Solana Beach Auto Repair

Your vehicle’s electrical system is made up of three important components: the battery, starter, and alternator. The battery provides power to the starter. On the other hand, the alternator replenishes the battery with the necessary power to start your car. If one of these parts doesn’t work, your entire electrical system will be off.  Since all these parts work collectively, it can be difficult to point out the culprit. The professional team at DRIVE AutoCare can inspect your vehicle and ensure you're back on the road quickly! Read on to learn about the battery, starter, and alternator. Battery When most people think of their car’s electrical system, they immediately think of their battery. Until you turn the key, your battery is providing all of the car’s electricity, including the fuel injection system. Batteries come in various types, sizes, and models. Some are lead-acid, while others can be lithium-ion. When your car doesn’t start, you ca ... read more

Your automobile's anti-lock braking system (ABS) light usually signifies that there's an issue with one or more brake components. Your brake fluid may be running out, the signals from wheel sensors may be malfunctioning, or the entire system may be down. Whatever the problem may be, the professional technicians at Drive AutoCare can properly diagnose your ABS light. We’ll get you the brake repair you need.  What Does the ABS Do? Today’s ABS relies on its sensors to monitor each wheel’s speed to prevent your brakes from locking up. The sensors will communicate with your vehicle’s computer when it picks up instability. For example, if your wheels are slipping on snow or hydroplaning in the rain, you can rely on the ABS to keep your brakes working.  What Should You Do If The ABS Light Is On? When your vehicle’s ABS light is illuminated, you should not be too alarmed. Once you are safe and parked, turn off your car and restart it to see i ... read more

DRIVE AutoCare Welcomes Troy Greig from All German Auto DRIVE AutoCare is proud to welcome Troy Greig, Service Manager, to our team of professionals!  After nearly two decades at All German Auto, Troy Greig has joined DRIVE AutoCare as Service Manager. In his previous role at All German Auto, Troy developed a loyal following of BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, VW, Mini Cooper and Sprinter owners. Today, Troy is thrilled to work with the award-winning team at DRIVE AutoCare to continue the legacy of legendary customer service and quality repairs.  A New Pro Joins the Company With 23 years' experience in Service Manager leadership, Troy is a highly respected industry veteran who brings a wealth of customer service knowledge, technical skills and operational know-how to his new role. Troy has excellent communication skills and uses communication to build relationships of trust and commitment with customers. Additionally, his focus on workplace communication is vital to ... read more

There are different types of car maintenance mistakes that car owners should know and understand clearly. Considering that cars are one of the most valuable assets we own, car owners should not only pay attention when something goes wrong, but regularly confirm their vehicle's top performance to avoid costing them more in the long run. These mistakes include: Not Following Routine Services It's important to follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation to extend the life of your vehicle. You should go for regular maintenance check-ups from time to time, as this reduces the cost of repairs that may arise if not attended. Overheating of the Car Your car will still run even if it's overheating, but make sure it doesn't run for a long time. Hence, monitoring of temperature gauge is recommended. Not Checking Tire Pressure Since tires are the only car parts in contact with the surface, the pressure may keep on reducing, which causes them to flatten. Under-inflate ... read more

It’s officially spring, and that means cranking up the AC for many of us in Solana Beach, CA. DRIVE AutoCare recommends a yearly air conditioning inspection to stay cool in your car throughout the spring and summer. Let’s face it this summer heat and humidity can be a major distraction, especially if your A/C stops working.  Every vehicle owner has a responsibility to keep their AC system properly maintained. The vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system are intended for keeping the passenger cabin comfortable during every season. If you want your car to provide you with an accurate and comfortable temperature and humidity level, we invite you to bring your car in for inspection today.  An air conditioning inspection at DRIVE AutoCare consists of the following steps: Test air temperature, air pressure, refrigerant charge, and electrical outlets If we find that your car is low on refrigerant or Freon, we will try to pinpoint the source of ... read more

Emission tests, aka smog checks or smog tests, are standardized vehicle tests that measure exhaust emissions for various engine types and vehicles. Because DRIVE AutoCare is a STAR Certified Test and Repair Station, when we perform the test, you will know how much pollution your vehicle is giving off and whether its exhaust fumes meet the standard set by the State of California.  The emission test indicates levels of different fumes: hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and emissions from evaporation. Without regulations on this, the air we breathe would be thick and dangerous, and unhealthy to society. By having your car smog checked in accordance with the laws in the State of California, you are helping cut back on the adverse impacts of vehicle emissions. What Happens During an Emission Test? During your smog test, DRIVE AutoCare will connect a machine to your exhaust pipe. The device can read what ... read more

Most people think that automotive glass tinting is just a stylish add-on, but it offers tons of benefits beyond darkening your windows. If you want added protection and safety for your vehicle, then glass tinting might be exactly what you're looking for. Below are the top 4 benefits of having tinted windows on your car: Block Out Damaging UV Rays We all know that constant direct exposure to sunlight has adverse effects, so why aren't people more concerned about it when driving? Besides causing discomfort, the UV rays can cause burns, premature skin aging, and other skin conditions. Luckily, auto glass tinting can block out up to 99% of the harmful UV rays, so you and your loved ones stay protected on the road. Keeps Your Car Cool Tinted windows can make the temperature in your car more bearable on those scorching summer days. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about blasting your AC. Protects Upholstery Another advantage of having tinted glass on your car is that it ... read more

Over the years, technology has made life easier, especially when driving. Power steering, in particular, has made driving simple and even fun. Initially, the power steering system relied on hydraulic pumps that moved fluid towards the wheel for easy navigation. With electrical systems in use today, power steering is now common and affordable. It has also made detecting problems quick through a warning light on your vehicle's dashboard. The power steering warning light is recognizable on the dashboard since it's either orange, yellow, or a red steering wheel with an exclamation mark on its side. An illuminated EPS initial appears instead for the electrical power steering system but indicates the same message. The warning light coming on is bound to make you worried because it is accompanied by difficulties in steering, which is dangerous. What Does the Power Steering Warning Light Indicate? If your car relies on hydraulic power steering, this warning light signals a low fluid ... read more

Get your windshield wipers ready, winter has arrived a week early in San Diego County! A super-charged storm producing near-hurricane force winds and drenching rains has arrived. Pulled into California by a cold subtropics storm, Meteorologists call this column of moisture an atmospheric river—and it’s packing a punch!  The torrential downpour brought power outages, flooding, and major traffic delays to San Diego making driving conditions tough. At times like this, you need to be able to rely on your windshield wipers to make your holiday driving safe. Is your vehicle ready for the rain?   Replace your windshield wipers for free during the entire month of December*! It's our gift to our loyal customers during this holiday season.   If you’re like most of us who live in sunny San Diego, we don’t think about windshield wipers until it rains.  But did you know that heat, lack of ... read more

You might think all car batteries are created equal, but they're not. You have to consider the size, features, power, and more when choosing one. The three main types of car batteries are starting, lighting, ignition (SLI), lithium-ion, wet-cell (or flooded), and lead-acid batteries. Selecting the right battery for your vehicle is imperative to your vehicle's performance. If you are not sure how to pick out your new car battery, you can ask one of our certified technicians for advice. With the rising trend in hybrid and electric vehicles, more cars on the road rely on their battery more than ever. Moreover, manufacturers continue to add innovative technology-driven accessories that require electrical power. With all that being said, you need a dependable battery. Here are some tips on how to choose the correct battery for your car: Go through your veh ... read more