Car Care Tips

  • 3 Minutes a Month Can Save Your Transmission

    dipstick on car

    When it comes to transmissions, your fluid level is essential. Too much or too little fluid can affect pressure, cooling abilities, and lubrication. In order to best care for your vehicle, it's important to know what to look for, so from our shop here at Hoff's Automotive, Inc. here are a few tips. 

  • 9 Signs Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-Up

    mechanic checking under hood of car

    Sluggish. Squealing. Unreliable. Vibrating. If any of these descriptors fit your vehicle’s recent behavior, it just might be trying to tell you something – like it’s time for a tune-up.

    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. 

  • A Tire For All Seasons Can Be Overwhelming

    Winter/Summer tires

    To some drivers, picking out the right tire is just as important – and just as much fun – as finding the right shoes is to a runner. For many people, they have found that shopping for tires is overwhelming because there are just so many choices. AT Hoff's Automotive, Inc. IN Hackettstown, NJ, our technicians are ready to help you make that decision.

  • Balancing, mounting, and what you need to know about both.

    Tire being serviced in a shop

    There are a few things that matter when mounting new tires on your vehicle. First, you want it done right. Second, you want it done fast. For both, Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ has you covered.

  • Battery Dead? Here Is How You Jump Start Your Vehicle!

    At some point or another, we’ve pretty much all dealt with a dead car battery. There’s a good chance you already know how to jump-start your car - if not, don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know, from Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ.

  • Brake For Great Service

    brake repair

    Brakes are one of the most important components of your vehicle. You need the confidence of knowing that when you press your foot to the brake, your vehicle is going to stop. That's why it's important to keep these tips in mind to help keep your brakes functioning properly. Schedule an appointment with us at Hoff's Automotive, Inc. for a brake service checkup today!

  • Brakes…One of the Most Important Parts of Your Vehicle

    mechanic working on the brakes of a car

    Obviously, your brakes are pretty important. Your brake system is made of many components that all have to work correctly for your brakes to operate seamlessly. If one thing needs to be repaired, the whole system is compromised. Brake pads, rotors, hoses, calipers, and metal lines all play a part in stopping your car. At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ, we’re here to make sure your car, truck, or SUV stops as it should.

  • Checking Your Fluid Levels - How 3 Minutes Once A Month Can Save Your Vehicle

    At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ, we know how easy it is to overlook vehicle maintenance when everything is working as it should - we also know firsthand the toll neglected maintenance takes on a vehicle. Here’s an easy thing you can do yourself, that might save you an engine, transmission, or avoid numerous other problems.

  • Common Heater/AC Fan Switch Issues

    hand over aircondition

    At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, we know how important climate control is to your driving experience. Not only does a fully functional heat and AC system keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, it is vital to defrosting windows and keeping the air in your car circulating.

  • Dash Warning Lights to Watch For!

    battery warning light

    It doesn't matter if you are driving a car or truck, jeep or SUV, a diesel 4x4 or a classic when those dash warning lights go off the first thing you do is think "how bad is it?" and "how much will it cost me?" followed quickly by "when was my last service visit?"!!  Driving your vehicle longer safely is all about getting it serviced based on what your vehicle manual recommends and these warning lights are alerting you to a situation that requires your attention. 

    While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator light should ever be ignored!

  • Disconnecting a Battery from A Vehicle

    man taking battery out of car

    If you’re ever in a situation where you must remove the battery from your vehicle, it’s important to know what you’re doing. It seems pretty straight forward, and it is. However, there are some important things to remember when disconnecting the battery in your car, truck, or SUV. Here are some tips on disconnecting a car battery, from Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ.

  • Do You Know How Your AC Works?

    hand on car air conditioning vent

    When you get in your car, truck, SUV, or minivan to drive and the A/C does not work what could be wrong? Here at Hoff's Automotive, Inc., we have some simple answers to help you understand how your vehicle A/C system works. The first question we are asked is "Why isn't my air conditioner blowing cold air?" Let's talk about what could be happening. 

  • Do You Know The Difference Between Gasoline Grades?

    At some point, while waiting for your tank to fill up, you’ve probably wondered what the difference is between the choices of gasoline at the pump. Typically, you see three buttons, with a number between 85 and 98, in ascending order and ascending prices. These numbers are octane ratings, which you probably know; but what is an octane rating, really?

  • Do You Smell One Of These Smells? It's Time To Bring Your Car In.

    girl smelling vents

    If you’ve owned a vehicle long, particularly one with a few miles on it, you have probably encountered a peculiar smell that grabbed your attention. Scents that you encounter while driving (emanating from your vehicle, not the horse farm down the road) are indicators of your vehicle's health and often the first warning that something may be wrong. Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown has assembled this list to prepare for you for the next time you smell something odd, so you’ll know what’s going on next time you notice a funny smell.

  • Don't Fret Over That Flat Tire

    man changing a tire on side of roadIf you drive, you’re eventually going to have to deal with a flat tire. Flat tires often come at the most inconvenient times but knowing what to do and how to handle them will help you be comfortable when the need arises. So if you find yourself with a flat, here’s what to do next, from Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ.
  • Electrical systems issues - what are the symptoms, and what can you do about it?

    mechanic working on auto electrical system

    Every year, vehicle electrical systems get a little more complicated. These days, many cars on the road contain up to a mile of wiring, running throughout every corner of the vehicle. With all those wires, there’s bound to be an issue at some point; Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ is here to help you recognize a potential electrical issue, and know what to do about it.

  • Exhaust issue don't have to be exhausting, and here's why

    exhaust on a vehicle

    Exhaust issues are extremely common, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive. At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ, we can get your exhaust back in shape in no time.

    Exhaust issues tend to be neglected, and we get that; there are just other parts of your vehicle that you'd rather focus on. Besides a clogged catalytic converter, there isn’t much risk of damage from a bad exhaust system - it negatively affects your gas mileage, and the sound is annoying, but other than that, it’s an issue many people learn to live with. 

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    corrosive battery in car image

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Hackettstown drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Hoff's Automotive, Inc., we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Hints Your Transmission Is Failing

    transmission in car

    At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ, we know that transmissions are witchcraft to most people. More often than not, if major damage has occurred, it’s a lot more time and cost-effective to just replace the entire unit and get a fresh start. Our trained technicians at Hoff's Automotive, Inc. want to keep you informed so you are aware of what to look out for.

  • How are your transmission mounts?

    transmission

    Your transmission mounts keep your transmission in place and suppress vibrations coming from the drivetrain. How do you know when to replace them or when they’re going bad. At Hoff's Automotive, Inc. in Hackettstown, NJ, our goal is to educate you about your vehicle so that you can drive it safely and prolong its life. 

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Hoff's Automotive, Inc.

700 Grand Ave Suite A
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
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location small (908) 852-7272
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SHOP HOURS

Weekdays:   Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Weekends: Closed
THE SHOP WILL BE CLOSED JULY 1ST-5TH FOR VACATION

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