County Line Auto Repair

All motor vehicles use various fluids to maintain their mechanical systems. These fluids need regular changing to keep the engine and other parts in good working order. Unfortunately, many car owners don't bother checking the state of these fluids until something goes wrong. It results in the vehicle breaking down, which means expensive mechanical repair bills.   These are issues resolved with a bit of diligence. Every driver should know about the fluids vehicles use and how often they need changing. This way, they can avoid the inconveniences of unnecessary breakdowns and mechanical issues.   Fuel System Flushing Most mechanics recommend flushing the fuel system every 35,000 miles. It's an intensive process requiring specialized tools and skilled technicians working from a well-stocked auto repair shop. Brake Fluid Flushing Most vehicles will never require their brake fluid to get flushed. But sometimes moisture may seep into the brake fluid, or it may overhea ... read more

Besides our car's overall performance, vehicle owners all want to save as much money as possible at the gas pumps. If you think about it, there has to be a balance of both. When it comes to fuel economy, two factors come into play: the health of your vehicle and your personal driving habits. Here are ten different mechanical reasons why you may be getting poor gas mileage! Inadequate Tire Pressure - If your tires are underinflated (or overinflated), you will notice uneven tire wear. This can cause a reduction in fuel economy. Dirty Air Filter - If your air filter is clogged and dirty, the engine won't get enough pure air needed to burn the fuel efficiently. Faulty Oxygen Sensors - Speaking of clean air, most automobiles have various oxygen sensors to measure the air intake and emissions output. If it becomes defective, it can negatively impact your mpg. Old Spark Plugs - Your spark plugs provide a smooth combustion process in your engine. If they are misfiring at the wrong ... read more

Regardless of a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle, they all have a muffler of some sort. It's because they are necessary for your exhaust system. Without a functional one, you'd constantly have to deal with annoying problems. Here are some of the warning signs that may indicate you need muffler repair: Loud Noises If your vehicle is a lot louder than average while idling (or even driving), it's a huge sign that you've got muffler issues. You can test this by asking another person to start your car while you listen from the back. If you hear rattling, roars, or other louder-than-normal sounds, you have a damaged muffler. Extra Exhaust Smoke Excessive exhaust smoke could symbolize the need for a new muffler. If any thick or odd-colored clouds of smoke erupt from your car, then you should definitely have it checked out by a professional. Bad Odor Sometimes using your ears and eyes isn't enough to determine whether or not your vehicle requires muffler repair. P ... read more

If your car's spark plugs aren't in working order, then you can say bye-bye to the chance of getting where you need to be. These little metallic components screw into each engine cylinder to enable the spark necessary to start your car. In other words, spark plugs start the electrical ignition of fuel and air your vehicle's engine. Due to usage, engine debris, extreme surrounding pressures, and other mishaps, they may deteriorate at differing degrees. To ensure that your vehicle is safe, functional, and economical, you should watch out for the following signs of failing spark plugs   Engine Misfires - If you're experiencing misfires, the culprit is probably the electrodes of your spark plugs. They may have worn down to the point where they cannot ignite the fuel and air mixture at all in the car's combustion chamber. Poor Acceleration - If you're experiencing sluggish acceleration, especially at moderate speeds, then your ignition could have probably wea ... read more

A TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System, is an electronic system employed in most modern vehicles to monitor the air pressure inside your tires. This system is vital in ensuring the safety and maintenance of tires. In fact, Congress implemented the TREAD Act in 2000 to ensure that all vehicles made in 2006 and after that are equipped with TPMS.    How Does TPMS Operate? There are two main types of systems used in vehicles today: Direct TPMS and Indirect TPMS Direct TPMS - This type uses sensors within each tire that monitor specific pressure levels, not from the anti-lock brake system. When air pressure falls 25% under the manufacturer's recommended level, the sensor transmits the data to your vehicle's computer system and triggers your dashboard TPMS light to come on. Indirect TPMS - This type of system works with your vehicle's Anti Lock Braking System's (ABS) wheel speed sensors. If a tire's pressure is down, it will roll at a different wheel sp ... read more

