Somersworth Auto Repair

We've had customers come in telling us that their car smells like maple syrup at our shop. If your vehicle has a sweet scent, you should probably have a professional check it out. It could be a sign of an antifreeze/coolant leak. This fluid is circulated throughout the cooling system and engine and is necessary to your vehicle's overall performance.  When the heater core, radiator, or other cooling system component develops a leak, you and your passengers will be the first to pick up on the scent.  What Are Some Signs of a Coolant Leak? Your windshield has a sticky film after operating the defroster. You find physical evidence such as puddles of a leak or rust on the radiator. Your temperature gauge is unusually high or indicates overheating. Your coolant warning light is on. And, of course, the sweet-smelling scent of coolant. Typically where you catch the smell will give you a better idea of where the leak is. When you notice the syrupy scent outside of your ... read more

Spring is right around the corner, and we will soon say bye to the cold winter. As the leaves and flowers sprout and the sunshine peeks through from behind the clouds, you might be motivated to do some spring cleaning.    There is no better way to spruce things up than by giving your car a much-needed thorough clean. While you may be tempted to grab the hose, soap, and bucket and jump right in, there are some tips that you should keep in mind when washing your car at home! Make sure to get your vehicle bumper-to-bumper, including the tires, underbody, mirrors, and all other glass surfaces. Tons of debris and dirt could've been collected in these areas over the winter, so make sure you pay attention to the details.  Dry your car with a microfiber cloth. This soft material is best suitable to dry a vehicle. Scrubbing an old t-shirt or scratchy towel can end up hurting the paint, so stick with the microfiber fabrics. Avoid using dish soap, detergent, or other house ... read more

You're driving along and press on the gas, and you notice that your car takes much longer to react than normal. You may also notice that your engine is shaky as you accelerate, or you completely lose power for a moment. These are all examples of what can happen when your vehicle's engine misfires. However, what exactly is a misfire and why does it happen? An engine misfire happens when a cylinder in the engine fails to produce power. This can be caused by a number of things but is often due to bad spark plugs, clogged fuel injectors, or a faulty oxygen sensor. If your engine is misfiring, chances are your car's check engine light is on. A check engine light is not something to ignore, so as soon as you see this light illuminate, it is important to bring your vehicle into our shop for an inspection. An engine misfiring is often just a symptom related to a problem that would illuminate the check engine light. In order to find out what is causing your engine misfiring, comp ... read more

If you've taken your car to an auto repair shop for an oil change, they might ask you, "what type of oil does your car take". There are three types of oil (conventional, synthetic, semi-synthetic), and you should respond with the one that is recommended by your manufacturer. Each type of oil has varying chemical properties and offer specific benefits tailored to your needs: Conventional Motor Oil: Conventional motor oil is the type of engine oil that has been around for ages, and it is the most commonly used type of oil. They are more suitable for later-model, light-duty vehicles with low to average mileage. It is ideal for engines with a simplistic design. Conventional oil will do the job, and it usually requires the most frequent changes of the three kinds of oil. Full Synthetic Motor Oil: Fully synthetic motor oil is a newer type of oil, and it provides a higher viscosity level, better resistance to oxidation and high temperatures, and reduces engine drag. If you hav ... read more

Spark plugs are little metal pieces found in the combustion chamber of your engine. They are in charge of sending a little spark between two electrodes to ignite the gasoline in your motor. Did you know that these things go off more than a thousand times for every minute of driving? Over the many miles you drive with your car, the electrodes on a pair of standard-grade spark plugs wear off, and the gap between them enlarges. When this happens, the spark isn't as strong, and the combustion process becomes inefficient. Here are some signs that you need new spark plugs: Engine misfires Rough idling Rattling or loud engine Poor fuel economy Laggy or sluggish acceleration Lit check engine light on the dashboard Another thing you should know about spark plugs is that there are many different kinds. They vary in material, size, and some last longer than others. You shouldn't just go out on a whim when purchasing spark plugs. Instead, you should always look to your owner's ma ... read more

