Belts and hoses are some of the most overlooked parts of your engine, but they are essential to the engine doing its job properly. Belts and hoses are typically checked every time your car goes in for a tune-up (every 30,000 miles), but checking them is easy and can save you a lot of hassle. In fact, nearly a third of all cars and light trucks have belts or hoses that should be replaced, according to a recent survey.
Hoses in your engine are designed to keep the engine cool. This is a pretty important job, but as hoses get older, they can leak or deteriorate. A faulty hose is a very easy (and inexpensive) fix, and if it is left alone, it can result in much more serious and expensive repairs to the engine.
Belts do a lot of different jobs within the engine. As with hoses, belts start to deteriorate over time (especially with cold temperatures) and can fray or even snap. If a belt snaps while you are out on the road, the only way to get the car moving again is a tow truck. Avoid the problem altogether and simply have your belts checked regularly and replaced as necessary.
It’s been another great winter here at Tommy’s Automotive, though we must say, we’re excited about spring.
In March, we met a new friend, Utah, who was adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA. He has already become an indispensable part of our team. In December, we got to do burnouts in an old rusty truck!
We saw no shortage of cool cars in the shop this winter, including a GT R33, a 1957 Hudson Hornet, and Jesse’s BMW E60.
As part of our job search promotion (we’re hiring!), Peyton shook one of her toys in a manic frenzy to show her excitement.
By Tom Reisch|Posted in Photo Galleries, Tommy's News|Comments Off on Winter 2019 Instagram Roundup, and Tommy’s is Hiring!
Tommy’s Automotive will be closed Monday and Tuesday the 24th and 25th for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then Monday and Tuesday the 31st and the 1st for New Years Eve and New Years Day. All other hours are normal.
Happy Holidays from Tommy’s Automotive!
By Tom Reisch|Posted in About Tommy's|Comments Off on Tommy’s Automotive Holiday Hours
We’ve enjoyed every minute of our spring here at Tommy’s Automotive, and we’re excited that summer is finally here! In case you missed it, we’ve compiled a round-up of everything we posted on Instagram.
We fixed up an old 48 trailer that’s ready to do work on the farm. Plus, we found a hidden message while changing a customer’s oil and spotted some flamingos that looked a little lost and very chilly.
By Tom Reisch|Posted in Photo Galleries|Comments Off on Spring Instagram Summary
It’s a difficult time to be a tire. Our neighborhoods are all becoming 1 giant pothole, and it’s difficult to avoid them. All of this is quite annoying, and if that weren’t enough, it also affects your car.
Changing winter temperatures aren’t just a pain for you. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure, so be sure to keep your eye on the PSI. Luckily, warmer weather will soon be here (knock on wood). So go ahead and take the time to give your tires some extra TLC.
Rotate Your Tires
Not sure if it’s time to rotate your tires? Many people like to have their tires rotated when getting an oil change. Generally, they should be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. At around 40,000 miles it’s time to think about tire replacement, which is where our fancy machinery can help.
Potholes, Potholes Everywhere
We’ve all been seeing it. Those gosh darn potholes are literally everywhere, and there’s nothing we can do about it. To avoid any tire damage, be sure to slow down on roads that aren’t well paved. Sure fixing a tire problem is one thing, but running over a deep pothole can actually bring up a host of other problems, including:
While some people have received money towards repairs from filing insurance claims, it can often cause more of a problem, further increasing insurance rates. Learn more in this Philly.com article.
If you think your tires need a little extra winter TLC, stop by Tommy’s and we can make sure your car hasn’t been damaged by excess pothole driving.
We’re revving up for the new year here at Tommy’s, and we thought we’d bid the year adieu with an Instagram roundup of our autumn and winter thus far, picking up where our summer roundup left off.
Check out the photos below to get a feel for what we’ve been up to:
By Tom Reisch|Posted in Photo Galleries|Comments Off on Winter Instagram Roundup
Now that summer is coming to a close, we’re taking this chance to get you up to speed on what’s been going on around here.
A lot went on this summer. We finished installing our custom service counter, celebrated the 4th, and got the chance to work on some cool cars. The sun was bright, but thankfully, Marge always set a good example by shielding her vision with protective eye-wear.
To see what else we’ve been up to this season, browse the gallery.
By Tom Reisch|Posted in Photo Galleries|Comments Off on Summer Instagram Roundup
Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, more Americans are on the road and are likely to drink beyond their limits. This is a recipe for dangerous driving. In order to reduce the risk of accidents this New Year’s, follow our tips for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
Start the New Year With Safe Driving
Monitor Your Alcohol Intake: New Year’s Eve parties tend to be associated with heavy drinking. Know your limit, and keep track of how much you drink. Make sure you hydrate your system by drinking lots of water.
Have a Designated Driver: Ask a sober friend or family member for a ride. With services like Lyft and Uber, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
Take the Keys: If your friend has had too much to drink, take their keys so they won’t be tempted to drive.
Stay off the Roads: Avoid driving, especially between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., when drunk driving is most common. If you must drive, do so defensively. Make sure you maintain awareness, avoid distractions, and buckle up.
New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights for driving. Follow our tips to stay safe. On behalf of all of us at Tommy’s Automotive, have a great new year!
By Tom Reisch|Posted in About Tommy's|Comments Off on Ring in the New Year With a Bang, Not a Crash
Belts and hoses are some of the most overlooked parts of your engine, but they are essential to the engine doing its job properly. Belts and hoses are typically checked every time your car goes in for a tune-up (every 30,000 miles), but checking them is easy and can save you a lot of hassle. In fact, nearly a third of all cars and light trucks have belts or hoses that should be replaced, according to a recent survey.
It’s been another great winter here at Tommy’s Automotive, though we must say, we’re excited about spring.
Tommy’s is looking for a new employee! Requirements for our new mechanic include:
Tommy’s Automotive will be closed Monday and Tuesday the 24th and 25th for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then Monday and Tuesday the 31st and the 1st for New Years Eve and New Years Day. All other hours are normal.
We’ve all been seeing it. Those gosh darn potholes are literally everywhere, and there’s nothing we can do about it. To avoid any tire damage, be sure to slow down on roads that aren’t well paved. Sure fixing a tire problem is one thing, but running over a deep pothole can actually bring up a host of other problems, including:
