Category: Maintenance

You probably are already familiar with the rules of the road surrounding car crashes when two drivers are involved. When it comes to accidents that only involve one driver, however, things may not be quite as clear. For instance, what do you do if you run into a parked car when driving?

#1 – Stay At The Scene Of The Accident

When something bad like this occurs, your first reaction might be to drive away from the accident. No matter how tempting it is, you should never do that. According to insurance.com, close to 70% of the hit-and-run accidents that occur happen in parking lots. No matter what, you should stay at the scene of the accident. Most parking lots have security cameras, which means that the accident was probably captured on film.

Regardless of how minor the damage seems, you still need to act responsibly and follow the law. The repercussions for hit-and-run accidents can be severe, resulting in the loss of your license, hefty fines, and possibly even criminal charges. Paying a little bit of money for cosmetic repairs is far better than dealing with all of these other issues.

#2 – Find The Person Who Owns The Other Vehicle

The next thing that you should do is try to find the person who owns the other car. Even if it is a minor accident, you should still make an effort to find the owner. If you can’t find them right away, you don’t have to sit around for hours until they return to their vehicle. Instead, you can leave a detailed note. In the note, include the following information:

– A description of what happened
– Your full name
– Your contact information, including your home address and your phone number
– Your insurance information

#3 – Gather Evidence

To protect yourself, it is important to gather as much evidence about the accident as you can. If anyone witnessed the accident, try to get them to give you a signed statement. Make sure you get their contact details, as well. Take photos of your car and the other car, making note of the specific damage that was caused by the collision.

#4 – Contact Your Insurer

The final step is to reach out to your insurance company to let them know about the accident. Even if you don’t want to, it is important to make sure that they are in the loop so that you can get your car repaired as quickly as possible.

When seeking out an auto body shop to fix a vehicle after a hit, call your local Leahy’s Auto to get your car looking like new.

The engine might look like just a single car part, but many different components make up the engine, and they all work out together to ensure energy has been distributed throughout the vehicle.

1. Keep it Clean: There is a lot of work done by the engine for your vehicle. Your car wouldn’t be able to move without the engine, which is why it is important to ensure it is clean of debris, grime, and dust. The filters will start getting blocked over time, insects find their way into the vehicle, and leaves and dirt blow under the hood. Grease covering the engine traps heat, which makes it harder for the engine to cool properly.

2: Spark Plug Service: You should ensure your spark plugs have been periodically cleaned to keep grime and dirt out of the combustion chamber. The mechanic is going to remove the plug lead then start cleaning the space around it, removing the plug, then using a special brush and cleaner to remove any buildup of dirt or dust. This can seem like a simple job, but it will do a lot to improve the performance of the engine.

3: Proper Lubrication: The engine has a lot of moving parts, which makes it important to always have proper lubrication. If not properly lubricated, the friction of these pieces will start rubbing and gridding, which results in a lot of damage. Some damages are irreparable, and you will be forced to spend money replacing these parts before the engine can start functioning properly.

4: Oil Change: This is a simple process. Changing engine oil can make a lot of difference in terms of the performance of your engine and the vehicle in general. The oil starts to become murky, cloudy, and sticky with time, and this makes it hard for the engine to get the best out of the lubrication system. You should have oil regularly checked and changed every 10,000 miles or 6 months if you want it to be in top shape. Have Leahy’s Auto do the check for you. Contact us as a first step to preserving your engine.

When you first buy a new car, the paint has a mirrorlike finish, adding to the beauty of the vehicle. Over time, however, exposure to the elements can take a toll on your paint job, leaving it faded, peeling, and rusty. The outside of your car may even be dented or dinged from rocks, parking lot mishaps, and other minor incidents.

Ideally, you should take steps to prevent this type of damage from occurring. If the paint on your car is already damaged, however, there are some steps that you can take to improve it. If you want your car’s paint job to look as good as possible, try using these three tips:

1. Take Steps To Protect Your Vehicle’s Paint

A lot of times, paint damage can be prevented by taking a few simple steps. Some techniques that you can try include:

– Regularly washing your vehicle. Removing dirt and grime from your vehicle can help keep your paint from getting scratched. Bird droppings are notorious for causing dull areas to appear in your vehicle’s finish. If you notice any droppings on your vehicle, wash them off immediately to minimize the risk of damage.

– Choose the right cleaning products. Although you may be tempted to use dish soap when washing your vehicle, it is almost always a bad idea. Dish soap includes degreasers, which can wind up harming the paint on your car. Instead, purchase cleaning products that are specifically made for use on vehicles.

2. Pay For A Professional Paint Job

Even if you are on a tight budget, you should never try to paint your vehicle on your own. Although you might save a little bit of money doing it yourself, it is almost impossible to get good results with DIY paint jobs.

