Denton Auto Repair

Is it safe to drive with the engine oil light on? I wouldn't recommend it! When the engine light illuminates, that's usually an indication that something is not right. The light may also indicate that you are either low on engine oil, or that your care is due for an oil change.   When the engine light comes on, the problem could be as small as the gas cap hatch being left off after filling your tank with gas (I've witnessed cars drive away with the gas cap hatch hanging by a thread). Or, it could be as big as a misfire in your engine. Regardless of how big or small the problem is, listen to your car when it "tells" you something is wrong. If your engine oil light comes on, pull over immediately and assess the situation. More than likely, you may need your car taken in for service. It may be an inconvenience taking your car into the shop, but think of the life or lives you may save by paying attention to the flashing, little orange oil light symbol!   ... read more

Hundreds of thousands of individuals pack up their vehicles every year during the holidays to visit friends and family. If you are traveling this busy holiday, please fix your car before hitting the busy roads. We've broken the preparation into three simple steps: Get an Inspection Before You Leave - One of the most manageable things you can do for your and your family's safety is take your vehicle to a trusted repair shop like Strande's Garage for a pre-trip inspection. Our brilliant team can take a close look at any noticeable damages, ensure all your lights, tires, and other safety functions are operational, and more. Furthermore, we can top off your essential fluids, including your oil, antifreeze, etc. Lastly, you'll need a good pair of wiper blades to clear any rain or snow you may drive through. Test Major Components - It can be hard to go through the tedious process of testing all your components, especially if you're not familiar with what to check in the ... read more

It's a lot easier to knock your wheels out of alignment than you think; we have all done it at one point or another without even realizing it. The good news is that Strande's Garage can realign your wheels whenever they need it! Wheel alignment is essential as it helps you control your automobile and prevents premature wear of your tires. Here are four signs that your wheels probably need this service soon! Sign #1 - Pulling to a Side One of the most common symptoms of misalignment is if your vehicle pulls to the right or left side even though you are trying to direct it to go straight. Your wheels should naturally be aligned so that it goes straight. If your car is swerving to one side, it means that the wheels are not appropriately pointing in the right direction. Sign #2 - Crooked Steering Wheel The steering wheel can be a significant indicator of your alignment. Is the car manufacturer's logo centered on the steering wheel? If it's crooked, then that means your ... read more

It is already that time of the year where the kiddos are heading back to school. With the convenience of online schooling this past year, it may take some getting used to getting back into the rhythm of what used to be. When you – or one of your kids – head back to school this fall, make sure you properly inspect all your tires. Routine tire care and safety are simple and easy. All you need is several minutes of your day to check your tires for damage, uneven wear, tread depth, alignment, and proper inflation. By doing this at the start of the school year, you can save yourself time, aggravation, and money down the line.   The first step is to ensure you've got the correct air pressure in your tires. Underinflation of tires can lead to tire failure and blowouts, whereas overinflation can cause uneven tire wear. The vehicle manufacturer specifies the right amount of air pressure for your tires and is usually listed on the vehicle door frame.    The nex ... read more

There are so many nifty car gadgets and tools that most people don't know of. In fact, some of them are so useful and can change your entire driving experience. Today, we've compiled a list of practical car accessories that every driver (at any age) needs to have.    Phone Mount A phone mount for you is essential if you depend on navigation apps on your everyday commute. There are plenty on the market, but we suggest you get one that requires no installation. These types of mounts will fasten to your phone with a strong magnet or sensor clasps and clamping onto your air vent. Once it is fitted on there, you can conveniently view Google Maps, Maps, or Waze.    Portable Hand-Held Car Vacuum Everyone should invest in a portable hand-held car vacuum at one point or another. Some can even plug into your vehicle to give you a boost in cleaning power. As a result, you don't have to worry about its battery dying in a couple of minutes. When browsing for th ... read more

The way you handle your vehicle on your everyday commute significantly impacts your fuel economy. Whether gas prices are rising or not, you can still save some money by making minor adjustments to your driving habits. Here are some of the best tips and practices to ease the pain of paying at the pump.   How to Get the Most Out of Your Gas Slow down. According to Consumer Reports, driving faster on the highway can significantly take away from your car's fuel efficiency. As you might know, the harder we accelerate, the more fuel ends up getting used.  Avoid unnecessary braking. Additionally, when we frequently press on the brakes, we also waste the power used beforehand to get up to speed. To save some coins, avoid unnecessary braking whenever possible.  Travel light. Remove any unnecessary stuff that has been sitting in your car. Heavier items are not fitted for long-time storage in your vehicle, especially if you want to maximize your fuel economy. Not only w ... read more

Like every other driver, you always have such essentials as proof of insurance and the owner's manual in your car at all times. But what happens when you are enjoying a pleasant afternoon drive with your family, and you suddenly have a flat tire? How prepared will you be? Well, nobody wants to be left stranded by the highway waiting for a road assistance service when an emergency happens. All the same, the only way to be safe is to have your emergency kit supply at your car's trunk every time before pulling off the driveway. But that is not all. Inspect your car emergency kit every six months and replace all the lost and expired items to make sure they are available every time you need them. Your vehicle's emergency supply kit should include: A First Aid Kit Sometimes, accidents will happen - no matter how careful we might be. In such a case, having an emergency goes a long way. You can always purchase a prepackaged kit for less than $20 or less or choose to assemble you ... read more

One of the most critical safety features in a car is the brake pads. As a result, having the condition of your brake pads tested at our shop on a regular basis is critical. In this situation, it is preferable to avoid rather than cure. How Do Brake Pads Work? Brake pads act in tandem with brake discs to slow the car down. As a result, they are a part of the braking mechanism. When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads press against the brake disc, slowing the vehicle. When Should My Brake Pads Be Replaced? Brake pads are the component of your vehicle that wears out the most quickly. As a result, it's important to get your brake pads tested on a regular basis. The friction between the brake pads and the brake discs will decrease if brake pads are used too often. By stepping on the brakes when driving on a safe path, you will experience this for yourself. It's a good idea to have our mechanics look at the brakes if your car doesn't come to a complete stop ri ... read more

There is no scary feeling like seeing you seeing smoke emanating from your hood while on that road trip you have planned all year. Your summer drive may be interrupted or even halted if you cannot take precautions to prevent further damage to an overheating engine. Do not panic even when the temperature gauge indicated the red "H," instead take the following precautions to avoid further engine damage What to Do and Not Do When Your Car Overheats Pullover the side of the road to have your engine checked. Ensure it is a safe spot to avoiding risking the lives of other motorists Check the coolant level and add if you have it and the gauge is low Turn off the AC immediately to stop overworking the engine. Instead, turn on the defroster with the heat and fan speed at high Roll down your windows because it is about to get hotter inside your car. If you are still stuck in traffic, it is wise to try your best to increase coolant circulation by putting the car in park or neutral ... read more

Most modern vehicles use a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). It uses a series of sensors to track tire pressure. Most vehicle manuals spell out the recommended pressure for driving and below which a driver should take action. When the tires are significantly underinflated, the TPMS low tire pressure indicator on your vehicle's dashboard light comes on to warn you. The warning light illuminates with a yellow color on your vehicle's dashboard in the form of a wheel's cross-section. Many vehicles may even display a low-pressure message and indicate the exact tire where the pressure is low. Driving Through A TPMS Warning Light When the indicator shows the low tire pressure sign, pressure has fallen below the manufacturer's recommendation. Do not wait for the indicator to illuminate to get the pressure checked. Make it a habit to constantly check the tire pressure to ensure you maintain the necessary mileage in your driving and avoid getting stuck on the road when th ... read more