DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

Four Common Car Noises and What they Mean When turning on your car, you hear a loud squeal. When turning the corner, you hear clicks coming from your steering wheel. Let’s dive-into the four most common car noises and what they mean. #1: Squealing noise coming from the engine area after turning on the car. Commonly caused by a worn-out serpentine belt that is slipping on the metal pulleys inside the engine. This belt is important because it helps power devices such as your alternator, starter, water pump, air conditioning compressor and radiator fan. Most of the time the belt can be readjusted, and the problem can be fixed. While other times the belt just needs to be replaced. #2. High-pitched squealing while braking Another common car noise comes from your brake system. High-pitched squealing while applying your brakes can point to worn out brake pads that need to be replaced. The more metallic the sque ... 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

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