Concord Auto Repair

Why Ball Joint Boots Matter—Especially Here in Concord, NH There’s a small part on your vehicle you may not think about but ignoring it could cost you big down the road. Curious what it is? It’s called a ball joint boot. Ball joints are a key part of your suspension system. They let your front wheels move up and down with the road and steer left and right when you turn. The ball joint boot is the flexible cover that protects the ball joint underneath. Why Ball Joint Boots Are So Important Your suspension sits right in the line of fire for everything the streets throw at it. Including rocks, sand, salt, water, and chunks of debris. Here in Concord, NH, our long winters and heavy road salt use are especially tough on rubber parts like ball joint boots. The boot’s job is to: Keep debris out Keep lubrication in Stay flexible under heat and movement This flexibility is important because the ball joint needs grease to keep metal parts moving ... read more

End of NH Vehicle Inspections in 2026: What You Need to Know   Inspections Required Until January 31, 2026 While the law repealing the mandate for state inspection has passed. Remember it does NOT take effect until January 31, 2026. Until then you are still required to have your vehicle inspected for safety and emissions. If your inspection comes due in 2025 or January 2026, you must still pass inspection (and fix any issues if it fails). You also must have a valid sticker installed until the end of January. This means that trying to wait it out or skip the inspections and repairs that are due can open you up to fines and liability. Safety Laws Remain in Effect After Inspections End Many drivers are asking: After January 31st , do any vehicle safety rules still apply? The answer is yes – all of New Hampshire’s equipment and safety laws still apply even when the inspection program ends ... read more

Brake wear is not always obvious from the driver’s seat. Front and rear systems share the work differently depending on speed, load, and the car’s electronics, so knowing which end is wearing first matters. Here is a clear way to distinguish between front and rear wear, understand the most common clues, and know when to schedule service before small problems become bigger ones. How Brakes Share The Work Most cars send more braking force to the front because the weight shifts forward when you slow down. That is why front pads typically wear faster. Rear brakes stabilize the car, keep it straight, and help with parking brake duties. On vehicles with electronic brake distribution, hybrids, or strong stability control, the rear may do more than you expect, so rear pads can wear nearly as fast as fronts. Signs That Point To Front Brake Wear If the steering wheel shudders when you brake from highway speeds, the front end is the first place t ... read more

How a Relative Compression Test Helps Diagnose Engine Problems At Accomplished Auto, we use a test called a relative compression test to help figure out what’s going on when your engine has a misfire or runs rough. This test is fast, safe, and doesn’t require taking anything apart. We hook up a special tool called a lab scope and crank your engine. The tool shows a graph with lines representing each cylinder’s compression (pressure). If one line is lower than the others, that tells us one cylinder might have a problem. We also have other tools for this test as well as some vehicles. Ford for example have tools for this test in OEM capable scan tools as well. This test doesn’t tell us exactly what’s wrong, but it gives us a strong clue. For example, if all cylinders look good, we know the problem isn’t likely caused by low compression. That means we can focus on other possible issues like spark or fuel. But if one cylinder is low, we know to check ... read more

Fuel Pump Diagnostics, Testing & Replacement in Concord, NH Fuel pumps are the unsung heroes of your car’s engine. They quietly send fuel from the tank to keep your vehicle running. When they start to fail, it can leave you stranded or struggling to accelerate. Here we will talk about some of the signs of a weak or failing pump as well as the complexities of today’s modern fuel systems. As well as why proper testing and diagnostics are critical to repairing these systems. Including systems with more than one pump with sophisticated speed and volume control modules. Also, how Accomplished Auto in Concord, NH can help with professional fuel pump testing and high-quality replacement. Finally, we’ll share some tips to extend your fuel pump’s life. Let’s dive in! Signs of a Failing Fuel Pump How do you know if your fuel pump is on its way out? Watch for these warning signs: Difficult Starts: The engine cranks longer than usual or requires multiple attem ... read more