Montpelier Auto Repair

Tips to keep your pets safe and comfortable during the winter! Never leave your dog alone in a car during cold weather. In the winter, a car is just like a refrigerator, trapping the cold air inside and can cause him to freeze to death. When your dog comes inside after being outdoors, wipe off his paws, legs and abdomen thoroughly. You may notice his paw pads bleeding from a coating of snow or ice. Booties can help protect against this condition. Dogs who are left outside for too long can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Extremities, like ear tips, paws and the end of the tail are particularly susceptible to cold injuries. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under car hoods for warmth. Before starting your car, bang loudly on the hood and wait a few seconds to give the cat a chance to escape. If your cat goes outdoors during the colder months, make sure he or she is acclimated and doesn’t stay out too long, especially when the temperatures are below freezin ... read more

Winterizing your car is essential to surviving Vermont’s frigid winters. Make sure you can rely on your car to transport you and your family safely in any weather conditions Old Man Winter can throw your way. Why take the risk? Be proactive! Make sure your car is mechanically sound before the temperature dips and the snow starts falling. 9 Steps to Getting You and Your Car Ready for Winter.1. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Have body of your vehicle washed and waxed. This preventative measure will protect the paint surfaces from snowy bombardments, and it will also make snow and ice easier to brush off. Since you will be sitting in your car with the windows up and the heat on for the next six months do yourself a favor and give your car a thorough cleaning ASAP. Remove any debris that has collected over the summer, and vacuum the seats and floor. Dust the dash, wash the windows and clean the upholstery. To prevent that stale air / locker room smell ... read more

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr When the temperatures dip below zero, my auto repair shop starts receiving early morning SOS calls that sound something like this, “Auto Craftsmen? Help! My car is stranded in my driveway and it won’t start! I need to get to work, what do I do?” Most people immediately blame the battery. YES, it could be the battery…. BUT, it’s important to rule out the following before you spend time and money on a new one: Is there corrosion around the terminal connections that is preventing a good connection? Did you leave the light on and the battery was drained, and just needs to be re-charged? Is the electrical system operating efficiently? Is the real culprit the alternator? OR, is the problem with the starter? The Battery Council explains the following; At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a fully-charged battery has only 65 percent of its available power. When the thermometer reads zero outside, available power drops to 40 pe ... read more

Winter is right around the corner. Many of us put away our summer cars once the leaves have fallen from the trees.  Some of you park your cars while you take extended trips out of Vermont once the temperatures dip below freezing. If you store your vehicle for the winter, there are very important steps you need to take so it does not deteriorate while just sitting. First off, never park your car outside and cover it up with a plastic tarp. The moisture under that tarp will cause a big rusty mess.  It is always better park your car in a dry garage, storage unit or barn. Please don’t just drive the car into the garage, turn off the ignition and walk away. There are very important steps you need to take so it does not deteriorate while just sitting. If you are storing it for the whole winter, prior to parking it, take it to your favorite auto repair shop for an oil change. Old oil becomes acidic and if left in the motor, contaminants and moisture will eva ... read more

Squeeeeeeel...  When you hear this noise coming from another car, it’s annoying.  But, when you hear it from your own car, it’s frightening. How many times a day do you have to stop your car? If you actually counted it would be a very high number. Now, imagine what could happen if your brakes took longer than you had anticipated to stop or worse, quit working during one of those stops. You could damage your car or worse you could hurt yourself, one of your passengers, or a unsuspecting pedestrian. If you notice any of the following in your vehicle, then you should have your vehicle inspected by an ASE Certified Brake Specialist. The brake light is lit on your dashboard: This indicating that something is amiss and needs to be inspected ASAP.   Grinding or Squealing sound when you apply the brakes.  If the noise from your brakes is constant, you have a problem.  Consul ... read more