Although there are many maintenance and repair tasks that you can handle on your own with your vehicle, you should always leave the paint to the professionals. The last thing that you want is to have to pay even more money to repair the damage that you caused when trying to paint your car on your own. The best option is just to take it to a professional to have it painted in the first place, you can call us at Leahy’s Auto to find out how we can assist with your car’s body work.

The Difference In A Dent Vs Ding

Basically, a ding is when the size of damage is under a half of an inch in diameter. Additionally, with a ding, there is no metal exposure or paint chipping on the vehicle. Some possible reasons for getting a ding on your vehicle includes the door of another vehicle hitting it, contact with a rock or shopping cart etc.

In some parts of the country, dings can also be caused due to hail. Unfortunately, when hail falls, it can cause multiple dings to the panels of your vehicle. When there are multiple dings, the cost for repairing them can add up significantly. However, there is a particular process to fix dings due to hail and it is referred to as paintless dent repair.

Next, we will look at dents and this type of damage is more extensive than the damage caused by dings. Dents can be caused by the same situations and items that cause dings, however, dents have a larger diameter. Dents are also more difficult to repair especially when they are due to collisions. With dents, there can be a lot of damage under it which is hidden by the depression of the metal. One example of this is when a dent exposes the metal which leads to rust.

Repair

Dings are usually at the bottom of the list to repair for most car owners. Also, most people ignore dents as well because of the perception that they are only cosmetic. Unfortunately, this is a potentially very costly mistake. If a dent is not fixed, there will be many issues when it comes to selling the vehicle, turning it in at the end of the lease, trading it etc. The majority of leasing companies charge extra for these issues and many dealerships may also not want to take in your vehicle to trade due to these “small” damages.

Leahy’s Auto can fix any dings or dents you may have. Give us a call and let us estimate the damage.

It is important to choose the right mechanic for your preventative maintenance

1. License and Certifications: Many people out there love cars, are passionate about engines and will offer their services to fix your vehicle for a bargain price. But you need to keep in mind that most of them are not certified mechanics. When you let someone who has not been certified to work on your vehicle, it voids the warranty, and can result in even more problems later.

2. Meeting the Staff in Person: It has become very easy to book an appointment online or over the phone. Many people have left their vehicles without having to speak to the company doing the work. You should try going to the garage in person. Talk to the mechanic and explain to them the problems your car has, then see whether the team is genuinely trying to help you with your problem.

3. What Are Others Saying? Before companies started using advertising companies and covering park benches with their business logos, there was word of mouth, one method of advertising that is still effective today. The good thing is the internet has made it very easy for people to see what others are saying about a given business and the quality of products and services they provide.

4. Price Check: When it comes to pricing, there is an industry-standard for the different types of repairs, especially when the insurance is paying for it, but there are services that will differ in pricing from one mechanic to another. You should take your time and have a look at different options before choosing the one you think is the best. You should not make the mistake of choosing the first option you come across. This doesn’t mean going with the cheapest option, but there are times when you can get a reputable auto repair company providing quality services without charging a lot. Our services are very affordable, and we are ready to work with you and ensure your car is in great shape without having to go through a lot of stress. Our goal is making our customers feel satisfied with the services we provide, and this is why we tailor our services to fit the budget and schedule of our clients, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us.

A roadside emergency or auto accident can cause escalated emotions even if you’re typically a calm driver. Even a simple repair like a dead battery or flat tire can become a total catastrophe if it happens somewhere where it’s difficult to get help. Many insurance companies provide around the clock roadside assistance, to help provide help in case you break down. Although this service is conveniently available, a lot of drivers opt out of buying the coverage. Specific insurance coverage is a personal decision, but there are numerous reasons that each individual driver should agree to purchase roadside assistance if it’s offered.

1 – Roadside assistance gives you vital services when needed.

Each roadside assistance program’s unique, but many providers have similar services. This type of service can be quite useful in an emergency, and can include:

Changing or repairing a tire.

Jump starting a dead battery.

Bringing you gas if you’ve run out.

Getting you into your vehicle if your keys are broken or lost.

Towing you out of the snow or a ditch.

2 – You’re covered, not your car

It’s important to check with your provider for the details of your policy, but one of the best benefits of a good roadside assistance program is that it covers you, not just your vehicle. This can help provide you with peace of mind when you’re driving a vehicle that isn’t yours. If you borrow a vehicle from time to time, or if you use a vehicle that isn’t yours, this type of policy can be very helpful. It can cover you if you have issues with a vehicle that you don’t own yourself.

3 – It’s inexpensive

Usually, you can add roadside assistance to the auto insurance policy that you already have for just a few dollars a month. This means that you could pay less than $60/year for around the clock roadside assistance coverage. A single tow might cost you more than what you pay out in a year for complete coverage. The risk of not buying coverage may outweigh the cost you pay upfront.

Leahy’s Auto can help you if you end up needing a service that your insurance doesn’t cover. It’s good to have our number close by to give us a call.

