Somersworth Auto Repair

We can’t believe August is already here, which means summer is coming to an end. August is a busy month, especially if you’re a parent with kids or a student going back to school. With many people going back to their normal routine, it is essential to ensure you and your family is safe.    Drivers in Somersworth, NH count on the team at Central Park Garage to keep them safe with a reliable car care. From going to and from school, sports practice, school dances, and more, you’re going to need a safe car for the upcoming fall. You can ensure you are safe with preventative maintenance.      When you bring your car to our shop for maintenance, our certified technicians will start off with a comprehensive inspection. We will look at all areas to find any underlying issues that can affect your car’s drivability. Some key items we look at are fluid levels, tires, lights, and brake components. It also isn’t a bad idea to change your o ... read more

Summer is a fantastic time to get out on the road and have some fun. There are many sites to visit, whether you're traveling to another state or simply looking for a local campsite. In any case, the extreme heat of the summer months must be taken into consideration. Here are some things to remember before the weather gets too hot so you can drive with confidence. Replace your oil and oil filter. This is especially crucial if you haven't changed your oil in a while, because extreme weather (wet, hot, or cold) can put extra strain on your oil and oil filter. Your oil keeps your engine parts lubricated, while the filter keeps hazardous debris, dirt, and metal fragments out of the oil system. More material is picked up when the filter is clean. The more stuff that is taken up, the cleaner the oil will be. A healthier, happier engine means cleaner oil! Check your tires. According to michelinman.com, the penny test is a quick and straightforward way to check for wear. Simply take a ... read more

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, most people don’t consider their car’s timing belt.  In caring for your vehicle, you should replace parts before they completely fail to avoid expensive repairs. When it comes to your timing belt, you should do just that. Otherwise, you may experience serious engine damage.   The timing belt is in charge of timing the opening and closing of the valves. Over time, the rubbery component wears off and could snap. You want to avoid this because it can strike the pistons. Timing belts typically need to be replaced between 60,000 and 100,000 miles (depending on your vehicle's make and model). At your regular maintenance service, feel free to ask your technician to  inspect your timing belt. Signs Your Timing Belt Needs Replacing Ticking noises Engine misfires Problem with engine starts Rough idling Oil pressure decline Glazing and fraying on the belt Timing belt replacements are complex jobs that one should leave ... read more

  The phrase "tune-up" is overlooked by drivers as it is not commonly used today. However, nowadays the term essentially shares the same meaning as a maintenance check-up. It involves maintenance services performed under the hood rather than on other parts of the vehicle, like tires, brakes, or suspension.   Understanding what a tune-up is and its benefits of them will help your car go a long way. An engine tune-up emphasizes the repairing, cleaning, and replacement of parts under the hood. This includes spark plugs, wires, fuel injectors, filters, and more. Tune-up service can differ from car to car. For a more extensive check-up, you might consider a full comprehensive vehicle inspection.   Benefits of Regular Tune-Ups Prevents major breakdowns Reduces major repair bills in the long haul Retains the vehicle’s resale value Supports vehicle performance  Ensures good fuel mileage Keeps the engine starting process reliable Lowers emissions ... read more

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