Rockland & Rockport Auto Repair

Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Poorly maintained tires can lead to dangerous or deadly accidents at worst and a negative impact on your vehicle’s handling at best. It’s important for every driver to regularly inspect their tires for proper inflation, tread depth, and sidewall condition. Performing this quick, regular check can help you stay safe on the road.Tire Safety and Inspection   Step One: Check Your Tread Depth   This step is probably one you know. Worn out tread on your tires can prevent you from maintaining traction on the road and even keep you from being able to brake properly in an emergency. To check your tread depth, place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. With Lincoln’s head upside-down, you should not be able to see the top of the President’s head. If you can see any space between Lincoln’s head and the edge of the penny, your tread is worn, and it is time for new tires.   St ... read more

If you’ve ever taken a car in to be serviced, you’ve probably been asked by the mechanic, “What type of oil are you getting?” If you’re like most people, you probably just say “Whatever it takes,” or “Whatever you recommend!” Depending on your vehicle, the mechanic may recommend one of four types of motor oil: full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage. Each type of oil has a specific chemical makeup and purpose it is best suited for:Types on Engine Oil   Conventional Motor Oil: Conventional motor oil is the most commonly used type of motor oil. It is ideal for late-model, light-duty cars with low to average mileage and simple engine design.   Full Synthetic Motor Oil: Full synthetic motor oil differs from conventional motor oil in that it provides a higher viscosity level, resistance to oxidation and thermal breakdown, and helps prevent oil sludge from accumulating.   Synthetic motor oil can also ... read more

If possible, when replacing one tire, you should always try to purchase as close as possible to the existing tires on your vehicle. A matching tire will have the same tread pattern, construction, and size as your existing tires. We never recommend you use mismatched tires unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.Buy the Right Tires   A few ways drivers will mismatch tires include: using tires with different tread patterns, using tires made by different manufacturers, using tires made for different seasons (summer vs. winter tires) and using tires with different sizes.   Every unique tire is designed for a specific job, a specific handling capability and to work together with a set of matching tires. If you use mismatched tires, your car can experience unpredictable handling and braking, which can be dangerous in an emergency. Additionally, mismatched tires can cause your tires to wear unevenly, making the time to replace your tires again come sooner ... read more

Finding that fluid which is leaking from your car can be alarming. It is possible fluid leaking from your car could be normal, but other times leaking fluids are a symptom of a bigger problem with your vehicle. Before you panic, there are two questions you need to ask: 1) “Where is the fluid coming from?” and 2) “What does the fluid look like?”What is leaking from my car?   When determining where the fluid is coming from, first find out for certain whether the fluid is even coming for your vehicle and not the vehicle parked in the space before you. If you are unsure, just get down and take a good look under the car with a flashlight or your cell phone.    Once you have determined that the leak is indeed coming from your vehicle, stick a piece of white paper or cardboard under the leak to catch some of the fluid and determine its color. Depending on the color, the fluid could be several different things:   Red or Pink: Red or pink fluid is usu ... read more

These days, cars are getting better gas mileage than ever before. You don’t even have to buy a hybrid anymore to own a vehicle averaging 30 or 40 MPG. Many car owners notice that after a while, their MPG starts to wane. It’s easy to brush this off if you are still getting decent mileage, but this decrease in performance is often a symptom of bigger issues with your vehicle.    These are the most common reasons for a decrease in gas mileage: Bad Fuel Injectors: Fuel injectors are what puts fuel in your engine. If your fuel injectors are leaking or dirty, less fuel is making it to the engine, leading to a decrease in performance and gas mileage.   Using the A/C Too Often: If you live in a milder climate, consider turning off the A/C and rolling down your windows instead. Having your A/C on wastes a lot of fuel on powering the system. At higher speeds, however, be sure to roll up your windows, as leaving them down creates drag.   Your Driving Habits: If yo ... read more