Posted on 23 August 2013
Warm weather or cold, Wilmington drivers still need to think about their vehicle's air conditioning. Most Wilmington people don't service their air conditioning until after it fails. At PONTE'S AUTOCARE, we can advise you on your vehicle manufacturers preventive maintenance schedules for air conditioning service, just as we do for transmission service, oil changes and so on. Maintaining your air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the vehicle's air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can't cool the air as well. We see that a lot at PONTE'S AUTOCARE in Wilmington.The refrigerant also contains oil that lubricates air conditioning components and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and all Wilmington vehicle owners know that air conditioning repairs ca ... read more
Posted on 01 March 2013
There's a segment of the Wilmington area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers). So tune-ups used to force you in to PONTE'S AUTOCARE for service, and while you were there you just took care of whatever else was on the list.
Also, in recent years, a large percentage of new vehicles in Wilmington have been leased. These folks plan on turning the vehicle in after two or three years, so they haven't focused on the maintenance that helps a vehicle last longer.
Given all that, what's the benefit to keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your vehicle will perform better and return better fuel economy.
Those benefits pay for themselves as they go along. The big plus is that  ... read more
Posted on 21 October 2011
This fuel saving tip is so simple, no one will believe it. It has to do with your gas cap.The first thing is to make sure it's screwed on tight. If it's loose, gas vapor will be constantly leaking out; wasted gas.This could cause the Check Engine light to come on as well.A worn gas cap can have the same effect. If you constantly smell gas when you walk by your tank, you might need a new gas cap.So, twist your cap until it clicks three times – that means it's on tight. Have your Wilmington area service advisor at PONTE'S AUTOCARE inspect the cap to see if it needs to be replaced.See, I told you it was simple.Don't forget to call PONTE'S AUTOCARE at 302-478-9786 for an appointment to optimize your vehicle for better fuel economy. PONTE'S AUTOCARE 2401 Concord Pike Wilmington, Delaware 19803 302