Northeast Columbia Auto Repair

  There are a multitude of fluids that keep your car running like a top. Still, these five essential fluids are integral to your vehicle's overall health. This list may be debatable, but here is a simple breakdown of five of the most important fluids for your car:   Engine Oil: All vehicles run on some kind of oil, which makes it so necessary for you to get your oil checked regularly, no matter the make or model of your car. Your engine oil lubricates your engine, ensuring that it runs smoothly and avoids overheating. To check your engine oil, go for a quick drive and let your engine cool. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it back in all the way, and pull out. The oil should be past the oil line, and be yellowish and clear in color. If it looks particularly dark or has particles in it, it might be time for an oil change. If not, you can top it off with your recommended oil brand listed in your owner's manual and call it a day!   Radiator Fluid: Ra ... read more

When you think of Mercedes-Benz, you immediately think of luxury. That’s no wonder, as Mercedes-Benz has a reputation all around the world for being a leading luxury car manufacturer. Its name has become synonymous with quality, reliability, and security within the automotive world. But what about the hype is true; why should you own a Mercedes? Read on to find out! There are many reasons to purchase a Mercedes-Benz, and one of the biggest ones is how safe and secure they are. Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz has been a leader in automotive safety. Mercedes-Benz engineers were some of the first to design the pioneering car safety designs that we still see in cars today, like the crumple zone of the 1950s and a new generation of anti-lock braking systems in 1978. Mercedes-Benz is so committed to the safety of its passengers, that it has continued to be a leader in automotive safety systems, ensuring that all its vehicles meet consumer safety standards around the world. A close ... read more

With fuel prices soaring, the owner of the Morris Company, Sir Leonard, requested that his top engineer, Mr. Alec Issigonis, to design a small car capable of carrying four adults, that would be fuel-efficient and priced for the masses. Issigonis designed the Mini with the engine sideways, and engineered the wheels into the far edges of the car, offering more passenger space in the cockpit. In 1959 the first Mini had its public debut. Its queer design had people a bit puzzled, yet soon, they realized that this new Mini was agile and quick, fuel-efficient, fun, fast, and inexpensive to operate. The new Mini symbolized freedom and blurred status lines between the rich, rockstars to hipsters, and race car drivers. The improvements in modern automotive engineering Issigonis provided within the Mini delivers outstanding performance, handling corners like a dream with improved balance and traction to the road. Racing legend John Cooper got his hands on the Mini, improving the car by installi ... read more

Being in and around our cars has become such a critical part of our (and our family’s) lives that it is more important than ever to make sure we are not skipping important steps when it comes to our vehicles. Whether it’s a maintenance step we overlook or downgrading our children’s safety seats too soon, there are some easy ways to help us to remember and to keep everyone safe in the car. Whether your car is on the road or in the garage, it is necessary to always treat it as a potential danger to your child. When not in use, in the driveway or the garage, make sure your emergency brake is engaged. This will help limit the chances of your vehicle rolling away. Locking your vehicle is another simple thing we can do to help keep the little ones safe. Kids like cars, it’s a part of their daily lives, and they’re cool, what’s not to like? So, making sure they can’t get into cars unsupervised is a way to help protect them. Before getting on the road ... read more

  As the football season is quickly approaching, so is the tailgating season! Having a good tailgating kit can not only make it more fun but keep you prepared for anything you may need. Here is our tailgating-kit list: Invest in a good cooler, not only does it make your food stay cooler for longer but they are more sturdy. They may cost quite a bit but instead of having to replace your cooler every few years having a great cooler should last for a long time. Have a few extra containers and bags packed, having plastic bags and containers on hand will help make cleanup easier. If you have any leftover food or grilling utensils after the fun, having these around will make it faster to pack up. Bring a pop-up tent, this is a great way to be ready for any weather problems whether it is raining and you want to stay dry or it’s super sunny and you want the shade. A portable grill is an essential item. One of the most famous things about tailgating is the parking lot barbecue. H ... read more

Many people think that December is the best time of year, but according to the hard numbers, it’s August. This is the time of year when the new models are being introduced and dealerships are making room for the new inventory. Dealers spend a lot of marketing dollars to advertise great incentives at year end, but not in August, and that is why there’s a misconception that December is the best month to buy your new vehicle.    The new models aren’t on the lots yet in August, but the dealerships are making way for when they arrive which is usually in October, sometimes in as early as September. This is also a good time to put in your special requests for those new models if that’s what you’re after. The lowest transaction prices combined with the best incentives is what makes August the best time to buy a new car.    Other recommendations on how to save when buying a new car:    The first two days of any month can save you ... read more

You gathered and cleaned out old gas receipts, thrown out food wrappers, and even vacuumed your car. You went the extra mile and gave your car an extra long and soapy wash. After all that work you think your car is finally ready for summer adventures to start. It’s not! Everything under the hood needs to be prepared for summer.  Cleaning your car is a good start but what about your tires and brakes? When is the last time you got an oil change? It’s best to take your car into your local mechanic before the summer season begins. They will check all your fluids, lights, brakes, and more to ensure that your car is ready for the road. You can do some checks at home, if you see, hear or smell something off then take it into your mechanic.  Your air conditioner will make or break your summer, you want it to be working so it can cool you off during those extremely hot days. Run your AC system for a bit to see if it is blowing cold air and noises. It might need to be cle ... read more

If you have the skills, knowledge, and tools, then you can fix your car yourself. Most of the population lacks proper knowledge to fix their vehicle accurately. Some things you can quickly fix like changing a light bulb. Other issues can be very challenging and complex; you can’t just watch a YouTube video and do it yourself. A majority of problems require a skilled technician to fix the problem. If you are unsure how to fix something don’t try, it could make the problem worse.  There are some minor issues that you could fix yourself and save a few dollars. These issues are generic and don’t involve messing with your car’s engine, wiring, or motor. Some people find it easy to change out their air filters and windshield wipers. All it takes is a quick trip to the automotive store and 5 minutes to replace.  Another fix that you can do at home is a tire replacement. If you have a jack and some patience you can order new tires right to your house and do ... read more

Ah, February! Time to shower the car lovers in your life with gifts from the heart. Whether you are on a tight budget or have money to burn, here are a few Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the car lovers in your life ... read more

Maybe you are diligent about creating your resolutions every year, but what about your car? After all, your car gets you safely to work, school, and shopping, as well taking you on vacations, too! Why not have a few automotive New Year’s resolutions?  Regular Services This could be the year that you stay updated on regular services. Why not start the year with that resolution in mind? Instead of waiting until there’s smoke coming out of your engine or you’re waiting for the towing service on the side of the road, think of how much better you’ll feel if you have regular services!  Preventive Maintenance Preventive maintenance is a lot like regular service. Having your fluids checked regularly is critical to how your vehicle runs. You may need to top off your oil between regular services, or you can bring your car in, and we can do it for you. Make sure all those hoses are tight, and the belts are replaced when they need to be. And don’t forget ... read more