San Diego Auto Repair

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

Is your car drifting on the road? Is the steering not as responsive as it normally is? Does something just feel off when driving? If so, there might be a problem with the wheel alignment on your car that needs to be addressed by a certified professional technician. However, poor alignment is not the only potential cause of these problems—meaning it’s time to put on your Sherlock Holmes hat to determine if you actually need a wheel alignment. But don’t worry, it won’t be tough if you follow these 5 easy steps to identifying if your car needs a wheel alignment. Step 1: Eliminate Other Tire Issues Aside from poor alignment, tire issues are the other main culprits that cause symptoms like drifting and unresponsive steering. The first step in identifying if you have an alignment issue is to eliminate any other tire issues. Check the air pressure in all of your tires, because low air pressure could be causing similar problems. Although obvious, make sure your tires ar ... read more

Kearny Mesa is definitely the best neighborhood in San Diego. Okay, we know we’re biased. Convoy Auto Repair has been part of the Kearny Mesa neighborhood for the last 39 years, but that means that we know what we’re talking about when it comes to Kearny Mesa (and your car as well). Today, we’re counting down the 5 reasons we think Kearny Mesa is the best neighborhood in San Diego. 5. It’s Old School Every neighborhood in San Diego has its stereotype. The Gaslamp is “crowded,” North Park is “trendy,” Pacific Beach is “full of bros,” and La Jolla is so beautiful we all forget it's slowly eroding into the ocean. Kearny Mesa, on the other hand, is unabashedly unpretentious and vintage. Where else can you enjoy a non-ironic, retro bowling alley, such as Kearny Mesa Bowl? This neighborhood is full of San Diego spots that locals have been enjoying for decades: the ... read more

As any pet owner will tell you, four-legged friends are basically family. Despite this, many pet owners don’t take into account their pet’s safety when they are in the car. You wouldn’t let your human family members ride around without seatbelts or leave them in a hot car, but many pet owners do exactly this. That’s why we’ve put together 5 easy tips for protecting your pooch and how to drive safely with pets. Get a Crash-Tested Crate While your dog may love the freedom of roaming around the car and sticking his head out the window, the fact is that it simply isn’t safe for your pet or anybody else in the car. Sudden stops and accidents can cause your pet to fly around like a missile which can seriously injure your pet or anybody else in the car. The safest way to transport your pet in the car is to put them into a crash-tested crate. These crates are designed to withstand hard braking and accidents, giving your pet a better chance of making through ... read more

San Diego is close to snowy mountains, pristine beaches, wild deserts, and everything in between, leading to some spectacular drives worth taking a vacation for. Luckily, living in San Diego means that you don’t need to use up any of your vacation days to see these spots, so get your car ready to enjoy these best scenic drives near San Diego. Palomar Mountain Loop Get a spectacular view of Southern California and one of the world’s very best observatories at the same time with this hour-long loop drive. Begin your trip on the Palomar Mountain Loop at Highway 76 in Lake Henshaw, continue on until you head up the mountain on East Grade Road, and then take head down the steep west side of the mountain. The scenery on this drive is amazing— make sure to pay attention to the road, since it’s one of the most technically challenging drives in the country. And m ... read more

Thanks to the recent highly publicized ​wrongdoings by a certain German automaker, car recalls have been in the news lately—and there’s a good chance your car might be next on the recall list. But what exactly does it mean when your car is recalled? Many people out there aren’t entirely sure. That’s why we’ve taken a deeper look to explain what a car recall means and what you should do if your car is recalled. Car Recall 101 A car recall is basically when your manufacturer says, “Oops, we messed up.” More specifically, a car recall is when your car’s manufacturer simply says that there is something on your particular model of car that is defective. They key here is to not panic. In most (if not all) cases just because your car has been recalled, doesn’t mean it’s too dangerous to drive, but it’s important that you fix the problem as soon as possible. Step 1: Check Your Mail Even if you already heard about your car being ... read more

Kearny Mesa is an exciting place to be right now, especially if you like to eat. Even though we here at Convoy Auto Repair have been in Kearny Mesa for 39 years already, it’s still exciting to see fresh new faces in our neighborhood. And it’s even better when these new faces are cooking up some of the best food in San Diego. Read on and say hello to the best new restaurants in Kearny Mesa. Nishiki Ramen 8055 Armour Street, Suite 201A This one is for the noodle lovers out there. Highly regarded Japanese ramen restaurant Nishiki Ramen is opening up its very first US location right down the street from us in Kearny Mesa. What makes Nishiki Ramen different than every other ramen shop? They make their own noodles in their own noodle room (a San Diego first), and all their ingredients are MSG and preservative-free, which means t ... read more