Solana Beach Auto Repair

Having trouble finding hand sanitizer at your local store?  Don’t worry!  DRIVE AutoCare has got you covered.  While supplies last, drop into our offices for a free bottle!  By now we know that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizer to reduce the spread of coronavirus. But did you know they published guidelines for how to use hand sanitizer?  We didn’t either!  Here are all the details you’ve been longing for… 60% Alcohol Choose a hand sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol. Hand sanitizer with less than 60-percent alcohol may not kill many types of germs and tends to just reduce the number of germs versus destroying them. How to Use Hand Sanitizer Ever read the instructions on a bottle of shampoo?  Well, the guidelines for using hand sanitizer are similar.  First, apply the product into the palm of one. Next, rub the product all over the surfaces of your hands.  Finally, allo ... read more

Getting into your vehicle to find that it won’t start up can be extremely stressful. You look around frantically to see if you may have left on a light or if a door was left open. While sometimes you find that you left your headlights on and your battery has most likely died, other times the cause of the no start isn’t as obvious. If you’re having trouble starting your vehicle, give the experts a call at DRIVE AutoCare in Solana Beach. Our ASE certified technicians are experienced with all makes and models of vehicles and will be able to determine the exact cause of your no start issue.  Often times, a no-start car can indicate a battery problem. A dead battery can be jump-started back to life if there is still some charge left. However, if the battery is very old, it may be time to replace it. Typically, your vehicle’s battery needs to be replaced every 3-5 years. Our experts can test your battery to see how much power it has left and determine if a ... read more

Is your car making strange noises while driving? When your vehicle is telling you something, its best not to ignore it. A strange noise can definitely be an indication that there is an issue with your vehicle, and understand what you hear and when it happens can help narrow down where the problem is stemming from.  If you do hear a strange noise, don’t ignore it! The best thing to do is to make a mental note of when the noise happens and what it sounds like. If the noise is persistent and doesn't go away, we recommend getting your vehicle into DRIVE AutoCare as soon as possible. The sooner we get the issue taken care of, the less repairs that will be needed and the better off your vehicle will be.  Here are some of the most common noises heard while driving:  Squealing, screeching, or grinding while braking Sputtering or rattling exhaust noises from underneath the car Chirping or squealing noise from under the hood Humming, growling or roaring noise while ... read more

To DRIVE AutoCare customers: I know we are all managing an influx of information - it’s a lot. We wanted to take a moment to let you know that we are taking COVID-19 seriously. At this time we are open during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. We are considered a “critical” business providing State Inspections as well as providing service to first responders, health care workers, those of us who care for loved ones, need to see a doctor, electricians, plumbers, city officials, day care workers and the list goes on. We will be here to help you as long as is possible. We know you need your vehicle to be safe and dependable so if you should need our services just give us a call at 858-755-5015 (Highway 101) or 858-793-0560 (N. Cedros). Our priority is the health and safety of our customers, employees and community. We have and will continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure this. If you’re hesitant to leave the house, just requ ... read more

All front wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles are equipped with parts called the CV axles. The CV axles are an integral part of the suspension system. It is essentially a shaft that has two CV, or constant velocity, joints at the end of either side. These joints are in place to allow the axle shaft to spin as the suspension goes up and down when you steer your vehicle. A front wheel drive vehicle will have two, one for the passenger side and one of the driver's side. In an all wheel driver vehicle, you'll have the two mentioned above plus two in the rear.  The CV joints on either end of the axles are covered with a rubber boot that will hold in grease and prevent dirt and water from getting inside the axle and joints. Eventually, these boots can wear out just with regular use of your vehicle. When the rubber boots are worn, grease can seep out and dirt and water can enter into the joints, causing suspension system issues.  A CV axle re ... read more

When you own a vehicle, there are two things that you may find yourself spending money on: maintenance and repairs. The difference is, maintenance is much more affordable and actually helps you avoid having to spend money on repairs. It also protects the overall integrity of your vehicle and increases resell value in the future.  When you spend money on repairs, typically these repairs are needed due to poor maintenance. Repairs can be much more costly because they include having to often times replace parts all together and can be intricate depending on where the part is or how extensive the repairs are. Your car is an investment, and the better you take care of it, the more you get out of your investment. Cars are built with many different parts, and even with great maintenance, some items will wear out and need replacing over time. So, lets look at what goes wrong with vehicles, and when.  Dead battery - the typical car battery only lasts between 3-5 years, so it will n ... read more

Driving during a winter storm is a situation that most of us may try to avoid. However, if you are already on your way and a winter storm hits and you have no choice but to drive through it, the following winter storm driving safety tips can come in handy.  If you have some flexibility when it comes to when you need to drive through winter storm prone areas, be sure to look up weather conditions through major passes or highways along the way. This will help you better understand the conditions you will hit and inform you to make a better decision if driving through a snowstorm can be avoided.  If you find yourself driving through a winter storm, here are some safety tips to follow:  Keep a close eye on the road and be weary of black ice which can be difficult to detect.  Always drive slowly and carefully and eliminate all distractions if possible.  When you do drive over ice or snow and feel that your vehicle has lost traction, the important thing is to no ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at DRIVE AutoCare! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at DRIVE AutoCare before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charger, and first aid kit ... read more

Car maintenance is a key part of car ownership especially when it comes to both your safety on the road and the overall integrity of your vehicle. Whether or not you intend to resell your vehicle sometime in the future, the best care you take of your car, the most reliable it will be on the road.  Car maintenance and how often you will need it will vary depending on the service as well the make and model of your vehicle, its age, and your own driving habits. Regular vehicle inspections are a great way to stay current with your vehicle's maintenance and being able to schedule out services when they are soon to be due so that you don't miss any important items.  Maintenance can mean a number of things, from regular inspections to oil changes and other recommended services by your vehicle's manufacturer. While all maintenance items are typically important, here are some of the services that should never be ignored in terms of getting them done when they are du ... read more

You're driving your vehicle and you check the rearview mirror to see smoke coming from your exhaust - you wonder, what could be causing this and what do I do now? Well, first things first, try to determine when this exhaust smoke happens. Does it happen when you accelerate, and how long does it last? Also, make a note of the color, as black and white smoke can point to different issues.  Next, give us a call here at DRIVE AutoCare. We can help you identify any exhaust issue and determine what may be causing the smoke to appear. This can be caused by a number of different underlying issues, including the following:  Clogged air filter Clogged fuel injectors Damaged fuel-pressure regulator Clogged fuel return line Dirty transmission fluid A stuck PCV valve A faulty transmission vacuum modulator Excessive oil consumption Bad turbocharger As soon as you notice smoke, whether black, white or gray, coming from your vehicle's exhaust, don't hesitate to give us ... read more