Rockland & Rockport Auto Repair

Trick or Treat! Kids and adults both love Halloween with all the candy, costumes and fun of being up late. As witches, superheroes, ghosts and celebrities roam the streets in search of candy and treats, drivers need to be cautious when driving. Halloween can be a dangerous time for drivers and pedestrians alike. Statistics have shown Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians. It is a night filled with darkness, increased pedestrian traffic and all sorts of distractions.    Let’s not let this fun evening turn into a tragedy. Following these driving safety tips can help drivers and pedestrians be safe this Halloween.  Drivers: Use your headlights — Halloween nights can be foggy and dark. Always make sure you use your headlights so you are visible to pedestrians.   Speed control — Be extra cautious and alert when driving. Drive slower than the posted speed limit, especially in residential areas. Children tend to be very ex ... read more

The US has a wide variety of climates, but generally, weather conditions are cold during the winter and hot in the summer. In southern states, summers are very hot and humid while in the Pacific Northwest, summers are warm with cool mornings and evening conditions. Winter in the South is mild, but in the North conditions are often very cold with lots of snow and below zero temperatures. How do all these variations affect your tires? Winter Tire Tips   The temperature outside has various impacts on your vehicle’s tires. The change in the temperature also causes an equal change in the pressure of your tires; a higher temperature will increase the pressure of your tires. Your tires should be kept inflated based on the specific vehicle manufacturer recommended pressure. Tires are made with both natural and synthetic rubber compounds which contain oils that help with elasticity. The heat from the sun and the friction from the road wear out your tires and reduces the amount of oil ... read more

Does your car have an unpleasant, lingering aroma? Usually your first impression will be to check for food that may have been left under seats. If the culprit isn’t food that has gone bad, there are several other reasons that may be the cause of the unpleasant smell. The last thing you want is your passengers in your being uncomfortable by the smell or worse question your hygiene. You need to find the source of the odor because an air freshener will only mask what could be a serious issue. Automotive Smells What’s That Smell? Rotten Eggs - If the smell is similar to rotten eggs, this may be because your catalytic converter has gone bad. The root cause could be an engine or emissions system problem that made the converter overheat, thus causing the rotten egg smell.   Moldy, Musty Air - When you turn your air conditioning on and it emits a musty smell from the vent, mold or mildew has probably formed in the air conditioning system.   Burnt Paper - The smell of bu ... read more

Old tires can be found everywhere. From the shredded remnants of highway blowouts to mountains of rubber created in landfills, old tires are frequently cast off and forgotten. But what are the other options for tires that are past their prime? You can choose to take them to a tire recycling facility if one is available near you or even create a useful DIY product. Read on to find out all you need to know!Recycle Old Tires  Why Should You Recycle Your Tires? In the US, over 300 million tires are disposed of every year. That is an alarming ratio of almost one per person. Disposing of tires in landfills causes an increase in rodents and mosquitoes which can spread diseases. Because tires are made of synthetic rubber, they are non-biodegradable. Scientists have estimated a tire can take up to hundreds or even thousands of years to fully decompose. Disposed tires also create a fire risk since they trap methane gas, and these fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish.   A pos ... read more

If you’re considering buying a used car, your mind is probably whirling with all the possible unseen problems and damage you could be missing. Not to worry though! We’ve put together a quick checklist to help you ensure you don’t have any surprises pop up after the money has been spent. Follow these quick guidelines the next time you’re out buying a used car: Step 1 - Do Your Research! The first step in buying any car is the research before you ever go look at the vehicle in person. If you have a type, make, or model of the vehicle you’re looking for, start there. You will want to look for common issues with the model you’re pursuing. Different types of vehicles will have a different set of issues to look out for. For example, if you’re looking at a Jeep, you might want to know if it has ever been lifted. This is not a question you likely would ask of someone selling a Toyota Camry. Step 2 - Check the Outside of the Vehicle You will want ... read more