Northeast Columbia Auto Repair

Is there anything more heartwarming than seeing holiday lights? Kids, in particular, really love to see the lights, and will hang out the windows if you’re in the car.  It’s nice to bring along some snacks and warm beverages for the kids, so they don’t get hungry or thirsty, too. A thermos of hot chocolate and some holiday goodies go right along with seeing holiday lights.  Lights Before Christmas at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden This long-running event includes over one million twinkling lights, nightly visits with Santa, hot cocoa, s’mores, festive foods, animated animals and a parade, and much more! It takes place from November 17 - December 30, from 5:00 through 9:00 PM. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, SC.  Holiday Parade of Lights - West Columbia, Saturday, December 8  The Greater Cayce - West Columbia Holiday Parade of Lights looks to be a fun and friendly event for the whole family. This nighttime parade starts at 5:30 PM in f ... read more

There are so many high-energy snacks (and snacks in general) these days. When you walk into the grocery store, you’re bombarded with an entire aisle or more. So how do you choose? One thing you can do is look at the protein content. As the gas in your car, protein keeps your engine going.  Nuts for Snacking Do you have a favorite kind of nut? We love almonds. Now, you can get your nut fix by eating peanut butter, trail mix, a high-energy bar, or plain. Not only that, but almonds come in a variety of flavors and styles. There are raw, roasted, spicy, and plain almonds. We like ‘em a little spicy, so we always opt for those. But if you like sweetness, you might like cinnamon-roasted almonds.  Energy Bars Luckily, you can see how much protein, sugar, and fat an energy bar has in it just by looking at the packaging. Our favorites are Clif bars and Larabars! Both are made with few ingredients, and it’s easy to avoid soy, dair ... read more

You can probably get a lot of great advice about what to do after your car overheats, but how about preventing your car from overheating instead? Like any other type of maintenance, there are a few things you can do to keep your car from losing its cool.  Check All the Hoses Touch the hoses that you can see (make sure the engine is cool when you do this). If any of the hoses seem cracked, brittle or inflexible, you’ll want to replace those. Wiggle the tubes a bit, and make sure that they’re tight. You don’t want to see any leaks, either. Of course, we’re happy to replace any hoses for you.  Fluids Check your coolant level and make sure it’s topped off. You shouldn’t have to remove the cap to do this--just check that the fluid is to the full line on the side of the coolant reservoir. If you need to add coolant, add the proper coolant, which should be found in your owner’s manual. By the way, many o ... read more

If you're a car show enthusiast who lives near or around Columbia, South Carolina, several events are coming up that will pique your interest: Summer Car and Bike Show Event Dates: June 30, 2018 - June 30, 2018 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Advance Auto Parts (parking lot) 9031B Farrow Road. 29203 This is what summertime fun is all about! All cars and bikes of any year, make, or model are invited. There will be music, food, drinks, and vendors. The good news is it's also free! The Summer Car and Bike Show are from 11:00 pm - 2: 00 pm. Old Car Drop in at Fuddruckers Event Dates: September 15, 2018 - September 15, 2018 (Rain Date September 22, 2018.) Location: 1801 Bush River Rd, Columbia, Columbia, South Carolina The Columbia Classic Chevy Club at Fuddruckers hosts the Old Car Drop in. Trophies go to the Top 25 winners, and there is a Ladies Choice and Manager's Choice. There’s also prizes and a 50/25/25 drawing. The music theme this year ... read more

Remember the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Well, it’s never truer than it is when applied to auto maintenance. When you buy a new car, it comes with a set of recommendations for regularly scheduled maintenance that the manufacturer believes will keep the vehicle performing at its optimum level. As it ages, it’s just as important—if not more so—to keep up a routine of preventative maintenance. Doing so can identify and catch small problems before they become big ones. Here are some tips on what you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle. Oil Regular oil and oil filter changes are probably the number one way to keep your engine purring along happily. Not only does doing so purge contaminants that can cause wear and tear, but it also ensures that a mechanic will be looking over the motor on a regular basis and can spot any potential problems.   Tires If your car’s ... read more

