Thursday, February 13, 2020

Checklist: Is your Car Rain-Ready? ✅✅✅




Delaware residents have been singing the familiar jingle “rain, rain, go away” for well over a week due to the overcast, rainy skies that have been plaguing the State since the beginning of February.

Thankfully, a reprieve has come, but according to Mr. Weatherman, that reprieve will be short lived. With another long wet spell heading our way, it would be beneficial for drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready go.

So, how do you get your car ready to ride in the wet weather? Surprisingly, it’s not a difficult list to check.


Check Your Tires
Given that the last time you had your tires changed was at the beginning of the winter season, if not before that, a good place to start would be to check the Tread Depth of your Tires. You do this by placing a penny between the treads of your tires. If the Tread doesn’t come to President Lincoln’s head, then you’re in need of Replacement Tires.


At Pugh’s Automotive Service we Install Tires and include the Mount and Balance in the price of the installation.


Check Your Brakes
Since your Brakes are responsible for bringing your vehicle to a halt in a timely manner, it is an excellent idea to have your Brake Pads checked before the rainy season gets going.

In wet weather, your Brake Pads will often squeak when you first use them. This isn’t a cause for concern unless the Squeak persists. If the sound continues after you have driven the vehicle for a bit, this could indicate that your Brake Pads are low and need to be replaced.

With so many different driving styles, it is difficult to give a range of how long you should go between Brake Replacements, which is why it recommended to have them checked every 3,000 miles or every three months. Basically, have your Mechanic check your Brakes at every Oil Change.


Turn on Your Wipers
Checking your wipers may seem like a very easy and commonplace idea, but that is exactly why your Wiper Blades can be overlooked until the moment you need them most.

If you see rain in the forecast, turn your Wiper Blades on for a quick test by using your Washer Fluid controls. If your Wipers are leaving streaks, then that could indicate a couple of things. First, they could just be dirty, in which case all you need to do is wipe them off. If that doesn’t help, then chances are your Wiper Blades are old and need to be replaced.

Now, if you go to use your Washer Fluid and the Wiper Blades don’t move at all, that could indicate a bigger issue. This could mean anything from a Bad Fuse to a Failed Wiper Motor, both of which need to be diagnosed by a professional Automotive Mechanic.


Check Your Headlights
Again, checking to make sure your Headlights Operate Properly seems like an obvious practice, but it is a step that is often overlooked.

Since it is required by law that your Headlights must be on if your Wipers are moving, then this is definitely something you want to make sure is working properly.

If you have Automatic Headlights, all you need to do is start your car and walk around front. If both lights are on, then you are all set. If you have to manually turn on your Headlights, then start your car, find the Headlight Control located on the side of your steering wheel and turn it to the “on” position.

If by some reason your Headlights do not come on, whether you have manual or automatic Headlights, you should take your car to a Mechanic to see what the problem is. Typically, the only problem is a Bad Headlight Bulb, but you could also have Burning or Loose Wires, a Bad Relay, or a Bad Headlight Switch.

Whatever the issue, make sure to have this repaired by a professional Mechanic, as replacing bulbs in some vehicles can be tricky.



If you were able to get through this list without a hitch, then you are all set for the next rainstorm that comes along! If not, then don’t fret, Pugh’s Automotive Service in Dover is there to help make sure your car is ready for whatever the weather throws our way.

To schedule an appointment, just visit our website or call (302)734-4231.

Friday, February 7, 2020

Ceramic Brake Pads vs Semi Metallic? Which should you be Using?



When it comes to parts, brakes have got to be among the most important on your car. They are responsible for your ability to slow down and stop. They are an extension of your ability to react, and if they can’t perform you and your loved ones could be put in danger.

That is why it is very important to know what kind of brakes your Auto Shop uses when replacing the brakes on your car.

I’m sure you are asking “what do you mean by what kind of brakes.” We mean there are several kinds, the two most common being Ceramic and Semi Metallic.

So, which is better? Here are the pros and cons of each.

Semi Metallic Brake Pads are made with anywhere between 30-70% of metal. Because of this, and the fact that they use abrasive friction to slow your vehicle, they can cause the parts in your Brake System, like the Brake Rotors and Calipers, to wear out faster.

