Solana Beach Auto Repair

Auto Repair Headlights Solana Beach Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe Auto Repair Headlights Solana Beach Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe, we recommend replacing headlights in pairs and restoring your lenses as needed. Replacing just one failed bulb can result in an unbalanced or unpredictable headlight beam which is a potential safety risk. For the driver, unbalanced headlights means the road ahead will not be properly lit. For the oncoming driver, it will be harder to see and more difficult to position on the road; he may also be confused with a single headlight vehicle such as a motorcycle. Many drivers will only replace a bulb that has completely failed, but for maximum driving safety, an aging bulb should replaced before it burns out. As the filament of a halogen headlight bulb ages, the bulb’s light ... read more

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

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

DRIVE AutoCare Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe Solana Beach Cardiff Encinitas DRIVE AutoCare Del Mar Rancho Santa Fe Solana Beach Cardiff Encinitas with two SOLANA BEACH locations to serve you:  128 N. Cedros Avenue and 371 N. Highway 101.  DRIVE AutoCare enhances automotive value, comfort and safety. Forevermore, we will be obsessive in our quest to exceed the expectations of our community with trustworthy advice and legendary service. LOCALLY-OWNED FOR 37 YEARS:  In 1980, California Import Auto opened at the corner of Highway 101 and Cliff Street in Solana Beach. In 2003, we opened North Coast Alignment specializing in suspension, brake repair and wheel alignments. We expanded east in 2005 opening Align-Tech in Escondido.  In 2015, we rebranded all thr ... read more

Auto Repair Customers are 65% Women The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence estimates that Auto Repair Customers are 65% Women.  And 9 out of 10 women responding to a recent Car Care Council survey said they believe auto repair shop operators treat them differently because they are women. Kelly Johnson, Service Manager DRIVE AutoCare 128 N. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA At DRIVE AutoCare we understand women may not always feel as comfortable in an Auto Repair Shop as men but that is certainly not an excuse to treat them any different. We love our women customers and we are taking the following steps to improve the experience of our female customers: We have the ONLY female Service Manager in North County San Diego When customers walk in our door, we always do our best to welcome them and make them feel comfortable When explaining repair and maintenance issues, we use laymen&rsquo ... read more

Don't Neglect Car Maintenance Following these 6 Tips to Improve Car Performance with the help of your favorite auto repair shop will increase automotive value, comfort and safety: Pay Attention To The Check Engine Light: According to CarMd.com, 10% of all drivers have a check engine light on at any time and 50% of those drivers ignore the light for more than 3 months. Ignoring a "check engine light" can be an expensive mistake that impacts fuel economy and have a snowball effect that can cause other problems or even risk safety. The #1 reason for a check engine light is a malfunctioning oxygen sensor which costs less than $500 to fix but ignoring it can reduce gas mileage by as much as 40%. Change Your Oil and Other Fluids Regularly: The most common mistake drivers make is to extend oil change intervals ... read more