DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

Have you ever experienced your car pulling to one side or felt a subtle vibration in the steering wheel? These could be signs that your car needs alignment. Proper wheel alignment is essential for optimal handling, tire wear, and overall vehicle performance. In this post, we share five common signs that indicate your vehicle’s wheels are misaligned. By learning to recognize these red flags, you can address alignment issues before they turn into a more expensive repair. Car Pulling to One Side: One of the most noticeable signs of misalignment is when your car pulls to the left or right while driving straight. This pulling sensation occurs because the wheels are not aligned, causing uneven tire wear. If you release your grip on the steering wheel and notice your car drifting to one side, it's time to have your alignment checked. Uneven Tire Wear: Take a moment to inspect the tread on your tires. Uneven wear patterns, such as excessive wear on the inner or outer edges, are lik ... 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

Why do I need an alignment? Alignment is necessary to ensure that your vehicle’s suspension (the system connecting the wheels to the powertrain and the rest of the car) is angled properly. Harsh roads, bumps, and curbs can push your car out of alignment over time. The wearing of tire rubber and sagging of suspension components, like the springs, over time also contributes to changing wheel angles that affect alignment. How does an alignment work? During an alignment, vehicles are secured onto a lift that clamps on to each of the four wheels. These clamps connect to a computer that assists the technician’s adjustments to each of the wheels. Doing an alignment also gives the technician an opportunity to make sure that all components of the car’s suspension is functioning normally. If any part of the suspension or steering is broken or needs replacement, this needs to be done before alignment can take place for safety reasons. An alig ... read more

Why is my Car Pulling to the Side? If your car is pulling to the side, it is a pretty good indication of a Problem with your Car’s Suspension System. This Pulling can be attributed to many things including Uneven Tire Pressure, Uneven Tire Wear, Poor Alignment, or a Sticking Brake Caliper. Driving over a pothole or up on a curb may break your Control Arm, and alter the Alignment of your Vehicle. While it’s generally not hard to realize the ... 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 leaking from my car? Looking at the color of the puddle is one of the easiest ways to determine what’s leaking from your vehicle. Here are a couple of colors to look for. Yellowish/Green—This is an indicator of a problem with your coolant or antifreeze. If your car cannot stay cool this can lead to major car problems down the road. Light Brown/Black—This is a sign of an oil leak which may be coming from a variety of places. It could be a problem with your oil gasket, oil filter, oil coolant line or your oil pressure. Reddish Brown and Thin—This could indicate a leak in your power steering. Time is your biggest enemy against a power steering leak. As cars age, you could spr ... 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

Car owners know that regular maintenance and tune up services are crucial for keeping your car running smoothly. However, there are some auto repair services that our skilled experts at Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center can easily identify, and take care of for you, before they cause you a costly breakdown. Our ASE Certified technicians have created a list of 5 car repairs you can have taken care of today, that will save you time and money tomorrow. Timing Belt & Serpentine Belt Replacement Accessing these belts inside your vehicle can be is no easy car repair. If one of your belts is compromised, or needs replacing, it’s beneficial to have them both replaced. The philosophy is the following. You have a bad belt and it must be fixed. It takes added labor hours to get to the belts. You might as well r ... read more