Solana Beach Auto Repair

Check Engine Rancho Santa and Fe Del Mar One of the most vital signals of an improperly functioning vehicle is the Check Engine Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar which alerts drivers of existing potential problems. Studies show that the check engine light is on in nearly one out of ten vehicles, according to the Car Care Council. “When the check engine light comes on, it means that a vehicle system, such as the ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating properly, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A glowing check engine light doesn't mean you have to immediately pull the car to the side of the road, but it does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could result in costly repairs. At the very least, the light could alert you to an engine problem ... read more

Rancho Santa Fe Automotive Repair Think you can can save money by passing on non-critical Rancho Santa Fe Automotive Repair?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Making sure your car is well maintained and immediately fixing the small things can mean HUGE savings in the future.  Regular preventative maintenance may prevent a future repair or replacement, which can be very costly. Here are a few simple maintenance items that can help keep that money in your pocket: Become familiar with the owner’s manual. That is the go-to place to find the information you need to know about appropriate maintenance procedures and intervals. This will also give you information such as the correct fuel octane, the proper tire inflation, etc. Oil is the life blood of your vehicle so keep it clean and full.  Some places say that a car can go 5,000 to 7,000 miles be ... read more

Prepare Your Car For Summer in Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe Solana Beach Prepare Your Car For Summer in Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe Solana Beach because warmer temperatures can be hard on a vehicle.  With the right precautions, though, you can minimize the toll that heat and sun take on your car. Here are five tips to prepare your car for summer: 1. Check air pressure in your tires: It's critical to have properly inflated tires to assure the best possible contact between the tires and the road. An improperly inflated tire can overheat, potentially leading to a blowout on the highway.  Check your owner's manual or the driver side door jamb to find the correct tire pressure. Check the pressure in the morning when the tires are cold. Properly inflated tires will also last longer and improve gas mileage. 2. Check the A/C system:  Now that it's warmer, run ... read more

Automotive Extended Warranties Automotive Extended Warranties are repair coverages that commence after the manufacturer's warranty expire. These warranties cover most major breakdowns and can stabilize the cost of repairs.  In most cases you can purchase this warranty any time before the manufacturer warranty expires.  Some warranty companies will allow you to purchase an extended warranty after the manufacturer warranty expires, although the price will be much higher. Here are some questions to consider when purchasing an automotive extended warranty: 1. Who stands behind the warranty? Dealerships offer third-party warranties from various companies.  Make sure the warranty is backed by the automaker, not just the dealership or some other company. If you purchase a manufacturer-backed extended warranty, you can use it at any dealership across the country however s ... read more

Valvoline Oil Change Service Rancho Santa Fe Del Mar Valvoline Oil Change Service Rancho Santa Fe Del Mar lubricates your engine and engine components to prevent metal parts from grinding against one another. Valvoline oil service also prevents deposits from forming on engine components by holding contaminants in suspension. WHAT CAN GO POSSIBLY WRONG? Over time, oil gets dirty and oil filters become ineffective. When dirt accumulates in oil, it can become more viscous and abrasive, less effective as a lubricant, and causes more wear to your engine. BENEFITS OF REGULAR VALVOLINE OIL CHANGES Help fight the four major causes of engine breakdown: Heat, Deposits, Sludge, Friction Provide engine protection at startup Help maintain your vehicle's warranty RECOMMENDED MILEAGE INTERVALS Your owner's manual may provide different oil change intervals for both regular driving and severe driving.  Base ... read more

Transmission Fluid and Transmission Repair Transmission Fluid and Transmission Repair at DRIVE AutoCare because transmission fluid helps cool and lubricate your vehicle’s transmission’s internal parts.  According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of automatic transmission failures are caused by overheating and can be often blamed on transmission fluid that should have been replaced. The transmission transfers power from the engine to the wheels of the car.  An automatic transmission shifts the car into different gears depending on the speed that you are driving.  In an automatic transmission car, the transmission system has an oil pan that contains the transmission fluid and fluid filter. The fluid provides the force required to shift into different gears.  If an automatic transmission does not have enough fluid, or the fluid has been conta ... read more

Timing Belt Replacement Timing Belt Replacement means realizing that a timing belt is a very critical engine component. On most vehicles, a broken timing belt means you'll be buying a new engine! A timing belt, timing chain or cam belt is a part of an internal combustion engine that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft so that the engine's valves open and close at the proper times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes. Many car owners may wonder how often to replace a timing belt. The old rule was every 60,000 miles but as technology improves, many manufacturers now recommend intervals up to 100,000 miles. If your vehicle has anywhere near that mileage and you've never replaced your timing belt, you're on borrowed time! To be safe you should check what the vehicle's manufacturer recommends and stay within that mileage. Common symptoms that might indicate that your timing belt is wearing out or has broken are ... read more

All German Auto Repair Specialists in Solana Beach All German Auto Repair Specialists in Solana Beach at DRIVE AutoCare.  We are an independent, full service auto repair facility serving the communities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe and Carmel Valley .  We provide exceptional repair and maintenance services for Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen and Mini Cooper.  Located in Solana Beach, we employ the best, most experienced ASE-certified master technicians and state-of-the-art diagnosis equipment.  At DRIVE, we only use brand new, OEM and OE Supplier parts and provide a warranty longer than the dealer. Our list of services include: Factory Scheduled Maintenance A/C Services Alternators & Batteries Brakes & Rotors Belts & Hoses Clutch Repair Heating & Cooling System Electrical Services Exhaus ... read more

Rancho Santa Fe Automotive Concierge Service Rancho Santa Fe Automotive Concierge Service, provided by DRIVE AutoCare, is a complimentary service whereby we pick your vehicle up at you home, drive it to our facility, repair it, wash it (if on list of services requested), and return it to your driveway or garage -- like it never even happened! How does it work?  It's easy:  Call either of our Solana Beach locations and schedule an appointment.  North Cedros 858-793-0560 or Highway 101 858-755-5015.  We will drive to your home (or office) and leave our vehicle in your driveway.  We will then drive your car to the respective location.  We will perform all necessary repairs and charge your credit card for payment.  We will return your car to your home. This is better than driving to the dealer, waiting in line, checking in, getting a loaner car, drivin ... read more

The Dealer Alternative in Solana Beach: DRIVE AutoCare! Why is DRIVE the dealer alternative? Price: Many industry studies have found that independent repair shops cost significantly less than the dealer. At DRIVE, we are priced significantly below the dealers because our overhead is much lower. And you should know that bringing your car to the dealer for regularly scheduled maintenance does not (and can not) void the manufacturer's warranty. Convenience: Most automotive dealers are grouped in areas like Carlsbad and Kearny Mesa. DRIVE AutoCare has two locations conveniently located in Solana Beach that serve the communities of Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff and Encinitas. Drop you car at DRIVE and we are happy to shuttle you home or to work.... or you can easily jump on the train to San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles. Or better ... read more