Semi Metallic brake pads also create a noisier ride because of the metal on metal contact between your Brake Pads and Rotors. This can bother some drivers that like a quieter ride, and it can fool others that who are used to that Squealing Sound, akin to nails on a chalkboard, that’s produced when they get too worn down.

A Plus to Semi Metallic Brake Pads is that they conduct heat very well. This can make them ideal for performance vehicles or for driving in extremely hot temperatures.

Ceramic Brake Pads are made from similar materials as those used to make ceramic pots and plates, but they are much denser and more durable. They also have copper fibers embedded within them which allows them to conduct heat better.

About 30% of all mechanics use Ceramic Brake Pads when replacing Brakes, and there are a number of reasons why.

Ceramic Brake Pads offer the quietest ride of any other type of Brake Pad. They also produce a lot less Brake Dust due to creating adherent friction as opposed to the abrasive friction that Semi Metallic Brakes use. Due to this, Ceramic Brake Pads break down slowly, lasting longer than Semi Metallic Pads.

Ceramic Brake Pads are also more reliable under a larger range of temperatures and conditions, which makes them an ideal replacement. Ceramic Brake Pads are better able to displace heat caused by friction. Less heat equals less stress on your Rotors and Calipers which will ultimately extend their life.

The one drawback to Ceramic Pads is that they tend to cost slightly more. However, given that they tend to last longer than Semi Metallic Pads, you will save more in the long run. This is because they are specifically engineered to perform under a wide range of conditions, while also providing you with a much quieter ride.

When it comes right down to it, Ceramic Pads are the best option to use when replacing the Brake Pads on your vehicle. That is unless you live in a desert or drive like a NASCAR star. However, if you drive like the average person commuting from point A to point B, you should be in great shape with a set of Ceramic Brake Pads.

If you think you may need to replace your Brakes, then make sure to call a reputable Automotive Repair Shop like Pugh’s Service Automotive to replace them. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can visit www.pughsservice.com, or call (302)734-4231.


Monday, February 3, 2020

Synthetic vs Conventional Oil & Which should You be Using?



Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil?

If you are wondering if you should switch the type of oil that you are using in your vehicle then don’t feel alone. Thousands of Automotive customers turn that question over in their heads endlessly to no avail. This is why we are here to help.

Before you decide what to do, you need to understand that Synthetic Oils are superior to Conventional Oils. They last longer and are able to withstand harsh temperatures better than Conventional Oil. This is because they are made in a lab, where the molecules are quite literally engineered to perform better.

Unfortunately, because so much time goes into making Synthetic Oils, they can cost much, much more than Conventional Oil. If you search Social Media platforms, like Facebook, I guarantee that there are those complaining about how much they just spent on their last oil change because a Synthetic, or a Synthetic Blend, Oil was used.

To put things in perspective, depending on the car and where you live, an Oil Change using Conventional Oil rarely tops $60 bucks. Oil Changes involving a Synthetic Oil can go as high as $120. To top it off, studies show that even with being able to go longer between Oil Changes when using Synthetic, customers’ pocketbooks don’t see that big of a difference.

So, this brings us back to should you be using Synthetic Oil during your vehicle’s Oil Changes? More likely than not, the answer is no.

If you change your oil regularly, the recommended interval is every 3 months or 3,000 miles, then you don’t need to use Synthetic Oil. If you live in a climate where you could regularly fry an egg on the road, or where your pipes bursting from freezing temperatures is a regular occurrence, then you could benefit from Synthetic Oil Changes. If not, then Conventional Oil is perfectly fine.

The only time to disregard your punctuality or climate, would be if your owner’s manual specifically says otherwise. If your owner’s manual requires that you use Full Synthetic Oil, or a Synthetic Blend, then that is what you need to use. Otherwise, save your money, and stick with Conventional.

Regardless of whether you use Synthetic or Conventional Oil, coming in for regular Oil Changes at 3,000 mile or 3-month intervals is alwaysa good practice. Not only does it ensure you’re running fresh oil in your engine, but it allows your Mechanic to keep a close eye by doing regular courtesy inspections.

Pugh’s Automotive Service in Dover, DE performs Free Courtesy Inspections during all Oil Changes. To schedule an appointment, visit our website at www.pughsservice.com/auto or call (302)734-4231.

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