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My Car Is Bouncing - Do I Need Shocks or Struts?

My Car Is Bouncing - Do I Need Shocks or Struts?

Have you noticed that your car has been bouncing excessively while driving? While it might be fun the first few times it happens, it starts to get frustrating. This can be an unsettling experience and may indicate a problem with your vehicle's suspension system. Two common components that contribute to the smoothness of your ride are shocks and struts. But which one is causing the bouncing sensation? Let's explore the differences between shocks and struts and how to identify the issue. Shocks and struts are both part of the suspension system and serve a similar purpose of absorbing shocks and vibrations. However, they have distinct roles and designs: Shocks Shocks, also known as shock absorbers, are individual components typically found in vehicles with a separate suspension setup. Their primary function is to control the up-and-down movement of the vehicle's suspension. Shocks dampen the spring oscillation, preventing excessive bouncing or jolting ... read more

Can You DIY Headlight Restoration?

Can You DIY Headlight Restoration?

Headlight restoration is the process of restoring the clarity of a car's headlights. Over time, headlights can become hazy, foggy, and yellowed, which can reduce the effectiveness of the headlights and make it harder for motorists to see the road at night. There are many headlight restoration kits available that claim to be able to restore the clarity of headlights, but should you attempt to perform such tasks at home? Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to do headlight restorations at home: Pros of At-Home Headlight Restoration Cost-effective: Headlight restoration kits are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of replacing the entire headlight assembly. Convenient: You can do it at home without having to take your car to a professional auto body shop. Easy process: Most headlight restoration kits come with clear instructions that are simple to follow. Cons of At-Home He ... read more

What Are the Types of Windshield Damage?

What Are the Types of Windshield Damage?

Windshields are an essential component of your vehicle, providing structural support, protection from wind and debris, and allowing you to see the road ahead. However, despite their durability, windshields can sometimes be damaged, requiring a replacement. In this blog, we'll look at the different types of windshield damage and why it's important to have them repaired or replaced promptly. Chips and Cracks: Small chips and cracks can easily occur from flying rocks, gravel, or other road debris. If left unrepaired, these chips and cracks can quickly grow in size, making it more difficult and expensive to fix, and potentially compromising the safety of the vehicle. Star Breaks: Star breaks occur when there is a central point of impact with several cracks radiating out from it. Like chips and cracks, star breaks can quickly spread and make it more difficult to repair the windshield. Bull's Eye: A bull's eye is a type of damage that resembles a target, with a circular cr ... read more

Signs of a Failing Transfer Case

Signs of a Failing Transfer Case

Most automobile drivers don’t know what a transfer case is unless they drive a 4WD/four-wheel drive and AWD/all-wheel drive. This component ensures your front and rear axles receive enough power from the engine and transmission The transfer case comes into play to distribute power to the front wheels when your vehicle activates 4WD. Some vehicles require you to do this manually, while others can go into 4WD automatically.  The transfer case is attached to the back of the engine, and it contains metal gears. To ensure your vehicle is ready to shift its power when needed, you should check the transfer case fluid regularly. Otherwise, problems with the transfer cases can cause serious performance issues. Common Signs of a Failing Transfer Case When you bring your vehicle to Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center, our technicians will inspect the differential. We utilize top-of-the-line diagnostic tools to pinpoint problems quickly and accurately. These are some of the most co ... read more

Holiday Road Trip Safety Tips

Holiday Road Trip Safety Tips

Are you hitting the roads this holiday season? If so, the last thing we want for you is to miss your Christmas vacation or your holiday dinner because of an automotive breakdown. Before you pack the car to hit the busy roads, please make some preparations to make sure you and your loved ones make it to your destination safely. Tip #1 - Get a Pre-Trip Inspection Has it been a while since your last oil change service or brake service? We invite you to Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center for a pre-trip inspection. We will take preventative measures to ensure you don’t experience mechanical issues over the holidays. Our team can change your motor oil and rotate your tires. We will ensure your vehicle gets everything it needs to combat any road hazards. Tip #2 - Check the Weather Forecast Speaking of hazards, the weather can be quite unpredictable depending on where you are traveling. Some parts of the US will see wet and even icy conditions over ... read more

