas prices have reached an all-time high this year since 2018, hitting an average of $5.02 a gallon in mid-June. While prices have gone down, they are still much higher than what the average gas price has been over the past five years, which was almost a dollar cheaper than today's average. This dramatic price increase has certainly negatively affected your budget and wallet. Filling up your tank is often unavoidable, so using methods to save money at the pump is crucial. These tips will do just that.   Limit Driving If possible, reduce the amount of time you drive and consider alternative methods of transportation. Not only will this save you money on gas, but these methods are more eco-friendly. Consider the bus or subway in combination with walking if your city has these options. If you are traveling a longer distance, see if there is an option to take the train. Not only can this save you gas money, but you will also be a ... read more

Drive Safe This Holiday With Campanella's 5-Point Winter Car Maintenance Checklist Does cold weather make you lose tire pressure? What about brake performance? If these are concerns you have about your vehicle this winter, you’re in the right place. Your car deserves a nice holiday, too! Having a reliable vehicle during the winter months provides peace of mind and a relaxing holiday season. Poor maintenance has a negative impact on vehicle performance in cold and snowy weather. Here are five common car concerns during winter months and what you can do to prevent them: 1. Coolant System Coolant prevents your engine from freezing in the winter and overheating in the summer. It cools down your engine and operates your heating system. Any blockage in your coolant will prevent heat from working—during the cold months, this is not ideal! Did you know? Our technicians at Paul Campanella’s Auto & ... read more

Auto repair is expensive because owning a car is a significant investment. When you factor in fuel, insurance, maintenance, unexpected repairs, and the cost of the car itself, you’re left with a lot of dollar signs! A vehicle’s parts make up a large portion of your final maintenance or repair bill. The cost of parts and materials fluctuate, and, in today’s economy, costs have risen across the board. A specific set of tools and knowledge is also required to service a vehicle, similar to medical care. Every shop has a set labor fee per hour, a fee that changes based on depth, timeline, and type of service. Getting a basic check-up costs less than knee replacement surgery, just like an oil change is less expensive than a wheel alignment. What do you get at Campanella’s that you cannot get anywhere else? When it comes to auto repair, you get what you pay for. At Campanella’s we factor in parts and labor cost to provide you with a final quot ... read more

Since 1986, we have provided northern Delaware and the surrounding region with high quality, full-service automotive repair and maintenance services. During these 36 years, we opened five stores in Delaware and Pennsylvania, with plans for future expansion. We have three stores in Delaware—Hockessin, Wilmington, and Pike Creek—and two stores in Pennsylvania—Kennett Square and Swarthmore. Our Swarthmore store is slated to open soon by the end of 2022! Our full-service repair services extend to Brake, Electrical, Battery, Steering and Suspension, Transmission, Preventative Maintenance, Radiator, Fuel System, Tires, Coolant System, and EVAP and Emissions Services. We service most makes and models, including Domestic, Asian, European, Standard, Hybrid, and Electric vehicles. Currently, we do not pro ... read more

The cost of brake repair depends on several factors: vehicle make and model, parts cost, labor fee, and necessary repairs. While the average cost for a full brake repair ranges from $400 to $700, these factors do not guarantee a fixed price. Your vehicle’s make and model plays a major role in determining the price of its various parts. Ceramic brakes, for example, cost more than semi-metallic brakes—but also tend to last longer. High-end vehicles that use higher quality material usually have more expensive parts. The cost of parts is determined by the manufacturer and varies depending on the vehicle make and model. At Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, we use trusted third-party suppliers to order parts. If the third-party does not have the right part, we will order from the OEM, or original equipment manufacturer. Because they are more expensive, we only resort to OEM if none of our suppliers have the part your vehicle needs. The cost of a brake job also depen ... read more

How does rust form on your car’s exhaust? The exhaust system is closer the ground and thus more vulnerable to moisture and debris from the road, like salt. Gasses and moisture inside your exhaust system also contribute to rust over time. If you live near the coast where salt collects in the air or in an area that uses road salt in the winter, frequent washing of the undercarriage will remove salt and dirt buildup that causes rust and corrosion. Ask your technician to inspect your exhaust system when you get your oil changed to monitor health. When it comes to safety and vehicle health, replacing one rusted component is more time-consuming and expensive long-term. Rust is like cancer; once it has spread to one area of the vehicle, it won’t slow down. If your technician finds a rusty pipe on the exhaust system, but the rest of the system hasn’t been affected, you may be tempted to request welding in a new pipe or welding it back together. Rust is a sign of age and corro ... read more

During intense summer heat, tire pressure may fluctuate and lead to premature wear. If your tire pressure is low, it may be a surface-level issue. Check for punctures on the tire surface and make sure air isn’t escaping. Many newer vehicles (late 2000s and on) have a TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System that will monitor tire pressure. This sensor will wear with the car’s battery and can malfunction as the battery reaches the end of its life. Other faulty sensors, like the ABS (Antilock Braking System), may also contribute to indicating low tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle depends on manufacturer recommendations, as well as tire size. You can find this in the owner’s manual, usually located in the passenger-side glove box. The sticker found on the driver’s side will also list factory recommendations for standard tires. Newer vehicles will display tire pressure for you on their dashboard screen. When determining the correct pressur ... read more

Tips to Saving Money When Buying New Tires Getting new tires for your vehicle is no easy task. People shopping for tires are often stuck sifting through the overwhelmingly diverse range of tire types, sizes, and brands on the market today. And since your choice in tires can affect everything from car maintenance requirements to gas mileage – not to mention how long you go without changing them again – it is worth making the right decision. Before you buy, read through this guide to all the information necessary to get a tire that’s right for your vehicle, at the right price.   Seasonal Tires: Do You Need to Switch Tires For Winter? Before 1977, when Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company released the very first “all season” tire, people in temperate climates had to change their tires along with the change of the seasons. Some people, especially those who have been driving for many years or drive an older car, still believe they may need t ... read more

How much rust is too much rust? For most standard vehicles, brake rotors are made of cast-iron or steel, both of which rust when exposed to moisture. It’s inevitable that brakes will gather a little rust from being exposed to the elements. Light rusting is nothing to sweat over if its formation is supervised. If you’re worried about rust forming on your brakes, it’s easy to clean or request that your auto technician wipe it off when inspecting your vehicle. If your brakes are not performing at top speed, bring your vehicle into your local auto repair shop so they can assess the issue. Problems arise when rust builds up around the area where the brake pads touch the rotor. Rust reduces friction between the rotor disc and pads, causing the vehicle to wobble and shake when braking. If left alone, rust builds up on the outside of the brake pads’ path. This rust ring may cause your vehicle to shake and take longer to brake. Besides rust, small holes or "pits&qu ... read more