BEAR AUTO REPAIR

There’s a lot to be said for having a vehicle that rides smoothly. Not only is it much more comfortable, but it is much safer. In addition, suspension problems can lead to other issues with wheels, tires, brakes and drive train components. The health of your vehicle’s suspension is very important. Components of Your Suspension System There are three main components of a suspension system. First, you have the springs, which are most commonly found in coil form. Some older cars might have leaf spring systems and some custom vehicles may have been outfitted with air-ride suspension systems. However, the springs are configured, they are there to help absorb bumps and maintain a consistent vehicle drive height. In addition to the springs, you have shocks (shock absorbers) and struts, which are actually two different components. You may hear them talked about interchangeably, but most cars will have either shocks or strut ... read more

As it generates power to move your car, your engine will generate a lot of heat in the process. That’s why your vehicle will have a cooling system to keep the engine from overheating. Most vehicles use a liquid-based cooling system, and that’s what we’re going to focus on in this article. However, if you do have an air-cooled system in an older car or specialty vehicle and you are experiencing problems, you can call Fox Run Auto for specialized knowledge and help with repairs. As for the more traditional liquid-cooled systems, there are several key automotive components that you should know about: Radiator This is the biggest part of the cooling system and it typically will be located right up front in your engine compartment. The radiator stores and circulates the coolant fluid (also known as antifreeze) that is ultim ... read more

We recently came across this video produced by Brian Hunnicutt from the Automotive Training Institute (ATI). The goal was to compare the true cost of ownership for a vehicle you already own versus buying another new or used vehicle as a replacement. The ultimate question is, if you already own a car and it is in good overall shape, how much will it cost to keep that car maintained instead of buying another vehicle and maintaining it? The results are quite interesting. Cost of Ownership for a 5-Year Period Brian crunched a bunch of numbers and ran multiple calculations to get to his final cost of ownership figures. For comparison’s sake, he set the total mileage at 75,000 miles (based on 5 years at an average of 15,000) and used a standard model Honda Accord as the median passenger car. He listed out all the standard maintenance costs to maintain a vehicle o ... read more

Just like your body has blood and other vital fluids pumping through it to keep you alive, so does your car. There are several different types of fluids that you will find in any vehicle. Some are more important than others, but all need to be maintained for performance and dependability. Let's take a look at the standard fluids in your vehicle in order of importance. This guide will help you with fluid maintenance and if you find a fluid leak, this list will help you identify what it might be: Fuel With the exception of fully electric vehicles, all cars and trucks require fuel to power the engine. Whether your vehicle uses gas, diesel or alternative biofuels, you probably already know when and how to refill the fuel tank at the service station. So, we don't need to spend much time on this. Engine Oil This is the other fluid most people are familiar with because regular oil changes are a routine ... read more

Winter is here and it's already been a really cold season in Northern Delaware. During this time of year, it's more important than ever to be diligent as a driver, so that you can be as safe as possible while out on the road. There are also some simple automotive maintenance steps you can take to help with your vehicle's safety and performance during the cold and wet winter months. Here are some of the things you can focus on: 1. Headlights The days are shorter during the winter and you also have more inclement weather. Therefore your headlights are essential for not only your own visibility as a driver, but for other drivers to see you on the road. Make sure your headlights, tail lights and fog lights are all working and as bright as they are supposed to be. If not, replace them or have your vehicle's electrical system inspected for performance. 2. Windshield Wipers This is the simp ... read more