Auburn Auto Repair

If you want to know how to measure tire tread wear and depth in the easiest way possible, you are in the right place. Below, we'll give you three easy ways of checking tire tread and a couple of reasons why it's important. Tread Wear Indicator On Tire Almost all tires have a wear indicator molded into them, which can be used to quickly identify their condition. They are located at the end of the tire prints. When a tire is fresh, there is a visible difference between the indicator and the treads. But if both are flush, it means the tire should be changed.  Penny Test Another way of measuring the wear is by using coins. First, we will take a look at how it's done by using a penny. Insert the penny in the groove with Lincoln's head first and toward you. If his head is covered, that's good news because there is enough space for the coin to go in. But if you can see more than 90%, you are due for tire replacement. Quarter Test The other way to test this is by ... read more

The truth is that many drivers don't appreciate their vehicles enough. Most people rely on it every day as their reliable mode of transportation. But when the time comes for maintenance, we procrastinate to take care of it. To make sure your vehicle stays dependable, we urge you to show your car, SUV, or truck some love. Clean and refresh your vehicle for Valentine's Day! Wash and clean your car Just because it is cold outside doesn't mean you have a free pass for skipping your car washes. In fact, it's more important now to wash your car. With snow and road salt covering your vehicle, it can accelerate the wear and tear on your vehicle. You can go as far as having it detailed to make sure it is clean, inside and out.  Monitor your tire pressure  Tire pressure changes all the time, especially with changes in temperature. We recommend checking and adjust your psi as often on a monthly to weekly basis. You can find the rec ... read more

Batteries are necessary and important in a car. But, they are also very delicate, and therefore you must pay a lot of attention with them. Batteries of the cars tend to fail when exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures. Batteries can stop working at any moment, creating difficulties for the driver. What to do in that case? There are things you need to take into consideration. Next, I will give you explanations of what cold and heat temperatures can cause in batteries: • In Extreme Cold In times of extreme cold, lead acid batteries can reduce their capacity by 20 percent. But if the temperature drops to -22 degrees Fahrenheit, the duration is even shorter. Duration capacity is reduced to 5 percent. This percentage is based on relatively new or very new batteries. Now that, if the car battery is very old, that can be reduced even more. • In Extreme Heat Just as cold can be bad for batteries, so can extremely heat. Battery life can be reduced to 50 percent above 92 d ... read more

With November coming to a close, that means that Winter is soon here in Auburn, MA. In other words, that means saying hello to snow, ice, and many other road hazards. If you have concerns about your tires, you can find all the answers and solutions at Fuller Automotive. We can have your vehicle equipped with the right tires so that you can drive with confidence (snow or no snow). Many of our customers ask us whether they need winter/snow tires in Auburn. If you see yourself driving a lot this winter, the answer is YES. Winter tires are designed to be flexible to maximize traction. They are also made with durable materials that are intended to work best in temperatures below freezing. They also have tread patterns that are deep and great at funneling out snow. When you opt to keep your all-season tires on, you might notice a loss in tire traction as your tires get stiffer in the cold. When this occurs, it can wear down your tires quicker than normal. All in all, winter tires are grea ... read more

If you're lucky enough to enjoy the occasional maple donut (or, let's be honest, if you're like me and love them), then you know that there's nothing quite like the smell of fresh maple syrup. But you may not know that this sweet scent can be a warning sign for your car. If you notice a maple syrup-like smell coming from your car, it's most likely due to a coolant leak. Coolant is an important part of your car's engine and helps keep it running at the right temperature. When there's a leak, the coolant can mix with other fluids and produce a sweet scent. While a small leak might not seem like a big deal, getting it fixed as soon as possible is important. If left unrepaired, a coolant leak can lead to serious engine damage. If your car smells like maple syrup, this is a sign that the coolant is leaking. Other Smells to Watch Out If you notice an unusual smell coming from your car, it's important to take action immediately. The source of the smell could ... read more

The difference between brake pads and brake shoes is an important one. They both serve similar functions, but their structures and locations are distinct. What Are Brake Pads? Cars have either disc brake or drum brake systems. Brake pads belong to a disc brake system. What this means is that they get squeezed together against a rotor disc, generating enough friction to stop the car. They get squeezed together by what's called a caliper. Brake calipers are the intermediary devices that slow the car's wheels, therefore generating the proper amount of friction. Which Types of Cars Have Brake Pads? Brake pads are the go-to mechanism for front-wheel cars, though are becoming less common as modern cars emerge on the market. What Are Brake Shoes? Brake shoes are part of a fundamentally different car anatomy system, called a drum brake system. The shoes are altogether more efficient, shaped like crescents with material on each side that is designed to generate the proper amount o ... read more

Tires require regular maintenance more than any other car component. Because they are the only part that touches the road, they need to be monitored for correct pressure, even wear, and tread depth. And eventually, there will come a day when you need to replace them.   Tire replacements can be costly, which is why drivers do everything they can to get as much wear out of their tires as possible. However, you should not cheap out on neglecting to replace your tires. Your safety ultimately comes first, and your tires need to be in good condition to do so. Read on to learn more about things to check to tell if you need new tires. Tread Depth - The most important indicator that it is time to change your tires is low tread depth. The grooves on your tires dictate how well they are able to grip and hug the road. When they wear down significantly, it is easy for your tires to slip and slide. Therefore, you should change your tires when they approach 2/32 of an inch. You can also do th ... read more

A car's alternator is one of the most underrated devices in the vehicle because the battery takes most of its credit. Most people imagine that because the car's battery helps ignite the vehicle, it is one of the most crucial elements of the car's electric system. However, they couldn't be further from the truth because an alternator immensely powers all the vehicle's electrical system apart from charging the car battery while you drive. There is, therefore, danger in driving a vehicle with a faulty alternator because it will leave you stranded over a flat battery or dim your lights while you drive at night. If you are unsure about the state of your car's alternator, the following are telltale signs of a faulty alternator: Weak battery. The primary role of an alternator is to recharge the car's battery while driving. It converts mechanical energy from the engine's rotating pulleys into electrical energy that charges the battery. A faulty alternator woul ... read more

If you are a fan of summer road trips or simply enjoy getting sun-drenched in the summer, you may consider putting your car first. Proper car maintenance ahead of the summer's high temperatures and surprise rain showers is necessary to ensure your car is safe on the road. Follow these tips to avoid any unnecessary breakdowns this summer: Monitor Tire Pressure When exposed to high levels of heat, vehicle tires can expand. To prevent wear and tear on your tires, it is important that you make adjustments to your tires. You should follow your automaker’s recommendations. Top Off On Fluids Your car runs with various fluids, including the power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and coolant. Make sure these are topped off, clean, and not leaking. Changing your Oil and Oil Filter Additionally, regularly inspecting your engine's oil level is a good idea since your engine will be running hot. If it has been a while since your last oil service, we rec ... read more

Nothing makes a road trip fly by faster and more fun than a sing-along session. Whether you are jamming out to tunes on your own or with the entire car, it's an indescribable feeling. Below are some of our favorites: All-Time Favorites “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver “Little Red Corvette” by Prince “Take It Easy” by the Eagles “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd  "Enter Sandman" by Metallica 90s Favorites "Wannabe" by Spice Girls "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child "No Scrubs" by TLC "California Love" by Tupac "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin " … Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears Modern Hits “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus “Levitating” by ... read more