Margate City Auto Repair

What is Power Steering? The Power Steering system of your car makes turning your car easy. If you have ever driven a classic car without power steering, you understand how hard it use to be. Also, without power steering, you use to have to accelerate to turn, like a Jet ski. Where is Power Steering located? The Power steering system is a part of a larger system, it goes from your steering wheel all the way to your tires. Long story short, that means to look under the front of your car for leaking. Sometimes there is a warning light that will go on if you are having an issue, but not always. These are signs that your power steering is going bad or is bad: Low on power steering fluid- this shows when turning gets harder to do. Also, it may start whining. Power steering pump or motor went bad- this is evident when you strain to turn your steering wheel or sound like high-pitched screaming Serpentine belt broken- The car may stall ( ... read more

How do you know if your transmission is bad?What is a transmission and where is it located? The nuts and bolts of it is that the transmission translates the power your engine makes to the wheels of our car. It manages the stop, go, and how fast your car moves. Where the transmission is depends on the make and model of the car, but it is usually in the front-middle of the car. So that is where to look for fluid leaking or where the sounds will usually be coming from. Transmissions usually need service around 60-90K. We take the guess work and the need to track these services off your plate and let you know when it’s time for such maintenances. What are signs that my Transmission is going?Sound: If you hear grinding, or like something is not catching when you change speeds, slow down, or come to a stop. Whining, humming, and clunking sounds are also indicators. Sight: Fluids ... read more

Regardless of how clean and pure your gasoline or diesel is, your fuel system will get dirty with the use of your automobile over time. The fuel system has the tendency to become clogged with air and gasoline impurities. When this build-up increases, it can decrease engine output and lower fuel efficiency. In serious cases, it can stop your engine from operating altogether. To avoid this trouble, please be sure to get your fuel system cleaned! Signs That Indicate You’re Due for a Fuel System Cleaning Poor Fuel Mileage - When your engine doesn’t receive the proper amount of fuel, your motor won’t have a balanced air/fuel ratio. It may seem counterintuitive as clogged injectors have less fuel going through them. When an engine lacks fuel, it will use up more fuel. Starting Issues - If you’re having trouble starting and you smell gasoline, there is a good chance that the fuel pump is jammed. In contrast, a jerky running car simply means that your car is not rece ... read more

Do you keep catching an unusual or off-putting smell every time you come near your car? Typically, a one-time occasion is enough for drivers to shrug off. But if a smell is lingering, you should have a professional mechanic check it out.    Certain car odors can be indicative of a major issue from within your vehicle. Here are some of the most concerning vehicle smells and what they mean for your car: Rotten Eggs If you catch the rancid smell of rotten eggs, there's a good chance that it is coming from your catalytic converter. If your cat goes bad, it means your emissions system is struggling to transform and transport gasses out of your vehicle.  Gasoline While it is normal to smell gasoline at the pump, it is not normal to smell it any other time while you're driving. If you catch this scent, please be on the lookout for potential gas leaks. These leaks can occur anywhere between the fuel injector line or gas tank. Not only are gas leaks costly, but they ... read more

Factory schedule maintenance or 30/60/90K vehicle maintenance is a prescribed maintenance schedule for every vehicle by its manufacturer. This means that the car is required to have an inspection after covering 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles. The scheduled car maintenance is often overlooked by many car owners. Here are some benefits of 30/60/90K maintenance. Why is 30/60/90K Maintenance Important Car Warranty. Before you dismiss this scheduled maintenance, you should know that your car's warranty may entirely depend on this. Failure to go for this scheduled maintenance can nullify your car warranty. Retention of your Car's Value. If it happens that you decide to sell your car after using it, regular maintenance will make a good argument for you to get a better resale price for the car. Prevention of Major Problems. Taking your car for 30/60/90K maintenance can identify minor problems in your vehicle before they turn into big issues. Lengthens your car's life span ... read more

No matter how fast the modern car changes and evolves, some things still stay the same. What we are referring to is your dashboard warning lights. These are universally known signals that can pop up on your dashboard when something goes wrong. When one of these illuminates on your dashboard, your best bet is to take your car to a trusted automotive technician. Below are 5 maintenance/warning lights you should pay attention to: Tire Pressure Light The tire pressure warning can look different from vehicle to vehicle. In most cars, it is simply depicted as a tire. In some vehicles, you may see an exclamation point or the phrase "low tire pressure" appearing with it. Your tires have pressure sensors. When one or more of your tires have lost a significant amount of air, it will trigger this warning lightly. Low tire pressure can drastically affect your gas mileage, safety, handling, tire health, and more. Check Engine Light This yellow engine block symbol is often feared by ma ... read more

     What to do if my Car Rims are Bent Driving over potholes is uncomfortable and jarring for not only you but your car. If you notice your car driving differently after going over one you might have some damage like you can see in two of the photos. Unfortunately, not all damage to rims can be seen easily, some damage can be hidden by the tire and the car itself. Damage to your rims, no matter how minor, can have expensive long-term consequences. The following damage can be caused by damaged Rims (these are not always immediate; some issues happen over time due to the uneven way the tire now sits on the wheel): Flat tires Alignment issues Decreased gas efficiency Axle issues Drive shaft issues What causes bent rims Damage can happen for other reasons than potholes. Damage can also occur from hitting curbs, car accidents, and driving off-road (among other reasons). If you have minor bent damage, getting that fixed as soon as ... read more

Driving in the warm, summer months in Margate, NJ can put a lot of stress on your vehicle. The increase in temperature can add wear and tear to your vehicle. To protect your investment, follow these helpful tips for the summer.   Check your coolant levels – Too low of coolant can quickly result in engine overheating. If it is low, be sure to also check for leaks. We may recommend a coolant flush to ensure your engine gets the fluid it needs to stay at a stable temperature.   Test your car air conditioning – A/C is a must for drivers in the Margate in the summertime. Our technicians can test your temperature to determine if you need a recharge.   Test your battery charge – This will let us know how much juice is left in your battery. Plus, it may be wise to replace your battery as the heat can cause your battery fluid to leak quicker. If it has been a while, it’s safe to change it.   Get an oil change – It’s always good to ... read more

Any car owner knows that a healthy engine is a secret to long and smooth service from your car. However, even with optimum care for your vehicle, there is still a possibility that your engine might develop problems. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain regular visits to the mechanic for maintenance to reduce the risk of engine problems. The advantage is that before a total engine failure, your car will first give you signs that you should not ignore. Some of these signs include: The Check Engine Light Once the check engine light illuminates, something is not functioning correctly. Although this might be as simple as a lid that needs tightening, it's essential to visit your mechanic and get a diagnostic test done as soon as possible. Swift action could prevent further damage and prevent you from being stranded on the roadside. Suspicious Noises Once you are used to your car, you will be conversant with the noises that it usually makes and it will be easier for you to notice w ... read more

What does Condensation in Headlights mean?What you need to know about condensation in your headlights.   There are multiple types of car headlights, what is true for one may not be true for all. If you are unsure, please ask your mechanic. Below is a guide of generalized advice on what to look for and what are some red flags. First, let us talk about the components of a headlight. There is the headlight housing, which holds the bulb and electrical components. There is also the headlight lens, which protects the housing, bulb, and electrical elements from the weather. Holding the housing and the lens together is typically a silicone sealant. Water usually finds its way into the headlights thru the vents, cracks, and worn rubber seals.  What is ok: Some condensation will occur naturally. Bulbs heat up and to cool them down most headlight housings have vents to prevent them from overheating. The way that headlights are de ... read more