Margate City Auto Repair

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

The Season of Pot holes is upon us! Winter is hard on everyone and everything, yes that means on your roads and cars as well. That is why April is Car care Aware month. Its time to freshen up for the Spring. The biggest threat to your car right now is pot holes and neglect of maintenance. Pot holes meh, am I right? They come back every spring like flowers. They are caused by water seeping into the cracks of the pavement, then freezing and thawing, and then being driven on causes the pavement to weaken and eventually give.  If you lucky your city is on them like white on rice. Either way they are a danger to your car. Alignments, Tires, Hubs, your exhaust, your under carriage and depending on how deep it is anything within its evil grasp. It can cause leaks, dents and compromise the integrity of parts and sometimes clips can come off and parts can start to drag.   Is there any way to avoid them? Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee, that’s because your car can ... read more

Animals that use your car as a nest, hiding space, or refuge from the weather   As I was driving around today on this cold day I had a bird fly out of my windshield wiper area! I hadn’t gotten far and this poor little bird and I were both startled. It got me thinking on how we can prevent those little un-pleasantries for both of our sakes and our cars.   Animals are not thinking about you or your car when they go to find a place to get out of the weather or make a home. They don’t have the ability to reason that this is a car, there’s a person who owns this and it’s going to be a bad time. All they are thinking is that this place is warm and dry. So how can we help each other out?   How to dislodge and deter animals from making your car their shelter: As much as I personally hate being startled, this might be the best and safest way to warn the animals that you’re about to get moving. So give your car ... read more

Winter is coming!   Do you know what it takes to make it easier on you or your car during these cold winter months? The cold is hard on cars. Especially their batteries, wiper blades, tires, paint job, heating system and lights. Make sure to check on them often for your (and others) safety.   We have compiled two lists for you to check to help you!   Things you should have in your care in case of emergencies:   Blankets- Cold leads to hypothermia, and if your car gets stuck or breaks down blankets will help keep you warm. Collapsible Snow Shovel- to dig yourself out Non-Perishable Food – because who doesn’t like a snack? We recommend Protein bars. Water- water= life Spare Change and Cash- You never know when the power will go out Flashlight, Jumper Cables, First Aid kit, Road Flares/ Reflective Warning Triangles and Portable Air pump/flasher- because you should always have them Kitty Litter- cheaper than u ... read more