Comprehensive Guide To Auto Repair Services

Choosing an independent mechanic can be a smarter choice for car repairs. They tend to charge less due to lower costs and might even be open to negotiating. You also get a more personal experience, dealing directly with the mechanic. This is different from dealerships, where you usually go through a service department, making the process feel less direct.

When you notice your check engine light has come on, it can cause a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. It could be something minor, like a faulty gas cap, which will not cause any major issues. However, it could also be a serious problem, such as a misfiring engine. The check engine light is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. The problem is that the check engine light doesn’t actually let you know what the problem is, which means most vehicle owners will need to visit an auto shop for auto diagnostics in order to pinpoint where the issue is coming from.

If you see the check engine light come on, don’t ignore it. It is important to address problems indicated by the light promptly. Ignoring them could lead to larger, costlier problems later.

Preventative maintenance for a car involves routine checks, inspections, and services carried out at regular intervals to ensure the vehicle functions optimally and to reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs in the future.

The primary goal is to catch and address potential problems before they escalate. By sticking to regularly scheduled maintenance, you can keep your car running smoothly and efficiently for a long time to come.

Typically, you should service your car every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Always check your owner’s manual for specific advice related to your vehicle. If you notice any unusual changes or warning lights, get your car checked immediately. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps prevent costly future repairs.

In New Jersey, drivers are required to have a state car inspection every two years in order to make sure their vehicle is safe for the road and that emissions are up to the standard set by the state. This can either be done at the Motor Vehicle Commission, or an auto repair shop that has a Private Inspection Facility (PIF) license to perform certified state inspections. Bradley’s is fully licensed for state inspections, so don’t hesitate to set up an appointment today.

Yes! Bradley’s Auto Service in Red Bank, NJ, is fully licensed to repair emissions failure. We don’t just scan for codes; we are legally certified to handle both the inspection and repairs on-site.

Our shop meets the strict Emission Repair Technician Certification (ERT) requirements of the New Jersey DEP, and recertification is required every five years to ensure we stay on top of the latest advances and best practices.

In New Jersey, cars newer than 1996 must have a vehicle emissions inspection every two years. This can be done at the Motor Vehicle Commission or an auto repair shop with a Private Inspection Facility license to perform certified state inspections. These tests are designed to detect any pollutants being released by the car. If your car fails the emissions test, you must have the repair certified by a licensed New Jersey emissions repair facility. Don’t let your money go to waste – let our technicians can perform an emission repair on your vehicle and get you back on track.

It’s a good practice to have your power steering functionality and fluid levels checked at every oil change, but if you are experiencing any notable issues (difficulty steering, strange noises, etc.), you may want to get the system checked out sooner rather than later.

Here are just a few ways to tell that you need to replace your car battery:

• Your car doesn’t start: A new battery has a specified capacity to provide power. As it ages, the amount of power a battery can supply becomes lower than its original rating. Once this falls below a critical threshold, it will be difficult or impossible to start your car.
• The battery warning light has turned on: Should a battery or charging system warning light illuminate, a mechanic should perform a few basic tests to determine if a battery replacement is needed.
• Electrical components don’t work: once a battery has started to fail, and the voltage produced by the battery drops, then vehicle electrical components can malfunction, such as the security system.

If you are experiencing electrical malfunctions, it’s a smart idea to have the battery tested and possibly replaced.

Parasitic draw (or drain) is when your car’s electrical system continues to pull energy from the battery, even when the vehicle is completely turned off. This is not the same as leaving your headlights on overnight accidentally, as none of the electronics should be pulling power from the battery, but it’s dying anyway. A parasitic draw can also kill the lifespan of a battery, so get it checked out as soon as possible.

Your car may need engine repairs if you notice the check engine light on, hear strange noises like knocking or hissing from the engine, or experience performance issues like stalling or reduced power. Visible smoke from the exhaust, especially if blue or black, is another warning sign. A drop in fuel efficiency and dirty engine oil with metal shavings also indicate engine problems. Address these signs quickly to avoid further damage.

Whether to rebuild or replace your engine is a major choice. Rebuilding fixes the broken parts, which can be cheaper if the damage isn’t too bad. Replacing gives you a brand-new engine but costs more. To decide, get a mechanic to check your engine’s condition and think about your car’s age and mileage.

A car AC recharge replaces your old refrigerant with new refrigerant. This is a fairly simple process, but our technicians take extra time and care to inspect your car’s AC system, run various tests to detect any serious issues or leaks that are causing the temperature discrepancies, evaluate the situation and then relay what additional actions or repairs need to be taken, if any.

If your car’s air conditioning system has trouble staying reliably cold, even after a recharge, it can be evidence of a refrigerant leak or worse, necessitating repairs. 

Your car heater may stop working due to low antifreeze or water levels in the radiator from leaks, a malfunctioning thermostat preventing engine heating, a faulty blower fan, or contaminated coolant blocking the heater core, restricting warm air flow into the cabin.

Module programming, also known as module flashing, module reflashing, ECM flashing, and ECM reflashing, is the process of replacing the your vehicle’s existing software in a vehicle controller with new software.

