Los Angeles Auto Repair

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

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

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