According to World’s Top Exports (www.worldstopexports.com, an independent education and research website, the United States imported $173.3 billion in automobiles in 2016. The top 10 countries that sent cars to the US, with the total dollar amount and percentage change from 2015 were: 1.   Canada: $45.9 billion (up 0.5%) 2.   Japan: $40 billion (up 3.1%) 3.   Mexico: $24.1 billion (up 35.5%) 4.   Germany: $22.3 billion (down -6.4%) 5.   South Korea: $16.4 billion (up 49.9%) 6.   United Kingdom: $8.9 billion (up 95.3%) 7.   Italy: $4.2 billion (up 320.1%) 8.   Sweden: $1.8 billion (up 123.2%) 9.   Slovakia: $1.6 billion (up 79.6%) 10. South Africa: $1.5 billion (down -20.5%) Sitting solidly at number four, German imports enjoy a large following among American automotive enthusiasts. That country’s flagship makes -- which are BMW ... read more

Here in South Carolina, we don’t typically experience the harsh winter weather conditions our neighbors to the north endure. But with the fewer daylight hours, it seems like there isn’t enough time in the day to do a lot of the stuff we seem to be able to accomplish in the summer. And one of those chores that often gets neglected is cleaning our cars. Now that spring is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about those summer road trips to the beach and other destinations. We all strive for that “beach body” to parade around the sand, but what our car looks like in the parking lot is just as important. It doesn’t take much to bring your vehicle back to looking like it just rolled off the showroom lot. If you’re on a budget, just spending a few hours with a bucket, hose, a sponge, and a chamois can make your pride and joy sparkle again. This is also a good time to apply a nice coat of wax, possibly one with UV protection to keep the paint from ... read more

Looking for something perhaps a little different to do this Valentine’s Day? Sure, flowers, chocolates, and cards are nice, but how about giving your love an experience instead? Here are a few suggestions: Valentine's Cinema: Sabrina Once again, Midlands Technical College presents its annual screening of this 1954 Billy Wilder classic. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and William Holden as two very different brothers who fall for the same woman, played by Audrey Hepburn. It’s a mix of comedy, drama, and romance featuring stellar performances from three of the biggest box office draws the time in an interesting and amusing love triangle. The fun begins at 7 pm in the theater lobby for dessert, champagne, and dancing before the film. Tickets are $17; Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College Street, Irmo, SC 29063. Click here for ticket information. Yoga and Beer at Conquest Brewery Honestly, what says &ldq ... read more

Brown Motor Works wishes you and yours a very Happy New Year. The holidays have come and gone, so it’s back to the grind. We’ve made several 2018 New Year resolutions to improve our daily routines, even if that means giving up some of our favorite bad habits. This year, why not take those New Year resolutions a step further? We invite you to include your vehicle in your pursuit of good habits. To help you take better care of your vehicle, here are some ideas for you and your car: Set service appointments in advance Call Browns Motor Works and schedule your maintenance for the year. Think of it like dental checkups. Most of us go twice a year, and our appointments are scheduled way in advance, so we don’t have to worry about keeping up. Keep your car cleaner this year. Resolve to keep your car clean on the inside and out, including fluids and filters. Start a vehicle savings account. Set aside a percentage each month to deposit int ... read more

It’s winter, and that means a change in road conditions. Are you and your vehicle ready? Brown Motor Works in Columbia, SC, offers this cold weather vehicle safety checklist: Tire Tread: Be sure you have the proper tires for the weather and be sure they’re correctly inflated. If you live in higher elevations, you may want to consider installing snow tires. Belts and Hoses: Harsh weather, coupled with normal wear and tear, can make belts and hose brittle causing them to crack and break. Be sure their flexible and are not leaking. Oil and other Fluids: Your Vehicle is full of fluid. These fluids include engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, steering fluid, windshield wiper fluid and others that may need to be refilled or replaced to keep you up and running. For example, engines need different weights of motor oil in the winter. Be sure to have yours professionally checked to protect your engine from the cold. Brakes: Be sure your brake pads and roto ... read more