Vehicle Maintenance

  • Brakes - how do they work?

    Brakes

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know that in order to keep your car in good shape, it helps to know how it works. Here’s a quick rundown of a system that’s very important, but you take for granted until there’s a problem; your brakes.

  • Can You Switch Between Oil Grades?

    oil

    These days, it seems like the oil options for your oil changes are limitless - full synthetic, blends, conventional, high mileage, and the list goes on and on. We are frequently asked if it's okay to switch between oils, and how do you know what is okay to use? At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD we're here to help you answer that question. When it comes to engine oil, the answer to this question can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be!

  • Check Engine Light On? We Can Help

    check engine light on in dash

    Is your check engine light on? Whether you can tell a difference in the way your car, truck, or SUV is running, your car is trying to tell you something. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can help.

  • Check Engine Light Staring You in the Eye? Here's Why You Should Pay Attention

    Check engine light on the dash

    There’s a huge percentage of vehicle on the road, right now, with the check engine light illuminated. Many of them have had it on for years, even. Frequently, a check engine light will illuminate, but pose no immediate problems, so people just get used to it and learn to live with it being on. However, South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD would like you to know that it’s worth having it looked into. Typically, the problem can be diagnosed by simply plugging your car into our computer; the vehicle gives us a code, and we know what the problem is immediately.

  • Checking Your Fluid Levels - How 3 Minutes Once A Month Can Save Your Vehicle

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we know how easy it is to overlook vehicle maintenance when everything is working as it should - we also know firsthand the toll neglected maintenance takes on a vehicle. Here’s an easy thing you can do yourself, that might save you an engine, transmission, or avoid numerous other problems.

  • Checking Your Fluid Levels - How 3 Minutes Once A Month Can Save Your Vehicle

    fluid being poured into vehicleIf you own or operate a fleet or commercial truck, it’s important you know the basics of vehicle maintenance. Checking your fluids is the easiest and most effective way to ensure your vehicles stay on the road and going strong. Here’s what you need to know, from South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD.
  • Choose Us & Treat Your Vehicle Right

    Your vehicle is a vital part of your life; it takes you wherever you need to go and can last you a very long time if taken care of properly. A part of the care it takes to maintain the vehicle is taking it to repair shops in order to receive any necessary maintenance or fix any problems you may be experiencing. By choosing South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, you can rest assured that your vehicle will get the proper care and maintenance required to remain durable for as long as you need it.

  • Choosing The Right Repair Shop

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we work hard to be the maintenance and repair shop your fleet needs.

  • Coolant Flushing to prepare for the cold weather

    coolant being poured into the car

    Whether you drive a BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche (some exclusions apply), Subaru, or other performance automobiles, your car has a cooling system. With winter right around the corner, at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center we want to make sure your cooling system is ready for the cold.

  • Coolant: When to Check It and When to Change It

    Coolant in a vehicle

    Coolant is vital to your engine. Without the right type, amount, and proper circulation of coolant, your engine won’t last long. How do you know when it’s time to check it or replace it? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has the answers.

  • Could That Noise Be Your Suspension Bushings?

    suspension bushings

    At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we understand how frustrating it is when your vehicle makes mysterious noises that it shouldn’t be making. Here’s a rundown on suspension bushings, to help you figure out what that sound is you keep hearing.

  • Dash Light On? We Can Fix It

    dash light on

    Diagnostics are an important aspect of modern vehicle maintenance and repair. Your car or SUV is equipped with an array of computers and sensors which monitor your engine activity, and flag anything that isn’t operating as it should. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we are experts in performance and luxury automobile repair - and when diagnosing the problem is sometimes the most difficult part of the process, an expert is what you need. For cars like Audi, Porsche, BMW, VW, MINI, and Subaru, selecting the right shop is key to correctly diagnosing and correcting any sort of malfunction.

  • Disconnecting a Battery from A Vehicle

    man taking battery out of car

    If you’re ever in a situation where you must remove the battery from your vehicle, it’s important to know what you’re doing. It seems pretty straight forward, and it is. However, there are some important things to remember when disconnecting the battery in your car, truck, or SUV. Here are some tips on disconnecting a car battery, from South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD.

  • Do You Know How Your AC Works?

    hand on car air conditioning vent

    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. 

  • Do You Smell One Of These Smells? It's Time To Bring Your Car In.

    girl smelling vents

    If you’ve owned a vehicle long, particularly one with a few miles on it, you have probably encountered a peculiar smell that grabbed your attention. Scents that you encounter while driving (emanating from your vehicle, not the horse farm down the road) are indicators of your vehicle's health and often the first warning that something may be wrong. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown has assembled this list to prepare for you for the next time you smell something odd, so you’ll know what’s going on next time you notice a funny smell.

  • Don't Neglect Your Brakes

    brakes

    Obviously, your brakes are essential. However, it’s easy to neglect or ignore brake issues, and even miss them altogether; as long as the car, truck, or SUV still stops, many people don’t see the need to have their brakes serviced. From South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, here are some common brake issues, and why you should fix them.

  • Don't Neglect Your Truck's Brakes!

    Obviously, your brakes are essential. However, it’s easy to neglect or ignore brake issues, and even miss them altogether; as long as the truck still stops, many people don’t see the need to have their brakes serviced. From South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, here are some common brake issues, and why you should fix them.

  • Don't Trust Just Anyone With Your Investment

    mechanic with clipboard and pen checking things off

    There’s no need to take your car to different specialized shops all over town in order to maintain your vehicle, just because you drive a high-end vehicle. Since we are dedicated to luxury and performance automobiles, at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, our team of expert mechanics has the knowledge and ability necessary to handle all your maintenance and repair needs.

  • ECU problems and reprogramming

    diagnostics

    If you drive a performance or luxury vehicle made by manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, Subaru, Land Rover, Porsche, etc., you’re probably no stranger to state of the art electronics, sensors, and control systems. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center, our technicians have the right knowledge, ability, and equipment necessary to keep your car or SUV in top-notch condition.

  • Extending the Life of Your Engine

    Mechanic taking apart of an engine out from under the hood

    An engine can last anywhere from 50 to 500,000 miles depending mostly on how well you maintain it. While some engines are certainly more reliable than others, all of them depend on maintenance to fulfill their greatest potential. South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has provided for you some of the determining factors of engine lifespan, to help you make sure your engine lasts as long as it possibly can.

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