Los Angeles Auto Repair

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. 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 ... 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

Whether you have been driving for decades or you have just gotten started, the open road can be both liberating and dangerous. Thankfully, there are methods that you can employ to stay safe while you drive. Today we are going to be talking about some of the most common driving hazards and how you can avoid them. Distracted Driving We live in a busy world and the road is no exception. There are flashing billboards, your cellphone, the radio, passengers, and other drivers that are all vying for your attention. Though it may feel okay to take a quick glance at your cell phone or change the song on your playlist, these moments where your eyes are off the road can turn deadly.   Before you start driving, set your playlist, and do not touch it. Put your phone on silent and do not pick it up until you’re safely parked at your destination. If your passengers are being rowdy, remind them that you need to focus on the road for both your safety and theirs. The key ... read more

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