Services

Belts & Hoses

At Martin’s Garage we see a lot of problems caused by neglected hoses, belts, and filter maintenance from our customers here in Shippensburg. These items are durable and last a long time, but not forever, and rarely give warning before they start causing trouble. For this reason, people often find themselves inconvenienced by a failed belt, hose, or filter; it’s one of those things that simply slip your mind until it causes you trouble.

Rubber belts experience two types of wear; mechanical, and age. While you run errands around Shippensburg, your belts are wearing out. The belts drive everything on your engine – your alternator, water pump, A/C, power steering, and even the camshafts and valve train. Constant wear and tear from moving pulleys coupled with repeated heating up and cooling down eventually wear a belt out completely. Belts also dry rot with age and become weak and brittle after years of contact with the environment. Allowing our expert team at Martin’s Garage to properly inspect and replace these parts is key to maintaining a reliable vehicle.

Hoses are susceptible to wear from heating, cooling, and age. Hoses generally contain pressure, which constantly puts stress on them while the engine is running. For this reason, a small tear or pinhole can quickly develop into something much more serious, and suddenly you are rapidly losing coolant, fuel, or vacuum. Damage can occur from moving parts, repeated expansion, or dry rot. Hoses should be changed before a problem arises if they are visibly cracked, damaged, or worn broken hoses cause huge messes, overheating, fire hazards, and are generally inconvenient.

Modern fuel filters tend to be overlooked during maintenance as well since they last a long time and are tucked away in odd locations; many drivers here in Shippensburg forget to have them changed at correct intervals. A clogged filter results in strain on the fuel pump, misfires, low power, etc., as it starves the engine of fuel. Allowing our team at Martin’s Garage to replace your fuel filter is cheap and easy; if your manual recommends a filter change or you can’t remember the last time it was done, have a new one installed. Air and oil filters are part of routine maintenance, and while they are certainly important, a reputable shop will always inspect them or recommend replacement. Fuel filters can’t be checked and don’t get replaced every 3,000 miles, so it’s important not to forget about them.

If you’re experiencing trouble from failed belts, hoses, or filters, or think it may be time to have them inspected or changed, come see one of our expert mechanics at Martin’s Garage. One of our technicians will be happy to take a look at your car, truck, or SUV and advise you on what to do next. For any other problems, from oil changes to leaks, to air conditioning systems, to head repair, drop by Martin’s Garage in Shippensburg, PA and see for yourself what we can do for you.

Brake Services

Your brake system is comprised of a long list of parts and all of them are under a great deal of stress much of which depends on how you drive as each of us is very different in that regard. Some of us are more aggressive than others in both starting and stopping our vehicles, we tend to “ride our brakes” and you may carry heavy loads or pull a trailer which will also impact the life of your brakes. The important aspect of your brakes and what their expected life span is that you are absolutely certain that they are working at 100% when you call on them to stop your vehicle at any given time. The task of stopping a car, truck, or SUV which weighs thousands of pounds is certainly not easy and the last thing anyone wants is to find out their brakes have failed catastrophically. When our team here at Martin’s Garage goes in to do a full service or repair of your brakes we take it seriously and check the entire system for you taking into consideration multiple factors!

What kind of driver are you?

Aggressive with hard turns and fast stops? Stopping the brakes or soft taps? Your brake life directly ties into how you drive and brake pads will need to be changed more often based on your driving habits and the number of miles you travel. It isn’t just how long it has been since your last brake job.

What brand of brakes did you use last time?

The material in brake pads can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. There are pads that are composites of organic compounds, semi-metallic pads, and ceramic pads, and their wear rates are all different.

Do you often tow a trailer, haul heavy loads, or drive through steep terrain?

