Solana Beach Auto Repair

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

Many of the cars on today's roads are older than 10 years. While there are many newer cars in production today, many drivers don't feel the need to purchase a new vehicle when their current car runs just fine. There's nothing wrong with driving a vehicle older than 10 years, however, it is important to understand how to best care for it.  As vehicles age, preventative maitnenance becomes more and more important. This is because important components, fluids, and parts within your vehicle will begin to wear down and become less effective over time. When parts are older, they tend to break down more easily.  When you invest in preventative maintenance, your vehicle will be well taken care of and you'll prevent major issues from occuring which can end up costing you a lot more money to repair. A well taken care of vehicle will also help you get the best fuel efficiency from your car and keep it running even longer.  According to the Car Care Council, the m ... read more

Many car owners may not be staying on top of their vehicle's inspections, and we understand why. For most people, they may be afraid that if they have a vehicle inspection, the mechanic will find something wrong and it will cost them money. This may be true in some instances, but let us explain the importance of this.  Inspections are a way of catching issue early on, especially if you are already experiencing some minor symptoms of an issue. While you may feel that catching these problems is costing you money, it is actually saving you money in the long run.  When a problem is ignored, it can actually progress and get worse. The worse the issue is, the more extensive and expensive the repair becomes. So an inspection isn't about just finding anything wrong to cost you money - it is about finding a small issue that can be fixed now to prevent a more expensive problem from occurring later on.  Regular inspections are a key part of preventative maintenance, and ... read more

At DRIVE AutoCare we’re often asked what our customers can do to save money on their fuel costs. We have several suggestions: Only purchase fuel at the cheapest station you can find in your area. All fuel brands are the same quality. If everyone only bought from the cheapest stations, the other ones would have to lower their prices. Download the Gasbuddy app to find the cheapest gas. Don’t buy premium fuel unless your vehicle’s manufacturer specifically recommends it. Keep your freeway speeds down. You’ll get way better mileage at 65 than 75. Keep your tire pressures at maximum recommended pressure. It’s usually posted on the driver’s door jam. Consider getting our Fuel Saver Package. It includes just about everything you can do to squeeze every mile from your gas tank! FUEL SAVER PACKAGE: Inspect and adjust v ... read more

AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICES With summer's warmer temperatures and longer vacation driving just around the corner, we suggest that you get your car into an independent repair facility for automotive air conditioning services.   Even if everything seems fine now, it's still important to schedule regular maintenance at DRIVE AutoCare.  You may not be aware but your car’s heating system is also responsible for cooling your car’s engine on hot days and the air conditioning system plays a vital role during the colder months as well.  If you ignore these performance issues it can lead to expensive repairs down the line. Here are some things go consider: THE HEATER KEEP THE ENGINES COOL It might sound strange, but the engine's cooling system is directly related to the heating system.  Your engine produces heat during operation and w ... read more

5 Reasons Your Car Might Need Brake Repair When it comes to automotive comfort and safety, there are 5 reasons your car might need brake repair. DRIVE AutoCare believes you should be aware of the signs of failing brakes. Here are 5 reasons that your vehicle probably needs immediate brake repair: Brakes squeal when applied Your brakes are designed to squeal or screech when the brake pads are getting thin. This is often the first sign of brake failure. When you hear squealing or screeching, you should get your car to a local repair shop immediately. Failure to do so may result in larger, more expensive repairs down the road. Car vibrates when the brakes are applied If you apply the brakes and you feel shaking, vibrating or other odd motions, you probably have warped rotors. Brake pads grab the rotors to slow your vehicle. Warped rotors ... read more

Tire Codes - What Do They Mean? Tire Codes - What Do They Mean? There’s a lot of important information on the sidewall of a tire, but deciphering all of it can be tough. By understanding these codes, you can decide if a tire is right for their vehicle, driving style, and road conditions. According to US News & World Reports, some of the information is mandated by government regulation, providing a description of the tire’s size, intended use, capacities, and manufacturing source. Brand and Model The largest type on the sidewall shows its brand and model. That might seem like basic information, but if you are shopping for a used car, you’ll want to walk all the way around to make sure that all of the tires match. If you are replacing your vehicle’s tires, consult your car’s ... read more

German Automobile Repair Tips German Automobile Repair Tips from DRIVE AutoCare where we specialize in Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper. Since the 1980, we have learned a lot about German-made vehicles: 1. German automobiles require specialized service:  German manufactured vehicles are specialized for performance.  To ensure performance, specialty tools and expensive diagnostic equipment are required that are specific to your make, model and brand. It is strongly recommend that you stay away from generic automotive shops that work on all makes and models and do not have the equipment, or expertise to properly maintain and repair your German performance vehicle. 2. Your vehicle has upwards of 90 computers on board: Today’s complex German vehicles are rolling electronics and computers. Today’s Mercedes Benz ... read more