Doug Hampton's Auto Repair

Anti-lock brakes have sensors on each wheel to monitor speed and prevent skidding when the brakes are suddenly applied, eliminating the need to pump the brakes in an emergency. Have them inspected when you rotate tires to keep them in good order.

If you want to extend the life of your tires, avoid aggressive starts and stops. It not only prevents damage or wear and tear, but produces fewer emissions as well.

Did you know that some cars may have more than one differential? While cars with two-wheel drive have one, four-wheel drive vehicles have two, and those classified as all-wheel drive have three.

Regularly washing your vehicle can help to maintain the condition of your vehicle's paint.

Are there little chirping noises coming from your engine while you're driving? It may be caused by loose, faulty or broken transmission mounts. If they're not repaired, bigger problems will follow.

Has your car or truck's fuel efficiency fallen off? It could be an old, faulty or damaged oxygen sensor. Having it replaced can improve MPG by as much as forty percent.

Have you noticed a shimmy, shake, or other odd movement when driving at highway speeds? It may be a problem with wheel alignment, wheel balance, or a bent wheel. Have it checked to determine the problem and what repairs are needed.

If your mechanic needs to use an electric welder on your vehicle, he will need to unhook the battery first. If he fails to do this, there's a very good chance that the expensive engine control unit (ECU) will be irreparably damaged by the surge of electricity that will course through the car or truck.

No matter how many DIY videos you find online, paint-less dent removal is not a good project to try out your learning curve. You may end up paying more to repair damage caused by inexperience than you would if you left it to a professional.

Buying a used car? Before you turn over your hard-earned cash, bring it to us for a presale once-over to make sure you know what you're buying. This includes whether you're buying from a dealer or a private seller.

We know that sometimes it's practically impossible to avoid hitting a pothole. If you do happen to slam into one, bring your car or truck in and have us check the wheels, tires, suspension system and alignment.

If you hear a high-pitched whine coming from the engine after starting, it may be a problem with the starter, the flywheel, or a belt. Instead of guessing, let us check it for you.

While it 's good to know how vehicles work, this doesn't mean that you're automatically qualified to fix them. In fact, attempting to DIY a complicated job on a car or truck might make the problem worse or might jeopardize the safety of anyone who uses it.