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.

At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, were huge fans of seatbelts. They dramatically reduce the chances of being injured in an automobile accident, and in many cases, they are the difference between a fatal crash and walking away unharmed. But how long has the seat belt been around? When did wearing it become law?

Your bumper covers are always in danger. Between other drivers, obstacles in the road, flash floods, or any other hazard you may encounter, at some point it’s likely your bumper covers will accrue some damage. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can fix that.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

It doesn't matter if you are driving a car or truck, jeep or SUV, a diesel 4x4 or a classic when those dash warning lights go off the first thing you do is think "how bad is it?" and "how much will it cost me?" followed quickly by "when was my last service visit?"!!  Driving your vehicle longer safely is all about getting it serviced based on what your vehicle manual recommends and these warning lights are alerting you to a situation that requires your attention. 

While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator light should ever be ignored!

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.

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. 

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.

Your brakes have a lot to do with how your car drives. Brakes are a frequently neglected item on a lot of people’s checklist, and many drivers on the road have subpar brakes and don’t even know it. A car that brakes well and brakes correctly are just as important as acceleration, handling, or any other aspect of a vehicle’s drivability. A car with brake issues has the potential to be a far more enjoyable ride when fixed.

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.