DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

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

Is your car ready for summer? If you're not sure, make an appointment at your local car doctor before your next trip. Especially after the winter months, it's important to check the all systems in your vehicle are running normally. The last place you want to be on a road trip is on the side of the road. Use this guide to ensure critical components in your car are ready to beat the heat. 1. Ready your rubber. Rubber is a huge component of every standard vehicle on the road today. It’s not only used for tires—the belts and hoses under the hood and windshield wiper blades are made of rubber, too! Intense summer heat can wreak further havoc on cracked rubber. If you or your technician eye any concerning damage, its best (and cheaper!) to replace a cracked serpentine belt now rather than on the side of the road. Tires are held together by glue, and glue and sun do not mix. Whenever you see ripped treads and loose rubber on the highway, that’s th ... read more

Finding a mechanic you trust your vehicle with may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easier than you think. Most people have at least one poor experience with an auto repair shop, and that experience can shape how they view interactions with other shops they go to. After you find a shop that does the kind of work you’re looking for, you may wonder how much you can trust them with your vehicle and money. So, what does credibility look like in an auto repair shop? 1. Look for an ASE Blue Seal of Approval. The fastest way to check a service center’s credibility is an ASE badge. This is the most widely acknowledged and accepted certification for professional technicians. Shops that employ technicians who are trained in some or all eight test categories receive this seal from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ASE is a non-profit established in 1972 to advance vehicle service quality and ensure that automotive professionals a ... read more

If you’re wondering how to avoid hydroplaning, vehicle use and maintenance need to be considered. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle experiences a loss of traction in a wet environment, and slides or skids across the road. There are several choices you can make to eliminate the risk of your car hydroplaning in bad weather. 1. Choose defensive driving over aggressive acceleration. Slow down when driving in wet conditions. Maintain a speed at least 10 miles below the speed limit and lower your need to brake. Wet roads equal less traction so braking will do little in your favor, especially if you’re shooting down the highway at 65 mph. Going a safe speed will also eliminate your need to make sudden movements, which will increase the likelihood of your car hydroplaning. To reduce further risk of hydroplaning, try driving in the tracks of cars in front of you. The water or ice will have begun to sepa ... read more

With gas prices through the roof and another Earth Day come and gone, it’s time to talk about you. Specifically, what you can do to increase your car’s fuel economy. Fuel economy refers to the number of miles a car can drive per gallon of gas. 1. Avoid aggressive acceleration. Road rage costs you, so why sweat it? According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, drivers who obey speed limits and practice gentle braking and acceleration improve their car’s fuel economy up to 40% in traffic and up to 30% going highway speeds. Gradual acceleration is also kinder to your car, preventing faster break-down. 2. Lose the junk in your trunk! Extra weight reduces fuel efficiency in your car. Smaller ... read more

How do I Improve my Gas Mileage? With the rise in gas prices, it is a great time to reflect on your driving habits. There are a few simple things you can do to improve your car's fuel efficiency.  Limit your idling. Idling uses more fuel than restarting your car and gives off 80% more pollution than when your car is in motion. When you are waiting for someone, consider turning your car off.  Keep your speed steady. After you hit 45-50mph, your car begins to be less fuel efficient, and it gets worse as you go faster. It's a good idea to use cruise control when possible. Additionally, rapid acceleration and hard braking use up fuel quickly, so you will also want to avoid those actions when you can.  Check your tire pressure. When your tires are under inflated, fuel consumption can increase by as much as 3%. You will also risk wearing down your treads faster.  Perform regular maintenance. When you follow the maintenance schedule recommendations provid ... read more

Before Traveling Again As COVID-19 Starts To Dwindle, Be Sure to Check These Car Maintenance Tips Most Americans have been more or less stuck in place for the last year. However, as the COVID-19 vaccines gradually roll out and parts of the country begin to reopen, many are thinking about the possibility of summer road trips. But in order to go on a long road trip, a reliably working car is necessary. And since many have deferred car maintenance over the last year – perhaps because they haven’t been commuting during the pandemic, or because lost income makes it unaffordable – it is even more important to make sure the car is in working order before hitting the road. Car maintenance is always vital, but now more than ever car owners need to get everything up to par. Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere during a road trip is not a fun experience, so follow these tips on pre-trip car maintenance. Post-Pandemic General Car Maintenance A modern car is full of a mult ... read more

Tips to Prevent Vehicle Damage in a Car Wash & What to do if Damage Happens Americans love their cars. We love buying them, owning them, and driving them. Some people even love caring for them. When a vehicle is clean, people experience real emotional benefits. Seeing a well-maintained car shining in the sun is a satisfying feeling that anyone can appreciate. However, walking up to a dirty or dusty vehicle can be disheartening. No wonder keeping cars and trucks clean is a national obsession. Keeping your ride clean and looking good also makes financial sense. Cleaner, shinier cars and trucks consistently fetch higher resale prices when it's time to sell. In fact, with all other things being equal, a vehicle with faded paint and an unkempt appearance bring 10-20 percent less than the same car that's been well maintained. That percentage can translate into thousands of dollars. For most people in America, the purchase of cars, trucks, or SUVs will be one of the m ... read more

Tire Repair And Maintenance is Crucial Tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes in direct contact with the road; needless to say, they are essential when it comes to safety! The engine and braking system work directly through your vehicle’s tires, making them one of the most imperative safety features. Driving on a set of worn tires puts you at serve risk of a blowout, which could result in an accident. Hydroplaning also happens as a result of bald tires. There’s no tread to redirect the water. This is crucial especially in those wet winter days in Wilmington, De. Proper Tire Service is a must. Tire Repair – Don’t Ignore The Signs If you can’t tell by the way your car is driving, it may help to just take a look. Obviously If your tires look like racing slicks, it’s time to service them. If you’re not sure its time for service consider ... 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