BEAR AUTO REPAIR

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

If your tires are wearing out too quickly and not lasting as long as they should, there are several issues that could be to blame. Here are some of the most likely culprits, according to the auto repair pros and tire replacement experts at Fox Run Auto: 1. Poor Wheel Alignment Problems with your wheel alignment can lead to uneven tire wear, reduced gas mileage, poor handling and many other problems. When the wheel camber, caster and/or toe are out of alignment, your tires will wear out unevenly and you may find yourself having to replace them sooner than expected. It's a good idea to get your wheel alignment checked periodically. 2. Not Enough Tire Rotations It's usually worthwhile to have your tires rotated with every automotive service (usually around every ... read more