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

Here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown we often do diagnostics and sometimes the problem is obvious after hooking the car up to the computer and reading the codes. However, sometimes it isn't obvious during a test drive or after hooking it up to all those computer programs! You know there is a problem and a Check Engine Light is on with the fleet customer telling you the car has been having issues starting and the light has been going off and on depending on several factors. No pattern, no simple answer but the problem becomes obvious when you start following the "threads of the issue" thanks to all that ASE Technician training.

Whether you drive a Ford, Chevy, or Ram diesel pickup, it’s especially important that you always seek high-quality repair and maintenance from qualified professionals. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we specialize in diesel vehicles and the ins and outs of diesel servicing. There are plenty of shops out there that can replace a part or perform a job, but it’s important that the technicians doing the work know what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and are doing it right.

Everyone from mechanics, to your uncle that works on cars, has at some point given you advice concerning engine oil. The fact of the matter is that while we are familiar with words like “synthetic” and “oil weight,” many people don’t know exactly what the terminology means, or why common knowledge about oil exists in the form that it does. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we keep things clear and simple. The more you know about your vehicle, the better equipped you are to keep it maintained, and we know a thing or two about vehicles. We have compiled a short list of common myths for you, most of which you’ve heard, but maybe never second guessed.

At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, we know that few problems are simultaneously as simple and confusing as a bad ground connection on your car, truck, or SUV. Here’s a look at some symptoms of a bad ground, and what you can do to correct it.

Glow Plugs are an essential component of your diesel engine. However, a faulty glow plug can go unnoticed or be neglected for quite some time; your truck will still start and run, so it’s an easy issue to overlook. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, we want you to know what to look for, and why you should be concerned with a bad glow plug.

While diesel engines have become more common in trucks and certain cars, overwhelmingly the most common car, truck, and SUV powerhouse found on the road today is the gasoline combustion engine. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, our technicians are skilled in every aspect of gasoline engine maintenance and repair, to keep yours reliably on the road and running strong.

Fuel Systems are particularly important on diesel trucks, whether you drive a Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge pickup. At South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD, fuel system maintenance and repair is a service we prioritize, since we know how essential a reliable fuel system is.

Transmissions may experience an array of issues, some more serious (or annoying) than others. Since transmissions play a vital role in the operation of your vehicle, it's important to know what to look out for. If your transmission is shuddering, here’s some advice from our team here at South Mountain Collision & Auto Center in Middletown, MD.