Stratford Auto Repair

If you have an upcoming road trip for the Fourth of July or during the summer, we highly recommend having your car, SUV, or truck inspected. A pre-trip check up can help you avoid costly repairs or breakdowns that can take away precious vacation time. At Desi Auto Care, we care about you. A well-maintained vehicle ensures you arrive at your destination safely. Check out some of the things we typically check during a pre-trip inspection: Battery It is good practice to have your battery inspected and tested at least once a year. Aside from checking for a proper charge, you need to make sure the battery connection points are free of corrosion. If you have no experience with doing this, bring your car to our auto repair shop soon. Fluids Car fluids can quickly jeopardize vacation time if they are low, contaminated, or both. You can avoid all the trouble with proper auto maintenance. We can make sure you’re topped off on coolant, brake fluid, oil, and more. Additionally, we can re ... read more

Like most people, you probably don't know much about car fluid leaks. Unless your car has recently sprung a leak, you may not even think about them. However, car fluid leaks are something that every driver should be aware of. There are several different types of car fluid leaks, and each one can have other consequences for your car. Let's learn more. Oil Leaks The most common type of car fluid leak is an oil leak. Oil leaks can happen for various reasons, but they usually occur when the seals or gaskets that keep oil contained in the engine wear out. Oil leaks can also arise from a crack in the engine block or an oil pan. You'll likely see a dark brown or black liquid dripping from your car if you have an oil leak. The leak will be most noticeable when your car is parked on a level surface. Oil leaks can cause engine damage and should be repaired as soon as possible. Coolant Leaks Another type of car fluid leak is a coolant leak. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, help ... read more

Overheating engines is a common issue during the summer months. Many people think that turning on the car heater will help cool down an overheating engine. However, this might be the case. The car heater actually pulls warm air from around the engine and circulates it through the cabin of the car. Ways To Cool Down An Overheating Engine There are a few things you can do to help cool down an overheating engine. Turn on the car's heater. This may seem counterintuitive, but the heater will actually help to circulate coolant through the engine. Turn on the car's fan. The fan will help to move air around the engine and cool it down. Open the hood of the car. This will allow heat to escape from the engine and will help to cool it down. Pour water over the radiator. This will help to cool down the engine by providing a source of cold water. Turn off the car's air conditioning. The air conditioning system puts a strain on the engine, which can cause it to overheat. Pull ove ... read more

If you're planning a road trip, it is important to make sure your vehicle is ready to go before hitting the road. The last thing you want to do is run into trouble in the middle of a road trip. Here are some pre-trip checkup points to go over before you make your way. Check all fluids - Make sure all of your vehicle's fluids are full and clean. Several fluids should be checked, including antifreeze, engine oil, power steering, brakes, transmission, and windshield wiper solvent. Check hoses and belts - A quick belt check can help you avoid a costly breakdown. A belt that snaps or cracks can cause failure in a number of different systems. Belts and hoses is a quick inspection for your local mechanic and replacing a belt or hoses before it breaks or snaps will actually save you a ton of money. Check the tires - Your tires should be properly inflated before any trip and should also be well balanced and aligned. If you notice excessive wear on one or more of your tires, your loca ... read more

On certain mornings in Stratford, NJ, you might have to crank up the heat and turn on your defrosters to get rid of the ice. Furthermore, the cold can create condensation on your windscreen, making it hard to see when driving. A functional defroster can eliminate those problems. All in all, many Stratford drivers rely on their defrosters this time of year.  Therefore, a malfunctioning heating and defrosting system can be a major inconvenience and concern. Below are some common problems that can cause your defrosters to stop working: Clogged fresh air intake - Your front defrosters need proper airflow to do their job. If one or more of your intake is blocked, it could impact the defrosters' performance. Faulty thermostat - An open thermostat that is stuck open can prevent your heater and defrosters from working.  Broken heater core - Like the radiator, this component has coolant flowing through it to provide your vents with heat. A damaged heater core will also make yo ... read more

A shaky steering wheel is never normal; in fact, it can be highly concerning. If you are uneasy and worried about your car, then the best solution is to take it to Desi Auto Care for an inspection. Luckily, the fix is usually relatively straightforward. Let's look at some of the potential causes of a vibrating steering wheel. Common Causes of a Vibrating Steering Wheel There are a few possible reasons for your vehicle's shakiness. Each issue comes with its auxiliary problems and concerns. If you suspect that you may have one of these issues, it is highly recommended that you mention your concerns to your mechanic. Unbalanced Wheels This problem is the most common cause we see at our shop for a vibrating steering wheel. Your vehicle's weight has not been correctly and evenly distributed if your wheels have been poorly rotated. The uneven distribution causes parts of your car to vibrate, especially the rod leading to your steering column. If ign ... read more

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