Concord Auto Repair

My check engine light is on, what do I do now? My check engine light is on or flashing, red oil light, or others am I in trouble? Do I need to have my car towed; can I make it to where I am going? All these questions will immediately run through your mind, and like a lot of things in life it can depend. Some quick checks and attention to a few things will help.   Does your vehicle drive or perform the same as it did before and the only thing that has changed is the check engine light is on? Then you are most likely safe to get to your destination or bring it in to Accomplished Auto in Concord NH. Do this as soon as possible to prevent further issues such as engine, transmission or catalytic converter damage. Is the vehicle performance suffering and/or is it making unusual noises? Engine ticking, knocking or banging? Oil, coolant leaks, smoke or odors?  Overheating, multiple warning lights on? Th ... read more

As a person slows their car down at a traffic light, one doesn't really give the process of braking a second thought. It's just when you have to apply brakes as you are traveling at speed if, for example, a dog runs out in front of a car or you try to avoid another driver breaking the traffic rules in order to avert an accident. Without brake fluid in the car's engine stopping your vehicle might be near impossible as the brake fluid literally bridges the gap between man and machine. It is a non-compressible substance inside the brake lines and creates a force when the brake pedal is pressed. Of course, brake fluid does not last forever, and if you don't have your brake fluid changed regularly you run the risk of having it draw moisture and damaged parts of your car's engine. It is recommended to check the brake fluid in your car whenever you do an oil change, although brake fluid is good for up to five years. Since brake fluid also ages, it actually has a name for ... read more

If you are hearing about Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for the first time, they are electronic safety systems installed in vehicles to help with driving and parking. ADAS is a vital part of most modern vehicles' safety functions. Besides your safety as the driver, they enhance your passengers' safety and other people you are sharing the road with, including pedestrians. ADAS Features Any car leaving the factory today has at least two or three ADAS features. They include: • Rearview, front, and side cameras • Computer imaging technology • Adaptive cruise control (ACC) • Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) • Autonomous braking system (ABS) • Intelligent speed assist (ISA) Functions of ADAS Systems ADAS systems play four main functions in your car, they include: Alerting you of any potential dangers on the road. Monitoring things like the tire pressure and any blind spots. To adjust settings to adapt to the surrounding environ ... read more

Hydroplaning Basics Did you know there was a term for losing control of your vehicle on a snowy, icy, or wet road? This is called hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when your car tires lose contact with the road and skim or slide across a wet surface instead. Speeding through light rain, snow, or ice can easily cause your vehicle tires to lose traction with the road and the car to "hydroplane." Loss of tire traction can result in unexpected accidents if your vehicle has an issue with steering, braking, or loss of control of the vehicle. According to experts, the first few minutes of wet rainy conditions are the most important. These conditions are more likely to cause hydroplaning than others as water, road debris, lubricants, and oils combine to create a slippery road service. People who are driving over 35 miles an hour under these wet road conditions are more likely to hydroplane than people driving at a reduced rate of speed. How to Prevent Your Car F ... read more

You probably have heard of how awful oil sludge can be for your engine. But what exactly is it, and how can it affect your car? Oil sludge is a thick gel that is formed when the engine oil is oxidized and contaminated. It is comprised of partially burnt fuel, metal fragments, and dirt. Oil sludge is then carried by the oil and you can find it sticking on the various parts of the engine. Why Oil Sludge Builds Up Oil sludge will first appear on top of the engine, inside the oil pan, and on the valve cover. The sludge can then block the siphon, and consequently hinder the circulation of oil within the engine. Sludge usually build-up due to several reasons, but driving in heavy traffic repeatedly is one of the main causes. Frequent driving for short distances and long periods of stop-and-go driving can also accelerate the build-up of oil sludge. How Oil Sludge Can Hurt Your Car As mentioned above, oil sludge usually has the effect of hindering the circulation of oil in your engine. Sin ... read more