Cromwell Auto Repair

As you may know, the winter months are the most challenging months for drivers on the road. It takes the most toll on vehicles, regardless of driving a sedan, SUV, or truck. Your automobile may endure salt damages, low tire pressures, frozen fluid lines, and slick tires. Today, we will go over some essential car care tips that will make your vehicle survive through the brutal winter. Tip #1: Consider getting winter tires.  Winter tires are highly recommended for those who live in icy or snowy areas. They have more profound rugged tread patterns that help provide better traction when turning or stopping on cold surfaces. If your lifestyle requires you to be on the road, even in deep snow, you should definitely invest in good winter tires. Tip #2: Check tire pressure often. During the colder months, your tire can wear down a lot quicker due to low pressure. Before hitting the roads, check and refill your underinflated tires. Tip #3: Monitor fluid levels. Your essential fluids ... read more

Now that it's November, it's technically appropriate to start decorating for Christmas, right? If you're planning to do some road travel for the holidays or spend a lot of time driving in general, you should think about decking out your car for the holidays. Holiday car decor doesn't have to be elaborate, as long as it helps you get into the festive spirit! We've put together a list of cute ways to accessorize your car for the holidays! Rudolph nose and antlers This one's a classic, and you've probably seen them on the road before. There are plenty of auto shops and superstores (including Amazon) that sell car antlers this time of year. If you can't find Rudolph's nose for the front of your car, you can look for an extra-large red pom-pom or puff at a local crafts store.  Window decals Window decals are made to apply and remove from your auto glass. They are super easy, mess-free, and worry-free. It's an excellent option for those who do ... read more

If you didn't know already, tire tread naturally wears down with use. But what happens when your tires wear down too much? Well - they are considered bald. Bald may mean no hair for humans, but it means there is little to no tread left when it comes to tires. What technically qualifies as a bald tire? Any tire with at least one ridge whose depth reaches 2/32 of an inch or less is deemed bald. Once your tires get to this state, you need to change your tires ASAP. What Does It Look Like? It's not difficult to spot a bald tire. But if you have to, you can check the depth of tire tread with a tread depth gauge. If you don't have one, don't worry; you can use a penny. All you have to do is hold the coin upside down on the groove. If you can still observe all of Abraham Lincoln's head, you have a bald tire.   In all honesty, you should replace your tires before they wear down to 2/32nds of an inch — more so around 4/32nds of an inch, to be safe. How Do ... read more

Basic automotive care goes a long way toward improving the safety and reliability of a vehicle. Whether you choose to do it yourself or visit a trusted and certified technician, we recommend taking care of these ten essential maintenance steps to help make sure your car, SUV, or truck is operating at its best before winter comes. Fall Car Care Month in October is the best of the best times to give your vehicle some extra love and attention before the harsh winter weather sets in. Taking a little bit of time for car care now can help you avoid the headaches and a pain in your wallet later on. Here are our top 10 items that should be inspected for fall car care month: Check all of your essential fluids. Your vehicle lives off of major fluids including engine oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze/coolant. Make sure these are topped off to save you time later. Check all hoses and belts (timing, serpentine, etc.) to make sure they are not cracke ... read more

Spark plugs have an essential purpose by providing the necessary spark to enable the combustion process. Without the spark plugs, your car's engine cannot transform the fuel into usable mechanical energy. Not only is it a vital piece, but they are constantly in use while you drive. Specifically, spark plugs fire at a rate of about 1,500 per minute of driving. If any sparks are old or failing, you'll often encounter a glitch or stumble in the engine's output. With such an important task, you should replace worn-out spark plugs as soon as you notice the symptoms of wear. Other than a sputtering engine, what other signs indicate you need a spark plug replacement?   Signs That Your Spark Plugs Need a Replacement Troubles starting engine Knocking sounds Engine misfires Rough idling Lowered fuel economy Difficulty accelerating It's critical to replace spark plugs as soon as they are old or worn out. If you neglect to do so, you can cause severe damage to other pa ... read more