Solana Beach Auto Repair

The Car Care Council reminds us to make sure your child's back-to-school vehicle preparation is complete with this 4-point checklist: Check lights and wipers for visibility. With shorter days and inclement weather ahead, we recommend you check the exterior and interior lights and replace any that are dimming, rapidly blinking or not functioning. Also check your wiper blades for signs of wear or and replace if necessary. Both of these items are quick and inexpensive to remedy. Get a brake inspection. Schedule a brake inspection and look for warning signs, such as an illuminated brake light, screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes. Brake repairs caught early can be inexpensive; wait too long and the brake repairs can add up! Check tires for improper i ... read more

The Cinderella Era There was a time when buying a new car sounded like a dream come true but The Car Care Council now suggest that keeping your car through the Cinderella Era is the smartest way to get a solid return on your vehicle investment. The "Cinderella Era" is the period of time right after you've paid off your car loan, the time when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs and maintenance. With proper care, the typical vehicle should last at least 200,000 miles of safe, dependable performance. By allocating the equivalent of just one new car payment annually, vehicle owners can cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance. The most common maintenance procedures and repairs to keep a car operating safely and reliably while maintaining its long-term value involve checking the oil, filters and ... read more

Smog Depot Solana Beach Smog Depot Solana Beach, powered by DRIVE AutoCare, is a Star Certified Test & Repair Inspection Station licensed by the State of California. In California, vehicles must undergo a biennial smog inspection in order to renew your registration. New residents of California will be required to have an initial inspection to register, even if you have a current certificate from your previous state. Smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles 1997 and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 14,000 lbs; electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs; or motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older. Vehicles are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. The registratio ... read more

Drive for Dough We saw the coolest thing the other day that allows drivers to get paid for driving around town: Wrapify. Wrapify gives drivers an easy source of extra income plus the power to choose the marketer and their car’s “look”: full, partial or panel advertising. Wrapify’s proprietary mobile application is as easy as starting a car: drivers simply engage the app when they get in their vehicle -- technology checks in the driver and tracks their mileage as they go. It’s literally as easy as getting in and out of a car. Wrapify is a revolutionary way for everyday drivers to effortlessly earn a second income while performing their customary daily activities. So, how much can you make? Well, that depends on how often, where and when you drive. Wrapify pays on a per mile basis; they use your location along with several other factors to price the mile as you drive. Pay also ... read more

Buying Used Car requires a little education and a lot of patience. Buying Used Car can be overwhelming. In a perfect world, every person selling a car is perfectly honest and knows every fault with the vehicle he is selling. But we don’t live in a perfect world, so Donut Media produced this very amazing, step-by-step video that will enlighten you. To prevent making a mistake when purchase a used car, we suggest you follow these steps AND contact DRIVE AutoCare for a FREE pre-purchase vehicle inspection. DRIVE's 30-point vehicle inspection will highlight the vehicle's problems and future repair and maintenance needs

Get Your Car Ready For Summer Driving With An Air Conditioning Inspection and Service DRIVE AutoCare recommends an annual A/C Inspection to stay cool when temperatures soar. Summer heat and humidity can drive you to distraction and the last thing you need is a malfunctioning air conditioning system. “Getting stuck in traffic is stressful enough, but getting stuck in traffic during the heat of summer without functioning A/C is the pits,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It is important to always have the A/C system properly maintained to keep it in tip-top shape and avoid costly repairs down the road.” A vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level ... read more

Future Technologies for the Connected Car: Future Technologies for the Connected Car, as we understand it... FULL SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION It's dangerous and illegal to use your smartphone while driving, but sometimes you just need to ask Siri, "Where's the nearest gas station?" while you're navigating unfamiliar territory. Get ready for a proliferation of systems that will allow you to better operate your smartphone hands-free. Look for technology that will turn your apps into a voice-activated experience, such as sending a text or tweet through natural speech. DIGITAL DASHBOARD The days of conventional gauges displaying speed and temperature are soon to be in the past. Look for a fully digital dashboard, which replaces the instrument cluster in front of the driver. Larger displays will have exceptional clarity and ... read more

Avoid Costly Auto Repairs by considering these recommendations from Consumer Affairs: Neglecting preventative maintenance and minor repairs Ignoring simple preventative maintenance, like changing the engine oil and filter, could damage your engine. It can also mean the difference in extending the life of your car.  Failing to make minor car repairs, such as replacing a thermostat or front brake pads, could result in more expensive repairs in the future.  Other simple, but important, tasks that car owners should consider include changing the transmission fluid, checking the coolant (level, mixture, and condition), and checking tire pressure on a regular basis. Not asking for your parts back If a part needs to be replaced on your car, always ask for your old part back; simply ask the mechanic to place the old part in the new part ... read more

Teaching new drivers about vehicle maintenance is as important as teaching them how to operate a vehicle. Learning some basic maintenance tips will help them keep your vehicle, or theirs, in good working order. Here are some basics to keep in mind: Perform All Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Preventative automotive maintenance (before your vehicle needs) can extend the life of your vehicle and help avoid the vast majority of unexpected breakdowns. Regular oil changes, tune-ups, and frequent inspections by a skilled mechanic make a world of difference in keeping your vehicle in good order as well as in optimizing fuel consumption levels. Perform Pre-Trip Inspections Before a trip, especially a long distance one, your should take the time to check and top off fluids as well as to check your tires. Pay Atte ... read more

The Dealer Alternative in Solana Beach: DRIVE AutoCare! Why is DRIVE the dealer alternative? Price: Many industry studies have found that independent repair shops cost significantly less than the dealer. At DRIVE, we are priced significantly below the dealers because our overhead is much lower. And you should know that bringing your car to the dealer for regularly scheduled maintenance does not (and can not) void the manufacturer's warranty. Convenience: Most automotive dealers are grouped in areas like Carlsbad and Kearny Mesa. DRIVE AutoCare has two locations conveniently located in Solana Beach that serve the communities of Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff and Encinitas. Drop you car at DRIVE and we are happy to shuttle you home or to work.... or you can easily jump on the train to San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles. Or better ... read more