Los Angeles Auto Repair

Children are the biggest joys in our lives in protecting them from danger is a fulltime job whether you are their mom, teacher, scout leader, or their bus driver. Bus drivers are skilled drivers who must also deal with keeping a busload of kids safe at one time, so keep that in mind when you are dropping your kids at the bus stop. Give your child’s bus driver the support they need by helping to teach your kids about proper bus riding etiquette. The greatest risk to your child is not riding a bus but approaching or leaving one. Before your child goes back to school or starts school for the first time, you and your child need to know traffic safety rules. Teach your child to follow these practices to make school bus transportation safer. FOR PARENTS Safety Starts at the Bus Stop Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus: at least three gia ... read more

Your smog test can be just as daunting as taking your SATs if you are unprepared. If you don’t pass, you can’t keep legally driving your car and the repairs can get costly. This test ensures that your vehicle is not producing more than its’ share of emissions and that it is contributing to keeping the air as clean as possible. These following tips may just help increase your chances of passing when it comes time to have a Smog Test done. Investigate That Check Engine Light This is the biggest and easiest issue to avoid; if you go into your smog test with your engine light on, it’s an immediate fail. Simply get your vehicle diagnosed and resolve the issues to get one step closer to passing. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated To The Correct Tire Pressure Most states run a dynamometer test, which forces your car to run at high speeds while staying stationary. When your tires aren’t fully inflated, your engine must ... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you live near or around Los Angeles and want to take a road trip somewhere else in the great state of California, there are several wonderful options within driving distance. Luckily the state of California offers up a wide away of interesting destinations from north to south and from east to the east. Westside Transmission & Automotive has some suggestions about where to go: Salton Sea If you drive south down a quiet stretch of the 111, you'd be surprised that the lake was a popular resort area in the 1950's. Due to more pollution and agricultural runoffs, this area is decaying and often forgotten. However, that is also the appeal that draws people to this area that once had some luxury and glamour. You can explore abandoned structures along the shoreline and then eat at one of the only establishments in the area, the Ski Inn. Be sure to check out Salvation Mountain, a rainbow-colored hill with the words "God is Love." Palm Springs A fast and simple trip f ... read more