Solana Beach Auto Repair

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

Mullin Automotive Museum an Art Deco Dreamland in Oxnard, CA Established in 2010, the Mullin Automotive Museum's overwhelmingly impressive exhibition encourages visitors to get up close with the impressive collection.  Peter Mullin’s lifelong passion for French cars from the Art Deco era has led him to establish the museum, located in Oxnard, California. A prolific collector, Mullin’s commitment and support of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and other such events around the world has proved invaluable in raising interest in these important French cars. The museum building, previously known as "The Vintage", was owned by legendary newspaperman, Otis Chandler.  Mr. Chandler was the publisher of the Los Angeles Times between 1960 and ... read more

Automotive Evolution Watch 100 Years in an Amazing 4 Minute Video Automotive evolution started by ditching of the horse & carriage in favor of the automobile. The past century has seen rapid automotive evolution. The folks over at Mode have created a cool video to show some of these accomplishments. From an antique Auburn to the Tesla Model S, here is 100 years of cars in less than four minutes. This video is a trip down memory lane. We hope you will share it with you parents and grandparents who will definitely smile as they harken back to the "good ole days". We thank Mode for this video and we recommend you check them out at www.mode.com to see "where the best stories come to life

Safety Dependability Longevity can be assured with routine automotive maintenance The key to automotive safety dependability longevity today and down the road is routine maintenance. Yet many drivers tend to stall when it comes to keeping up with some everyday basic maintenance. A recent survey by the Car Care Council found that 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair. Other findings include: 25% had low or dirty engine oil 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid 18% had dirty air filters 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels 16% needed new windshield wipers 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid 18% needed new belts The Car Care Council has dev ... read more

Don't Let These Warning Signs Result In A Breakdown Car problems, if detected early, can be dealt with before they develop into something more serious. Knowing these automotive warning signs and visiting an auto repair shop immediately can save you a lot of time and money. These warning signs are: Flashing Check Engine Light: If your Check Engine light is illuminated there's no cause for alarm but you should still have your vehicle checked. But if the Check Engine light is flashing, it's a sign that your engine needs to be checked immediately. The problem might be the emissions system which could cause damage to the catalytic converter if you continue driving. Odd Smells: If you smell something burning while driving, your problem could be the brakes, wheel bearings, transmission, or engine belts. A sickly-sweet sme ... read more

Brian Smith, Dale Kohler DRIVE AutoCare Service Manager Excellence Service Manager Excellence. The mission of our Service Managers is to enhance automotive value, comfort and safety for each and every customer. Our Service Manager Excellence is accomplished: Building customer relationships based upon loyalty and trust Teaching customers about proper maintenance for their specific vehicle Completing a thorough vehicle health check Communicating effectively with the customer by providing features and benefits of each service offered Letting the customer decide, yes or no Following up on customer-declined repairs ... read more

Icy Roads, Snow Storms and Low Temperatures are all hazards you need to prepare for when heading to the mountains Prepare Your Car For The Snow: Tires, Lights, Wipers: Check to make sure everything is in good working order Battery: Make sure the terminals are clean and the clamps are tight. If your battery is more than 3 years old, you should consider replacing it. Carry jumper cables just in case and be prepared to help someone else. Coolant: Ensure your coolant is of the correct mix of anti-freeze and water to cope with the low temperatures you are likely to find in the mountains. While you are at it, make sure your window washer fluid also has anti-freeze in it so it won't freeze up when you need it the most. Fuel: Before you get to high altitude, be sure to stop and fill up your tank in case you have to stop for an extended period of time and need t ... read more

2015: Changes for Auto Repair Solana Beach The biggest news this year is the retirement of Dennis and Barbara Smith from local Solana Beach auto repair shop D&B Auto. After 35 amazing years serving our community, D&B Automotive closed its doors on December 31. Dennis and Barbara's very loyal customers will miss them. However, as of March 1st, DRIVE AutoCare will be expanding into this location at 128 North Cedros to service D&B's customers without interruption. Also, D&B’s services are expanding to include general automotive repair and vehicle customization. Also this year, in October, California Import Auto and North Coast Alignment Center were re-branded as DRIV ... read more

According to Men's Fitness magazine, the 10 Best TV Cars of All Time include some amazing rides. Who wouldn't love to take a ride with Mr. T or Daisy Duke? Our favorite is the Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch. Starsky’s red-with-a-white stripe Ford Gran Torino became one of the most recognized cars in America during the show’s run and in October 2014 sold for $40,000. Here's the list: The Green Hornet: Black Beauty Batman: Batmobile Night Rider: Kitt Speed Racer: Mach 5 A-Team: Van Auto Man: Auto Mobile Dukes of Hazzard: General Lee Starsky & Hutch: Gran Torino Arrested Development: Stair Case Mr. Bean: Mini Cooper

7 Cars Owners Regret Buying 7 Cars Owners Regret Buying, according to Consumer Reports magazine, are listed below. Some cars look great but just aren't ready for prime time. And even the best car manufacturers produce a dud once in a while. Be careful if you are considering the purchase of one of these vehicles: SUV: Jeep Compass Mini Van: Nissan Quest Luxury: Mercedes-Benz CLA Sedan: Nissan Altima Sporty: Hyundai Veloster Pickup: Nisan Frontier Overall: Kia Rio How can you prevent Buyers Remorse? Before purchasing one of these USED vehicles (or any used car), you should have DRIVE AutoCare perform a 30-point, pre-purchase inspection. Our ASE Certified team of mechanics will inspect you car and provide you with a detailed report highlighting any mechanical issues