Solana Beach Auto Repair

Icy Roads, Snow Storms and Low Temperatures are all hazards you need to prepare for when heading to the mountains Prepare Your Car For The Snow: Tires, Lights, Wipers: Check to make sure everything is in good working order Battery: Make sure the terminals are clean and the clamps are tight. If your battery is more than 3 years old, you should consider replacing it. Carry jumper cables just in case and be prepared to help someone else. Coolant: Ensure your coolant is of the correct mix of anti-freeze and water to cope with the low temperatures you are likely to find in the mountains. While you are at it, make sure your window washer fluid also has anti-freeze in it so it won't freeze up when you need it the most. Fuel: Before you get to high altitude, be sure to stop and fill up your tank in case you have to stop for an extended period of time and need t ... read more

Wheel Alignment Answers to FAQs Here are some wheel alignment answers to frequently asked questions: HOW IMPORTANT IS WHEEL ALIGNMENT? Think if it this way: Driving a vehicle for 12,000 miles with a toe misalignment of only 0.34 degrees (.17 inches) would be the equivalent to dragging your tires sideways for 68 miles. WHAT ARE SOME EASY-TO-NOTICE SYMPTOMS OF A MISALIGNED VEHICLE? Excessive or uneven tire wear Vehicle drift or pull A feeling of looseness or wandering An out-of-level steering wheel HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY VEHICLE ALIGNED? Always follow the manufacturer's recommendation but as a general rule, have your wheel alignment checked at least once a year. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TOTAL ALIGNMENT? Reduced tire wear Better gas mileage Improved handling ... read more

200000 Miles is a huge milestone for a vehicle. According to Consumer Reports magazine, the cars on this list are considered safe, reliable and most likely to make it to 200,000 miles. All of these models were also Consumer Report recommended when new. Toyota Prius Toyota Camry Honda Odyssey Honda Pilot Toyota Corolla Honda Accord Sedan Honda CR-V Toyota Sienna Toyota Highlander Honda Civic DRIVE AutoCare recommends following the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, taking care of the minor problems as they arise, and keep your care clean and you too can hit 200,000! By driving a car longer, you will save a significant amount of money from reduced ownership costs that include insurance and interest

The recent acknowledgement by VW that it installed software to cheat U.S. emission tests is disheartening. While VW is suffering a backlash from the scandal, losing $25 billion in market value since the news was announced, the implications for VW owners is less certain. The automaker is the largest car company in the world and recently said that 23% of new cars sold in August in the U.S. were diesels, which translates to around 7,400 vehicles. Recently Fortune Magazine published some suggestions that answer the question: What can I do about the VW diesel recall? Check your car model The EPA ordered the recall of nearly 500,000 VW and Audi cars that are equipped with 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines. The recall covers cars made from 2009 to 2015, and includes the following models, all of which are the diesel versions: 2009-15 VW Jetta; 2009–15 Beetle ... read more