Stratford Auto Repair

If you don't know already, there is a high demand for cars right now due to a low supply of vehicles. All across the board, prices on both new and used cars have risen. In fact, the average used car price has increased up to nearly 27% from only a year ago. Though the high prices may not stop some from buying a much-needed car. If you're in the market for a vehicle, you better make sure it's worth every penny. Experts recommend that car buyers get a pre-purchase inspection before buying a used vehicle to ensure they’re making the best investment.    What Is a Pre-Purchase Inspection? A pre-purchase inspection is simply a service offered by auto repair shops, including Desi Auto Care, where expert professionals check the vehicle to determine the actual condition of the car. At Desi Auto Care, our team is qualified to inspect the ins and outs of your vehicle for all things, including mechanical problems, cosmetic damage, and how safe and reliable the vehic ... read more

Have you ever stepped on the brake pedal just to be surprised by an unusual vibration coming from the brake pedal and/or the steering wheel? Well, you should be glad to know that you're not the only one on the planet that has experienced that feeling. That feeling, as described, is called brake shudder; it is also known as brake judder. Brake shudder happens where there are difficulties within the disc brake system, and if you don't address the problem soon, it can be dangerous.   How Brake Shudder Occurs Brake shudder is a vibration that can be felt in the brake pedal, steering wheel, brake pedal, suspension, or a combination of all three at high speeds. The shake can range from mild to severe. Unfortunately, brake shutters can be difficult to diagnose by yourself because they can be caused by various things (damaged rotors, malfunctioning calipers, or new brake pads that have not been sufficiently broken in).   If your vehicle is affected, please pay close atte ... read more

We all know that oil changes are the utmost vital service to get for your car. They are also the most frequent procedure you need to get for your vehicle. Without fresh and clean oil, your engine parts would bump against each other and overheat quickly. Here's what will happen if you forget your oil change: Sludge Buildup -  When your oil gets dirty and dark and runs through the engine, it will leave behind a nasty sludge buildup. Sludge is thickened gunk that can lead to the restriction of vital fluids. Contamination - As the engine flows through your motor, it may pick up contaminants like dirt and debris. Over time, if it gets dirty enough, it can lead to engine inefficiency. It can also create other problems, like gunk blocking the pipes. Breakdown - With old, contaminated oil, don't be surprised if you experience a breakdown. An overheating car is inevitable if the oil isn't reaching where it needs to in the system. It can cause irreversible damage that can cos ... read more

It's September, which means fall is here in Stratford, NJ. With the seasonal changes, it's time to run through a car maintenance checklist to ensure you're ready for the chilly season.   Having your vehicle inspected during the autumn months may feel like a drag, but it will save you a headache when the temperatures drop and winter hits. Here are six preventative maintenance tips to prepare your car for the autumn:   #1: Check Your Battery Have you ever had a vehicle battery drain during the winter? It's a common phenomenon in the north. In the colder months, vehicle batteries experience heavy wear and tear. All you need is a quick check-up (and possible battery replacement) to ensure you won't be stranded with a dead battery.   #2: Make Sure the Defroster & Heater Works With winter around a few months, we have to prepare for the worst. It's uncomfortable and unsafe to drive in wet conditions and especially freezing conditions. At the ... read more

Alignment is a highly complex subject covering many different terms and an array of vehicle parts. First and foremost, you should know that your tires point in the wrong direction when your wheels are out of alignment. As you can imagine, this is a considerable safety hazard. Misaligned wheels will affect your steering and suspension, but more importantly, they could affect your safety and the durability of your tires.   How Do Wheels Get Misaligned? There are numerous ways for your vehicle to lose its alignment.  Wheel misalignment can be driven by: Potholes Hitting the curb or flying through speed bumps Bumping into concrete parking stalls Wear and tear—as automobiles age, rubber components start cracking or losing their elasticity, and ball and socket joints develop looseness. Alignment angles are typically calibrated in tenths and hundredths of degrees or inches. Over time, a minor misalignment can cause uneven or premature tire wear.    What Hap ... read more

