Los Angeles Auto Repair

A coolant flush can preserve your vehicle's health and regulate your engine's internal temperature. Flushing your cooling system from its impurities can decrease wear and tear over time. A coolant flush includes the process of getting rid of the old coolant from the radiator and replacing it with new fluid. Doing so will ensure that your engine's cooling system is properly cared for.   Is a Coolant Flush Necessary? Our mechanics at Westside Transmission & Automotive Inc. will only recommend you a coolant flush if you need one. Furthermore, your car's performance and functionality may signal to you when it's time for a coolant flush. If anything goes wrong with your vehicle, you'll know about it right away. You may need a coolant flush if your car demonstrates the following warning signs: Overheating - Overheating occurs when there's excess heat within the engine compartments. This is often a result of an inadequate amount of coolant or flow of c ... read more

Choosing the right auto repair shop is crucial for the longevity of your car. Your end goal is to find one that is reliable, knows how to service your vehicle, and is trustworthy. To help you determine if an auto repair shop is worth your time and money, here are some things to look for. Good Reviews Reviews are very telling of a business. They come from a variety of people who have already worked with the auto repair shop. Oftentimes the reviews are very honest, and you can easily get an idea of how the shop handles vehicle repair and maintenance needs. Save yourself time and money by taking the time to search online for auto repair shops that have plenty of good reviews.  Certifications Does the shop have any certifications? The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) line of certifications has become the industry standard. Do not be afraid to ask an auto repair shop to see their certifications. The right shop should be eager to show you just how trustworthy and experienced a me ... read more

Most of us like to believe that when our car battery dies, it is a fluke. But sometimes that is not the case. Did you know that you could be causing your car’s battery to die quicker? Check out these four things that you could be causing your car’s battery to die quickly. Leaving Lights On Drivers who leave their headlights or dome light on for extended periods of time are causing their car battery to drain. Never leave your headlights on overnight, and always be sure to check for any lights that remain on after you have closed and locked your vehicle. The last thing you want is to come to your car in the morning to find out that your simple overlook has cost you an expensive battery.  Corroded or Loose Battery Connections A corroded battery connection can prevent the charging system from topping off your battery while you are driving. Loose battery connection can lead to excessive resistance buildup and cause electrical problems. Have an auto mechanic regularly ch ... read more

Your car is equipped with multiple systems that work together to form a functioning car. One of those systems is the exhaust system. It is responsible for diverting gasses away from the engine so that they do not get into the cabin and into your lungs. Take a look at some of the parts that make up the exhaust system.   Exhaust Manifold For most cars, the exhaust system begins with the exhaust manifold. It is usually made of metal and it connects the engine to the rest of the exhaust system. One side of the manifold has individual tubes that connect to each of the engine cylinders. In the manifold, these individual tubes merge and come out on the other side as a single tube. Oxygen Sensor Another part of the exhaust system is the oxygen sensor. This part measures how much oxygen is in the waste gases. In a perfect world, the car’s engine would use exactly the right amount of oxygen needed to completely burn the fuel, and none would be le ... read more

Wet weather is right around the corner so here are a few safety tips to help keep you from being caught in the rain. Driving in the rain can be intimidating and sometimes dangerous for those who are not prepared. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make your drive safer and limit the risk of getting into an accident. Let us look at some tips for making your next rainy drive a safer one. Replace Worn Tires One of the biggest contributing factors to accidents is the condition of the tires on your car. Worn down tires do not grip the road like they should, which could lead to hydroplaning and accidents. If your tires seem worn down it is time to have them checked by a professional and replaced if necessary. Most drivers understand that worn tires can be dangerous in snow and ice, but the same is true for wet roads during or following a rainstorm. Check Windshield Wipers The windshield wipers on your car are essential when it starts to pour ou ... read more

Since there was so much wildfire smoke in the air in August and September, we have had several people ask us if that would affect their engine air filter. No, forest fire smoke will not do anything to your engine air filter. The smoke particles are so tiny, they just pass through the filter like other small particles. The smoke may irritate your eyes and lungs, but it is harmless to your engine. However, most cars have a cabin air filter, which is designed to clean the air blown out your cabin air vents. This filter will remove the small particles that bother people and smoky air will shorten its life. A lot depends on how often you use your heater and air conditioner, or even just turn on your fan. Also, most cars allow you to choose between outside air or recirculating cabin air. When you recirculate the air, the filter is bypassed and not used. When you switch to bringing in outside air, your filter is engaged, and this will eventually clog it up. Some cabin air filters are conv ... read more

A bouncing car is never a good thing. When you drive, it is supposed to feel like a smooth ride. When you experience a bumpy car ride even when you are not driving over potholes or on a damaged road, there can be a few things wrong with your vehicle. Here are some of the most common problems that cause your car to bounce: Bad Tires The first thing you should inspect if you are experiencing a bumpy ride is your car’s tires. Do they look flat or deformed? When was the last time you checked your tire pressure or refilled them with air? Bad tires are the most common problem for a bouncy car and luckily not extremely expensive to repair or replace. Transmission Problems Plenty of drivers tense up at the idea that their car may have a transmission problem. This is because replacing a vehicle’s transmission can be costly regarding both parts and labor. If you are experiencing a bumpy ride while driving, your car’s transmission may be to ... read more

Car alignment problems can be a major pain for drivers, especially on long trips. However, alignment problems are more than just a nuisance. They can cause your tires to wear unevenly and even damage to your car’s frame if left unchecked for too long. Let us look at some common reasons why your car may pull to one side or the other when driving. Alignment When one or more wheels are out of alignment, your car will start pulling to one side. Generally, when your car is inspected or you get new tires, the shop will do a wheel alignment and tire rotation to ensure this does not happen. However, hitting potholes and Tire Pressure Tire pressure is a common and simple cause of a car pulling to one side. This occurs when the tire pressure is out of balance in one or more of the tires. If you suspect tire pressure is the root cause of your troubles, simply fill the tires to the manufacturers requirements and see if the ... read more

Chances are that you want your vehicle to last a long time. With the right practices and maintenance, your vehicle can keep you driving safely and efficiently for many years. Here are some things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle. Stick to the Maintenance Schedule  Do you know that book that usually comes with the car that you rarely, if ever, look at? That book, also known as the vehicle’s owner’s manual, contains a schedule for maintenance. It tells you what on your car should be checked out or replaced and when it should be addressed based on your vehicle’s mileage. Sticking to the maintenance schedule will help extend the vehicle’s lifespan and keep it in good shape. Don’t Neglect Your Vehicle’s Fluids Fluids make your car run smoothly and soundly. Always make sure your vehicle has enough fluids for things such as the engine, transmission, bra ... read more

During the hot summer months, it can be hard to keep cool, and when your car’s air conditioning stops putting out cold air, it can be miserable trying to drive anywhere. It is a pretty common problem for cars to have air conditioning problems, and oftentimes it is a simple fix by a licensed mechanic. But what about AC recharge kits, are they a good solution to the problem? Let us take a closer look at common causes of air conditioning failure in cars as well as how recharge kits work. Causes of Warm Air The most common cause of air conditioning not working in a car is a leak of the refrigerant. This leak can happen anywhere within the air conditioning system, and different leaks will have different methods of repair. Finding the source of the leak is an important part of diagnosing the problem and correcting it. How do Recharge Kits Work? AC recharge kits work by refilling the refrigerant that has leaked as well as sealing any leaks in the sy ... read more