Solana Beach Auto Repair

Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, VW Repair in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe DRIVE AutoCare's German auto repair mechanics (Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, VW Repair in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe) are highly trained to diagnose, service, and maintain the superior braking, engine and suspension systems that are characteristic of German engineered automobiles. These sophisticated vehicles call for a high level of care and maintenance to retain maximum performance. Germany is listed as one of four of the top auto manufacturing countries along with China, Japan, and the United States.  Germany is considered the birthplace of high performance automobiles and the history of automobiles there is as diverse as the makes and models that were developed there. It all began in 1886 when the first gasoline-powered car was designed by C ... 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

Tune Up Your Foreign Domestic or Exotic Automobile in Solana Beach Let DRIVE AutoCare Tune Up Your Foreign Domestic or Exotic Automobile in Solana Beach and perform a tune-up and get better gas mileage in return. According to the Car Care Council, even today’s modern vehicles need a periodic tune-up and that can save big at the pump. “Regular tune-ups are an investment that really pays off. A well-maintained vehicle is not only more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, but performs better and is safer and more reliable,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. The Car Care Council recommends a 21st Century tune-up during which the fuel, emissions and ignition systems are checked, as well as the battery, charging and starting system, and the engine mechanical and powertrain control systems. Keeping a car properly tuned can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 p ... read more

ASE Certified Technicians in Encinitas, Cardiff, Del Mar, Solana Beach It seem that every automotive repair shop has a sign stating they employ ASE Certified Technicians in Encinitas, Cardiff, Del Mar, Solana Beach.  This sign states that the technicians are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.  Have you ever noticed that sign and wondered what it means? ASE, is short for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Since 1972 the independent, non-profit organization has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.  ASE promotes excellence in vehicle repair, service and parts distribution and over 300,000 automotive technicians hold an ASE certification. The ASE certification exists to protect the automotive service consumer and shop owners. They test and certify automotive pro ... 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

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

Nothing will shorten your car's engine life faster than missed oil changes. Changing motor oil is a simple, inexpensive service that’s widely touted as the single most important part of your car’s maintenance schedule. Motor oil’s primary function is to cut friction. Over time, oil accumulates contaminants and loses viscosity and the resulting friction causes engine parts to rub together. Parts wear out faster and the damage caused is largely irreversible without an engine overhaul or replacement. But advances in technology and increased consumer awareness have created some confusion regarding the proper interval between oil changes. So, how often should you change your oil? It really comes down to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for oil change intervals as their guidelines are designed to keep your car in good running condition for a long time. To make life ea ... read more

It's the great debate of the Independent Repair Shop Vs Dealership! David Vs Goliath! But what do studies actually say about this heated topic? We hear it all the time, "I'm a dealer guy, I always bring my car to the dealer for repairs." So we've wondered, are dealers a better value than your local mechanic? We may have a slight bias on this topic but who better to ask for a fair and balanced view than Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports 2015 Repair Satisfaction Survey found that when your car is ailing, odds are that you’ll be more satisfied with an independent repair shop than with a new-car dealership. The annual survey of Consumer Reports subscribers found that independents outscored dealership service once again for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when promised. With few exceptions, the entire list of independent ... read more

If you're wondering whether your car needs an alignment, first look at your tires. Uneven tire wear is a prime indicator that your car is likely out of alignment. Here are a few more indicators: your car seems to be drifting to one side, even when you think you're driving straight your steering wheel vibrates you are driving straight, but your steering wheel isn't centered Even if none of these indicators have occurred and it's been a while since your last alignment, you should check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommend service interval. An out-of-alignment car is a common result of everyday driving where your car's suspension can become worn and the springs can be stretched out. The alignment process restores the car's suspension into its proper configuration, positioning and adjusting components so that the wheels are aligned with one another ... read more