Stockertown Auto Repair

What are shocks and struts? In a nutshell, shocks and struts make your car stable. Without them, your car would bounce up and down. They provide enhanced control when turning, braking, and accelerating, and a better ride when encountering uneven road surfaces. Your vehicle might have shocks, struts, or a combination of both. Due to their inherent nature, shocks and struts experience normal wear and tear. While you may not mind the bumpy ride, they do need to be replaced when worn. It's a safety issue. The Signs of Worn Shocks and Struts Your vehicle feels unstable. A little shaking is normal, but your car shouldn't feel like it's constantly moving up and down at highway speeds. Additionally, your steering wheel shouldn't vibrate on normal city roads.   Front end dips while braking. The front of your vehicle should not take a dive during hard braking.   Vehicle swerves or leers. You should not need to correct your car in ... read more

There are a number of scenarios where you might find yourself in need of an emergency kit in your car, especially during the winter. You never know when you might blow out a tire, run out of fuel, or slip off the road due to snowy or icy roads. The list below will help you prepare what you could potentially need, and remember - keep these items in your trunk, preferably somewhere with easy access to them. Antifreeze/Coolant. Extra fuel, a tank should be enough. A first aid kit. A multi-tool. That means something like a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss knife. Jumper cables. Reflective warning triangles, and/or road flares. Windshield wiper fluid, ice scraper, and a brush for snow. A few bottles of water, and some nonperishable snacks, such as protein bars. A flashlight, and fresh batteries. Blankets, or extra clothes, such as jackets, socks, hats, gloves/mittens. The items above are simply a must, and the following are additions that you should really ... read more

A dead battery is typically obvious - you get into your vehicle and realize that it won’t start. You hear the ignition click, but it won’t start up. A typical car battery only lasts between 3-4 years, depending on your vehicle and other factors, so it may be time for a replacement. There can be other causes of a dead battery as well, such as leaving electrical components on for an extended period of time, like the lights or radio, which can cause your battery to die prematurely.  A car battery can die due to a number of different reasons, whether from the battery itself or the charging and starting system. If you ever suspect an issue with your car battery, you can always take your battery into your local auto repair shop for testing to see how much life it has left.  Warning signs that can point to a dying car battery include the following:  Car starts up slow or takes multiple tries Problems with the radio Dim interior lights Failing po ... read more

Many drivers are guilty of it - overflowing their trunk, using it as secondary storage, and never cleaning it. It's easy to think of your vehicle's trunk as another place where you can keep stuff that you have no room for otherwise. We've seen it time and time again servicing cars, people coming in with their trunks filled to the brim, so much so that they can barely close. Does this have an effect on your vehicle overall?  While junk in the trunk is pretty common, you'd be surprised how much it can actually affect your vehicle. Let's look at some of the ways in which an overloaded car can have its effect:  Lowered gas mileage The most prevalent issue is that a heavy vehicle can significantly decrease your vehicle's fuel efficiency. If you have a bunch of stuff in your trunk, you're costing yourself more on gas in the long run. Having a clean vehicle helps save you money on gas and keeps your fuel efficiency high. So if you have ... read more

Good vehicle maintenance is essential when it comes to preventing major repairs and also ensuring that your vehicle runs smoothly for many years to come. For all of your general and preventative maintenance needs, bring your vehicle into the experts here at Dave's Automotive. Let's look at some of the most important maintenance items that will keep your vehicle running at its best throughout the years.  Fluids are a key maintenance item for all vehicles. Your vehicle runs on many different types of fluids throughout parts of your vehicle. Fluids have an important job that includes protecting components and ensuring that systems run smoothly. We will always check each of your vehicle’s fluids to make sure that the fluid looks clean and that lines are working properly.  Engine oil needs to be clean and cool to protect your engine parts against corrosion and seal combustion chambers. Lubricating mechanical components is extremely important because it reduces fric ... read more

The spark plugs have a super important job when it comes to your vehicle. They are the components that cause the spark to start-up combustion which is necessary to start your car. They put your engine's pistons in motion which is also important for proper air-fuel mixture and smooth operation.  If you get into your car and find that your vehicle won't start, you may believe that the issue is with the battery. However, oftentimes, it could be failing spark plugs. So, how do you know if your spark plugs are bad, and do they cause your vehicle's check engine light to turn on? The answer is - yes! Worn spark plugs can cause your vehicle's check engine light to illuminate, indicating an issue. It may even be a flashing check engine light. This is because bad spark plugs can cause your engine to misfire, which will trigger the check engine light to turn on. Some other symptoms of bad spark plugs include the following:  Rough idling Problems accelerating In ... read more

Your antifreeze is low and you don't have any coolant on hand - are you wondering if maybe you could use water instead? You aren't alone! There are a lot of people out there who try to use water in place of antifreeze when they don't have any other options. These people more than likely live in warm clients that never get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefore feel that the water will never freeze. Although this may be tempting, it is definitely not something we would recommend - let's talk about why.  First, let's define what coolant or antifreeze is. It is a 50/50 mix of water and additives which help to increase the water's freezing and boiling points. It also contains several additives that help protect the engine from corrosion. While you drive your vehicle, it relies on coolant to essentially regulate the temperature of the engine and prevent it from overheating.  When your vehicle is low on coolant, typically due to a leak somewhere within ... read more

Taking a road trip in the summer is a fun and easy way to go on vacation without breaking the bank. It also gives you the freedom of traveling to many different places along your route, and more flexibility when it comes to actual vacation time. While you may focus on planning out your trip beforehand and all the stops you'll make, one important thing to consider is the overall condition of your car. Breakdowns do happen in the middle of a long drive, so doing what you can to prevent road trip car breakdowns is key!  The best way that you can help yourself prevent car breakdowns on the road is by ensuring that your vehicle can handle the long drive. Here at Dave's Automotive, we invite you into our shop for a pre-road trip inspection at least a week before your scheduled departure time. This pre-trip inspection will consist of a thorough vehicle check of vital components and functions. Our experts will check items like brakes, fluids, engine oil, tires, alignment, suspens ... read more

You rely on your vehicle's air conditioning system to keep you comfortable on the road. When an issue with the A/C occurs unexpectedly, you'll find yourself driving in the heat with no relief. The entire HVAC, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, system is a complex system that is interconnected in some ways. The air conditioning system is run by a compressor which is driven by the engine, along with pressure lines and refrigerant.  The following symptoms are indications that there is an issue with your vehicle's air conditioning system:  No air coming out of vents Air is warm when A/C is turned on Strange noises coming from vents when A/C is on Mold or Mildew smell  If you're experiencing any of the issues listed above, chances are you have a problem within the A/C system. Let's look at some of the most common causes of a failing vehicle A/C.  Common A/C problem causes include the following:  Low refrigerant Damaged compre ... read more

With the spread of the COVID-19 virus across the globe, times are uncertain and there is great concern for the well being of our friends, families, and loved ones. Here at Dave's Automotive, we understand how important reliable auto care is to your daily lives, even among the COVID-19 shutdowns and stay at home orders. Many of those working in essentials fields such as law enforcement and healthcare still need a reliable vehicle to get them to work every day to continue saving lives and serving our community. Even those who may be out of work at the moment still need a reliable car to get them to the store to retrieve essentials such as food and sanitary supplies. This is why Dave's Automotive remains open to serve you and your family.  Auto repair is considered essential to keeping our community viable during this time and it is our number one goal to keep our staff, our valued customers and the community as a whole safe and healthy.  Here are some of the ways in w ... read more