BEAR AUTO REPAIR

It's important to have a healthy and effective brake system in your car. It's a matter of safety for you, the driver, as well as your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians. You want to be able to stop and slow down in a safe amount of time to avoid accidents and injuries. A good brake system will also help protect other automotive systems like wheels, tires, suspension and drive train components. If your brakes aren't doing what they are supposed to, it can put more strain on other systems and cause potential damage. Here are 6 of the most common brake problems we see at Fox Run Auto, along with the the usual signs that these issues may be occurring: 1. Worn Brake Pads This is easily the most common issue. Brake pads wear down with time and use. They should be replaced when they get too low. Typical signs of ... read more

Sometimes, you are driving around in your car and something smells funny. It may be something coming from outside the vehicle, or it could be the car itself giving off some unpleasant odors. It's important to pay attention and realize when a strange smell could be coming from your car. It could be the sign that something is wrong. Here are some of the most common automotive odors and potential causes: Smells Like Gasoline It's fairly common to smell gas after filling up the tank. You may have gotten some on your shoes/clothes and the smell may linger a bit. It should dissipate fairly quickly, especially if you roll your windows down for a little bit. If the gas smell lasts a long time and isn't going away, it could be something else. There may be a problem with the fuel cap, gas tank, fuel injector or fuel lines. It's best to get the vehicle lo ... read more

Ultimately, every vehicle needs regular maintenance. Whether you drive a car, truck or SUV of any make, model or size, it needs work from time to time. Much of the maintenance performed is preventative in nature. You get oil changes regularly to help keep the engine running smoothly. You want to rotate tires to even out tread wear and keep all four of them lasting as long as possible. Then, there are other tasks like brake services, fluid checks, wheel alignments, transmission services, and cooling system services that should be taken care of to help prevent major problems from developing. The big question is how often do these different tasks need to be performed. The answer isn't always that simple. Obviously, the maintenance frequencies between these specific services will vary. You may get your oil changed every 5,000-6,000 miles, while it might be 30,000-50,000 miles between ... read more

An automobile is a very complex machine with many moving parts that keep it running and driving down the road. We've all heard various strange noises coming from our vehicles at some point. Sometimes, it's not a big deal. In most cases, however, an odd sound is a sign that something is wrong. Here are some of the most common noises your car might make, along with the most likely causes for the problems: Clicking When Trying to Start the Car If you only hear clicking when you are trying to start the car—or if it does this while taking a long time to start—it's the clear sign of a problem. It may be a dead battery, failing alternator, failing spark plugs or an issue with the starter/ignition system itself.  Squealing from Under the Hood You may hear a squealing or screeching sound coming from the engine ... read more

The winter season is tough on everyone, and it can definitely present some challenges for your car. It's smart to take a little extra time to let the battery and engine warm up in the morning. You should really check your tire treads and air pressure regularly, as well. Other issues like wheel alignment, suspension and brake problems, and headlight/tail light dimness, and window frost can also cause safety hazards on the road this time of year.  One thing that often gets overlooked is what cold, wet and icy roads can be doing underneath your vehicle. When you drive on winter roads here in Northern Delaware (especially this very cold winter we're experiencing so far), all sorts of excess moisture, road salt/sand and grease are getting kicked up under your vehicle chassis. Most cars are built to stand up to this abuse—especially newer models—but issues can still occur. It's wise to take ... read more