the Garage Reviews

There are definitely different types of car owners out there - those that are on top of their vehicle's maintenance and those that only bring their car to the shop when there is a problem with it. While some may believe that the latter helps save them money, the truth is, good maintenance helps you avoid car problems. Car repairs can be expensive depending on what needs to be fixed, while maintenance is generally more affordable and is preventative. The better care you take of your vehicle, the less likely you'll have to deal with major repairs in your car's lifetime.  So, when thinking about whether or not vehicle maintenance is necessary, the answer truly is yes. The reason is, maintenance is the only way to ensure a long vehicle lifespan and will save you tons of money on repairs over time. Plus, it protects any warranties that you may have and helps boost resale value if you ever need to sell your car.  What are the most important maintenance items that you ... read more

The head gasket in your vehicle has a very important job - it separates the block of the motor from the head of the motor to ensure that the coolant doesn't get into the cylinders. Gaskets are typically very durable components but are sometimes susceptible to leaking, which can start to cause problems for your engine.  The main culprit of a failing head gasket is caused by an overheating engine. An engine can overheat quickly if the cooling system doesn't work as it should in terms of regulating heat and keeping the engine cool. When the engine overheats, the head gasket can fail which can cause leaking into the cylinders. This leads to engine damage that can be costly to repair. This is why it is so important to take care of your vehicle's engine and cooling system. A well-maintained cooling system will protect your engine, which will prevent you from having to deal with repairs such as the head gasket. Ideally, an inspection of your vehicle's coolant, thermosta ... read more

The days are getting hotter, and will the warmer weather comes the need to use our vehicle's air conditioners much more often. That means that it is time to check your vehicle’s A/C system to ensure that it is working properly. A properly maintained A/C system will ensure that you always have a top working system when you need it most. It will also help you avoid costly repairs that can occur with poor A/C system maintenance.  Your vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system keeps the cabin of your vehicle comfortable in any weather by providing the right temperature and humidity level. To beat the heat, we recommend an A/C inspection at our shop before the summer months, in which our mechanics will do the following: Checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures Check for any refrigerant leaks Top-off refrigerant Check the compressor’s drive belt and tension Inspect seals and hoses If you suspect ... read more

The driveshaft - a small component in your vehicle with a huge responsibility. The driveshaft in your vehicle is responsible for delivering the power made by your engine to the wheels. If you have a high mileage vehicle, chances are your driveshaft is nearing the end of its lifespan if its never been replaced. Once the driveshaft loses its efficiency, other components in your vehicle pick up its slack, causing those parts to wear down quicker. If the driveshaft completely wears down to the point where it can no longer work, your wheels will stop moving.  So, does a driveshaft need to be replaced? The answer is yes, it typically needs to be replaced once it has reached a point over 75,000 miles or if its has stopped working due to wear and tear. However, when or if it needs to be replaced during your ownership depends on your driving habits and the age of your car. Driveshaft modifications can lead to needing it replaced more often, so that is something to keep in mind if this app ... read more

At the Detroit Garage, we are doing everything we can to prevent spread of COVID-19 while remaining open for business. Being that the government has deemed auto repair an essential service to the citizens and public, we want to do all that we can to assure that our employees are healthy and able to continue to work on your vehicles. To ensure your safety and health here at our shop, we are not accepting any waiting customers in our lobby and encourage you to use our drop box service. Here's how to use this service:  Please fill out a repair information envelope filling in the required spaces. Be as descriptive as possible with the issues that you are having. Insert your keys into the envelope and place in the mail slot on the door. If you need transportation please call our number 248-545-0500 and we will set up an Uber at no charge to you. We will get your keys and start our evaluation of your vehicle. We will do all communications via text/email and or phone call ... read more

The thermostat is a vital component of your vehicle's engine. It is essentially a small valve inside the cooling system that will open and close in response to the coolant temperature. When coolant is still cool, like when you first start your vehicle, this valve will remain closed. However, once your vehicle starts moving and your engine warms up, the valve will open and close and coolant will circulate from the engine to the radiator.  A faulty thermostat is a common issue that can occur with the cooling system in our vehicles, especially considering how much work this system does on the daily. If your vehicle's thermostat does need to be replaced, you will notice some symptoms. Although these symptoms can indicate other problems, a faulty thermostat is potential cause. Here are some of those symptoms to look out for:  Overheating engine Temperature gauge is reading very cold or very hot Coolant leak or engine part corrosion  Most vehicle's factory reco ... read more

Curtis Andrew Massoll, founder of The Detroit Garage, takes a leading role in educating both our representatives and the public concerning the “Your Car Your Data” campaign. 2020-01-20 FARMINGTON, MI. — Our United States Representatives listen to the concerns of their constituents, develop solutions to the needs of their districts and serve as political spokespeople for issues that are important to those they represent. There was no exception to this process on January 13th when Representative Haley Stevens, of Michigan’s 11th district, visited The Farmington Garage. Founder and CEO of The Detroit Garage, Curtis Andrew Massoll, was joined by several others from the Auto Care Association (ACA) to share information and concerns regarding the changes and future developments in automotive repair. With 286.8M vehicles on the road toda ... read more

You're driving to work one morning and look up at the little sticker in the left side of your windshield - you realize that you are way overdue for an oil change and start panicking if you've made a big mistake. Is an oil change really that important and what happens when you forget to have it performed on time?  How important is your regular oil change? Although it is an inexpensive service, it is actually extremely vital to your car's performance. Motor oil has a very important job which is to lubricate the engine and regulate its temperature. It also helps to keep the engine clean by transporting debris and grime through the oil filter.  What happens when you forget to change your car's oil? If you're only a hundred miles over for your next oil change, don't panic. Chances are you've caught it early enough and no damage is done. However, if its been a while since your oil change due date, you may have caused damage to your engine. If your engi ... read more

We know that winter driving can be stressful, especially when you try to stay off the roads in times of winter storms and snow. The best thing you can do to be as prepared as possible when hitting the road in the winter is by ensuring that your vehicle is ready to handle the cold weather.  An inspection at our shop can help guarantee that your vehicle is in the best condition to stay reliable through the winter weather, and if not, we can help make the repairs necessary to get your vehicle where it needs to be.  Here are some of the top causes of winter vehicle breakdowns:  Engine overheating - Motor oil runs thicker in cold temperatures, making it harder for it to circulate and keep your car running smoothly—and prevent it from overheating. A dead battery - It’s harder for car batteries to produce a charge in winter — meaning it might not be able to produce enough energy to start your car when you turn the key. Radiator failure - You left your veh ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at The Detroit Garage! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at The Detroit Garage before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charger, and first a ... read more