Keeping your engine cool is necessary to maintain your car's performance. If it gets too hot, you could end up with a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road. As a responsible car owner, you should do your absolute best to keep your engine at a perfect operating temperature by regularly monitoring its coolant levels.    You might hear people interchange the terms "antifreeze" and "coolant," but the trust is they are NOT the same thing. They may sometimes be interchangeable in a casual setting, but they are not identical to a mechanic. To avoid future confusion, the next time you take your vehicle to the auto shop, we will set the record straight with the difference between the two.   Antifreeze vs. Coolant Antifreeze is a thick, concentrated solution composed of ethylene glycol and silica. The chemical ingredients in antifreeze help the temperature of your engine.   The liquid that your mechanic will put into your car is coolant. You ... read more

The summer season is a time for many of us to hit the roads and get out of town. Whether to see loved ones from far away or to get a break at the beach, we greatly depend on our vehicles for the summer. Most of us dread the long car rides. A crowded car can be super boring or even stressful, but it doesn't have to be either this time around. We are suggesting a family sing-along to keep you and the kids entertained.    The first thing you need is to be able to connect your music to your vehicle's audio system. Most cars nowadays have Bluetooth capabilities, but you can connect your phone with an AUX cable if yours doesn't.     The next thing you will need is music (obviously). You can be old-school and use the radio or even CDs if available to you, but we highly suggest that you stream the music through your phone. Most of us are already paying monthly through streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, anyway. With ... read more

Every vehicle has multiple parts without which it cannot properly operate. One of the most important parts is a car battery. The vehicle battery is responsible for providing the electricity required by certain car components to make them work. It also delivers voltage to the starter, therefore, if your car battery is dead, your car will not start! Unfortunately, car batteries do not last forever. If you want your car to be as reliable as possible, it is best to change out the battery before it is completely dead, otherwise, you may encounter plenty of embarrassing times when your car refuses to start. A good rule of thumb is to replace your car battery every 3 years. If you are lucky enough to always drive in ideal driving conditions, such as in a place that does not experience extreme temperature conditions or excessive humidity levels, your car battery can last up to 6 years. However, beware that if you wait 5 years or more, by this time the battery usually becomes highly unreliabl ... read more

When driving through rough roads, a pothole, or a bump, the struts and shocks cushion you from any shocks. Even though they are used interchangeably, shocks and struts are entirely different parts that are crucial to the stability and safety of your vehicle. What are shocks? Often referred to as shock absorbers, shocks are the main component of the suspension system. They absorb and control the impact of the movement of the vehicle's suspension and springs. Shocks ensure the tires are always in contact with the surface of the road. In the absence of shocks, the wheels of a car will vibrate and bounce off the road's surface erratically. The main components of a shock absorber include a coil, a piston, and hydraulic fluid. When your car hits a pothole, the shocks start a compression cycle. The piston presses into the hydraulic fluid that serves as a conduit to slow down the coil and relax back in place. This makes the ride feel less bumpy. There are three types of shocks; mono ... read more

What Vehicle Parts Can Potholes Damage? Potholes are very common especially during the wet season. They pop up at any point on the road and are sometimes inevitable to hit. This means that you will hit a pothole or two at one point or the other while driving. Unfortunately, these depressions may damage various parts underneath the vehicle, especially if you hit them at high speeds. Here are some of the car parts that potholes can damage. Tires Tires take in most damage from potholes. Note that potholes have hard, sharp edges that puncture the tire as the vehicle hits one. They may snap the threads that hold the tire together or slice the sides of the rubber. Unfortunately, when a tire gets a sideway bubble or a separated thread, you must replace it. Rims When potholes are particularly deep and huge, they can break twist rims from their strong impact. Vehicle rims are not designed to handle impact force from hard angles in potholes ... read more