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Preparing Fido for a Road Trip

Preparing Fido for a Road Trip

Preparing Fido for a road trip long trips can be stressful for both humans and pets alike so this week I want to give out some helpful and fun tips that will help make road tripping with man’s best friend a fun, safe, and hopefully a mess-free experience. To help prepare your fur kid I believe it is best to start with small trips to help your them acclimate to riding in the car. Start with small rides to the local dog park or local pet-friendly hiking areas. Sometimes going for a nice long walk or playing with your dog can help siphon off some of that nervousness. Especially if you have a high energy breed and it will also prevent accidents in the car. In my personal experience, my dog loves car rides. We have a blast on trips he is the best road companion ever. My 9-year-old Dachshund, Wally loves his car seat and basking in the California sun as we go on long drives. The only downfall is the nose art on my rear passenger side window. If you have a pet that doesn’t adjust ... read more

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Auto Repairs You Should Never Skip

Auto Repairs You Should Never Skip

There are so many components to a car and the regular maintenance all of them might seem overwhelming. Cars are built to last but some car repairs should never be ignored. If you can keep up with some important maintenance, your car is sure to operate reliably and safely for many years to come. Here are 5 car repairs that you should never skip: OilOil is referred to the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine and is what keeps your car engine parts working and rotating correctly. Over time, exhaust gases from the cylinders will contaminate the oil and its effectiveness will be reduced. Oil is also broken down by the heat of the engine. Many current cars can go 5,000 or even 10,000 miles between oil changes. Consult your owner's manual to see how often your automobile's oil needs to be changed. Air FilterWhen you have a clogged air filter with dirt and dust, it can reduce your horsepower, gas mileage, and even cause your engine to stall. The co ... read more

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Distracted Driving from Unrestrained Pets

With summer upon us, many of us are embarking on summer road trips and many of us will be taking along man’s best friend. Driving while being distracted by your pet is a very real threat to public safety, 30 % of people have admitted to being distracted by their pets while driving. In my personal experience, my mother and I were on vacation in Cambria, CA in 2005, while I was home from school for Christmas vacation. We were crossing the street at a corner in a crosswalk when a woman driving with a dog in her lap very nearly ran us over. It was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had in my life, my mom and I still talk about it. I personally didn’t even get my drivers license until I was in my mid to late '20s, but since adopting my dog nearly 6 years ago and purchasing my first vehicle this experience has stuck with me. While doing research for this blog I have found that 90% of pet owners admit to driving in their vehicle with their pet and that 98% of those pe ... read more

Quality Auto Repair in Los Angeles

When it comes to your vehicle cheap parts just won’t do! You rely on your vehicle to get you and your family to important places like work and school safely and on time. Cheap parts tend to fail sooner than higher priced and better quality parts. When they fail, you also risk having them damage other parts of your vehicle, further raising your repair costs.  As a result, you need to take the time out of your busy schedule to find an auto repair shop to correct what should have been repaired correctly in the first place. That is, if you are lucky enough not get stranded on the side of the road somewhere and now add having to deal with more lost time and towing as well. At Westside Transmission & Automotive we have been providing excellent auto repair services for all makes and models of vehicles in Los Angeles for over 20 years now. Jack, the owner, has been in the auto repair business for over 26 years. We perform all auto repairs on all makes and models and specialize ... read more

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminding us of the importance of preventive care.  It reminds us that the best protection is early detection. Whether it is for our bodies or our cars, performing a regular check-up or maintenance is the best way to identify small issues before they become large.  At Westside Transmission & Automotive we have been performing regular maintenance and transmission service for cars in Los Angeles for over 20 years now.  We take the time to explain and remind our customers of the importance of properly maintaining their car.  Different cars have different maintenance schedules. If you lease your car, our factory maintenance service will not void your warranty as we adhere to all of the factory requirements and more. If you own your car, it is very important that you ensure to have routine maintenance before or on time to avoid costly breakdowns. During a routine maintenance small issues may be detected before they become big ... read more