The extra braking force needed for any of those will wear out brake pads faster. With all that in mind, brake pads typically last anywhere from 35,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on the above factors. What’s maybe more important to know, though, is the warning signs that you do need new brakes.Brake problems come in a variety of forms. Worn brake pads cause squeaking or grinding noises, especially when the brakes are applied, but sometimes constantly. Typically, the sound will vary with the speed of your car, and braking will alter the noise you hear. Bad brakes affect performance too. If you feel like you have to hit the pedal harder than normal to stop your vehicle, the brakes feel weak, or your car pulls to one side whenever you depress the pedal, you likely have a malfunctioning master cylinder, sticking brake caliper, or collapsed hoses. Symptoms may be erratic, sometimes only popping up occasionally, but should not be ignored. Warped or worn rotors damaged by high heat or worn brake pads will cause your car to pulse or vibrate whenever you hit the brakes. This can be damaging to other components, decrease brake performance, and is generally annoying.

Things to watch out for include:

• Longer stopping distances. If it takes longer you have a problem.
• Low brake fluid—your brakes are worn out or you have a leak!
• Excessive brake pedal travel. If you are pushing your brake pedal further towards the floor, there is an issue.
• Brake pedal feels “soft” or “spongy” underfoot Vehicle pulls to one side while braking
• Pulsation or vibrations through the brake pedal or steering wheel while braking.
• The tendency for one or more wheels to lock up and skid while braking means one of your brakes is working harder than the other. Your brakes don’t always wear at the same pace.
• Loud Noises! Groaning, screeching, squealing, or grinding sound while braking is never a good sign.

If you are experiencing any of the above problems, or your vehicle needs any other repair or maintenance, don’t hesitate to call or come by Martin’s Garage. Our mechanics have the knowledge and ability necessary to get your vehicle repaired quickly, correctly, and efficiently. Our team at Martin’s Garage can diagnose any issue of symptoms including squeaking or grinding noises, unresponsive brake pedal, or vibrations.

Whether you’re a resident or just visiting our community in Shippensburg, Martin’s Garage, you can count on our team of technicians to ensure your brake system is keeping you and your family safe on the roads.

Engine Services

Did you know we perform warranty work, major engine repairs, maintenance, rebuilds, and replacements?

Proper maintenance is critical for all automotive and truck engines and one of the most important parts of engine maintenance is ensuring your engine fluids are kept clean and at the proper levels. Your engine is the heart of your vehicle, and its fluids are its blood so without it there is no forward or backward movement at all. Who you choose to do the maintenance and repairs is important, however, there’s no need to take your car or truck to different specialized shops all over town in order to maintain your vehicle. At Martin’s Garage in Shippensburg, PA our team of expert mechanics has the knowledge and ability to handle all your maintenance and repair needs through inspections and diagnostic equipment.

Basic Engine Maintenance Checklist

• Engine Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
• Change Engine Oil, Filter & Fuel Filters
• Check Spark Plugs and Spark Plug Wires.
• Engine Replacement
• Timing Belt/Chain Replacement
• Seals and Gaskets
• Oil Pan Replacement
• Camshaft and Crankshaft Repair/Replacement
• And More

Oil Change

Why is your oil change so important?

Oil changes may seem mundane, but if your car is maintained correctly you must change your oil as it is a crucial part of your vehicle and should always be part of your recurring maintenance. The fewer surprises your car throws at you the better and Martin’s Garage in Shippensburg, PA wants you to know just how important your oil changes are.

The oil in your engine is essentially its lifeline. It protects moving parts from rust, friction, and cleans your engine by absorbing carbon buildup and debris. When you neglect an oil change, that oil saturated with dirt, and debris begins to work against you. First, small particles in the oil wreak havoc on bearings and small oil journals. If neglected for too long, oil begins to break down or coagulate, inefficiently lubricating moving parts and clogging passageways. Old oil will destroy an engine, either through bearing and part wear or oil starvation, or both at the same time. Too much wear on internal engine parts will cause the engine to fatally malfunction, sooner rather than later.

What are the other benefits of a regular oil change?

