Automotive Repair

  • Exhaust issue don't have to be exhausting, and here's why

    exhaust on a vehicle

    Exhaust issues are extremely common, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can get your exhaust back in shape in no time.

    Exhaust issues tend to be neglected, and we get that; there are just other parts of your vehicle that you'd rather focus on. Besides a clogged catalytic converter, there isn’t much risk of damage from a bad exhaust system - it negatively affects your gas mileage, and the sound is annoying, but other than that, it’s an issue many people learn to live with. 

  • Exhaust Options for Fleet Trucks

    fleet of vehicles

    The exhaust on your truck is an important series of components, that work together to insure smooth, reliable operation. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we also know that exhaust systems are especially susceptible to damage and rust; pipes, mufflers, and other parts are exposed to hazards on the road, and to the environment. This situation, combined with caustic emissions and extreme heat, create a perfect opportunity for problems to arise.

  • Experiencing A Loud Radiator Fan?

    mechanic working on radiator fan

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know how irritating an issue with your car, truck, or SUV can be, even if it doesn’t immediately affect your vehicle’s performance. One such problematic issue, the excessively loud radiator cooling fan, is a common plague many automobile owners will experience.

  • External Components - Making Your Manual Transmission Work

    gear shift on a vehicle

    There are many parts and systems outside of the car’s transmission that is equally as important as the parts and systems inside the transmission. Without them, the transmission won’t do much. There’s no way to transfer power from the engine to the shafts, disengage it to shift the gears, or power the differential without them. Just in case you need us, at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can help keep your transmission in top shape, but here’s what you need to know.

  • Facts About The First Car

    very old rusty car

    Who created the world’s first car is actually a matter of debate; since the invention of the engine, people had been installing them on horse carriages to make them self-propelled. Even when automobiles specifically designed for engines came around, they were hardly recognizable as a car by today’s standards. However, the first patented automobile, a vehicle specifically designed to be propelled by an engine, was built by Karl Benz and completed in 1885.

  • Gas Cap Malfunctions? Yes, It's A Thing

    gas cap

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know that some of the most elusive issues with any car, truck, or SUV are often caused by the simplest of malfunctions. While you might consider a gas cap fairly innocuous, it can actually malfunction too, prompting a check engine light on your dashboard.

  • Gas Mileage and How To Increase It

    dashboard

    Good gas mileage is something we all want. In fact, many drivers purchase certain cars solely for gas mileage, and almost all of us at least take it into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. While it is true that gas mileage is by and large determined simply by the type of car, there are actually a variety of things you can do to increase the gas mileage of any automobile. The tips South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown want to provide you here are simple and effective steps you can take to increase your gas mileage, often more considerably than you think.

  • Get a Grip on Tire Conditions

    Tread of Tire

    What condition are your tires in? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we want to make sure you can tell. A simple visual inspection is all you need - it’s easy if you know what to look for.

  • Has Your Engine Left You Stranded?

    engine

    If your car, truck or SUV is experiencing engine issues and you are concerned about having to purchase a new vehicle, our technicians at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown have an answer that will save you money and help you maintain the value of your vehicle. Today's vehicles cost more than they ever did and you typically have a loan for a much longer time period - yet the warranty it seems stays relatively short!

    Here, we believe in treating your vehicle as if it were ours and if your engine is not reliable we can replace it with a JASPER replacement engine with a nationwide parts and labor warranty! It is what we would do with our car, truck or SUV instead of trading it for a higher payment or a vehicle we didn't like as much as what we had!

  • Have an Off Track Window in Your Vehicle? Here's What to Do

    Car windows

    Automotive windows are one of those things that you take for granted, until something goes wrong. One of the more irritating issues a window can develop, is dislocating from its track while attempting to roll it up or down. Why does this happen, and how do you fix it? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we’ve got answers to your questions and solutions to your problems.

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    corrosive battery in car image

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Middletown drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Hints Your Transmission Is Failing

    transmission in car

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we know that transmissions are witchcraft to most people. More often than not, if major damage has occurred, it’s a lot more time and cost-effective to just replace the entire unit and get a fresh start. Our trained technicians at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center want to keep you informed so you are aware of what to look out for.

  • Hot Car - Suggestions to Cool it Down

    cars parked under tree

    We all love the sunshine but getting into that HOT car isn't always so wonderful even when you have a remote start it will take the breath out of you when the temperatures are soaring. Makes you want to pack your lunch instead of meeting friends for lunch! We decided that you should meet friends for lunch! So we got together and found some quick ideas for you. It isn't much but enjoy the sunshine on us here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center here in Middletown! Call it our fun day fact!

  • How Critical Are Belts On Your Vehicle?

    drive belt

    Your drive belts are simple but integral components to the function of your car, truck, or SUV. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, belts are one of the first things we assess when looking over a vehicle, as they alone are in charge of operating your AC, water pump, alternator, and power steering.

  • How Do I Choose A New Transmission?

    transmission

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, a big part of our job is helping you make decisions that are right for you, your car, truck or SUV. When it comes to replacing a transmission there are a lot of options out there, and we’re here to help you make the right choice. Our technicians can help you decide based on your budget, vehicle and lifestyle. We're here to get your car going again and earn your business in the future.

  • How Do I Choose the Right Repair Shop?

    Mechanic working on car and smiling

    There are many factors that go into making South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD a repair shop that’s above the rest.

  • How Do I Fix My Manual Transmission Problem?

    mechanic working on car

    Manual transmissions are generally more reliable than automatic transmissions. They don’t have as many parts, aren’t as complex, and can take a lot more abuse. However, if an issue is allowed to persist, more and more damage to surrounding components on your manual transmission will occur. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD can help you take care of your car as soon as you notice a problem.

  • How Do I Know Whether To Replace My Engine?

    engine of vehicle

    If your car, truck or SUV is experiencing major engine issues, the technicians at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD have you covered. You hear the engine knocking when it decides to start? Is there smoke pouring from your truck’s exhaust pipe? Whether you’re burning oil, your engine is on it’s last leg or has simply given up altogether, we can help. And if you’re not sure what you need, we can help with that too.

  • How Does Your AC Work?

    air conditioning panel on vehicle

    When you get in your car, truck, SUV, or minivan to drive and the A/C does not work what could be wrong? Here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center, we have some simple answers to help you understand how your vehicle A/C system works. The first question we are asked is "Why isn't my air conditioner blowing cold air?" Let's talk about what could be happening. 

  • How Important are Your Drive Belts?

    belt for vehicle

    Your drive belts run everything - your AC, power steering, alternator, and water pump are all dependent on the belts that turn them. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, our goal is to keep your truck maintained, so you’re never stuck out on the road. Drive belts are a critical part of that goal.

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