BEAR AUTO REPAIR

The warmest parts of summer and the coolest parts of winter are when your car's cooling system is working its hardest to keep the engine running at proper temperatures. In the excess summer heat and humidity, overheating is always a concern. The cooling system is made up of multiple vital components, including the radiator, radiator fluid (coolant), water pump, fan, thermostat, heater core, cooling jacket and various hoses that transfer the coolant throughout the system. This complex system is what keeps your engine from getting too hot. If anything is loose, damaged or not working properly, you will start to experience overheating problems and it could do serious damage to your engine. This is why cooling system maintenance and monitoring are so important, especially this time of year. Here are a few summer cooling system tips from Fox Run A ... read more

It's that time of year when the heat and humidity are peaking here in Northern Delaware. You might be sweating a bit more when you spend time outside. Summer weather can also have an impact on your car. Warmer temperatures and more moisture in the air can affect everything from engine performance and fuel economy to failing sensors.  It's no secret that hot and cold exterior temperatures have different effects on vehicles. There are problems you worry about in the chilly winter months, and there are issues that you should watch for during the summer, as well. Your engine gives off heat when its running. When you combine that with even more heat in the environment around it, it can add more stress to the engine and cooling system. Engine Overheating Overheating is always a concern if you push your vehicle ... read more

If you ever notice any fluid leaking from your vehicle, you should be concerned. Some leaks are minor and relatively harmless. Some leaks are signs of major damage that should be addressed as soon as possible. You never know for sure until you identify the source of the leak and how bad any damage might be. It could just be a loose fluid line connection or worn seal/gasket. Or, it could be something much worse. All vehicles have many different fluids. Here is what you should know if you see any of these fluids leaking from your car: Fuel Any leak of fuel (gasoline or diesel) can be extremely dangerous. You might have damage to your fuel tank, the fuel pump or one of the fuel lines. Whatever the problem, you want to get it fixed immediately! Engine Oil Probably the most common fluid leak is engine oil. Some leaks are fairly minor and may not be causing a huge problem other than a m ... read more

Are you worried about your car's emissions system? It is not good when there is an emissions problem or exhaust system failure. It can cause performance issues in your engine, potentially leading to costly internal damage. It's also bad for you and the environment when harmful fumes and carbon monoxide are getting out more than they should. It could also be illegal to drive a vehicle in Delaware with a malfunctioning emissions system! Emissions System Inspection Delaware has very specific emissions requirements for all vehicles and you may require inspection from time to time. It's best to have peace of mind before any type of emissions inspection, so you can get your car pre-inspected and, if needed, repaired at Fox Run Auto. Key members of our service team are certified emissions specialists, here to help you with all your exhaust and emissions needs. ... read more

As we talked about in last week's blog post, a lot of people are getting back on the road this summer. Life is starting to return back to normal with people taking road trips or just returning to their offices. You may not have not driven much in the past year, but that also means you may not have done much maintenance to your vehicle(s). Automotive Maintenance: Mileage vs. Time Some people think of routine maintenance as only a mileage-based task. You get your oil changed and tires rotated every 5,000-6,000 miles. You didn't put as many miles on your car, so there hasn't been a need for maintenance. Unfortunately, time can also take its toll on certain vehicle parts. If your car has just been sitting around and gathering dust the past 14 months, it will likely require some maintenance. Fluids can ... read more