When your car shakes or vibrates when you are on the roads can be annoying and a distraction. But most importantly, it is a sign of an underlying problem that needs fixing. At times, the issue can be minor and easy to correct. In another instance, the problem may be significant.

Many of the glitches that occur in your vehicle will lead to the shaking or vibration. Identifying where the problem is at can be hard for the layperson. In such an instance, the best thing is to take the car to licensed and experienced professionals. The auto technicians will assess the vehicle and fix the underlying issues that are causing the vibration.

1. Tires

Tires are one of the top reasons for the shaking that you may be experiencing when driving. We have found that the problem could be due to unbalanced tires or they are worn out. We always recommend that the tires be the first place to check when your car starts to vibrate when you are on the road.

2. Wheel Alignment

It may not be what you are thinking, but it is worth looking into when you have a car that is shaking. We are not saying that the wheel alignment may be the reason for the vibration. However, it may trigger other issues that may be causing the shaking. For instance, you may find that your tires are worn unevenly. Such uneven wear may be due to wheel misalignment.

3. Brakes

The brakes could also be the cause of the trembling you are experiencing with your vehicle. It is most evident when you apply the brakes that the car starts to shake. Such a thing is a dead giveaway that you need to check the brakes. We mostly will begin with inspecting the brake rotors or discs on which the brake pads lock onto when slowing down the car.

4. Axle

The axle will endure a lot of beating that often goes unaddressed. Everything from hitting the curbs to large potholes, bumps, and even minor accidents; all these things can damage the axle. While the damage may not be apparent, it starts manifesting over time. And one of the indicative things that suggest you have a problem with your axle is when your vehicle begins to vibrate, the issue getting more intense as you speed up.

5. Motor Mounts

They are what holds up the vehicle’s engine. Motor mounts, also called engine mounts, are made of both metal and rubber and affix the engine to the car’s frame. The mounts are also subject to wear, just like other parts of your vehicle. The wear will cause the metal part to weaken, thus offering weak support. Subsequently, the wear will cause the rubber to provide inadequate cushioning for the vibrations the roaring engine generates hence the shaking you are experiencing in your car.

6. Engine

The engine is considered the heart of the vehicle. Given the extensive work it does of generating motion for the car, it is bound to have some issues. The fixes for some of the problems with the engine may also be the reason for the vibration. The most significant sign that the issue is the definite cause the engine is when the shaking is uneven, and occasionally happening at certain times.

If your car is vibrating, take it to your nearest Leahy’s Auto. A call to your local auto repair shop can have you good as new.

Repairing Head Gaskets

Although head gasket repair is technically something that you can do on your own, it is usually best left to the pros. Not only is it quite challenging but it also can wind up costing a lot of money. Making sure that the repairs are done correctly is important, whether you do them yourself or have them done by a professional mechanic. This article outlines some of the key things that you should keep an eye out for.

Fixing Radiators

Radiator repair is a lot more complicated than you might think – especially today since modern-day radiators are no longer made entirely of metal. In the past, fixing a radiator usually involved little more than soldering. Today, however, things are a lot different. Since radiators have undergone some significant changes, you also need to be willing to make changes to the way that you repair them.

Repairing Air Conditioners

People often mistakenly believe that air conditioner repair is something that they can do themselves. After all, they sell refill kits at stores like Walmart. Most of the time, however, problems with your air conditioner should be handled by a qualified professional. Taking your car to a mechanic that has the right equipment can make a big difference in the quality of the repairs. This article takes a closer look at why a professional repair is so important when it comes to air conditioners.

Fixing Airbags

Although you probably can fix your airbags on your own, you should consider having a professional do it instead. Any errors that are made during the repair process can interfere with the function of the airbags. There are also a lot of problems that can occur while making repairs. If you decide to go through with it, check out some of these suggestions on how to stay safe while working on your airbags.

Additional Repairs That Usually Require A Professional

– Replacing the axles

– Adjusting the alignment

– Making any major repairs to the engine

– Replacing the wheel bearings

Thanks to the Internet, it is now possible to get advice directly from a qualified mechanic. If you want an expert to answer your question. After paying a relatively inexpensive fee, you can ask a question and have it answered by a professional mechanic.

When it comes to the cost of repairs, there are certain situations where you may wind up saving money by having them done by a professional. For instance, if you want to change the wheel bearings in some types of cars, you have to invest in costly tools.

For a mechanic who already has a shop press, however, this is a relatively simple task that can be completed quickly.

Anytime you are struggling with an issue related to your vehicle, the best course of action is usually to take it to a mechanic. At the shop, a trained technician can determine what the problem is. This is usually a far better option than trying to find the problem on your own. If you misdiagnose what is going on, you could wind up wasting a lot of money and time on unnecessary repairs. You don’t have to worry about that when you take your vehicle to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.