Solana Beach Auto Repair

Independent Mercedes Repair Independent Mercedes Repair and maintenance means not going to the dealer.  If you want to save time and money, DRIVE AutoCare in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff and Encinitas is an ideal option to the Mercedes-Benz dealer. Vehicle Longevity One of the best reasons to turn to DRIVE AutoCare is our dedication to the long life of your vehicle.  A dealership makes most of its money on the sale of new cars.  As an independent repair shop, we are focused on making sure your vehicle remains in good operating condition for a long period of time. Lower Prices A dealership uses expensive parts manufactured by the car company. Typically the dealer promotes these as the best parts.  However, many parts obtained from other sources are just as good without the inflated price.  Only an independent Mercedes repair shop can acc ... read more

Summer Road Trip Checklist Summer Road Trip Checklist: AAA reports that 4 of 10 drivers are unprepared for vehicle breakdowns which can take the joy out of your trip.  The Car Care Council recommends taking the following steps before you leave home: Check the battery:  Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.  Excessive heat and overcharging shortens the life of a battery.  Replacing an old battery is an inexpensive insurance policy. Check the tires:  Be sure to check the tire pressure and tread including the spare. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. Check the air conditioning:  Proper cooling performance is critical for interior comfort. Check all fluids ... read more

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

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

Oil Change in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe Here's 3 technical reasons why you should regularly perform an Oil Change in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe: Oil is subject to high temperatures and, as anti-oxidizing and anti-wear additives break down, sludge can form, making it difficult for oil to flow and squeeze itself between moving metal parts. Viscosity modifiers break down after exposure to high temperatures, making the oil thinner at high temps and less effective at separating metal parts sliding past one another. Metal, dirt, soot and other particulate buildup in oil —much of which is too small to get caught by the filter— which causes the fluid to become abrasive, significantly accelerating engine wear. Over time, detergents and dispersants that are meant to combat those small insolubles break down, and ar ... read more

  Brake Repair Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe Your brakes may be trying to tell you something about Brake Repair Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe.  According to the Car Care Council, a properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle control and operation and it should be checked immediately if you suspect any problems. DRIVE AutoCare offers free brake inspections at all three locations. “While an annual brake inspection is a good way to ensure brake safety, motorists should not ignore signs that their brakes need attention,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Knowing the key warning signs that your brakes may need maintenance will go a long way toward keeping you and others safe on the road.”  Look and listen to the f ... read more