Berkeley Auto Repair

One common crime that is becoming more popular today is catalytic converter theft. Yep - you heard that right. You can find these metallic gadgets under your vehicle, and they are responsible for converting dangerous engine gasses into safer vapors to be released into the air.    You might wonder why these are so special. Thieves flock to catalytic converters because they contain precious metals such as palladium, platinum, rhodium, and copper, all of which have risen in price since the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of replacing a catalytic converter may triple or quadruple the selling price of the stolen one. Nonetheless, if yours gets stolen, you should immediately get a new one to avoid damage to other parts. Moreover, you could be compromising your health and safety.   Tips to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Here are several things you can do to prevent catalytic converter theft from your vehicle. Only park in well-lit parking areas as light ... read more

Brakes are a critical safety component because they help you control vehicle speed and stop your vehicle when needed. You simply cannot operate a car without functioning brakes. A common problem that drivers face when it comes to brakes is soft or mushy brake pedals. When this happens, stopping your car may be a problem, making driving very dangerous. Below are some reasons why brakes can get spongy: Damaged Brake Lines Brakes lines are susceptible to rust. Moisture and salt can collect in certain areas and weaken your brake lines when you drive. As a result, you may experience leaks that cause spongy brake pedals. Old or Low Brake Fluid Brake fluid is necessary to convert the pressure applied to the brake pedals into stopping power. As previously mentioned, a loss in the brake fluid can cause mushy brakes. However, old and contaminated DOT fluid can also cause the same feeling. Fluid maintenance is necessary for this particular reason so that your brake fluid remains effective at ... read more