Waldorf Auto Repair

Vehicle history Get as much information as you can from the current owner and then do your own research. Running the VIN (vehicle identification number) through a paid service like CARFAX will tell you if the car has been in an accident, if there are any liens on it, and if there are any recalls on the model. Rust or paint damage Take a walk around the car and keep an eye out for any rusty spots or paint chips. Small, localized rust patches aren't necessarily a deal breaker because they can be fixed fairly easily. If there are places where the metal is totally rusted through, you might want to reconsider the purchase. Frame issues While you're walking around the vehicle, you should also look for problems with the frame. Is the car sitting level on the ground? Is there anything hanging from the undercarriage? Pay close attention to the bumpers and look inside the trunk and hood for n ... read more

Coolant/Antifreeze is a Vital Element in Your Engine's Operation What Coolant Do I Need? When it comes to the coolant you must make sure that you're using the right one. If you use the wrong coolant then over time you'll begin to notice a drop in your car's performance, and can find a significant amount of damage. The most common method to find out is to simply check the coolant and find out what color it is when the vehicle is cold. Most coolant brands will keep their coolants the same color to prevent any confusion. If you're still not sure, check the owners/service manual for coolant specifications. Can I use tap water as coolant? If you choose to use only tap water in your cooling system, this can cause radiator, head gasket and thermostat corrosion damage over time. But before that, you will find that water boils at 100c and freezes at 0c. This works outside the optimal range for engine requirements as some engines will heat up over 100c especially on hot days. When water starts ... read more

If something goes wrong with your car and you don't know much about car repair, then it's time to go to the shop and find out what's wrong. However, lots of people are understandably worried about getting ripped off-some mechanics are pretty good at detecting when a customer doesn't know anything about cars. To avoid this, it's a good idea to narrow down the possibilities of what's going on inside your car. Also, you can take it to J.J.'s in Waldorf, MD for a trustworthy assessment of what's going on with the car. The warning lights on your dashboard are the most obvious starting point. Yet the most common, the Check Engine light, can be utterly confusing because it can cover problems ranging widely in severity. Others, like the engine temperature light, tire pressure light, or oil light are more straightforward to decipher. Regardless of what lights up, never ignore it. Delaying a diagnosis and repair could lead to even bigger problems down the road