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

How do I heat the inside of my car faster in the winter? Turn on you ignition without starting the engine. This will cause the fuel pump to prime the engine. Start the car but do not turn the heater on right away. Though it is primed, you still have a cold engine, meaning everything else is also cold, including the air coming out of the vents. Turning on the heat immediately will also prolong the engine from getting hot, keeping your car colder longer. Next, idle the vehicle for about 30 seconds. This allows the heater core to produce warm air. You can now begin to drive. It is recommended to point the vent at the passenger’s chest first, followed by directing the heat towards your feet. If you find that your car is still taking an abnormal time to heat up, you may want to bring it a Pau ... 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

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

In Wilmington, DE, wiper blades should ideally be replaced before winter really kicks in. Otherwise, the old ones are likely to break down due to heavy sun, and the corrosive solvents in your windshield wiper fluid. Of course when they do break down, a driver’s ability to detect road hazards will be significantly reduced, thereby increasing his or her accident risk. We’d suggest selecting a pair of blades designed for heavy winter. Wilmington Delware is predicted to have a bad winter for 2015 so get ready. When selecting a new pair of winter windshield wiper blades consider features like silicon rubber blades or blades that are infused with graphite. Rain-x makes a blade designed for winter called the “Latitude“. It’s claim to fame is their graphite coated rubber and no expos ... read more