How often you should change your transmission fluid depends on your car and how you use it. Check your car’s manual for advice. Many say to change the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Some even say 100,000 miles. If you drive hard, like towing things or a lot of stop-and-go traffic, you might need to change it more often. If you suspect you have low transmission fluid levels or need transmission repair services, let us know! Be aware this is not the same as a transmission fluid flush, which replaces old fluid with new fluid, helping maintain the systems’ lifespan. 

As the central component of the cooling system, your vehicle’s radiator regulates and monitors the temperature of the engine and prevents overheating. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your radiator isn’t functioning properly and could require replacement to prevent engine damage:

• Overheating.
• Rust on the radiator.
• Consistently low coolant levels.
• Discolored coolant.
• White exhaust.

Your car’s electrical issues likely result from loose wiring, corroded connectors, or problems with the computer systems like the Engine Control Module (ECM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and Transmission Control Module (TCM). Loose or corroded connections disrupt the electrical flow, while computer issues can lead to engine trouble and dashboard malfunctions. These problems often necessitate professional evaluation and repair, including potential software updates through module programming or ECM flashing.

Suspension problems can cause uneven tire wear, misalignment, and handling issues, leading to increased wear on brakes and steering components. This can result in more extensive and expensive repairs, reduced driving comfort, and compromised vehicle safety.

Signs indicating a need for axle repair include unusual vibrations or rumbling from beneath the vehicle, clicking noises during turns, grease leakage on wheel edges, the car not moving despite a running engine, and the vehicle pulling to one side while driving. Visible axle damage after an accident or obstacle impact also suggests a need for repair.

A custom-built exhaust system gets you the most horsepower possible out of your car. Our exhausts allow the car’s engine to perform at its peak by creating a more efficient path for exhaust in the engine to exit the car, giving the engine space to breathe and allowing for more fuel and air to burn. By increasing the flow capability of the engine, you will feel the difference in power as soon as you leave the lot with your new exhaust system.

Most vehicle owners don’t realize how much the weather affects their vehicle’s performance. As such, here are some of the most basic preventative measures you can take to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather:

• Check Your Fluid Levels:
  Checking your car’s fluids before and during Winter is crucial. Look for the correct levels of engine oil and antifreeze, along with brake and power steering fluids.
• Inspect Wipers:
  Inspecting your current wipers, and replacing them is integral for visibility during rain, sleet, and snow storms.
• Make Sure Defrosters Work:
  With the risk of ice and frost forming on your car and obstructing your vision, your defrosters are absolutely critical during the Winter months.
• Check Your Battery:
  The last place you want your battery to die is in the freezing cold, or worse, in the middle of a snowstorm. Batteries tend to die more often in the winter because of the strain of the cold weather.
• Check Your Tire Pressure:
  Once the temperature drops, tires tend to lose some of their pressure.
• Have Your Brakes Inspected:
  Your brakes are under much more strain during winter than in other seasons. Not just the cold air but the moisture from snow and salt from the roads can cause rust and damage.

Some of the most common reasons your car breaks down in Summer include, but are not limited to:

• Heat and Battery Woes – Excessive heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, leading to corrosion on terminals and connections. As a result, your battery may die without warning.
• Overheating Engines – Engine overheating is a common issue, as the cooling system works harder to keep it from getting too hot in the Summer. If your coolant levels are low or the coolant is not in good condition, your vehicle is at risk.
• Oil and Fluid Levels – Engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from the vehicle’s vital components. In summer, your car’s fluids are more likely to deplete.
• Fuel System Issues – The fuel pump can also get overworked in the summer heat, and may fail if it’s been showing signs of wear.

The summer heat can put extra strain on your vehicle, leading to an increased risk of breakdowns. However, with regular checks of your car’s battery, cooling system, tires, and fluid levels, you can reduce the chance of facing a breakdown during the hot months.

If you run a business that utilizes a fleet of trucks, Bradley’s Auto Service provides top-of-the-line fleet services to provide full body checkups and maintenance on each vehicle.

In addition to repairs and maintenance checks, our fleet services can identify areas where your fleet performance can be optimized. We can also assess when vehicles are getting beyond their optimal years and service so you’ll know when it is time to replace an older vehicle with a newer one.

Seeking a second opinion from a local mechanic after visiting a dealership can offer a range of benefits and reassurances for car owners. Here are a few reasons why:

• Cost Savings: Often, local mechanics might provide services at a more affordable rate compared to dealerships, which have higher overhead costs.
• Personalized Service: Local mechanics tend to offer more personalized services. They can take time to explain the problem in detail, providing you with a deep understanding of the issue at hand, which is something large dealerships might not offer.
• Unbiased Opinion: Sometimes dealerships might recommend services that are not strictly necessary, hoping to upsell and increase their profit margin. A local mechanic, particularly one you have a long-standing relationship with, is more likely to give you an honest and unbiased assessment of the necessary repairs.
• Supporting Local Businesses: By choosing a local mechanic for a second opinion, you are supporting small businesses in your community, which in turn helps in promoting local economic growth.
• Experienced Perspective: Local mechanics often have years of experience working on a wide range of vehicles, and might offer insights and solutions that a dealership overlooks.

After visiting the dealership, going to a local mechanic ensures that you are not only potentially saving money but also fostering relationships with local businesses and benefitting from seasoned expertise in vehicle maintenance and repairs. It promotes a fair market by encouraging competition and allows you to receive services that are grounded in community and experience.