strother-brothers-auto-care

What to Check Before You Get a Second Quote

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:29:05 GMT

Four questions to ask about any big repair quote

A large repair quote is a good reason to pause. Before you decide, ask these questions.

1. What exactly failed, and how do you know? A good shop can show you the measurement, the test result or the part.

2. Is this safe to wait on, or urgent? Ask which items are safety issues and which can wait.

3. Can I see it in writing? Get an itemized estimate with parts and labor separated.

4. What is the warranty ? Ours is 3 years or 36,000 miles on qualifying repairs.

Free second opinions . Bring us a quote from another shop and we will look at the car and tell you honestly what we see. If the quote is fair, we will say so.

Call (724) 553-5635 or book online.

Brake Noises Explained: Squealing, Grinding and a Soft Pedal

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:27:00 GMT

What each brake symptom usually means

Brakes usually give warning before they fail. Here is what the common signs tend to mean.

Squealing. Often the first sign that pads are getting thin. It is a good time to have them measured.

Grinding. Usually means the pads are worn down and metal is meeting metal, which can damage the rotors and cost more to fix. Do not wait.

A soft or low pedal. Can point to a fluid or hydraulic problem. Have it checked right away.

Pulling or shaking when you stop. Can mean uneven wear, a sticking caliper or warped rotors.

How we handle brakes . We measure pad thickness and rotor condition, check the calipers, hoses and fluid, and show you the numbers. If your pads have life left, we say so. Qualifying repairs carry our 3-year/36,000-mile warranty .

Call (724) 553-5635 or book online. Ask about a loaner vehicle if your car needs to stay with us.

Why Is My Check Engine Light On?

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:23:03 GMT

What the light means and when to stop driving

A check engine light can mean something small, like a loose gas cap, or something that needs attention right away. The light alone does not tell you which one.

Steady or flashing? A steady light usually means you can drive for a short time, but get it checked soon. A flashing light means stop driving and call a shop. Driving on a flashing light can damage your engine .

Do not just read the code and guess. A code tells a technician where to start looking, not which part to replace. Replacing parts based on a code alone is how people spend money and still have the light come back.

What we do. We scan the codes, test the suspect parts, and give you a clear answer and a written estimate before any repair. Our diagnostic fee is $165 and covers real testing, not just a scanner read. If you want a second opinion on a quote from another shop, we offer that free.

Qualifying repairs are backed by our 3-year/36,000-mile warranty . Call (724) 553-5635 or book online. We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 215 Scharberry Ln in Mars.