San Diego Auto Repair

Photo by Alec Marc Wagner on Unsplash What’s An Alternator And What Does It Do? There are many moving parts and pieces in your vehicle–so when something is out of whack, it can be difficult to pin-point the issue. To better take care of your vehicle, it’s essential to learn about these many moving parts. Today, we’re going to chat about your alternator.    An alternator is an essential component of a vehicle's electrical system. It plays a vital role in keeping your car running smoothly.    In this blog, we'll explain what an alternator is, what it does, and the signs of its failure. We'll also provide some tips on how to maintain and repair an alternator and why it's essential to have regular inspections at an experienced auto repair shop. What Is An Alternator?  So, what is an alternator? It's an electric ... read more

There are many lights on the outside of your vehicle, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. Fortunately, most cars nowadays are smart enough to detect electrical faults and let you know if your headlight, taillight, or other light is out.   Your vehicle's lights not only help you see the road ahead but also help other drivers see you. If all of these car lights are confusing, we are here to simplify them for you. Here are all the different lights on your vehicle that you should know! Headlights: Headlights are the primary lights on your vehicle and are essential for visibility while driving. They are located on the front of your vehicle and come in different styles, such as halogen, LED, and HID. Headlights can be turned on and off from the dashboard or the headlight switch. Additionally, there are typically three headlight settings: high beam, low beam, and daytime running lights. It's important to use the proper setting for the current dr ... read more

Photo by Osman Rana on Unsplash It’s Time To Replace Your Wipers San Diego experienced rain like never before this Winter and, in doing so, became the talking point of national news. If your windshield wipers were working hard to keep you safe in the flooding conditions, it might be time to replace them.   Windshield wipers should be replaced about once a year or sooner if they’ve worn them. Worn-out wipers may have rubber trailing behind them, scrape against your windshield, or do a poor job of getting water and debris out of the windshield.    I’m a big believer that regardless of the rain season or how often your wipers are getting action, it’s necessary to replace them at least once a year–but usually, much sooner. Below, I’ll go over signs you need to replace your windshield wipers, provide a quick how-to, and explain the bene ... read more

Let's face it, sometimes your car stinks. Once you determine there's no dirty laundry bag in your car, what should you do? Whether it's a sweet maple syrup smell or an awful dirty laundry smell, there are some odors in your car you shouldn't ignore. Learn what to do when your car starts sending smelly hints that something is not quite right. Syrup If you're noticing a sweet maple syrup smell it probably means your coolant system is leaking. The smell is most likely coming from coolant or antifreeze that has leaked out and you'll want to get that fixed before it turns into a more serious problem. Musty/Mildew Smell When you turn on your car's air conditioning and a blast of musty air is what comes out, there could be moisture in the system. This can lead to mold and mildew forming in your system and while it isn't that bad for the car, it definitely affects the quality of air you are breathing in while driving the car. Burning Hair/Burning Carp ... read more

Photo by Monica Sauro on Unsplash 5 Reasons To Add Preventative Maintenance To Your Calendar Last month, many of us took to drafting complicated schedules and random errands into our brand-new 2023 planners. As the month of New Year's Resolutions ended, you may have felt sluggish regarding your goals and appointments. This is totally normal for this time of year. Research shows that by February, nearly 80% of people have given up on their New Year's Resolutions.   Today, I’m making the case to you to keep on keepin’ on, especially concerning car maintenance. In fact, scheduling your car maintenance directly in your planner, calendar, or phone can help you in many ways. Below, I will list the top five reasons to add preventative maintenance to your calendar.  1. Save Time & Money by Identifying Problems Early Have you ever gone into the shop just ... read more

A dead battery is an inconvenience nobody wants to deal with. To make matters worse, it can leave you stranded on the side of the road or in a public parking lot. If you don’t want to deal with the frustrations of a dead car battery, maintenance is the key. Fortunately, battery maintenance is relatively simple compared to other stuff you have to do for your car. Read on to learn more about how to take care of your car battery. To keep your battery reliable, it is best to check the battery and test its charge. It can help you identify minor problems before your battery has a chance to die. For instance, you may notice a slow crank on start-ups. Don’t push this symptom aside – we encourage you to check your battery ASAP when you notice the warning signs of a dying battery.  Checking your battery can help you extend its lifespan. If you notice there is slight corrosion on the battery’s terminals, you can prevent its growth by cleaning it off. Battery leaks ... read more

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash Many people think the most important thing a car does is go. But just as important is your brake being able to stop! If you’re looking to take care of your brakes better than ever in the new year, you’ve come to the right place!   Taking care of your brakes is as simple as keeping up with their regular maintenance schedule, replacing worn-out parts promptly, and going gentle on them when you can. Pay close attention to any strange feelings underfoot, and keep an ear out for atypical noises.    Brake maintenance can often be overlooked since it's not as exciting or glamorous as other purchases–but keeping up with regular brake inspections and repairs is crucial for safe and reliable driving! Below, we list some of our top tips for taking care of your brakes, easy enough to implement at the same time as all ... read more

Have you noticed a decrease in your car's performance or maybe even a weird smell from under the hood? If so, your car may be experiencing a head gasket leak. But what is a head gasket leak, and how do you diagnose and repair it? This article will help you understand a head gasket leak, including the signs to look out for and what to do in case of a head gasket leak. What is a Head Gasket Leak? The head gasket is an indispensable component of your car's engine and plays a vital role in controlling the flow of steam, gas, and oil. A head gasket leak occurs when the head gasket between the engine block and cylinder head develops a small hole or crack. This leak allows coolant or oil to seep through and enter your engine's combustion chamber, causing an increase in pressure in the engine. This change in pressure leads to a decrease in your car's performance, a loss of compression, and eventually, even damage to your engine. Signs of a Head Gasket Leak If you suspec ... read more

Photo by C.C. Francis on Unsplash How To Drive Safely During The Biggest Holiday Month Of The Year Winter is here, and if you're like most people, you probably dread the cold weather. Lucky for us, it never gets too cold! Unfortunately, it's not so much the temperature that makes winter so stressful; it's the hazards that come with driving in low temperatures. Whether you're headed to work or taking a quick trip to get groceries, these tips will help keep your car safe during this season of icy roads and snowstorms (even if those are out-of-state!). Check your tires. Tire pressure is a no-brainer. Low tire pressure can cause your vehicle to skid, making it much harder to control in bad weather conditions.   If you’re not sure if your tires are in good condition or not, check the tread depth (the grooves in the rubber) on each tire with a penny: If a ... read more

Most people are unaware that their brake system is hydraulic. What that means is that your brakes work as a result of the pressure created by brake fluid. When you step on the pedal, this fluid gets pushed to engage the calipers which help your brake pads clamp onto the rotors to stop your spinning tires. And just like how you have to replace your brake pads or shoes, you have to service your brake fluid too. Is Changing Your Brake Fluid Necessary? Yes, it is necessary to keep your vehicle safe on the road. Over time, the brake fluid sitting under the hood will get contaminated and become less effective overall. As the boiling points decrease, so does your vehicle’s braking power.  Depending on your car’s make and model and type of brake fluid, your brake fluid service or flush may vary. Typically, manufacturers recommend getting them done anywhere between every 2 years or 20,000 miles to 5 years or 50,0000 miles. To be sure, you can refer to your car’s ... read more