San Diego Auto Repair

Passing a smog test is important to ensure that your car conforms with vehicle laws. It’s also better for both your car’s performance and for the environment when your car is up to state smog standards. Many people don’t know that there are several factors that can affect the outcome of a smog test. This is especially true for older vehicles or vehicles that haven’t been used in a long time. Read on to learn six factors that could drastically affect your car’s smog test outcome.   Repairs Needed If your car needs immediate repairs, you should not subject it to a smog check. There is a very high likelihood that the car will fail the smog test entirely if major repairs are needed. Complete major engine repairs before bringing your car in for the smog inspection. This will increase the car’s likelihood of passing drastically.   Cold Engine It’s not a good idea to do a smog inspection on a car with a co ... read more

Fleet maintenance is one of the most important aspects of operating a business. A company’s fleet of working vehicles should always be in working order and ready to go when needed. If even just one vehicle is not working properly, it could cause a whole host of problems. This week, we’ll be focusing on some basic steps you can take to ensure that your business’ fleet is in good shape. Even if you don’t operate a business, you should consider the cars you own for personal use as your “fleet”, and you can still apply the tips below to your own cars. Read on to learn what you can do to maintain your vehicles and prevent issues from arising unexpectedly.   Why Fleet Maintenance is Important An improperly maintained fleet can cause a whole host of issues for your business. These include: Delayed deliveries or pick-ups Problems with transporting employees Decreased fuel efficiency (this can be costly!) Increased risk of an accident while dri ... read more

The New Year is the time to start good habits and set all new goals. For most people, their top resolution is to get into shape and be more fit. This is an excellent resolution, as staying active and healthy will pay off in many other areas of life. Kearny Mesa is known for having some of the best gyms and exercise facilities in San Diego. Now’s the time to get started on a new fitness program! Here are some of the best gyms in Kearny Mesa near us here at Convoy Auto Repair. CrossFit ATR 4250 Pepsi Dr. CrossFit has gained popularity as an effective means of getting into shape. It involves intense workouts consisting of mixed exercises (cardio, sprints, agility drills, weights, etc.). The workouts are called “WOD’s”—Workout of the Day—and change on a daily basis to keep your body guessing. CrossFit ATR in Kearny Mesa is a great place to join if you want to get into CrossFit this year. The ATR (&l ... read more

Tires are one of the most important parts of your car when it comes to performance and safety. Thus, it’s crucial that your tires are always in working order and properly maintained. In particular, tire pressure is one of the most overlooked aspects of tire maintenance. Normal tires may lose up to 1 PSI per month under regular driving conditions. Therefore, you should check your tire pressure at least once a month to ensure that they’re inflated to the recommended PSI. For your information, let’s see why tire pressure matters so much for your car’s overall operation. Dangers of Driving with Under-Inflated Tires Driving on under-inflated tires can create a whole host of different problems for the tires and for overall performance. Lower tire pressure can cause the tire to bend and build up internal heat. Having the tires deflated by as little as 5 or 6 PSI below the recommended pressure (20% below) can result in problems such as: Reduced fuel economy Loss of s ... read more

When purchasing a vehicle, one of the first things people look at is the gas mileage they can get. This is especially important for people who have to commute long distances every day. In the past, car buyers often focused on other aspects of automobiles like safety or performance. These factors are still important, but nowadays, high gas prices and environmental concerns have caused us all to be more fuel-conscious. As the new year rolls in, many people have made resolutions to commit to greener lifestyle. To help you make more informed decisions, here’s some info on cars with the best and worst gas mileage.   Vehicles with the Worst Fuel Ratings As has always been the case, the vehicles with the worst gas mileage tend to be larger cars, trucks, and vans. Check out the numbers on some of these 2015 models: Nissan Armada (12 city/18 highway) Nissan Titan (12/17) Lexus LS570 ( ... read more

Hydroplaning, or aquaplaning, occurs when a car’s tires start riding on a layer of standing water. In effect, the car loses all traction as the tires are spinning on the water rather than making direct contact with the ground. This causes a situation where the driver can lose control of the vehicle’s steering, acceleration, and braking. While hydroplaning can be a harrowing experience, there are many things you can do to prevent hydroplaning. Here are some tips for preventing and correcting hydroplaning. Recognize when you’re hydroplaning If your car starts to hydroplane, you can probably tell because of certain signs, including: Small turns of the steering wheel have no effect; micro-corrections don’t really do anything (since the car really can’t turn as there is no direct contact with the ground) The engine may get louder as RPM’s increase because the wheels are spinning faster. The steering wheel may begin to shake as the wheels are spinnin ... read more

2015 is winding down to a close—it’s an ideal time to take a look at the road behind us and evaluate where we’ve been. At the beginning of the year we made a few car predictions for 2015. For one, as predicted, iPhone/Android integration has certainly been a big hit this year, as well as electric and hybrid cars. Small trucks didn’t make the top 10 list here, but trucks have certainly been popular this year! This week, we’ll be looking at the most successful cars and vehicles in terms of sales. Here’s a list of the top selling cars of 2015, based on information provided by Kelley Blue Book: 10) 2015 Ford Fusion 22/34 MPG (City/Highway), 175 Horsepower This midsize sedan offers all-wheel drive, and hybrid plug-in technology options. The Fusion is also a feature car on the show American Idol. Estim ... read more

Car shows and events are a fun way to see new cars, learn about automobile facts and history, and interact with other car enthusiasts. Sure, you can look at cars online all day, but there’s nothing like seeing them in person. Car events also help you to look ahead and learn about upcoming developments and trends in the automobile world. The San Diego International Auto Show, one of the major car shows in San Diego, is happening from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3. at the San Diego Convention Center. In light of this major event, here are some overall tips for attending different types of car shows and events in San Diego. Tips for Major Car Shows and Conventions Large car shows and conventions are an awesome time and can sometimes last several days. Here are some tips to maximize your time at these venues: Get tickets early before they sell out Plan your directions, parking, and hotel reservations early, as these can get crowded pret ... read more

Good visibility is a major factor when it comes to safe driving. Most people know about external visibility factors like poor weather conditions or dark lighting. However, proper windshield care can help ensure that you can see better even when driving conditions get challenging. Here are some steps that you can take to properly maintain your windshield: Step 1: Clean Major Objects Cleaning leaves, mud, dirt, bugs, and other physical objects off of your windshield is the first step. All of these objects accumulated on your windshield can reduce visibility, and they can be distracting while driving. First scrub off any major physical objects off your windshield before applying cleaners, etc. You may need to peel or scrape certain substances off with water and a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are great for cleaning glass as they won’t cause abrasions on the surfaces. Step 2: Clean with a Glass Cleaner Formula Even if your windshield is free from dirt and debris, streaks and ... read more

Dessert has officially become a stand-alone menu item. It’s no longer simply an after meal event—instead, folks are helping themselves to sweet treats at all times of the day. San Diego is home to some of the finest dessert spots, many of them right here in Kearny Mesa. Whether you study at San Diego Community College or work at the Children’s Hospital or other places in the area, a dessert break is always a good thing. There are plenty of great dessert spots near Convoy. To help you get started, here are some local favorites: Sage French Cake 3860 Convoy St. #112Sage French Cake is a cake shop that serves desserts and pastries in the Japanese-French style. This combines the lightness and elegance of Japanese cakes with the intricate artistry of French cakes. The result is ... read more