Somersworth Auto Repair

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

Tires are essential car components. However, most drivers and car owners barely pay attention to them until they are flat. Others assume that so long as the tires are inflated, they are in their best working condition – which is not entirely true. Numerous factors can cause your car tires to wear out faster than expected. They include: Irregular or Lack of Tire Rotation Regular tire rotation is fundamental if you want them to last longer. If you do not rotate your tires, they tend to wears down unevenly, creating rough unstable driving. According to most vehicle manufacturers, car owners should rotate their tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, it would be best if you rotate your car tires with every oil change. Improper Air Pressure Without optimal pressure, your tires tend to wear out more quickly and unevenly. Well inflated tires can efficiently handle numerous car aspects, including weight, braking power, and cornering distribution. Whack tires tend to lose their tra ... read more

Your senses are always essential when you are driving your car. You need to see where you are going; it is important to be able to hear what is happening around you. The feel of your vehicle is important when you're in motion as well. Most wouldn't assume that you need to smell to drive, but it is just as important as your other senses. If you are in your car and smell the scent of what reminds you of rotten eggs, then you need to pay attention. The presence of anything that doesn't smell good isn't something that anyone enjoys smelling. If you are in your car and you smell a sulfuric or rotten eggs smell then you need to recognize this as an issue and pay attention immediately. You must know there are three things that can cause your car to have this offensive smell. You can have a broken catalytic converter, your fuel pressure sensor may be failing or you may have a fuel filter that is worn out, and you may have old transmission fluid. Broken Catalytic Converter: Y ... read more

When you step on your car's brake pedal, you expect the car to slow or stop as soon as you need it to. If this does not happen, you might be at risk of causing a car accident. One of the main problems that can cause your braking system to fail is having air in the brake lines. But what exactly are brake lines, and how can you know when you have air in your brake lines? What Are Brake Lines? Brake lines are parts of your braking system that are responsible for housing and circulating the brake fluid. The braking system of most cars is hydraulic, and this means that powering it relies on high pressure from the brake fluid. Like with any other hydraulic system, having air in the brake lines is one of the greatest enemies of your brake's hydraulic system. When it finds its way into the brake lines, you can expect your car's brake system to suffer significantly, and it might become very hard for you to control your car. Symptoms of Air in the Brake Lines As indicated above a ... read more

A lot of routine services are recommended for your car to improve its longevity and your driving experience, as miles keep adding up on it. One of the most misunderstood ones is the transmission flush. Debates keep raging on whether transmission flush is necessary and whether it helps or hurts vehicles. But if transmission flush is done correctly and at the right time, it can benefit your car in many ways. Below are some of the benefits that are associated with regular transmission flush. Prevent Transmission Problems One of the most significant benefits of transmission flush has to with the fact that it helps you prevent future transmission problems. It might also help in solving minor transmission problems you might be having right now. For instance, when filters become clogged, the transmission may fail to shift properly. This can cause the transmission and the motor to overheat. On the other hand, changing the filters and flushing the transmission regularly will significantly red ... read more

There's no drive better than one that is free of any trouble or unexpected damage. The moment your vehicle starts displaying symptoms, butterflies start swimming in your stomach. What's wrong with your car and how much will it cost? Sometimes the problem has nothing to do with your engine but your tires. Your vehicle's tires are the only part of your car that makes constant contact with the road. This constant road exposure causes natural tire wear and tear over time. However, if your tires are not balanced, your tires can wear quicker, and you may engine up with more severe damage. Below are three signs it's time for a wheel balance. Uneven Tire Wear Regularly inspecting your tires can tell you a lot about the health of your vehicle. Look at the tire tread. If the tread is wearing unevenly, your wheels may need to be balanced. Unbalanced tires will wear along the tire's edges and may cause a shaky sensation when you drive.    Vibration  When ... read more

Customers often want to know what Fluids to check in their Vehicle during the time in between Service at Central Park Garage. There are five primary fluids you want to check to stay safe on the road. These fluids are Brake Fluid, Engine Coolant, Engine Oil, Power Steering Fluid, and Transmission Fluid. Brake Fluid is the component in the Braking System which allows for the Brakes to compress and decompress when using the Brake pedal. Insufficient or contaminated Brake Fluid can cause failure of the Brake System, so maintaining the Brake Fluid is key to ensuring safety on the road. Most manufacturers recommend performing a Brake Fluid Flush every 30,000 miles. Engine Coolant is the fluid that is found in the Radiator and Cooling System. It keeps components such as the Water Pump functioning properly and at optimal levels. There are several different types Coolant and it is important to make sure the proper Coolant is used in your vehicle. The additives in the Coolant break down over tim ... read more

To help keep you healthy and safe, we here at Central Park garage would like to pass along some important information about COVID-19 (coronavirus). First and most importantly, the government is urging people to stay home unless you need to go out for work, food or medications and follow the social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is crucial in helping to prevent the rapid spread of the virus, resulting in the overwhelming of our healthcare system. Secondly and equally important, if you have symptoms, call your Primary Care Provider and they will advise you of the next steps to take. There are several designated testing sites for those that need testing. It is imperative that you remain isolated if you think you might have the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these additional preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, including: Avoid close contact with ... read more

 “Why should I Rotate My Tires?” is a common question Motorists in Somersworth and Dover ask. In normal driving conditions around the seacoast of New Hampshire, your front Tires Wear more on the shoulders because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front Tires. We Rotate the tires so that all the Tires do some miles on the front end as well as on the back end. This allows for all four Tires to Wear More Evenly over their Life and last longer. For most vehicles in Somersworth and Dover, Tires are Rotated front to back. Some Manufacturers Recommend a cross Rotational pattern that may include the spare tire, and some High-Performance Vehicles have different sized Tires and may even have Uni-Directional Tires that can only be on the left or right side of the vehicle. We will be sure to check all the information regarding your Vehicle and the Tires and Rotate the Tires in the appropriate manner. Your Tir ... read more