BEAR AUTO REPAIR

It's crazy to think that summer is just around the corner, but May is almost over and things are definitely heating up here in Northern Delaware. It won't be long before you are cranking the AC to stay cool, while paying a little more attention to the engine's temperature gauge. Now is the time to get your car ready for summer with some preventative maintenance and important system inspections. Here are a few of the things you will want to consider, according to Fox Run Auto: Cooling System The cooling system plays a vital role in keeping your engine from overheating. You want to make sure you have enough clean coolant in your radiator, and that all key components (coolant lines, belts, fans and water pump) are in good shape heading into the hotter months. You never want your engine to overhe ... read more

It can be frustrating dealing with a dying car battery. You may be able to recharge it and get more life out of the battery. Eventually, it may need to be swapped out with a new one. You don't want to be stranded somewhere, unable to get your vehicle to start. Here are a few of the most common signs that your car battery is dying and may need to be replaced soon: Battery Warning Light The battery warning light on your dashboard (or computer monitor) is there to let you know when the battery is losing its charge or has some other problem like a loose connection. If your battery light is on, you should get it checked out and tested by a professional mechanic to determine if it needs to be recharged, replaced or repaired. Physical Damage There can be numerous physical signs that your battery is on its last legs. Symptoms can include extensive corrosion around the cable connections, loose battery terminals and a swollen battery case. Trou ... read more

Low fuel pressure can be a common problem in all types of vehicles. Generally speaking, low fuel pressure means you don't have enough fuel getting to the engine, and/or you have too much air coming in. The fuel-to-air intake ratio is thrown off and it will cause engine performance issues. You may have trouble getting the car started at all when the fuel pressure is too low. Symptoms of Low Fuel Pressure Here are a few signs that you may have low fuel pressure: Engine Won't Start—It is cranking, but isn't starting up. Check Engine Light—An illuminated check engine light could mean a fuel system problem. Black Smoke—Dark smoke coming from the tailpipe often means the vehicle is burning too much fuel, which could be a fuel system, engine or ... read more

The good news is that you don't have to get your vehicle's transmission serviced quite as often as your engine. You may be getting your engine oil changed every 5,000-6,000 miles and that is a vital maintenance service to help keep your engine running smoothly. Getting your transmission serviced is equally important, but it doesn't have to be done nearly as frequently. Transmission Fluid Service Intervals In general, most vehicles should have their transmission serviced every 30,000-60,000 miles. Some modern automatic and CVT transmissions may require servicing every 100,000 miles or so. A lot of it depends on the age, make and model of the vehicle. There may be other factors, as well. Towing/carrying heavy loads, driving uphill and sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic can also put additional strain on your transmission ... read more

If you are like most drivers, you hate having to get work done on your car. One of the most common automotive repairs needed is replacing the brake pads. When they get too worn down, they become much less effective. It can be dangerous to drive with low brake pads or other brake system damage. It's important to get your brakes inspected periodically and deal with the maintenance as needed.  The good news is there are ways to help keep your brakes healthier for longer. You may be able to extend the intervals between brake services and brake pad replacements with these 5 tips from Fox Run Auto: 1. Slow Down! This may sound counterintuitive because you generally use your brakes to slow down. However, if you aren't driving as fast or aggressively all the time, you simply won't have to rely on your brakes so much. Drive smoother and a little slower at all times. Don't tailgate and leav ... read more