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

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

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

For an engine to work it must remain completely sealed. This is where the valve cover comes into play. The valve cover does not need to be replaced frequently, but once the valve cover fails, the valve components are left unprotected, and you will need to replace it. A few signs of a failing valve cover include:Leaking Oil: Though leaking oil can be cause by numerous things, if the oil is located on the valve cover area or coming from that region, you can assume you have a bad valve cover or gasket. It may begin as a small drip eventually becoming larger. It can cover the whole valve cover surface area along with a layer of debris and dirt that has accumulated. Low Oil Levels: Maintaining proper oil levels is critical to your safety. If you keep topping your oil off, but it consistently becomes low quickly, the oil is going somewhere. We recommend having it inspected by an ASE Certified Mechanic such as Paul Campanella’s Auto ... read more

Why does it take so long for your car to heat up? There is nothing worse than having to wait for your car to warm up on a cold winter day. Every second you need to wait seems like a lifetime. You tell yourself, if you drive more the car will get warmer, yet your car remains cold.  The lack of heat is certainly not a feature you are looking for in your car, and it is time to take it in for an inspection to Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Centers. There a few possible reasons for the delay in your car warming up; let’s explore. Low or Dirty Coolant: Usually, the first thing that would be assessed if you are having heater issues would be the coolant levels. While it is referred to as coolant, what some people don’t realize is that coolant is most important ... 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