Los Angeles Auto Repair

For some pet owners, a vacation is boring if their furry family members are left behind. Keep in mind that traveling can be stressful for your pooch and there needs to be some preparation to make sure that your 4-legged friend is safe. Here are some tips to make sure that your canine's time on the road is comfortable. 1) Preparation You can get your pet ready for the trip by taking him/her on a series of shorter drives and slowly lengthen the time in the automobile. If you will be taking particularly long trips and crossing state lines, be sure to have your dog's rabies records on hands. it's usually not a problem but some states require to see this documentation before crossing state lines. 2) Prep a pet-friendly travel kit Some items to keep handy: Food Bowl Waste scoop Plastic bags Pack a favorite toy so your animal will have a sense of familiarity Grooming supplies Medication and first-aid Leash Travel documents Plenty of water 3) Carrier Be certain that ... read more

The future has arrived. The automotive industry is rapidly creating more and more futuristic methods to avoid crashes, automatically change lanes, and check blind spots. It’s challenging to keep track of all this new safety technology that is booming. Here are some of the newer features: Lane monitoring/lane departure warning If you’re drifting into another lane with no turn signal, the lane monitoring system picks up on that and will alert you to a vibration or sound. There are systems can even intervene with braking. These features are more compatible with highways than suburban or country roads. Automatic parking Fitting into small parking spots with other vehicles speeding past you, while trying to prevent bumping fenders, can shake anyone up. With auto-park car drivers need to just pull up to the open spot and the car’s camera will use its radar to park itself. The driver still might have to use the brake pedal and reverse the vehicle. However, the difficult ... read more

There are so many components to a car and maintenance all of them might seem overwhelming. Cars are built to last but there are some car repairs that should not be ignored. If you can keep up with some important maintenance, your car is sure to operate reliably and safely for years to come. Here are 5 car repairs that you shouldn’t skip: Oil Oil 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 Filter When 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 conditions in the atmosphere and ho ... read more

The holidays are approaching and many people take trips to celebrate the joy of the season. However, wintry conditions and heavy traffic can put a damper on the celebratory vibe. To avoid any unfortunate scenarios on the road, being mindful is key. On top of the standard rules that include not texting, speeding, and drinking on the road, there are some additional tips that will keep you and your loved ones safe when you hit the roads for the holidays: Check Condition of Car - it’s important to make sure that your car is functioning properly before you take off. Belts and hoses, lights, oil, tires, brake fluid, antifreeze fluid, and the condition of the battery should all be inspected by professional auto mechanics before you hit the road. Check Weather Conditions - Check the weather before you leave and have your route mapped out. Having a map is good to have as a backup in case your GPS doesn’t work in certain areas. Don’t Speed - Stay at the speed limit and be p ... read more

With Thanksgiving approaching, many of our clients take road trips with the whole family. When there are kids involved, it’s always wise to decide beforehand what could keep your child from becoming bored and antsy. The team at Westside Transmission & Automotive has a list of ways to keep your children occupied on a road trip. They include: Printable Games There are many websites that provide printable games – Bingo, License Plate Game, Tic-Tac-Toe, and more. Printing out a few of their favorites will keep the kids from being bored for hours. We suggest giving new markers to make it fun. Stop Just For Fun If there’s an interesting attraction, pull over and check it out. Have the kids run around so they’ll fall asleep in the automobile. Allowing them to burn off the built-up energy will serve everyone in the car! 20 Questions Google  “Questions for Kids” and you’ll find all sorts of lists with interesting and funny questions. It give ... read more