Southampton Auto Repair

Windshield wiper blades usually last about 12 months depending on how heavily they are used and how clean your windshield is! Wiper blades are a necessary evil, no matter what it will rain eventually. Springtime in the northeast brings more wet weather than usual. A sure sign of needing new wiper blades is that horrendous sound of the blades chattering across the glass in misty rain. This happens because the rubber is no longer supple and is not turning over when the wiper blade changes direction. The only cure for this is new wiper blades. You may also notice stealing or missed spots on the glass from worn-out wiper blades.    Wiper blade installation can be a straightforward task. Be very careful not to allow the wiper arm to strike the glass. If you are unfamiliar or not interested in replacing your wiper blades feel free to stop by. We do not charge to install new windshield wiper blades.  How can I make my wipers last longer? The best way to improve the lifespan o ... read more

          The cabin air filter is responsible for keeping dust dirt and allergens out of the interior of your car's heating and air conditioning system. This filter is especially important in the springtime to reduce the pollen effect. All of the air that enters the car through the HVAC system will first pass through this filter. As you can see in the pictures the filter can fill up fast with debris. Cabin air filters will require routine replacement every 15,000 miles or once per year. Some vehicles that are operated in extremely dusty conditions may require more frequent replacement.  If you are familiar with hand tools you can potentially replace this filter yourself! The effort and degree of difficulty varies greatly between vehicles. The filter is generally located behind the glove box or in the cowl below the windshield. If you choose not to venture into the project yourself we would be happy to assist.  What if you don ... read more

Why does my Car Battery Keep Dying? Typically a car battery will last 4-6 years in our area. Extreme temperatures in either direction, hot or cold, will stress the battery and may let you down. The first step is to check the battery itself to verify the storage capacity.    Once we have determined that the battery has the capability to store the proper voltage and deliver the proper amperage we can move on to test the remainder of the system. The next step is to determine if the alternator is able to charge the battery sufficiently. With the engine running the mechanic will verify that the alternator has a proper amperage output and can maintain voltage. The last and final step is to verify that the battery is not draining while sitting. In order to verify this we will test the system for a parasitic draw. Some common items that may cause an unintentional draw are a dome lamp left on, a glove box lamp, or a door partially open!  It is best to periodically test the batte ... read more

                                        Tire pressure is measured in PSI or Pounds Per Square Inch. Maintaining proper tire pressure is vital for fuel economy, tire wear, and proper steering/handling/braking. You may have a tire warning light on or you have seen a low tire. To determine the proper tire pressure you simply need to locate the vehicle's tire placard. As pictured the tire placard is located in the driver's door jamb.                                                  The manufacturer's tire placard will indicate the tire size, load rating, speed rating, as well as proper tire pressure. The listed tire pressure should be checked and adjusted when the tire is cold. Tire pressure will rise as the tire ... read more