Certain car parts are highly essential for your safety, and one of them is your power steering pump. The steering system has many components that all play a vital role in ensuring that your car runs smooth and you're able to control it. Specifically, the power steering pump provides you with smooth and seamless turns on your daily commute. There are specific symptoms that your car may display as a result of a failing power steering pump: Sign #1: Unusual Noises When Turning the Wheel You may hear a weird, loud whining noise when you're making a turn or move the steering wheel. Any odd noises are a telltale sign that something is wrong.  Sign #2: Stiff Steering Wheel If you feel like you have to grasp onto your wheel for dear life when making turns, it definitely means your power steering pump is on the brink of failure.  Sign #3: Squealing Noise Upon Starting Your Vehicle When you have a bad power steering pump, you may hear a high pitch squeal immediately after ... read more

It is very important to recognize that your vehicle battery does not last forever. On average, a car battery will usually last you between 4-6 years, depending on your driving habits and the climate you live in. Getting stranded without a working vehicle on a chilly or cold day can be aggravating and potentially more dangerous. Having your car battery inspected before the winter months can ensure that your vehicle is in shape for the New Hampshire weather.    You may or may not know this but the summer heat has probably affected your battery more than you think. The hot temperatures can take a toll on a vehicle battery because the intense heat can cause internal corrosion and lead to the acid in the battery to evaporate. As a result, this can affect your battery's charging capabilities. If this is the scenario, you may find yourself with an almost drained battery once fall or winter rolls around.    Fortunately, a battery test is quick and easy to do. At Cen ... read more

An overheating can come at the most unexpected times, and it could wreak havoc if you panic. Steam, a spike on your temperature gauge, and a sweet and strange smell are all very alarming signs. As soon as you regard these signs of engine overheating, please get in touch with your trusted auto repair shop. To prevent injuries or further damage to your car, here are some things to NOT do when you notice the signs of overheating:   DON'T PANIC. Your engine may not be keeping its cool, but you can! It would be best if you avoided swerving through traffic or slamming on your brakes when pulling over to the side of the road.   DON'T CONTINUE DRIVING. If your engine is overheating but still pushing its limits, you're not doing it any favors by lingering on the road. In some circumstances, you may be able to get to your desired locale before it gives out entirely, but you don't want to try. Doing so can significantly worsen the damage and run up your auto repair ... read more

If you are struggling to see through your windshield while driving in the rain or notice large streaks or hear scrapes when your wipers are on, then it may be time to replace your windshield wipers. It would be best to install new, effective wipers to see through the rain, snow, and even fog. Your wipers are essential to ensure your safety while on the road.   How Often Should I Change My Wiper Blades? You should never wait until your windshield wipers to fall apart before heading to the shop for repair. If you want to be extra careful, your wipers should be swapped between every six to twelve months, depending on usage, blade brand, and weather conditions. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to replacing your blades.   Symptoms of Worn Out Wiper Blades Most of the time, you can rely on your senses to determine when to change your windshield wipers. Windshield wipers should be functioning to clear water, snow, or slush on your windshield. Here are th ... read more

Most of us are hitting the road for our Fourth of July vacation soon, and we should be prepared with things to do amid the heavy traffic. However, we encourage you to make it as fun as possible, especially if you are traveling with kids! So switch it up this time around with you and your family by playing some fun games on the road. Here are some ideas to keep your children entertained and from constantly asking, "Are we there yet?"   Name That Tune This game is perfect for music enthusiasts. Name That Tune is precisely what it sounds like. The grown-ups can be in charge of playing the music through a chosen playlist. Then, every time a different song comes on, be the first to yell out the song's artist and the song's title. Whoever can name the most tunes by the end of the trip wins the game! We highly recommend streaming through a streaming service such as Pandora, Spotify, Prime Music, or Apple Music.   20 Questions Each round, a mysterious thing is ... read more