Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

As the winter months set in and temperatures drop, it's crucial to keep your vehicle prepared for the challenges of inclement weather. Often, one of the most overlooked aspects of winter readiness is tire quality. While a quick glance might show some tread, this doesn’t necessarily mean your tires are winter-ready. Having quality tires specifically suited for winter driving can make all the difference in unpredictable weather, helping you stay safe and avoid getting stuck. Need Help Evaluating Your Tires? Not sure how to tell if your tires will get you through the winter? Our technicians are available at both of our locations to assess your vehicle's tires and recommend any necessary changes to help you navigate the slippery conditions ahead. We can check your current tires, and help you choose a new set, if needed, to best fit your interest.  We know tires can be expe ... read more

It is essential to maintain the right engine coolant levels to ensure your vehicle's engine operates smoothly. Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a critical component that helps prevent engine overheating and freezing. However, many people are unaware of the potential dangers that can arise when engine coolant either boils or freezes. At Magic Lube and Rubber, our experienced technicians understand the importance of maintaining the proper coolant levels, and they use specialized tools such as a hydrometer to ensure your vehicle's health. The Danger of Boiling Coolant If your engine coolant boils, it can create problems for your vehicle. Engine coolant is designed to prevent your engine from overheating, and when it boils, it loses its ability to regulate temperature effectively. This can lead to engine damage, including cracked cylinder heads and blown head gaskets. An overheated engine is an expensive problem that could leave you stranded on the sid ... read more

At Automotive Magic, we prioritize delivering exceptional service and repairs to our clients. To achieve this, we have assembled a team of industry experts who are committed to using the latest technology and establishing strong relationships with our vendors to provide our clients with the best possible pricing. Being one of our current clients, you have likely met Jay, our talented technician who joined our team with an impressive list of certifications and a passion for solving problems. He graduated from Wyotech Automotive and Light Diesel Training and is licensed by the state of NJ and the Motor Vehicle Commission for vehicle inspection and emission repairs. Jay's dedication to his craft is admirable; he is always seeking to improve his knowledge and skills and has earned several certifications, including Master Certified Technician, Light Duty Diesel, L1, Gasoline-Powered Engines, and Advanced Level Sp ... read more

Our repair of the month this July is a 2008 Subaru Outback. This car came in making some unpleasant noises from under the hood. Just from the knocking and squealing noises coming from the bottom end, we were led to believe the bearings in the bottom of the engine had failed. After some diagnostics with a stethoscope, kind of like the one your doctor uses, we were able to confirm that the main and rod bearings have “spun”. Spun is a term used to describe when engine bearings fail. This normally only happens when an engine is starved of oil, or the oil loses too much viscosity and can no longer lubricate the engine properly.   You see engine bearings are never supposed to contact each other while the engine is running. They are separated by a thin film of pressurized oil, which at the correct viscosity keeps everything running smoothly with no metal to metal contact. Oil loses viscosity over time from wear and tear, heat, combustion gasses, fuel dilution and condensati ... read more

If you feel like you’ve been burned by an auto repair shop in the past, you’re in good company.  Some surveys suggest that as many as 3 out of 4 people feel like they have been overcharged for auto repairs or worry about being overcharged for services they may not even need.  As with most things in life, knowledge is power, so the more you know the less likely you are to be targeted for overcharging.  Here’s a helpful guide to answer the question: how do you know if an auto shop is legit? Signs That an Auto Shop is Legit Honest, forthright auto shop owners and technicians tend to exhibit similar actions, accolades, and business practices. They include: Ethical Auto Repair Shops Will Provide Written Estimates Shops need time to properly inspect your car in order to provide a written estimate so steer clear of shops that resist quoting you an estimate. Trustworthy Shops Will Have the Receipts to Prove Dedication to Their Craft Trustworthy auto repai ... read more

2017 Ford Fusion with multiple different electronic issues, from lights and dashboard not working, radio acting weird, and many little random glitches that don't add up. Our technician was able to diagnose the issue and deemed it to be CAN bus-related. These issues are normally very difficult to diagnose or even impossible for some without proper training and experience.     These days, all modern vehicles, from conventional combustion-powered cars to the latest EVs, feature a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. It's the electronic communication system that lets everything  be able to talk to each other including the engine, transmission, body control, and even brakes. It works the same way a computer communicates with its own parts, with 0's and 1's. Literally, multiple pulses or pauses  of electricity (0110101001) just like Morse code. Computers are ab ... read more

Fuel Saving Tips: Here in New Jersey, we are no exception to the price of fuel rising every day. We know that making every gallon count is on everyone's minds. There are some services that we offer that can help you extend those fill-ups and possibly save you some money. When it comes to your tire inflation, nitrogen is a larger molecule than the molecules in the air which in turn makes it much less prone to leaking. Keeping the correct amount of PSI in your tires makes the vehicle roll effortlessly and efficiently. When the PSI is low the tires do not perform to their capacity and it's equivalent to trying to run in the sand.   A fuel injection cleaning is a vital part of vehicle maintenance, a clean injector atomizes the fuel into a fine mist which makes for complete combustion equaling maximum power and fuel mileage. Injectors easily get dirty from contaminants in the fuel and carbon build-up from combustion making poor atomization of the ... read more

In the winter of 2021 Automotive magic will begin a new apprenticeship program. This program combines online learning through the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) training center, Automotive Training Institute (ATI) and on the job learning at Automotive Magic.  Getting paid while learning at the same time is just one of the advantages of this program. This 18 to 24 month program has nine stages and occurs at no expense to the student. As the student progresses through the program at Automotive Magic, the student receives additional compensation as an incentive to progress from one stage to the next.      Automotive Magic’s apprentices will get tools needed to work in the trade in addition to getting paid. When the apprentice graduates from the program, they get to keep the provided tool kit that is required for any mechanic. This program is certified by the US Department of Labor and the graduate will receive a diploma-like certificate acknowled ... read more

What to do? There are so many deals going on right now for new vehicles it’s pretty tempting to go ahead and make the plunge into buying a new vehicle.           The cash for clunkers offer seems to have reinvented itself in our area. Trying to convince those of us driving older vehicles to get them off the road and put the new ones on it.  Getting some cash in your pocket in return for them removing what seems to be a headache now may seem like a win/win situation.       Buying New Committing yourself to nearly a decade of payments for a new vehicle could be an option you are willing to make. There can be an uncomfortable amount of stress tied to either of these options. Getting some professional guidance along your journey might take some of the weight off of your shoulders. There are a lot of things to consider when you are making these decisions. The new car smell of the interior, the shiny new paint job. It&rsq ... read more

Where the rubber meets the road   For our customers, our family and our friends.  Your safety and your families safety is always our first and foremost priority.  Auto repairs can be inconvenient and costly and not always the top of your list of Have to’s - The safety portion well yes, they fall into the inconvenient and costly category, but it is absolutely our priority. Your well being is riding on it.  Yes, there is maintenance upkeep and investments in the long term care of your car, but the safety stuff, there’s no price that should be put on that.  So, as an absolute must, top of the list, no fooling around here are the basics:   Tires And Brakes Absolutely the top two, We can’t even say one is more important than the other.  Because if you have good tires and the brakes are shot.. Whamo! Bad news, and if your brakes are in excellent condition and your tires are bald.. Bad, just bad!    Tire ... read more