Somersworth Auto Repair

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

There is nothing worse than failing to start your car when you are in a hurry for an appointment or an urgent errand. Fortunately, the problem begins to show up long before the vehicle fails to start, giving you time to have it repaired. Here are five common issues that may prevent the engine from starting. Faulty ignition switch: This is the least common reason for your car failing to start. The ignition switch, like any other part, wears over time and may need re-keying. For keyless vehicles, the knob may be broken and not completing the circuit. Failed starter: A motor connects the ignition switch to the battery. If this motor is faulty, it produces a loud click or clicks when you turn the key, but the flywheel does not get started. Depending on the model of your car, the car may start after a few tries. An issue with the fuel system: If the fuel system is faulty, you may experience various issues besides the inability to start the vehicle. These problems include power loss and r ... read more

Brake fluid is a non-compressible substance in the brake lines vital in your vehicles' brake system. It lubricates clutches, calipers, and brake pedals. The brake fluid transfers force into pressure, which stops your vehicle when you apply force to the brake pedal that connects to all the braking system components. In case the fluids are insufficient, the braking system it lubricates may not function at peak performance. It is wise to refill it immediately in an automotive shop to prevent accidents. To reduce the chances of an accident that can cause permanent changes to your life, automotive experts check the level of your braking fluid. Therefore, when you observe the following signs of low brake fluid, you should visit an automotive shop to assign a professional to inspect the causes of the low fluid and fix them. Pedal and Brake Pads Problems If you find it hard to engage your brake pedal, it is evident that the brake fluids are running out, and you nee ... read more