DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

Who's your mechanic? If you are unable to answer that question, you're in the right place. Establishing an auto repair shop home saves you more than money down the line—it saves stress and time!  Think of mechanics as primary care providers, but for your car. You contact your PCP when your body feels strange, so why wouldn't you have the same resource for your car? Here are 5 reasons why establishing an auto repair shop home benefits you and your vehicle: 1. You save money With gas prices as high as they are, you want to spend as little as possible on your vehicle, right?  When you have a mechanic you trust, you remove the risk of getting scammed or overcharged at a shop you're visiting for the first time. At Paul Campanella's Auto & Tire Center, you're guaranteed quality service that matches the price tag. You get what you pay for when it comes to auto repair, so w ... read more

Auto repair is expensive because owning a car is a significant investment. When you factor in fuel, insurance, maintenance, unexpected repairs, and the cost of the car itself, you’re left with a lot of dollar signs! A vehicle’s parts make up a large portion of your final maintenance or repair bill. The cost of parts and materials fluctuate, and, in today’s economy, costs have risen across the board. A specific set of tools and knowledge is also required to service a vehicle, similar to medical care. Every shop has a set labor fee per hour, a fee that changes based on depth, timeline, and type of service. Getting a basic check-up costs less than knee replacement surgery, just like an oil change is less expensive than a wheel alignment. What do you get at Campanella’s that you cannot get anywhere else? When it comes to auto repair, you get what you pay for. At Campanella’s we factor in parts and labor cost to provide you with a final quot ... 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 are my brakes smoking? The smell of burning can be scary when you're driving, and you start to notice it. Only to then find out that smoke is coming into your car. Many times, your brakes are to blame. If your brakes start to smoke, it is best to stop driving until the problem is fixed. Some of the most common causes and some things to look for if your brakes start to smoke are explained below. Stuck Brake Pads As time goes on, your brakes will get dirty with brake dust and corrosion. This is because they are exposed to the weather. Buildup of dust can make your brake pads stick to your disc. People who have this happen cannot move the brakes or the wheel can't move freely. The friction causes a lot of heat that does not need to be there, which often causes a b ... read more

Why is there noise coming from the air vent when turning on the fan? 1. Leaves stuck in the blower motor. When the fan is turned on, the leaves will spin around the blower motor making a rustling sound. 2. Bad vent blend door or actuator. The actuator responsibility is to control the vent blend door for a specific function. For example, it is used to move the vent blend door for temperature changes, defrost mode, recirculation, fresh air and so on. When the vent blend door or actuator fails, it can make a flapping or slapping noise. 3. Failed blower motor. When a blower motor is failing, it can make a whistling noise, whining noise, grinding noise, and other odd noises. Usually, the noise will gradually increase as the fan speed increases. At this point the electric motor is failing and will need replacement. 4. Rattling noise. Sometimes, objects can fall into the air duct through the vent entrance and make a rattling noise when the vehicle is in motion or when the ... read more

With Gas Prices on the rise, it is important to use your Fuel most Efficiently. By taking the following suggestions into consideration, you will cut down not only Fuel but also Maintenance Costs. Undergo Servicing on time It is a good idea to consult an ASE Certified Mechanic, such as the team at Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, before something terrible happens, not after. The Filter and Oil should be changed about every 4,500 Miles. To avoid additional Expe ... read more

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

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

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 do the different tread patterns mean? If you look at different tires on the market you will notice different tread patterns.There are three different types of tread patterns, each available at Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers. Symmetrical Tires—Deliver a smooth drive, high directional stability, and low rolling resistance. Symmetrical Tires are the most common and the most flexible for the vehicle owner. PROS: They are quiet, long lasting and fuel efficient. CONS: They are less adaptable to changing conditions on the road and will not be as effective in wet conditions as other tires. Directional Tires—Provide high protection against aquaplaning, excelle ... read more