Solana Beach Auto Repair

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

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