Car Care Tips

  • What should you do if you blow a tire?

    man frustrated leaning on car

    The best way to deal with a blown tire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. However, eventually, a flat tire is going to occur, and it’ll most likely be when you least need it. From South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, here’s what you need to do.

  • What Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity Means

    Towing

    Unless you use your vehicle to tow every day for work, odds are you haven’t paid much attention to your truck, SUV, or crossover’s towing capacity. Maybe you’re looking to buy a boat for some summer fun or just need to rent a trailer to get your belongings from one dwelling to the next. Whatever the reason for pulling something behind your vehicle, it’s important to get a firm grasp on what exactly your towing capacity means. Understanding how each of the components in your vehicle contributes to your overall tow rating can keep you from putting undue stress on your rig and keep you and your family safe.

  • What’s a Turbocharger and How Does it Work?

    turbocharger on car

    Every year, more and more trucks come equipped with turbochargers. What was once a novelty or a performance option has become increasingly common as stock equipment. What are they for, and how do they work? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD is here to help.

  • When and Why Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up

    man holding spark plug in hands

    Tune-ups are an important and frequently neglected aspect of automotive care. Most drivers don’t really consider the mechanical condition of their car, so long as nothing is wrong with it. However, if a vehicle is tuned-up and maintained correctly, many mechanical failures (and expenses) will be avoided altogether. So whne is the right time to get a tune-up?

  • When to Call It Quits For Your Vehicle

    man in front of vehicle being towed

    There comes a time in the life of every fleet vehicle or commercial truck when you have to decide - is it time to retire that truck or van, or should you put the money into fixing it? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we’re here to help.

  • Why Is My 4WD Not Working?

    4x4 Label on a Vehicle

    These days, many four-wheel-drive systems are electronically controlled - a button is pushed to engage four-wheel-drive, which activates a solenoid in the transfer case, shifting it into gear. What happens when yours stops working? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has the answers.

  • Why is my ABS light on?

    dash lights on in car

    If you drive a Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Subaru, Land Rover, or other luxury or performance vehicle, you’re no stranger to the bells and whistles of the modern automobile. For the past couple of decades, these cars have nearly all been equipped with ABS, or Anti-lock Braking Systems. You may never think about ABS - until the light comes on the dashboard.

  • Why It's Important To Have Routine Maintenance

    An article about routine maintenance probably doesn’t sound like the most riveting read, but at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, proper maintenance is something we believe in wholeheartedly. Routine maintenance is the key to making a vehicle last for decades; if done correctly, your vehicle will stay reliable and enjoyable to drive, and you will save time and money in the process.

  • Why it’s important to always use quality parts

    miscellaneous auto parts against a wall

    When something goes wrong on your vehicle, it can be tempting to take the cheapest route. With eBay, Amazon, and the countless other sources for car and truck parts on the market today, many people decide to go that route to save some money. Here are some points to consider when buying quality automotive parts, from South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD.

  • Why You Need That Alignment

    alignment

    Alignment is the position of your wheels in relation to your vehicle and how they interact with the road. When your vehicle is properly aligned, your wheels will point in the same direction as the vehicle. To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease. 

  • Windshield Wipers: Maintenance and Buying Tips

    windshield wiper being replaced

    Ah, windshield wipers. Like so many indispensable things in life, we tend not to appreciate them until they’re gone. But what if all drivers had a basic understanding of the wonderful world of wipers, enabling them to identify problems early and choose replacements wisely? We like that idea. Accordingly, we’ve put together a crash course that should bring your knowledge up to speed. Your automotive windows to the world require dependable wipers, so let’s learn more about these unsung heroes.

  • Your Fuel System is Experiencing Issues - What Should You Do About It?

    hand putting gas nozzle in car

    If there’s an issue with your diesel fuel system, the most important thing to remember is to fix it sooner rather than later. With gas engines, you can often power through a fuel issue for quite some time - they’re irritating, but not often permanently damaging.

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