Los Angeles Auto Repair

Most drivers know that brake pads and rotors need to be replaced regularly, but did you know there is more to maintaining your brake system than that? Brake flushes often get overlooked by car owners when they think about brake maintenance, but it is an important part of keeping your car safe and in top shape.   What is a brake flush, and does your car need one? Let’s look more closely at what a brake flush is, and why your car likely needs one to remain in peak working condition. Dirt and Debris Over time as the brake fluid moves through your brake system, it will begin to pick up dirt and debris from the natural deterioration of the brake system. This dirt and debris then continue to circulate through your brake system indefinitely, until you have a brake flush done on your car. This dirt and debris make the brake system less effective, making your car less safe to drive, and over time leads to more damage. Moisture Moisture is also ... read more

There are many components that are essential to keep your car running smoothly. One of those components is the timing belt. Let’s take a closer look at what a timing belt is, what it does in your car, and what kind of maintenance it needs. What is a Timing Belt? The timing belt is a belt in your engine that ensures the parts of the engine run in time with each other. The belt is used to synchronize the opening and closing of valves in the engine so that everything runs smoothly and optimally. When Should it Be Replaced? Because the timing belt is so integral to the engine, it is essential to replace it before it wears down or breaks. Because of the location of the timing belt, it is a complicated process to replace it, but it is very important. Because of this, each car has a recommended interval that the timing belt should be replaced. Generally, this is recommended every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Having a belt that is in good shape and runnin ... read more

Emergencies can happen anytime it is important to have some key things in your car in case of an emergency. You never know when you might be stuck on the side of the road or run into an unforeseen circumstance. Here is a list of eight things you should always keep in your car in case of an emergency. First Aid Kit A first aid kit should be the first thing to go into your car’s emergency kit. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, a first aid kit can be a literal lifesaver. Commercial first aid kits can be purchased that include everything you might need in an emergency, or you can put one together yourself using bandages, antiseptic ointment, pain relievers, etc. Spare Tire A spare tire is a good idea no matter where you are driving. Instead of being stranded on the side of the road you can use your spare tire to get you where you need to go. If you do have a spare tire, make sure to also have a jack ... read more

Drivetrain might sound like a term only a mechanic would use, but it is important to understand what it is and what it does in your car. Perhaps the abbreviations ‘4WD‘, ‘AWD‘, ‘FWD‘, or ‘RWD‘ sound familiar? Let’s look at the different types of drivetrain and how yours impacts the performance of your vehicle. What is Drivetrain? The drivetrain in your vehicle is the group of components that deliver power to the wheels. Its purpose is to connect the engine, that produces the power in your vehicle, to the wheels that use the engine’s power to rotate the axles. Your car’s drivetrain likely includes a drive shaft, which is a pipe that delivers power from a front-end engine to the front and/or back-end wheels. Depending on the kind of vehicle you drive, your drivetrain  ... read more

Preventative Maintenance is More Important as Vehicles Age The average age of vehicles on the road is rising, and as cars get older, they need more service and repair. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists who own an older car, truck or SUV become more diligent about preventative maintenance. “With the average vehicle age exceeding 11.5 years, the chance of a breakdown or service issue on an older vehicle is much greater,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The Car Care Council urges drivers of older vehicles to implement a preventative maintenance plan for their vehicle to minimize the chances of a roadside breakdown and to also help their vehicle run more efficiently and economically.” According to Experian Automotive, the average age of passenger vehicles on the road is rising, up from 11.29 years in the first quarter of 2015 to 11.61 years in 2019. The most common maintenance procedures to keep a car operating safely ... read more

With fall upon us and winter right around the corner you may have turned on your car’s heater for the first time already. It’s not uncommon for car owners to get in their car on the first cool morning to find their car heater blowing out cold air. Let’s look at some common reasons car heaters fail to put out warm air. Minor Problems Some car heater problems can be relatively minor, impacting only the heating system of the car. Things like a malfunctioning fan can be more easily repaired and can fix your heat problem without a major impact on the vehicle. Smaller repairs like this can be done quickly and at a lower cost than other problems that may cause your heat to stop working. Serious Problems The heating system in your car is complicated because it isn’t like a space heater or home heater. The car heater works in conjunction with other car systems, sometimes a heater problem can be a sign of a larger ... read more

Sadly, there is no quick fix and no magic cure-all liquid that you can buy bottled in any store or on any website that will repair leaks in your coolant system. These products are designed to seal leaks in the coolant system and while they may work temporarily for a minor leak. Over time the expansion process of stop leak products can restrict the flow in the radiator, heater core, and other components of the cooling system.  Stop leak products can even cause blockages in the cooling system and cause your vehicle to overheat. Products like this make promises but can severely plug up your cooling system and its components, which can lead to catastrophic failure of the cooling system and other major engine parts. These failures are often more costly than the original repair would have been and can even leave you stranded with a broken car on the side of the road. If you think that you are having issues with your vehicle’s cooling system. Call us right away at 310-473-2235 to b ... read more

So how often does your car battery need to be replaced? You might be surprised to know that it’s roughly 3 to 4 years. This is just the average and many batteries fail earlier and some even later. So, to make sure you don’t get surprised by a sudden no start condition. At Westside Transmission & Automotive our certified mechanics check your battery every time you come in for any auto repairs or maintenance. Even if your battery is testing OK, we’ll still recommend replacing it around 4 years old just to make sure you always get where you’re going; nobody wants to be left stranded! AUTO BATTERY REPLACEMENT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST All vehicles need a good battery to start and run well. The latest vehicles increasingly rely on computers to run every electrical system, and these computers need clean, consistent power to not only allow your car to start but keep running. Car batteries that are old, weak and leaking acid can cause serious damage to electri ... read more

Wondering which gas to use in your car? The vehicle’s manufacturer makes it easy to decide what to put in your tank. Just look for the fueling info in the car’s manual, or if you don’t want to thumb through all those pages, check inside your gas-tank door. A label there should indicate whether your car needs premium unleaded fuel. Using lower-grade gas than what is required for your car may affect its power, torque, and overall performance. Your fuel economy may decrease as well. But here’s an important question: Does the language in your car’s manual suggest premium gas, or does it say your car requires it? If it’s a suggestion rather than a necessity, your car (and your wallet) will likely be fine with regular unleaded fuel. Premium vs. Regular Unleaded gas is considered “premium” or “regular” depending on its octane level. This determination can vary state to state, but typically, gas with an octane leve ... read more

Purchasing a used car can be a scary and daunting experience. There are many factors to consider before taking the plunge. It is important to take several factors under consideration and taking the time to properly check out the vehicle can save you a headache down the road. Before you purchase a used car, take some time to check the exterior, interior, and underneath the hood to make sure there aren’t any major problems. Take the car for a test drive to see how it handles on the road. Finally, check the vehicle’s history and negotiate a reasonable price before coming to a final decision. Follow these tips to help take the headache out of looking for a used car. ExteriorPark the car on level ground before checking it out. Inspecting the car on even ground allows you to see if anything in the undercarriage is out of line or sagging. It also makes it easier for you to see and check the state of the tires. Tip: Engage the parking b ... read more