Stratford Auto Repair

Wheel alignment plays a crucial role in keeping your vehicle safe, stable, and efficient on the road. When your wheels are properly aligned, they work together harmoniously, ensuring even tire wear and optimal handling. However, over time, your wheels can fall out of alignment due to various factors like road conditions and normal wear and tear. To help you identify when it's time for a wheel alignment, here are five signs to watch out for: 1. Vehicle Pulling To One Side If you find yourself constantly adjusting the steering wheel to keep your vehicle straight on the road, it's a clear indication of misaligned wheels. When the wheels are not aligned properly, they create an imbalance in the direction they're moving in, causing the car to pull to one side. This can be both frustrating and dangerous, as it requires constant correction to maintain a straight path. 2. Uneven Tire Wear Inspect your tires regularly for signs of uneven wear. M ... read more

Summer is the perfect time to embark on thrilling road trips and soak up the sun. And what better way to enhance your summer adventure than with a convertible car? Convertibles provide a unique driving experience, allowing you to feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the open road to the fullest. Continue reading to find out our top five picks for the best summer-ready convertibles! Mazda MX-5 Miata - Lots of fun in a small package The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a classic choice for convertible enthusiasts. With its sleek design, agile handling, and affordable price tag, the Miata is a favorite among car enthusiasts. Whether you're cruising along coastal highways or tackling winding mountain roads, the Miata delivers an exhilarating driving experience. BMW 4 Series Convertible - German perfection The BMW 4 Series Convertible combines luxury and performance in a sleek and stylish package. With its powerful engines, refined interior, and advanced technol ... read more

A lot of drivers on the road forget to do some very important things and create habits to make the ride safer and more comfortable. Everyday commutes, busy lifestyles, and many more can distract you from the important things mentioned above. But what are they? Well, if you continue reading, you will find out seven helpful tips for drivers and car owners, no matter the make or model of your vehicle. 1. Keep Your Car Clean Cleaning your vehicle is commonly overlooked and forgotten. But the benefits you get from doing it regularly are unexpected. When you clean your exterior and interior you are not only making them look good but also keeping them free of buildup. Parts like the brakes benefit from regular cleaning because of the debris build-up that can result in a loss in performance.  2. Visit The Repair Shop If You Suspect Problems If you notice signs of problems in your vehicle, don't simply ignore them. Sometimes it's better to trus ... read more

Auto diagnostics is the process of identifying problems or issues within a vehicle using specialized tools and software. The goal is to pinpoint the source of the problem and provide accurate information to the mechanic or technician so they can make the necessary repairs - only by using the previously mentioned tools and software. How Do Diagnostics Work Modern vehicles are equipped with a range of electronic sensors and systems that monitor the performance of various components, including the engine, transmission, brakes, and more. These sensors generate a huge amount of data that can be accessed through the vehicle's onboard diagnostic (OBD) system. The OBD system is a standardized interface that allows technicians to communicate with the vehicle's computer and retrieve diagnostic information. Auto diagnostics tools can range from simple code readers to more advanced devices that can diagnose complex problems. Code readers are relatively inexpensive and can provide basic ... read more

Most of the time, we associate colors with meaning. Green is for go, red for stop, and so on. This should also apply to the smoke coming from our vehicle's exhaust. Certain shades and colors mean different things, but not many people know it, so if you are one of them, keep scrolling. White Or Almost Clear Smoke You have nothing to worry about here. White or clear is the expected color of the smoke coming from your exhaust. Water accumulates and vaporizes in the exhaust system resulting in almost no smoke. To be exact, it's vapor and not smoke. Gray Or Bluish Smoke Gray smoke indicates that there is an oil leak somewhere. Most of the time, this happens in the engine block. A gasket or seal has broken, and oil leaks into the combustion chambers where it ignites. This problem can be very costly so be sure to have it checked and fixed as soon as possible. Bluish smoke while accelerating or slowing down points to something bad happening in your motor. Damaged piston rings and ... read more

