Solana Beach Auto Repair

Help us support local business and listen to some incredible music live from the Belly Up stage. Whether you’re sheltering-in-place, parents of children who are “zooming” instead of attending school, or a family separated from loved ones, we know that COVID-19 has been hard on everyone. Running two auto repair businesses in Solana Beach (N. Cedros and Highway 101) we talk to a lot of neighbors and we know that these are trying times for sure. The crisis has hit especially hard at the arts, musicians and the venues that support the artists.  Since 1980, DRIVE AutoCare has been an integral part of the small business community in Solana Beach. Building a business in a beautiful place like North County we have a lot to be proud of. That’s why we’re so passionate about supporting other local businesses like ourselves. To support our local community, DRIVE AutoCare is giving away 10 FREE tickets to the ... read more

Coolant is an essential fluid that should be regularly checked as your vehicle tacks on miles. Periodically inspecting the coolant can find potential problems before they turn into severe damage. If you pop the hood and check the coolant, it should be pollutant-free and sweet-smelling. Healthy engine coolant is typically green and pink. Coolant in an unhealthy engine is milky-looking. Milky coolant can appear grey, dull, dark, or white. Coolant that is milky and dull in color can indicate a significant issue with the head gasket that needs immediate attention. A vehicle’s head gasket is fitted between the engine block and cylinder head. It’s usually made of copper or steel material. The head gasket has numerous functions, but its primary job is to keep the coolant and motor oil separate from the combustion chamber. If this function fails, the coolant can become diluted with oil. Diluted coolant will not be able to adequately cool the engine, eventually leading to the engin ... read more

Record-breaking hot weather, low humidity, and wind have fueled California wildfires during the 2020 historic fire season. During the month of September, San Diego experienced ash, soot, and dust from the wildfires in addition to our normal pollen and pollutants. Your vehicle’s cabin air filter is designed to protect you from these contaminants. Normally, the cabin air filter is changed every 12,000 miles. However, under the current fire conditions, your cabin air filter should be changed more often. (Read to the bottom of this article for DRIVE AutoCare’s special offer!) About the Cabin Air Filter In most cars, the cabin air filter sits behind the glove compartment. This filter is a small pleated unit, often made of an engineered material or paper-based, multifiber cotton. Before air can move into the interior of the car, it goes through this filter, trapping any contaminants within the air to prevent them from infiltrating the air you breath ... read more