Malvern PA Auto Repair

Question What is synthetic oil, and should I use it? Answer Regular oil, also called conventional oil, comes from dead dinosaurs. Conventional oil molecules are long hydrocarbon chains of various lengths. Imagine a bunch of pencils – some used and some brand new. Synthetic oil is often more highly refined petroleum-based oil. The molecules are shorter and closer to the same length. Think a bunch of those little golf pencils. Some synthetic oil is man-made. The molecules are rounder and much more uniform. Think marbles. So, you can see that as you progress from conventional oil to synthetic blends (a mixture of conventional and synthetic) to full synthetic oil, there will be less friction in your engine. Less friction means less heat – so better lubrication and protection against wear. Synthetic blends and full synthetics also cost more. Synthetic oil is more resistant to thermal breakdown so less sludge (which can clog passages and really lead to damage). So, what s ... read more

Today's vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sun roofs. And then we have all the power outlets for our cell phones, computers and DVD players. We also have navigation systems and powerful stereos. Plus there are all the vehicle engine and transmission computers, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, sensors and on and on. Even the security system is running off the battery while the car is turned off. And of course, summer heat can take a real toll on battery life. Fortunately, battery technology has given drivers resilient batteries that are able to meet these strenuous requirements. But the fact is vehicle batteries just wear out over time. Eventually, every battery gets to the point where it cannot hold enough of a charge to start your car. Sometimes b ... read more

Your vehicle gets its power from burning fuel, usually gasoline, and it counts on something called fuel injectors to send gas to the engine in a spray that is easy to ignite. It’s a precise operation, and when it’s working well, you have plenty of power and an efficient engine. But after time, contaminants in the fuel system may prevent the injectors from spraying like they’re supposed to. They can also shoot contaminants into the engine. One sign that could point to dirty fuel injectors is a misfiring engine. Misfires can be caused by several things, so it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle to us so we can trace the cause. Another sign is that your fuel economy has gone downhill or your engine doesn’t have the “pep” it used to. If we discover that your injectors are clogged or not working the way they should, we can clean them to get rid of those contaminants to restore your engine to its top performance. When you bring your vehicle to us ... read more

Of all the warning lights on your vehicle's instrument panel, there's one that demands your attention. And that's the brake warning light. Common sense will tell you that if you can't stop, you are endangering yourself and others. Brake warning lights are there to warn you that something is wrong with this vital safety system. There are several reasons a brake light will come on, but if yours does, get it to your NAPA AutoCare Center and have it checked out right away. Here are some possibilities of what's going on when you see that brake warning light. Low brake fluid—A sensor has detected that the brake fluid level is low. The technician can determine if you need more fluid. The technician can also determine if there's a leak in your brake system. Low brake fluid could also be a sign of worn brakes pads. An inspection can reveal brake problems. Just topping off the brake fluid can leave critical problems unaddressed. The light will also come on if t ... read more

Question: I need new tires. How do I know which tires to get? ASM Auto LLC Answer: Let's look at selecting new tires in light of three factors: Function, Fit, and Value. Function: This gets at what your needs are for new tires: weather conditions, terrain, temperatures, etc. Most new family vehicles in come with all-season tires. They can be used all year long and do pretty well in most road conditions – but they aren't ideal at the extremes. Winter tires have a more aggressive tread for handling snow and ice on roads, and they have a rubber compound that helps them have better traction as temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7.2 degrees Centigrade. In winter weather, you'll definitely experience better stopping and road-holding characteristics for vehicles than all-season tires. Dedicated summer tires enhance warm weather performance driving for. If you drive off-road around, there is a wide spectrum of tires ... read more