Margate City Auto Repair

What does Condensation in Headlights mean?What you need to know about condensation in your headlights.   There are multiple types of car headlights, what is true for one may not be true for all. If you are unsure, please ask your mechanic. Below is a guide of generalized advice on what to look for and what are some red flags. First, let us talk about the components of a headlight. There is the headlight housing, which holds the bulb and electrical components. There is also the headlight lens, which protects the housing, bulb, and electrical elements from the weather. Holding the housing and the lens together is typically a silicone sealant. Water usually finds its way into the headlights thru the vents, cracks, and worn rubber seals.  What is ok: Some condensation will occur naturally. Bulbs heat up and to cool them down most headlight housings have vents to prevent them from overheating. The way that headlights are de ... read more

Chevrolet Equinox Windshield - Worn versus New windshield wipers   Windshield Wipers: Being able to see while driving in all conditions is important. Streaking windshield wipers can be dangerous, especially on a dark and rainy night. Like most things, preparedness is best. If you notice that your windshield wipers are leaving streaks, it is important to get them replaced soon. Damaged/worn/ and mis-installed windshield wipers can damage your windshield with scratches. Scratches cause weakness in your windshield. They also obscure your view which is dangerous. Taking care of simple repairs can help cut the time between bigger repairs. If you notice the following replace your windshield wipers soon: Time- Wipers should be replaced every six months to a year. This depends also on your climate and rate of use. Streaks- When cleaning your windshield from rain/dirt/debris/bird droppings you notice streaks Sound- I ... read more

As mechanics, we’ve seen many people mistreat their cars. And it can be quite disheartening because it can all be prevented with proper car care. Sometimes drivers don’t even realize what they’re doing wrong that’s hurting their car.    If you want your vehicle to last you a long time here is a list of things to avoid: Ignoring dashboard warning lights Some dashboard warning lights are more serious than others, you should never wait for them to turn off by themselves. If you need help diagnosing a light, please Bring your car to our auto repair shop for assistance. Overfilling your tires While it is good to top off your tires with air, you have to be careful not to fill them too much. Overinflated tires can cause premature wear. You should always follow the PSI that your automaker recommends. Using household soap to wash your car Household cleaning items have very harsh chemicals in them. They’re usually made to break down grease and grim ... read more

Depending on when you learned how to drive and who taught you, you may have learned different ways to hold the steering wheel. Nowadays, the NHTSA and most driver's ed classes will claim that having your hands in the 9 and 3 positions is correct. Is that correct?  Yes, the proper way to hold the steering wheel is at the 9 & 3 positions. While some people like to hold the bottom of the steering wheel or prefer the 10 and 2 position, it is not ideal. Even if you may have been taught to practice the 10 and 12 many years ago, studies have demonstrated that it is not the safest option. If you improperly hold the steering wheel during airbag deployment, your airbag could push your hands and injure your body. In contrast, the 9 and 3 position has been proven to give drivers optimal maneuverability and the quickest reaction time. For instance, the 9 and 3 allow you to do 180-degree movements in a matter of seconds. Why might my steering wheel be hard to turn? Even if you perfo ... read more

There are various factors that affect your intervals for fluid changes, especially when it comes to fluid changes. To determine if and when your vehicle needs a transmission fluid change or flush, you should do the following steps mentioned below:   First and foremost, you should physically check the fluid. You will need to see if your car model comes with a fluid dipstick designated for the transmission. Some modern cars do not come with this traditional tool. If this is the case for you, you should bring your car to a trusted mechanic, where they can check it using a dipstick or oiling plug.    Next, you should always refer to your owner's manual for recommended intervals for your transmission fluid changes. These checkpoints may also vary depending on how you drive your car (do you carry heavy loads? do you tow? etc.)   Sometimes, manufacturers will not mention transmission fluid maintenance whatsoever. In that case, many vehicle owners will doubt wheth ... read more

Car Batteries and the Cold It is cold outside. Winter is here and it is the time of year that batteries start showing their age. There are multiple reasons as to why your battery is losing charge. Batteries are only expected to last 3-5 years, and that is with a good alternator. There are other factors that can lessen your battery life. Driving Habits Sometimes not taking the scenic route will cost you. If you only drive short trips that can lessen your battery life. Your alternator will not be able to recharge your battery usage. A short trip is considered a half-hour or less. Freezing weather Fully charged batteries will only freeze at around -75 degrees, but if it less than full it can freeze at around 32 degrees. Therefore, when it gets cold outside people often find that their car battery will not start in the morning. Which is frustrating and inconvenient. Idling Idling for prolong times ... read more

While it's always important to make sure your vehicle is fully serviced, it's even more important during the winter months. During the winter, road users deal with wet, cold and icy conditions which can significantly impact safety on the road. Make sure your vehicle is as safe as possible with this maintenance checklist for winter!   Top Up Your Wiper Fluid During the winter, road users have to deal with snow, rain, hail and more! This can have a huge impact on visibility when driving. Make sure you can see as best as possible by having your wiper fluid always topped up. This will help keep your windshield free of salt, mud, snow, ice and more!   Replace Your Vehicle's Wiper Blades Did you know that wiper blades are only good for up to a year? It's true! This is why it's so important to make sure they are replaced before the cold weather hits. There are heavy duty wiper blades designed specifically for winter which k ... read more

Your car's brakes are super essential to your safety and the condition of your vehicle. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, your car is supposed to slow or stop. However, bad brakes can prevent this from happening and lead to serious accidents.    The brake lines are the sections within your braking system that hold and circulate your brake fluid. And air is a major foe to your brakes because it reduces pressure and makes the braking process way less effective. When air escapes into the brake lines, your brake system will suffer consequences.    Here are some symptoms that indicate you have air in your brake lines:  Brake pedal feels spongy and loose when you press down Brakes feel soft and not as effective (longer stopping distance) Brake pedal presses too close to the floor Any of these warning symptoms can mean that there is air in your brake lines, and we recommend taking your vehicle to Sunny Sunoco as soon as possible. Driving with weak ... read more

With the days growing shorter, Margate City, NJ residents will have to rely on their car lights even more. Whenever your lights, especially headlights, start to look fuzzy or act unusual in any way, it could dangerously impact your visibility on the road. Unfortunately, many problems can cause your vehicle's lights to malfunction. The three most common problem areas are your battery, alternator, and wires. Battery  The first electrical component you should consider checking when your lights are corrupted is the battery. Your battery could be aging and need a replacement soon. The best way to tell is by having one of our professionals test it at Sunny Sunoco.  Alternator If your battery passes the test, then the second place you should check is the alternator. A malfunctioning alternator will only affect your vehicle lights when the car is turned on. The alternator is the machine that charges the battery when your vehicle is on, and if it stops working, the battery wil ... read more

These days, pets are welcomed almost everywhere―restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and even movie theaters. Who's to say that you can't take your doggy or kitty on a road trip? Traveling with pets may seem like an extra weight on your shoulder at first, but it can be fun if you prepare for it. You can take specific steps to ensure your furry pal is comfortable and safely make it through the journey!   The Window Problem We've all seen it in movies where the dog basks in the sun with its tongue out and head peeking out the window. The reality is that a dog should not be allowed to hang its head out of the window. You need to consider your pet's overall health and safety. Not only can debris or foreign objects come face-to-face with the dog, but the heavy airflow can hurt the animal's respiratory system. Beware of Airbags Another problem to consider is where to situate your pet. It is recommended that your cat or dog stays in the back seat or storage area ... read more