The coldest season presents significant challenges especially pertaining to your car. The cold temperatures, ice, snow, and slush are all detrimental to your vehicle. If you want a safe driving experience and your car to survive the winter, it is crucial to prepare for it. The following are tips to help you prepare your vehicle for the winter: Check Your Tires Because of the frigid temperatures, your tires will be severely affected during winter. The air inside them will contract, so it is essential to ensure they are properly inflated during winter. Low tire pressure will affect your handling, making it more difficult to steer in the snow. Poorly inflated tires also make it challenging to stop the vehicle. It would be best to get winter tires that are more appropriate for the season. Replace any old tires before winter. Get A Tune-Up Your vehicle will have to work harder during winter so getting a tune-up is an excellent idea. Start by checking the wiper fluid levels in the eng ... read more

The Do’s and Don’ts of Defrosting Your Car With temperatures dropping quickly in New Jersey, we thought we’d share our best (and worst) practices when it comes to defrosting frozen windshields and windows. You might be in a rush to warm up your car, SUV, or truck in the morning, but you should know the difference between the Do’s and Don'ts. Otherwise, you could severely damage your car. DO - Use the Defrosters This feature is a significant life-saver, and you should use it to your best advantage. As soon as you turn on your car, turn on the heat and the defrost setting. It can cause the frost on your windshield to melt in as little as a couple of minutes. DON’T - Use Boiling Water When you’re running late out the door, it may be tempting to use methods that are out of this world. One of those methods that people try is boiling water. However, there is such a drastic temperature change between 32 degrees (or below) and 212 degrees that this j ... read more

Your car is one of your most valuable possessions. It is also mostly depended on. Maintaining it in its best state and ensuring it lasts for as long as possible must be your top priority. It is crucial to stay on top of its maintenance schedules, including wheel rotations and oil changes. However, how you handle and drive your car can make or break your car's performance and longevity. Here are some of the common driving habits that can hurt your vehicle. Carelessly Slamming Into Potholes At one time, you might have to drive on the road with many terrible potholes. You might ignore them and hit them head-on when driving at high speed. This takes a great toll on the steering, suspension, and alignment and might damage or even blow out your vehicle tires. If you cannot effectively steer away from a pothole, you should slow down and avoid potential damage. Riding the Brakes Avoid placing your foot o the brake pedal when approaching stop-and-go traffic or if driving down a steep h ... read more

Do you detect any issues with your brake pedal? Are you unsure if these symptoms indicate low brake fluid? For both your safety and the safety of other motorists on the road, having a solid pair of brakes is crucial. What causes low brake fluids? Your vehicle might end up having low brake fluid levels if there is; Damaged brake pads The brake pads may be impacted by low levels of brake fluid. Because brake pads are a crucial component of a vehicle's braking system, having insufficient brake fluid might cause the pads to malfunction. Pools of leaking fluid Leaks in the system can significantly lower the hydraulic pressure needed to slow and stop a vehicle. Brake fluid leaks can be found by looking for residue left behind after a car is parked or by inspecting the fluid reservoir beneath the hood. Signs of low brake fluids If your car shows any of these symptoms, you might need to have it fixed; ABS Activates with brake system's odor Your Anti-lock Braking System light ... read more

You’re driving, and it feels like any ordinary day. But lo and behold, you are welcomed with a bright yellow light on your dashboard – the check engine light. This warning indicator is so dreaded by many drivers because of the many things it can mean. It is important that you stay informed so that you can avoid panic. Furthermore, you should take the light as a sign to have a professional troubleshoot the problem.   Here are the top reasons why a check engine light illuminates: BAD OXYGEN SENSOR - The O2 sensor plays an integral role in the exhaust system. It measures unburned oxygen levels and communicates with your car’s computer to make adjustments to rebalance the air-to-fuel ratio. When the sensor is corrupted or worn, it will trigger the check engine light instead. WORN SPARK PLUGS - These components ignite the fuel and air combo in the combustion chamber to power the engine. Newer vehicles don’t require new spark plugs as often as older cars ... read more