There are so many road hazards that can cause damage to your tires. Anything from a pothole to a nail to a sharp stone or other road debris can puncture a tire.  Driving on a flat tire or underinflated tire is dangerous and, if not looked at, can make the tire unrepairable, ultimately costing more money to replace the tire rather than repairing the tire.  The faster you can bring your damaged tire to a repair shop, the better your chances of saving the tire.

After an inspection of your damaged tire, we can evaluate whether or not the tire can be repaired or if it needs replacement. According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), tires can usually be repaired if the puncture is a ¼ inch or less and is located on the tire's tread, not the tire's sidewall.

Get Your Tire Repair Services Near You

​Massachusetts Minimum Tire Tread Depth 

​Below are the five main sounds you will hear coming from internal combustion engines and why they occurred.

1) Knocking Noises

You will hear knocking noises whenever you accelerate your vehicle or change gears. The knocking will come from the inside of the engine. The sound signifies a problem with the timing of the air and fuel mixture’s ignition within the engine's cylinders. If the ignition happens too early, you will hear these knocking sounds. The timing of the ignition is crucial because it determines whether the proper amount of power will be produced. 

A simple engine tune-up for your vehicle might fix the problem. If the sounds remain, your engine could have a worn-out component that needs to be replaced or repaired, or worse, you may require your engine replacement! Anytime you need work done on the engine, hiring a mechanic for such a task will cost a lot of money. Before you do this, see if your car has a knock sensor that manages these sounds. If it does, then replacing the knock sensor might be all you need to do to eliminate the sounds. 

Also, check the engine oil level and verify that it is correct. 

2) Cold Start Rattling Noises

It is natural for some of the newer car engines to rattle a bit during a cold start. The rattle comes from the timing chain that is used with the engine. As the years go by, the engine will start to rattle as it ages. If you hear these rattling noises, then it likely means your timing chain is wearing out. If you already know that your engine has a timing chain, then you should get it inspected by a mechanic. They have the proper diagnostic equipment to check on it correctly. Otherwise, the worn-out timing chain could end up damaging your engine. 

3) Tapping / Clicking Noises

When your engine runs, do you hear constant tapping or clicking noises? If so, this could be the upper valve train that manages the opening and closing of the exhaust valves and air intake valves. You can determine whether the upper valve train is responsible for the noises by removing the engine head and evaluating it. You’ll see the camshaft moving the tappets and the springs, returning them into their original positions. If the engine has reduced oil pressure or worn-out springs, these tapping and clicking noises may be heard. Also, check the oil dipstick to check how much oil is in the engine.  Maintenance tip: Get regular oil changes!

4) Shrieking / Squealing Noises

Most people hear squealing and shrieking noises from their engine after a while. The belts are actually the parts that generate these noises. The belts connected to the engine are also used to run the AC compressor, power steering pulley, and timing. The newer belts are made from rubber instead of chains. A cold-started engine will cause the noises to grow louder. The noises will gradually disappear as you start driving and accelerating your vehicle. The belts may slip away from the pulley, which would cause you to hear this noise. Worn-out or loose belts often due slip away from their pulleys like this. That is why you need to replace your belts if they appear worn out. Either that or tighten the serpentine belt and test to see if you continue to hear the noises. 

5) Grinding Sounds

It is a transmission issue if you shift gears in a manual transmission vehicle and hear grinding sounds. The gears in the transmission are probably grinding aggressively against one another. A lot of the older manual cars have this problem. Don’t assume the transmission is bad, though, because the transmission may not be able to be disengaged from the engine by the clutch. Either that or the clutch is not being depressed right away before shifting. Get transmission service!

When someone learns how to operate a stick shift for the first time, it is common for them to encounter this problem. In some cases, the clutch mechanism may be too old and worn out rather than the driver’s actions being the cause of the sounds. If you have a worn-out clutch system, then it should be replaced. 

​WATCH - A new video from the Car Care Council, entitled “Auto Care Goes a Long Way,” shows how vehicle owners can save money with some simple preventative maintenance.

Many people ignore the little check engine light right under their noses.  That is a BAD IDEA!  If you like spending money on car repairs, then keep driving with that annoying light glowing right in front of you.  But it's best to get it checked!  It could be that you didn’t tighten the gas cap, but it could also be more serious. Learn more about check engine light diagnostics.
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When the check engine light goes on, you may not notice any trouble as you drive over time. But if you ignore it, you may see the car not performing up to its potential, or you may experience poor gas mileage.  The more you drive your vehicle with a problem usually ends up costs more money in the end!   So get that check engine light diagnosed at a local auto repair shop!

Posted by: Teele Square Auto in Somerville, MA. June  27, 2018

Why do I need the cooling system flushed?
Cooling system flush is part of ongoing preventative maintenance for any vehicle. The cooling system in your car prevents your car from overheating.  Your system circulates a mixture of coolant and water throughout your engine.  Unfortunately, the coolant mix becomes contaminated over time with rust and scale, which could cause clogs and damage to the coolant system parts and prevent proper cooling of your engine, causing it to overheat.


How your cooling system is flushed:
Our mechanics drain the old coolant mix, flush the system with a coolant cleaner, then flush the remaining coolant with water.  After the system is flushed and cleaned, we fill it with the proper mixture of coolant and water, bring the engine up to its running temperature, and test the system for leaks and that all other coolant components are working correctly.

