Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

We can definitely say that we had what many consider a “real” winter this year with the cold weather, snow, and ice.  One of the impacts of multiple snowstorms is that the potholes in the roads that are created by the ground freezing and thawing, salt and brine solutions being applied to the road service, and the plows that move the snow off of the roads keeping a safe driving environment.    Now is a great time to have your vehicle’s suspension looked over. The suspension components that can be affected by these harsh winter roads are the vehicle’s shocks, struts, ball joints, and steering components. This winter driving could have also affected your vehicle’s wheel alignment and as simple as losing a weight that keeps your tires balanced. At Automotive Magic we have the equip ... read more

Now that the cold weather is upon us you may notice that there is a chirping sound coming from your car's engine. This is probably not Tweety Bird flying around under your hood! It’s most likely your serpentine belt. read more...   The serpentine belt on most vehicles is a single belt that is used for driving multiple devices on your engine such as the alternator, power steering pump, water pump and air conditioning compressor and that is why is essential that the serpentine belt, belt tensioner and pulleys are in proper working order. When the rubber from the belt gets cold and the elements have caused some negative effects on it, it’s a sign that it’s probably time to replace it. Along with the serpentine belt, the belt tension ... read more

Now that the colder temperatures have started you may have taken notice that when you turn on your vehicle and crank the heat to warm up for your morning commute you may experience a mildew or musty smell. Most cars have something called a cabin air filter that is used to filter the air through the temperature control system. You may not have used your controls much since the heat of the summer and running your air conditioner to keep cool.    When the air conditioning system is running it pulls the moisture out of the cabin of your vehicle and releases moisture out  through the bottom of the car. Some moisture does end up getting trapped in the condenser box and filter, then becomes moldy, ultimately bacteria will grow and cause unpleasant odors.  It is good practice to change out that filter where moisture builds up frequently. As an added benefit, we offer a service where we can disinfect the inside of the air box, replace the cabin air filter and remove those ... read more

It’s wiper blade season. Time to get prepared for the inclimate weather that is approaching. With the cold weather upon us we tend to try to rush getting into our vehicles and get out of the cold.  When you fail to let the vehicle warm up properly you can experience the wiper blades sticking to the windshield. Some will use the wipers to remove the dirt or even use the snow from the ground to clean the windshield for better visibility. This can cause damage to the wipers, make them wear out prematurely or even damage the arms and the motor. It’s recommended to prepare with a set of winter wiper blades. Winter Blades are intended to do a heavier removal of ice and snow and have a smooth surface to eliminate the accumulation of  snow and ice and get better contact with the glass.  Snow and icy weather limits visibility, if your wipers aren’t doing their intended job, it can build up and further diminish your sight, making driving even more difficult an ... read more

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN CHOOSING CONVENTIONAL OR SYNTHETIC OIL Going to get  your oil changed, something you need to take care of for the well being of your vehicle. You might be stringent about getting it done on schedule and keep precise records, for this we applaud you. You might be thankful that most places that complete your oil change are nice enough to slap a sticker in the corner of your windshield and go by that. You get an atta boy and a pat on the back for that. You might wait until the oil maintenance comes on your dash, a little scream that says, ut oh, you are due. If you take action and schedule your oil change then, you are probably still in good graces with your car. These are ways that you protect your investment with the hope that you are taking the best care of your vehicle. In turn it will deliver years of faithful start ups, extra miles that you pray for and keep providing the reliability and comfort that you are hoping for.   SCHEDULE OIL ... read more

My engine never overheats. Why should I get a cooling system service ?Automotive Magic Answer:There have been times when our customer's have questioned the need or a cooling system service for their vehicle. They don't quite see that there's a need, especially when they have never had a situation with their engine overheating. Well, that's a great question, and if you don't know the complete answer you may end up in a bit of trouble. It would seem that if our engine is running at the proper temperature that it must be fine.But the fact is that engine overheating is the most common cause of mechanical failure for drivers. So how do you get from everything is just fine to suddenly overheating and potential engine damage? ... read more

  WHO'S LOOKING OUT FOR  YOUR SAFETY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR VEHICLE? So you were most likely taught to look both ways before you cross the road. Tie your shoes so you don’t trip. Your parents instilled in you the importance of safety, and warned you of the dangers that might fall upon you if you didn’t take precautions. VEHICLE SAFETY So here we are in 2020 relearning to wash our hands, cover our mouths and keep our distance. These are all steps to keep ourselves safe and they all seem a little deja vu-ish if you ask most people (mama told you so.) In New Jersey the state used to require safety regulations to enforce Mama’s fine and early teachings. They were imperative for you to be able to pass NJ state inspections.   If your vehicle fell short of the requirements they slapped a big red rejection sticker in your windshield..  Ever present are long lines as the ... read more

Dig your toes into the Sand The temperature is rising and the summer is in full swing. You are getting your flip flops out and packing up for a nice day trip to the beach.🏖️You anticipate all you will need, chairs, towels, hat, sunscreen, umbrella, snacks, drinks, Sunglasses and the novel you picked up and are finally going to get to  put your nose in. You’re all gassed up and ready to hit the road. You are so excited about literally laying on the beach and frying in the hot summer sun while you hear the ocean waves🌊 crashing and the smell of salt from the ocean it is methodic. You even appreciate the sea gulls attempting to swipe your chips right out of your hand. Oh yeah, it’s summertime and you are headed to the Jersey Shore. :)   This is your perfect scenario of a day off at the beach.. Others might not appreciate your love for baking in the sun, but this is your daydream, your day trip. It’s how ever you want it to be!  The part ... read more

YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE  With the stay home orders you may be feeling a little cabin fever, there have been more rainy days then sunny days the last few weeks. Being cooped up in the house can cause you to do less exercise, and therefore your muscles may feel tight. Doing some stretching and moving about is good for your body and mind. When it does come time to get out and move around in the nice weather you might feel some negative effects of being still. The same certainly applies to your vehicle. Being stationary in the driveway or garage may seem like it’s a blessing. You’re not putting on the commuter miles, you're not spending money on gas every week, you’re not due for an oil change because you haven’t gone anywhere. It seems like a good thing right? Actually, not moving your vehicle can cause some issues with it that you wouldn’t expect.    BRAKES ... read more

YOU WAKE UP AND IT'S A NEW DAY    Reliability and peace of mind usually go hand and hand. Most often it’s not top of mind. You go through your day, expect that your morning shower will produce the hot steady flow of water that you are accustomed to and you don’t really even give it any thought.  That’s pretty much the way most of us feel when we load up our essentials for the day, grab our keys and head out the door to work or school, or wherever you’ve planned on going.  The UGH moment when you approach your vehicle to see a flat tire, or you get in, put your seatbelt on and it doesn’t start, or it starts but the air conditioner is blowing a steady stream of heat. Unexpected interruptions are NOT something that any of us like. WE HAVE ALL BEEN IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER  The plans for the day are instantly changed and you might get a ... read more