Car Care Tips

  • Is your vehicle heater blowing cold?

    heater in car

    The climate control system in your car works hard to keep you at a comfortable temperature. If you’re having heater issues, trust the performance car specialists with us at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD to get you comfortably back on the road.

  • Is Your Vehicle Too Noisy?

    cars in city with lots of exhaust

    Do you have a noisy vehicle? If so, you may need a new muffler or exhaust system from our team here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown. The purpose of your exhaust system is not only to reduce the noise but also to redirect fumes away from your vehicle. Redirecting these fumes protects passengers in the car from toxins created by burning fuel.

    Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless chemical that can escape from an unsecured exhaust system, and if inhaled can pose very serious health hazards. If you experience an unusually loud sound coming from your vehicle, it is vital to get your exhaust system checked immediately!

  • Keeping Track of Maintenance - Why It’s So Important

    mechanic working on car Keeping track of maintenance done on your fleet vehicles and commercial trucks is one of the most important aspects of fleet management. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we track maintenance and repairs for a number of reasons. Here’s why:
  • Keeping Your Vehicle Shiny and Clean

    Getting your vehicle washed and waxed on a regular basis is one of the easiest ways to preserve its paint and keep it looking nice. It makes you feel good when you’re driving in a clean vehicle. Removing other environmental contaminants such as salt, tree sap, and bugs also goes a long way to make your vehicle’s paint last longer. 

  • Know When To Buy a New Vehicle

    salesman talking to customer about a new vehicle

    Whether you drive a Chevrolet, Ford, or Dodge diesel pickup, there will come a day when you have to ask the question - has the time come to get a new truck? Knowing when to throw in the towel or decide to keep the vehicle you have can be a difficult task. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD is here to help you decide.

  • Looks Like A Problem? YES!

    mechanic working on a vehicle

    Sometimes it is EASY to see if your car or truck needs to come into our shop for professional repairs! 
    1.  You see steam rising from the engine!
    2.  The Check Engine Light is on!
    3.  The engine starts, but there is an odor that is not right.
    4.  You hear grinding or thumping noises.

  • Maintain Your 4x4 To Keep It Rolling Longer

    4x4 vehicle

    Do you drive a 4X4 truck or SUV? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, our technicians know exactly what your four-wheel drive vehicle needs, to stay reliable both on and off the road.

  • Make Your Fleet Go The Extra Mile

    fleet of vehicles outside of a business

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD we know that your commercial vehicles are a vital part of your business. These vehicles are often more susceptible to damage as well. In order to preserve the life of these vehicles, it's important to get your fleet or commercial vehicles properly maintained.

  • Make your tires go the distance and follow these tips

    Tire being balanced in auto shop

    Once your new tires are mounted and balanced, you’ll want to keep them in good shape. To get the most out of your tires, inspect them regularly and keep up with maintenance - the difference between a tire that lasts 100k miles, and one that lasts 10k, mostly comes down to how well it’s been taken care of.

  • Modern piston design, and what that means for you

    pistons in a vehicle

    There’s a good chance you don’t know much about pistons or engine building, which is why you rely on the technicians at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD when your vehicle has a problem. However, there’s some practical information regarding modern engine design that helps you better care for your vehicle, and keep it going strong. Here are some important aspects of modern piston design, and what it means for you.

  • Myths of Motor Oil

    Oil being poured into a vehicle

    Everyone from mechanics, to your uncle that works on cars, has at some point given you advice concerning engine oil. The fact of the matter is that while we are familiar with words like “synthetic” and “oil weight,” many people don’t know exactly what the terminology means, or why common knowledge about oil exists in the form that it does. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we keep things clear and simple. The more you know about your vehicle, the better equipped you are to keep it maintained, and we know a thing or two about vehicles. We have compiled a short list of common myths for you, most of which you’ve heard, but maybe never second guessed.

  • New Engine or New Car - Weighing Out Your Options

    Engine Maintenance

    You’ve determined it’s time to get rid of the engine you have, along with all of its issues. You’re probably considering getting something new altogether, and you’re tired of this one giving you issues. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD is here to help you make the call.

    If your car, truck, or SUV has really been put through the wringer, it might be time for a new one. However, before you decide to throw in the towel there are a few things you should consider.

  • New Transmission or New Car - Exploring ALL The Options

    Transmission

    So, you’ve determined your transmission is bad. What next? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD is here to help.

    There are a few things to consider when your transmission goes out. You might feel inclined to just get a new car...but should you? Here are some factors to think about.

  • Noticing an Emergency on your Dashboard

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

  • Proper Tire Care Improves Your Vehicle's Performance

    flat tire with air being put in

    Keeping your tires properly inflated and regularly checking the tread can save you money and keep you safe! At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD we want to keep you and everyone in your car safe. Let us help you keep your tires maintained at their best.

  • Quality Work for Your Quality Vehicle

    quality car parked

    If you drive a Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru, BMW, Jaguar, or other performance and luxury vehicle, you’re a person who appreciates the value of quality. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center, we share that appreciation - that’s why we specialize in quality cars and take pride in quality work.

  • Quality Work is as Important as a Quality Product

    transmission repair

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we pride ourselves on specialty knowledge and ability. Once you’ve settled on a transmission to invest in, it’s important not to cut corners on the homestretch. We’ve got you covered here and you can expect top quality repairs for your top quality product.

  • Recognizing Flood Damage When Buying A Vehicle

    Unless you are confident in your abilities as an automotive mechanic, there is really only one rule when purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle: don’t do it. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers aren’t particularly straight-forward with their used cars. Many will try to hide the fact that it’s been damaged by floodwaters at all or try to convince potential buyers that the car is in fact fine. “It has gone months with no issues” or “technically it is flood-damaged but” are two red flags, and while it isn’t impossible for a flood car to be fine, it’s altogether a good idea to stay away.

  • Service that Goes the Extra Mile

    mechanic handing keys to a customer

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we are fully dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Our technicians work hard to ensure timely, friendly, and efficient maintenance and repairs that you can rely on.

  • Taking Proper Care of Your Transmission

    Transmission inside of vehicle

    While transmissions are extremely complicated and it takes a professional hand to work on one, taking care of the one you have isn’t difficult. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we understand the importance of caring for your transmission properly, so that it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

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