Your service manual should have recommendations of when to get it. It’s a good idea to change the coolant.  For quick reverence, though, every 40,000 to 50,000 miles or whenever the low coolant level light is on, or the check engine light is on is a good idea to check or replace the coolant on your car.  Additionally, if your vehicle is overheating, it may be time for the coolant to be replaced.

Visit Teele Square Auto for your Cooling System Flush:
Teele Sq Auto
1284 Broadway
Somerville, MA
(617) 623-9067

​On the corner of Beach and Salem Street in Malden is an auto repair shop that was once a thriving repair shop and gas station called Amato's Auto Repair and then Gary’s Auto Services.

Recently the property at 12 Beach St was purchased by Eli,  the owner of Teele Sq Auto in Somerville, who also owns Eli’s Service Station in Arlington. This is a good thing for the Linden neighborhood of Malden.  I have seen the transformation of the above-mentioned auto repair shops by Eli.

The improvements will be good for the neighborhood as Eli plans big things for the Malden location, including a complete makeover of the exterior of the building, a repaving of the large lot, new signage, and new lights to properly illuminate the property.

The shop's new name, Eli's Garage, Eli's Garage, will provide complete auto repair and maintenance services on all foreign and domestic cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. In addition to car repair, Malden residents will be able to get their vehicles inspected as soon as they become a Mass Inspection Station.

If you live or work in the Malden area, you won’t be disappointed with the auto repair services you will find at Eli's Garage.

Eli's Garage
​12 Beach Street
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 321-0880

There are many things to consider when looking for an auto repair shop from reputation to car repair estimates to certified auto repair shops.  Learn more from about "how to find a good auto repair shop"

I recently moved to Malden, MA, a few months ago.  After finally unpacking and getting organized, I searched for a car repair shop that could handle maintenance and repairs on my car.  I drove around to several repair shops; there are a lot of shops in Malden, and stopped in on a couple shops to chat with the mechanic or owner.  The only shop that piqued my interest was Hub Starters on Broadway in Malden.  My first reaction was, why is this place named Hub Starters?  Well, as it turns out, the name fits as the business model from over 35 years ago was to be the hub of automobile and truck starter repair and rebuilding that morphed into a complete auto repair shop.

With so many choices for car repair shops in Malden, here are the top 3 things I liked about Hub Starters:

• They are the only AAA repair shop in Malden, MA
• Over 35 years in business
• Mass State inspection station

Since moving into Malden, I used Hub Starters two times, the first for an inspection sticker and an oil change, then a couple months later for a brake job.

​Anyone new to the Malden area looking for an auto repair shop should look no further than Hub Starters.

Even though synthetic oil is more expensive it has its advantages.  Synthetic oil takes longer to breakdown so lasts longer than conventional motor oil.  Eli of Teele Square Auto in Somerville, MA says “customers that once changed their oil every 3,500 miles now go 7,000 miles between oil changes using synthetic oil"

Some car-makers require owners to use synthetic oil so be sure to check your owner’s manual.  Harry Janice of West Lynn Auto in Lynn, MA warns owners to be sure to comply with your warranty to avoid from voiding it if you don’t comply.

For older cars, synthetic motor oil has a resistance to breaking down which will help prolong the life of an older engine.  Additionally, older engines using conventional oil can began to get sludge buildup from conventional oil breaking down. Using synthetic oil for on older engines would be less likely to breaking down.  In a nut shell using synthetic oil is will prolong the life of your engine and require less oil changes says, Steve of Waverly Square Auto in Belmont MA.

Melrose, MA - LBJ Honda/Accura Specialists, located in Melrose, has served Honda and Acura owners in Middlesex County for over30 years.

Personalized service is the backbone of our operation. Unlike most auto repair shops, we welcome you into our service bays. Our expert staff will be glad to walk you through the diagnosis of your car’s problem and explain the necessary repairs.

At LBJ, factory-trained technicians, state-of-the-art equipment, and the right attitude add to quality service at a reasonable price.

 In 1973 a young man with a degree in mechanical engineering found himself looking for employment. Jobs in his field were scarce, so he started working as a Volvo/Honda auto dealership mechanic.

At some point, everyone experiences a life-changing moment. This was his. Barry Innerfield (for that was the young man’s name) fell passionately in love with the little Honda Civic. (We still have one here!)

The course of true love never runs smoothly. After Barry left the auto dealer, he spent several years trying other jobs in mechanical engineering and auto repair. But he never forgot his dream of having a Honda repair shop of his own. In 1986 Barry located space in Melrose, Massachusetts, and opened LBJ. (The initials were for his family members, Liuda, Barry, and Jerry.)

"The factory-trained technicians and state-of-the-art equipment are only part of the LBJ difference. Our true pride is providing personalized service, with the right attitude, to make sure your experience at LBJ Honda is always a positive one."

To schedule an appointment please call us at (781) 662-5300
Or visit us online at www.lbjhonda.com
​Your vehicle will thank you!

Good information regarding tire tread depth in Massachusetts. Read Massachusetts Minimum Tire Tread Depth by Teele Sq Auto Somerville, MA.

 Published by Teele Square Auto in Somerville, MA​