BEAR AUTO REPAIR

Taking your car to the mechanic is a bit like taking yourself to the dentist. It's usually not something you look forward to, but it just needs to be done from time to time. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is one form of preventative maintenance you are doing for yourself. Visiting the dentist periodically for teeth cleaning, x-rays and a general check up is also important to your dental health.  The same can be said about taking care of your car. There are certain tasks you can do on your own like making sure there's always fuel in the tank. You may wash the vehicle regularly and check things like tire air pressure and fluid levels. You might even have the knowhow to change your own oil and rotate tires—the two most frequently needed forms of automotive maintenance. Still, a visit to a professional mechanic is required for certain repairs and other maintenance procedures. The point is, there are steps you must take on a regular basis to keep your ve ... read more

Brake pads wear out naturally over time as they are used to stop and slow down the car repeatedly. It is natural for them to wear down to a certain point where they need to be replaced. However, there are other factors and issues that can lead to premature brake pad wear, as well as uneven brake wear. Understanding these causes may help you keep your brake pads lasting longer, so you won't have to replace them as often. Here are 6 issues that can lead to excess brake pad wear, according to the auto repair experts at Fox Run Auto in Bear, DE:1. Brake Problems Sometimes, there are issues with the mechanical components of the brakes. It may only be one set of brakes having issues and that can affect how all the brakes on each wheel perform. There could be a problem like a damaged, warped or dirty rotor or a malfunctioning caliper. There may be a problem with the brake fluid or hydraulic lines. This i ... read more

It's crazy to think that summer is just around the corner, but May is almost over and things are definitely heating up here in Northern Delaware. It won't be long before you are cranking the AC to stay cool, while paying a little more attention to the engine's temperature gauge. Now is the time to get your car ready for summer with some preventative maintenance and important system inspections. Here are a few of the things you will want to consider, according to Fox Run Auto: Cooling System The cooling system plays a vital role in keeping your engine from overheating. You want to make sure you have enough clean coolant in your radiator, and that all key components (coolant lines, belts, fans and water pump) are in good shape heading into the hotter months. You never want your engine to overheat ... read more

It can be frustrating dealing with a dying car battery. You may be able to recharge it and get more life out of the battery. Eventually, it may need to be swapped out with a new one. You don't want to be stranded somewhere, unable to get your vehicle to start. Here are a few of the most common signs that your car battery is dying and may need to be replaced soon: Battery Warning Light The battery warning light on your dashboard (or computer monitor) is there to let you know when the battery is losing its charge or has some other problem like a loose connection. If your battery light is on, you should get it checked out and tested by a professional mechanic to determine if it needs to be recharged, replaced or repaired. Physical Damage There can be numerous physical signs that your battery is on its last legs. Symptoms can include extensive corrosion around the cable connections, loose battery terminals and a swollen battery case. Trou ... read more

Low fuel pressure can be a common problem in all types of vehicles. Generally speaking, low fuel pressure means you don't have enough fuel getting to the engine, and/or you have too much air coming in. The fuel-to-air intake ratio is thrown off and it will cause engine performance issues. You may have trouble getting the car started at all when the fuel pressure is too low. Symptoms of Low Fuel Pressure Here are a few signs that you may have low fuel pressure: Engine Won't Start—It is cranking, but isn't starting up. Check Engine Light—An illuminated check engine light could mean a fuel system problem. Black Smoke—Dark smoke coming from the tailpipe often means the vehicle is burning too much fuel, which could be a fuel system, engine or ... read more