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

During intense summer heat, tire pressure may fluctuate and lead to premature wear. If your tire pressure is low, it may be a surface-level issue. Check for punctures on the tire surface and make sure air isn’t escaping. Many newer vehicles (late 2000s and on) have a TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System that will monitor tire pressure. This sensor will wear with the car’s battery and can malfunction as the battery reaches the end of its life. Other faulty sensors, like the ABS (Antilock Braking System), may also contribute to indicating low tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle depends on manufacturer recommendations, as well as tire size. You can find this in the owner’s manual, usually located in the passenger-side glove box. The sticker found on the driver’s side will also list factory recommendations for standard tires. Newer vehicles will display tire pressure for you on their dashboard screen. When determining the correct pressur ... 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

Why are my tires deflating in the cold weather? It's not your imagination, cold weather can (and does) affect tire pressure. Here's a closer look at why. Air contracts when the temperature drops—and the air inside your tires is no exception. The reason this occurs has to do with the speed at which air molecules move. Warmer molecules move faster. These fast-moving molecules spread further apart and take up extra space. Colder molecules move slower and stay closer together taking up less space and don't push up against the walls of your tires with as much pressure. Though the decrease in pressure due to temperatures is perfectly normal, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about your car’s tire pressure. You should always check your tire pressure on cold days, if your tires appear deflated, or any time you have a reason to believe your psi isn't ideal. Here are some things you can expect from driving with low tire pressure ... read more