• Improved engine performance: Clean oil and a fresh air filter will keep all the important parts of your engine clean and lubricated. This creates a smoother and quieter ride. A smooth running engine has a positive effect on multiple areas of your vehicle.
• Prevents debris build-up: Older oil will stick to engine parts. This can turn into debris, clog up areas, and create build up. Changing the oil and filter regularly remove and prevent this nasty build up. If you do the majority of your driving on dirt roads you will need more regular oil changes.
• MPG: As mentioned above, regular oil changes offer up improved lubrication. Newer, cleaner oil reduces friction that can slow your engine which means you’ll end up paying more money for gas. New, clean oil also helps your engine run cooler. A cooler engine is more efficient. Anti-freeze and oil work together to cool your engine together. If one isn’t working right it negatively affects the other one.
• Cleaner emissions: Older cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs can burn old, dirty oil which increases emissions. Dirty oil allows hydrocarbons to build up in the crankcase. If the oil is dirty the emissions levels can raise. Brand new oil is much less likely to burn and can also absorb particles which means less pollution.
• Longer engine life: Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country your engine will get dirt and debris stuck inside of it. If you change your oil there is less friction. With less friction, there is much less wear and tear. Less wear and tear means a much longer engine life. If you change your oil regularly, there is less carbon build-up. Altogether this will save you money in the long run. Replacing an engine can cost quite a bit of money.
• Other car parts: Clean, new oil doesn’t only protect the engine. It also protects other car parts that are constantly in motion. Oil lubricates the crankshaft and the connection rods. This controls the pistons from going up and down when your engine is on. The cylinder walls allow the rings to build up better compression when lubricated. The camshaft is the valve train that opens and closes the engine tank and exhaust valves. The oil keeps this lubricated and moving efficiently as well.
• Other issues: If you get a regular oil change then the other parts of your vehicle will also get checked. We offer affordable oil changes and will also check for other issues while you are here.
• Warranty: Most terms of a warranty include regular oil changes. If you don’t follow these terms it could void the contract.

Tune-up Services

Tune-up Services for ALL Vehicles

Do you find your vehicle acting: Sluggish. Squealing. Unreliable. Vibrating? If any of these descriptors fit your vehicle’s recent behavior, it just might be trying to tell you something. Bring your car, truck, SUV into Martin’s Garage in Shippensburg, PA for a tune-up and discover a “faster-smoother” drive. Cars and trucks need general service and especially a tune-up to avoid BIG repair bills or serious damage. It doesn’t matter the type of vehicle you drive: compact or luxury sedan, standard truck or SUV, our certified mechanics will provide professional repairs during service visits that will help you avoid big-ticket repairs.

What does a tune-up include?

• Auto Repairs
• Wheel Alignments
• Oil & Filter Changes
• Tire Rotations
• Radiator & Engine Power Flushes
• Battery Service
• Timing Belt Replacement
• Cooling System Service
• Performance Upgrades

Today’s vehicles differ significantly from their decades-old brethren that required a tune-up every 10,000 or 20,000 miles. With newer vehicles, it’s increasingly common for manufacturer-recommended service intervals to stretch to 100,000 miles before certain maintenance items, such as replacing the spark plugs, should be completed.

That doesn’t mean, however, that routine maintenance or potential warning signs can or should be ignored. After all, replacing a vehicle is expensive. A more economical alternative is to take care of the one you’re already driving. Start by paying attention to what your vehicle might be trying to tell you and by recognizing these 9 signs that it’s time for a tune-up or maintenance.

Here are 9 signs that you need a tune-up.