How to Budget for Vehicle Maintenance & Other Services

How to Budget for Vehicle Maintenance & Other Services

There’s no reason to stress about car repairs or maintenance when you properly budget for both before the service needs to be done. Just like how you set aside money for your car payment and vehicle insurance, you should also do so to protect your investment. We understand that the expenses can add up quickly, but at the same time, you don’t want to neglect auto care and have to buy a new car sooner than normal. Read to learn how much you should set aside for auto care. Step 1: Refer to Previous Receipts and Records To plan out how much money you need to set aside for maintenance, look at how much you’ve had to spend in the past. For example, gather all your receipts or statements from the previous year that you’ve collected at your auto repair shop. Add them up to find an estimated annual expense. Make sure to include the oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad changes, etc. Step 2: Evaluate Your Vehicle’s Condition  Once you have an annual estim ... read more

How Can a Faulty Exhaust System Be Dangerous?

How Can a Faulty Exhaust System Be Dangerous?

The exhaust system in your vehicle is important for several reasons. First of all, it guides dangerous engine byproducts through a series of pipes to be changed into safer gasses before releasing them out of your tailpipe. The exhaust system protects you and others from breathing in these emissions as well. In severe cases, you may be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. So, when you drive with a problem that exists in your exhaust system, you could potentially put yourself, your car, and others at risk. Since the exhaust system starts at the engine, it can also harm the engine itself. If the byproducts don’t move away from the engine, they can corrode and damage engine parts. Plus, your fuel mileage will suffer. Here are the rest of the symptoms that you may experience with a problematic exhaust system: Loud, engine noises Loss in engine power Lowered fuel efficiency Burning or other unusual smell coming from the engine Check engine light illuminated Al ... read more

What Is That Leak?

What Is That Leak?

A fluid leak in your car, SUV, or truck indicates that there could be a serious problem under the hood. Depending on the fluid, it can even put your safety at risk. If any of your vehicle’s essential fluids leak, you've got a problem that the experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center can fix.   Leaks are bad for your car, but they also have negative environmental impacts. If you want to preserve your car and the leak’s corresponding system, please be sure to repair the issue so that the fluid can run fluidly again.    Your vehicle has many fluids including, motor oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and more. So, how do you tell what is what? Fortunately, all these fluids have different viscosities, colors, and smells. For example, brake fluid is slicker than the other car liquids and has a fishy smell. It is a clear yellow, making it unique from the others.   It is important that you remember and relay these characteristics wh ... read more

Common Power Steering Issues

Common Power Steering Issues

The power steering system is vital to the safety and drivability of today’s car. Even though this system has been around for many decades, they’ve evolved to be smoother and easier to operate. Most are a part of the electrical system instead of being a hydraulic system nowadays. Regardless of what kind of steering system you have, the professional mechanics at Manicinelli’s Auto Repair Center can service both.   Thanks to technology, electronic power steering systems don’t require as much maintenance. However, their repairs tend to be more complex to diagnose and fix. On the other hand, hydraulic power steering systems require more maintenance. To be specific, they require routine fluid checks and fluid exchanges.    Over time, power steering fluid can get dark, dirty, corroded, and overall ineffective. Drivers with this kind of power steering require fresh fluid to seamlessly steer their vehicles.    Below are the top 3 signs that ... read more

Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump in Your Car

Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump in Your Car

A water pump is an essential part of a car's cooling system. If it fails, the engine can overheat and be seriously damaged. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of a failing water pump so that you can get your car fixed before it's too late! What Is A Water Pump & What Does It Do? A water pump is a mechanical device that pumps water from the radiator to the engine and back. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine to keep it from overheating. With a well-working water pump, your car can run smoothly. However, if it starts to fail, you will notice some of the following symptoms: Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump Coolant Leaks One of the first signs of a failing water pump is the existence of a puddle of green or orange liquid under your car. This is coolant that has leaked out of the pump or elsewhere in the cooling system. If you see this, it's essential to take your car to a mechanic immediately, as a leaky water pump can cause this next s ... read more

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