Vehicle Maintenance

  • What To Do When Your Exhaust System is Exhausted

    exhaust coming from a muffler of a truck on the road

    Whether you drive a Duramax, Cummins, or Powerstroke diesel pickup, you have an exhaust system that is prone to failure. When you have a leak that needs attention, South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD can help.

  • What’s The Noise? Diagnosing Manual Transmission Issues

    mechanic working on car in garage

    Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a transmission is working the way it should or not. Is it supposed to make that noise? Is that problem a symptom of the transmission or something else? Fortunately, South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has the answers.

  • 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 Do I Need A Heavy Duty Torque Converter?

    torque converter

    If you drive a lightweight car, truck, or SUV, the torque converter you have installed is probably just fine. For those of you with more heavy-duty applications, like high horsepower setups or towing rigs, the stock converter may not be enough. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can help you determine if your torque converter is right for the job you need to be done. 

  • When Is It Time To Replace a Tire?

    Tires lined up on racks

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we change many tires that should’ve been replaced long ago. Your tires can go for miles and miles, but there always comes a time to replace them. So how can you tell when the right time is?

  • When to Replace Your Differentials

    differerential

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know that maintenance and repair can go a long way toward keeping your trucks on the road. We also know that sometimes, things have to be replaced altogether. The rear end, or differential, isn’t a component that needs to be replaced often; but when it does, a new one will make your truck feel like new.

  • When To Run Diagnostics On Your Vehicle

    Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, and as a result, computer diagnostic systems are becoming a necessity rather than a convenience. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, our state of the art technology and trained technicians are ready to diagnose any transmission issue you may be experiencing with your car, truck, or SUV.

  • When Was The Last Time You Got Your Oil Changed?

    oil being poured into car

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we do our best to keep you on the road. A huge part of being able to do that is proper vehicle maintenance; when was the last time you changed your oil?

  • Where's that loud noise coming from?

    heavily worn ball joint

    Whether you drive a Porsche, Audi, BMW, Subaru, Land Rover, or other performance and luxury vehicles, your ball joints are an essential part of your car or SUVs performance and safety. From us at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center, here’s what to watch out for, to make sure your ball joints are in shape and ready to go. 

  • Why Are Oil Tests Important?

    mechanic holding oil stick over vehicle Changing the oil in big trucks and commercial vehicles is an expensive, but necessary, part of keeping your vehicles going. You don’t want to wait until it’s too late to change your oil, but changing it too early can be a waste of time and money. Having your oil tested regularly helps us to hone in on exactly how often your oil needs to be changed, to optimize reliability and efficiency.
  • Why don’t my brake lights work?

    busy street with brake lights on on cars

    If your brake lights are giving you trouble, it’s something you want to get fixed. It’s a safety hazard, and you might also get a ticket out of it. Why aren’t they working, and what can you do about it? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has the answers.

  • 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 Your Vehicle Draining Your Battery?

    battery light on the dash

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.  If your battery dies after your car, truck, or SUV sits for a few hours, the battery itself isn’t necessarily the problem. While having the battery tested is a good place to start, many people mistakenly make a bad battery diagnosis, when actually something in the electrical system is to blame.

  • 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 Have Your Oil Changed

    oil change

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we understand all too well the importance of changing your oil regularly. Three to five thousand miles sounds like a lot, but it doesn’t really take that long to rack them up. The busier you are, the more you probably drive, and the more likely you are to forget it’s time to change your oil. Here are some reasons to pay attention to your oil changes, and help you better understand why oil changes are so important.

  • Why It's Important To Wash Your Car

    Everyone has different habits when it comes to washing their vehicle. Many people see it as a purely cosmetic thing, so as long as their vehicle is running and driving right they don’t see a point in washing it all that often. In actuality, washing your vehicle is also an important aspect of maintenance and making a vehicle last. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has some vehicle washing tips for you, to keep your vehicle in shape for years to come.

     

  • 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. 

  • Your engine has trouble starting - is the starter bad?

    starter motor of a car

    When a vehicle has trouble starting, many people initially blame the starter. What is the starter, and how do you know if yours has called it quits? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we want to keep you informed and telling you what to look for will prevent further damage when issues arise. The starter is essentially just an electric motor; a gear at the end of that electric motor engages the flywheel, which turns the engine over, allowing it to start. How do you know if yours is failing?

  • Your Guide to Tires - When to Replace and What to Replace Them With

    Tires

    Your tires are obviously important. However, it’s often underappreciated how much of a difference they make in the ride quality of your car, truck, or SUV, and what they can tell you about the condition of your vehicle. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we like to keep you well informed on what your vehicle is telling you, and how to keep it in good shape. Your tires have a lot to do with that.

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