Automotive Industry News & Information - South Mountain Collision & Auto Center

One of the most annoying sounds known to man is a loud squeal every time you start your car, truck, or SUV. What causes this, and what can you do to fix it? South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD has the answer.

At some point or another, it’ll happen to you. You leave your headlights on, your battery finally fails, or for some other reason, you don’t have enough juice to start your car. Don’t call a tow truck just yet, though...South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown has the info you need to properly jump start your car.

At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know the key to making your vehicle last; good maintenance. An overwhelming percentage of the problems we see, especially the really catastrophic ones, are a result of poor maintenance. While properly maintaining a vehicle can seem a like a bit of a hassle, it is absolutely worth the payoff. Good maintenance is the only difference between a car that lasts 80,000 miles and a car that lasts 400,000 miles. Preventative maintenance and repair when a problem occurs are are your two concerns, and both will keep your car on the road far longer, if observed properly.

Exhaust systems are one of the most neglected aspects of most vehicles. Exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers are exposed to heat, emissions, and road damage. While your exhaust system is fairly simple and straightforward, these conditions mean it is inherently prone to rust and damage. As a result, this system is often one of the first systems you will have trouble within 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.

Whatever type of truck you run in your fleet, they all have a driveshaft that connects the transmission to the differential, transferring power to the wheels. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we specialize in diesel truck and fleet vehicle maintenance and repair, including precision driveshaft care.

Wheel bearings often go overlooked but have an incredibly important job to perform. Wheel bearings are an integral component of your truck, and when one begins to fail, other problems begin to arise. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we want you to have the ability to recognize a problem before it turns into a bigger one. Here’s what to look out for.

Your fleet or commercial truck works hard, every day. Most commercial vehicles are heavy, and constantly under load. As a result, your brakes will inevitably develop issues over time. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we can fix that.