DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

What to know when you get stuck in the snow... No one wants to think about their car getting stuck during a winter storm, but it happens. A little preparation and know-how can go a long way towards keeping you safe in snowy conditions. Before the snow: Don’t just wish you prepped your car better for weather conditions—get yourself prepared before getting in an emergency. Check the basic components like your battery, serpentine belt and pulleys, make sure you have working lights and wipers, and check your tires’ tread depth and pressure. These are all services that are performed at Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers, including purchasing Winter Tires if you live in a particularly snowy location. How to get unstuck from the snow ... read more

Should I replace my water pump and timing belt at the same time? While a water pump and timing belt don’t do the same job in your engine, they have a few things in common which is why they are often replaced together. A timing belt is what drives your water pump, and they also have similar life spans, so it makes sense to have them replaced at the same time. Additionally, the water pump is directly adjacent to the timing belt. Since getting to the timing belt is such a labor-intensive job, it’s a good idea to have the water pump replaced at the same time to alleviate the effort required to access them, in the end, saving you time and money. A prime example that indicates a bad water pump is an overheating engine. A damaged water pump is unable to circulate coolant through your vehicle’s engine which will lead it to overheat. If you find your engine getting overheated now and then, it is a sign and must be fixed immediately. Have a mechanical exper ... read more

Experiencing Not So Good Vibrations? These vibrations could indicate warped rotors. It is impossible to watch for this visually, however vehicle vibrations can indicate rotors that need servicing. The biggest sign that your rotors may be warped is vibration in the pedal when pressure is applied. Even the slightest pressure could cause a great vibration. You may also experience vibrations from the steering wheel. This is because the brake rotors connect to the same spindle that is connected to the wheels. It is not safe to drive with da​maged rotors! So, if you are suspecting an issue, immediately take the right action and bring your vehicle to Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Center, it could save your life

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

No matter how careful you are, it’s inevitable that an emergency will occur . Just because you are an experienced driver doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how to handle some of the most common emergencies, as knowing what to do can make the difference between having an accident or avoiding one. Here is some advice on that will help you be prepared for anything that happens. During a tire blowout, avoid the urge to brake suddenly, as this can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Instead, press the gas pedal for a couple of seconds and continue driving straight. Let up off the gas and coast to slow down, allowing yourself to get off the highway safely. Tread separation begins with a slapping or thumping sound. If you notice this noise, stop immediately and inspect your tires for signs of damage. Continuing to drive after tires have separated can result in serious injury or even death ... read more

Parents have a lot of reasons to worry about teenagers and cars. The CDC reports that, in 2011 alone, over 2,600 teens ages 16-19 died and close to 300,000 required emergency room treatment because of motor vehicle accidents. One factor that increases the risk of crashes is when teens drive with other teens as passengers (but with no supervising adult present). As a group, they also tend towards impulsiveness. On top of that, there’s also the risk posed by distractions, especially mobile devices. Texting while driving is potentially deadly, but many people, teens included, don’t realize this. They overestimate their ability to multitask on the road and react quickly to unexpected events even when they’re looking at, handling, and thinking about the contents of a mobile device. As you consider how to stop your teen from texting while driving, the following five tips may help ... read more