• Warning lights: Those little indicators on your dashboard that light up when starting the car and that sometimes stay illuminated are there for a reason – to indicate a problem or potential problem with a vehicle system or component. Pay attention to these indicator lights, and when they illuminate, get them diagnosed at your earliest opportunity. They could be indicating something as simple as a burned-out taillight or a more serious problem, such as a transmission failure. Diagnosing and fixing a minor problem can help you avoid a much bigger and costlier problem down the road.
• Stalling: If your vehicle suddenly begins stalling at intersections, when you try to accelerate, or at other times, not only is this a warning sign of trouble lurking but it also can put you in a dangerous situation. Engines are designed to deliver reliable performance, particularly when you need it most, such as merging onto a highway. The cause could be fouled spark plugs or a clogged fuel filter, or something else entirely. If you find your vehicle is stalling unexpectedly, then give us a call and describe the situation then bring it in as soon as possible.
• Hard starts:You’re allowed to be a little sluggish first thing in the morning. Your vehicle isn’t. If it won’t start when you need it to, if it takes several turns of the key before it does start, or if it starts but won’t stay running, you’ve got a problem. It could be a weak battery or a defective starter or a host of other problems. Keep an eye on it and see if there is a pattern of when it happens then give us a call OR if you feel concerned at any time, simply call us here at the shop!
• Poor fuel mileage:If you feel like you are filling the gas tank more frequently even though you’re driving the same distance and you’re confident no one’s taking your car for unauthorized late-night spins, your vehicle might be experiencing a reduction in fuel mileage. You’re getting fewer miles out of a gallon of gas, and you need to find out why. A sudden decrease in fuel mileage indicates the vehicle isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. Maybe it’s improper tire pressure or a sticking brake pad or just time for a tune-up. Track your baseline fuel mileage so you know what it should be before a problem occurs. Lower fuel mileage is always a sign of something different happening inside your engine and should work like a “check engine light” on your dash!
• Soft or noisy brakes:Your vehicle’s brakes are supposed to bring you to a stop quietly, without you having to put your foot through the floor pressing on the brake pedal. If your brakes squeak unmercifully or you feel a rhythmic vibration when the brakes are applied, there’s a good chance something’s wrong. The same goes for a brake pedal that feels “soft” or “spongy” when you press down on it, requires a lot of leg power, and doesn’t stop until you’ve almost reached the floor. Brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid are items that wear down and need to be replaced and maintained periodically. Never wait until you have NO brakes, any changes in your brakes are important, and we’d love to hear about it before an accident!
• Other unexplained noises:If your brakes are quiet but other unwelcome noises have suddenly appeared on the scene, trouble might not be far behind. Common culprits include squealing when turning the steering wheel at low speeds – a possible indication of a low power steering fluid level; squealing from under the hood when the vehicle is started – possibly a loose or worn belt; noise from one or more wheels or perhaps an unbalanced tire or a failing CV joint. Whatever the reason, noise isn’t good, particularly if it’s a sound that wasn’t there previously. You know your vehicle better than anyone else as you drive it continuously so if you are concerned at any time, simply give us a call or bring it by the shop.
• Rough shifts: Automatic transmissions take the work, and guesswork, out of shifting. They’re smooth, reliable, and efficient – until they’re not. If your vehicle hesitates when shifting from reverse to drive or vice versa if gear changes are rough or abrupt if the vehicle is upshifting or downshifting sporadically and when you least expect it, or if it has trouble shifting into a higher gear as engine RPMs climb, your transmission needs attention. The gears that make your vehicle go depend on transmission fluid, filters, and screens all of which require periodic maintenance for protection and long life. Your transmission should shift smoothly and if it is not doing so let us know before it becomes a larger issue.
• Sluggish acceleration or a loss of power:This can be a dangerous problem. Sometimes you have a need for speed, and power, such as when merging onto a highway, passing another vehicle on a two-lane road, or towing a trailer uphill. When the power you’ve come to expect and rely on suddenly isn’t there, it can cause a sticky situation. While regular maintenance can help prevent these problems from occurring, if you do notice a reduction in power, get it checked out to determine the cause.
• Vibration:The sudden appearance of a vibration that isn’t caused by rough road conditions is a red flag. You might only feel it in the steering wheel at a certain speed or it may seem to go throughout the whole vehicle. It could indicate a variety of problems, including worn or unbalanced tires, a tire going flat, or a failing universal joint, among other problems. Document where it happened and at what speed as well as how it felt (was it in your hands on the wheel or did you feel it under your seat or feet) You get the idea.

A good starting point – Your vehicle owner’s manual

Your owner’s manual is the solution to preventing many common vehicle problems in the first place. In addition to your trusted technician, this handy little book is the authority on when your vehicle and all its complex systems require maintenance. These service intervals are clearly spelled out in the maintenance section and detail the recommended mileage and time intervals at which maintenance should occur. Refer to the manual regularly, follow its recommendations, listen to what your vehicle is trying to tell you, and act on those warning signs if you want to experience fewer vehicle-related problems. The owner’s manual is there for your convenience and if you can’t find it the 2nd option we tell our Shippensburg drivers is that it may be “worth a Google” if they can’t reach us at the shop.