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Investing in Our Community

As September rolled in, so did the new school year. Some of us have children, grandchildren or know children that have already started school a couple of weeks ago while others just started. Here at Westside Transmission & Automotive, as we helped our own children prepare for their new school year, we were inspired by their opportunity to learn and grow. In our great country, state and city of Los Angeles, we are fortunate to be able to send our children to schools to educate them and develop their future. This inspired us to do things a little differently this year. In an effort to invest in our children, their future and our community, we decided to support our local schools by providing them with much needed funds. As these schools begin setting up for the upcoming academic year, look out for the Westside Transmission & Automotive banners at the different local schools, displaying our support.  This support provides local schools with much needed funds to purchase thin ... read more

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Back to School Auto Care and Driving Safety

Back to School Auto Care and Driving Safety

School carpool season is upon us, and the team at Westside Transmission & Automotive wants the vehicles of our clients to be kid-safe and ready for the road. Here's a back to school checklist: Check wipers and lights for visibility. With winter weather and shorter days ahead, it's important that these features are ready so you can see and be seen. Take a look at the exterior and interior lights and replace the ones that are dimming, flashing, or out.  Also, check your windshield wipers for signs of wear and tear. Get an annual brake inspection because your vehicle's braking system is the most crucial safety feature in your car. An illuminated brake light or grinding, clicking, or screeching sounds could indicate that professional auto mechanics need to take a look. Check tires for excessive wear and underinflation. It's also wise to take a look for uneven wear and check tread depth. A simple way to check tread depth is by putting a penny head-down. It's ... read more

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How To Protect Your Vehicle During Summer’s Sizzle

How To Protect Your Vehicle During Summer’s Sizzle

The summer heat can take a toll on your vehicle. The discomfort of sitting in an overheated car is something most drivers want to avoid. The good news is that there are easy ways to keep the sizzle out of your automobile. Use a sunshade or window visor Sunshades truly are a tried-and-true method to keep your car from getting too steamy. Put it up every time you exit the vehicle. Using the visor on the rear window as well will keep the car cooler for longer periods of time. Use a dash cover If you want the interior of your vehicle to be more comfortable, consider using a dash cover. Not having to touch hot vinyl surfaces is the payoff. Dash covers also protect the vinyl from sun damage that can lead to fading and cracking. Also, consider covering your steering wheel with a hand towel so your hands don't get a jolt of heat when you enter the vehicle on a hot day. Park in a shady area If it's possible, find a shady area to park your car. Even if it's a bit of a walk to y ... read more

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How to Avoid that New Car Smell

How to Avoid that New Car Smell

Getting a brand new vehicle is incredible, but the synthetic “new car scent” can get annoying. This odor can be bothersome and can also be bad for your health as it is often a byproduct of the noxious plastic covers and automobile polish that make your vehicle look shiny and new. Get rid of the odor by first lifting off all the plastic covers inside the car and leaving the windows open so the car can get fresh air. Use baking soda to soak up the smell, as well as air fresheners to make the odor in your car more pleasant. Interior plastic coverings are full of chemicals and are the primary source of the new car smell. The plastic should be removed from the following areas of the car: Seat covers The plastic around the dashboard and cup holders The lining on the interior doors of the automobile If weather allows for it, keep the windows open to let the chemicals escape and allow the fresh air to enter the interior of the car. It's also wise to park your car outside if ... read more

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Road Trip Games for Your Children

Road trips with your kids don't have to be stressful and fueled with a case of the dreaded, "Are we there yets?" There are many opportunities to make time in the automobile fun for both parents and children. Here are some games that the whole family can enjoy the next time you're on the road. Twenty Questions: Children who are 4 years old and older will love this classic game. One person in the car secretly comes up with a vegetable, animal, or mineral. Everyone else then takes turns asking yes-or-no questions, such as "Is it furry?" or "Does it grow on trees?" After everyone in the game has asked 20 questions, each person makes a guess. The Alphabet Game: This is a fun game for kids 5 and older. One person picks the left-hand side of the road, and another person chooses the left. Every person in the car looks for letters of the alphabet that are seen on license plates and signs. The goal of the Alphabet Game is to point out all the letters of th ... read more

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