As a car owner, it's essential to recognize the value of regular maintenance and the responsibility that comes with ownership. From everyday situations to emergencies, there are things you need to have in your car. You should be prepared for the most unexpected circumstances.   First Aid Kit In the event of an accident or unforeseen injury, a first aid kit is ideal for storing in your glove compartment. The equipment itself will not treat a severe injury, as emergency personnel should be called immediately, though it can help in less extreme conditions.   Spare Tire One of the most unfortunate events you can experience on the road is a flat tire. A spare tire is always necessary to store in your vehicle. Additionally, you'll also need the proper tools, such as a lug wrench and jack, to repair your old tire.    Set of Jumper Cables Your car battery often dies at the worst times. If another driver is willing to lend you some juice, a set of jumper cab ... read more

  Breaking down in the middle of a drive is one of the most dreaded situations to be in for any driver. Somehow it always seems to happen at the worst time and at the worst place. Although it can be extremely overwhelming, the first thing to do is remain calm and follow these safety precautions. Breakdowns can, without a doubt, lead to car accidents if you are in an unfamiliar location, so understanding your surroundings is essential.   First and foremost, always remember to turn on your emergency or hazard lights. Doing so will communicate to other drivers on the road that something is wrong and will allow others to take precautions when driving around your vehicle.    If you perceive your car breaking down, deviate to the shoulder or side of the road in a safe area as soon as possible. As soon as you are positioned on the shoulder and out of harm’s way, turn your vehicle’s engine off.    Using your phone, find and call for a tow truck ... read more

During the course of driving on a local road or highway lies a monster in waiting. What are we talking about? Those dreaded potholes. No matter where you live you are bound to hit one. Even a small pothole can damage your automobile, but those big ones are surely a menace. Should you check your vehicle afterward? You bet you should. What are you looking for? Here is a brief checklist. Steering Troubles You will notice this without getting out of the car. Has your steering suddenly become difficult? Does the car want to pull to one side or another? If yes, this is a dangerous sign that requires a professional mechanic to fix it. Other steering problems you could now have are unusual vibrations in the steering column that was not present before hitting the pothole. Tire Problems Potholes can wreak havoc on your tires. You must pull over to someplace safe like a parking lot to check them out. Look for bulges, cracks, or puncture marks on the sidewall ... read more

Everyone with a vehicle has heard of a catalytic converter at some time or another… there are some that may even know a lot about a catalytic converter. While you may have heard of it or may know some things about it, are you able to know when you have a bad catalytic converter? There are some symptoms that you can be on the lookout for to know if you have a bad catalytic converter. In fact, there are 5 symptoms that you can watch for to know if you have a bad catalytic converter, or are on your way to having one. Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic ConverterRattling Noise: If you hear a rattling noise coming from under the vehicle this is a sign of a failing or bad catalytic converter. When you have a catalytic converter that is old or damaged internally it can be caused by an excessive amount of rich fuel mixtures. When this happens, the catalyst coated honeycomb meshes that are on the inside of the converter can break apart or collapse, which will ... read more

As its name implies, your car is not going to get very far if the starter is not working. This can be a frustrating experience to say the least. Everything else on the car might appear to be working great, including the battery, but yet you still cannot start it. There are some signs to look out for that would indicate you have a bad starter. What Are the Symptoms? There are several common signs that your starter is bad. Here are a few of them: Your Car Just Doesn't Sound Right If you hear a strange clicking noise when you go to turn the car on, this can be an indicator that your starter is going bad. This is why it is important to listen to the noises coming from your car as they can help you avoid getting stuck with a starter that has stopped working altogether. The Lights Come on But Nothing Happens You might notice that all of the lights on your dashboard come on, but the car just will not start. This is an indication that something is wrong with the starter. If that is t ... read more