Cromwell Auto Repair

Your car battery is responsible for starting your engine and powering critical electrical components when the engine isn’t running. While it might seem like a simple component, a failing battery can leave you stranded at the worst possible time. Knowing when it’s time to replace your battery can save you from unexpected breakdowns and costly towing. Let’s explore the key signs and factors that help you determine when it’s time for a new battery. Typical Battery Lifespan On average, car batteries last between three to five years. However, factors like climate, driving habits, and electrical load can shorten or extend this timeline. Frequent short trips, extreme heat or cold, and heavy use of electronic accessories all put additional stress on your battery. Slow Engine Crank One of the earliest and most noticeable signs of a weakening battery is a slow or labored engine crank when starting the vehicle. If your car takes longe ... read more

When shopping for a used or new vehicle, the test drive is more than just a chance to see if you like how the car feels—it’s an essential part of the evaluation process. A proper test drive can reveal hidden issues, comfort concerns, and subtle warning signs that might otherwise go unnoticed. Rushing through this step or focusing only on style and gadgets can lead to regrets later. Whether you’re buying from a dealership, a private seller, or trading up for something newer, knowing what to look for during a test drive can help you make a smarter investment. Before You Even Start the Engine Before turning the key, take a moment to inspect the car from the outside and inside. Look at the body panels for mismatched paint or inconsistent gaps, which can indicate past collision repairs. Check for dents, rust spots, and worn tires. If one side of the tire tread is more worn than the other, that may point to suspension or alignment issues. Inside the cab ... read more

If you’ve driven both gas and diesel vehicles, you’ve probably noticed a few key differences in how they operate. One question that often comes up is: why don’t diesel engines have spark plugs? Since spark plugs are necessary for starting a gasoline engine, it might seem odd that diesel engines don’t use them at all. To understand why, it helps to look at the fundamental differences in how diesel and gasoline engines create combustion and why diesel engines are designed to do things differently from the very start. The Role of Spark Plugs in Gasoline Engines In a gasoline-powered engine, air and fuel are mixed together in the intake system and then drawn into each cylinder during the intake stroke. Once inside, a spark plug ignites this mixture at precisely the right moment, triggering combustion that pushes the piston down and keeps the engine turning. Without that spark, combustion won’t happen. This is why spark plugs are essential ... read more

It might not seem like a big deal at first—just one loose lug nut. But even one out-of-place fastener can lead to dangerous consequences if ignored. Your lug nuts are what secure the wheels to your vehicle, and when one—or more—come loose, your safety is on the line. Whether it’s due to improper installation, vibration from rough roads, or worn threads, loose lug nuts shouldn’t be brushed off. Here’s what can happen if they’re left unchecked while you’re on the move. The Wheel Can Begin to Wobble At first, you may not feel anything. But as the wheel starts to shift slightly on the hub, it can cause a subtle vibration or wobble, especially at highway speeds. The more the wheel moves, the more the lug holes in the wheel begin to elongate, and the studs can wear down. That wobble may feel like a tire out of balance or a warped brake rotor&mdash ... read more

Filling up at the gas station should be simple—pull up, select your fuel type, and start pumping. But what if you accidentally choose the wrong gas? Whether it’s putting regular in a car that requires premium or mistakenly filling up with diesel, the wrong fuel can lead to anything from mild performance issues to severe engine damage. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what happens when the wrong gas goes into your vehicle, understanding the risks and knowing what to do next can save you from costly repairs. Using Regular Gas in a Car That Requires Premium Many performance and luxury vehicles require premium fuel (usually 91 or 93 octane) because their engines are designed for higher compression ratios. If you accidentally use regular unleaded (87 octane) in one of these cars, it might not cause immediate damage, but it can lead to reduced performance, knocking sounds, and long-term wear on the engine. Modern vehicles have knock sensors that ... read more