San Diego Auto Repair

The test drive is arguably the most important aspect of buying a new car, and skipping it is one of the biggest mistakes car buyers make. Even if you know the exact model you want – options and all – it’s crucial to get behind the wheel before signing any papers. This is especially true when buying a used car. But there’s more to the test drive than just finding out whether or not you fit comfortably in the driver’s seat. How you handle yourself at the dealership let the salesman know if you are desperate for that particular car or if you are a wise shopper taking the time to find the smartest deal. Our best advice is to always test drive three different vehicles that fit your needs. Then ask the sales person for their card and let them know you will return if you decide that’s the car you want. If they pressure you or make you uncomfortable in an attempt to keep you from leaving, don’t go bac ... read more

Vehicle emergencies can happen at any time, and you never want to be caught stranded without an important emergency tool or item. Even if you have a roadside assistance membership, it’s important to have an emergency kit in your car because it will take time for help to arrive, and cell phone reception (and battery life!) isn’t guaranteed. You don’t need to buy a premade kit because making your own doesn’t take much effort, and you can customize it for your unique vehicle and needs. Below are some of the most important things to include in your homemade roadside emergency kit, and a clear plastic bin or a duffel bag works well for storing the items. First aid kit - A first aid kit is one of the most important things to include in your roadside emergency kit, and you should buy a premade kit that every basic item. Cell phone - Buy a cheap cell phone just for your kit; you don’t need service on it because you can call 911 without a plan, and make sure tha ... read more

If you were lucky (or unlucky) enough to have learned to drive a manual transmission on your parent’s car, you remember the feeling of absolute terror of stalling out in traffic, grinding the gears in front of dad, or – worse – burn out the clutch entirely and risk having to drive the old station wagon to high school. There was a time when sports cars didn’t come with automatic transmission, but today Porsches have to be special ordered with a manual gearbox and Ferrari no longer even sells them. Why? A lack of interest from the North American buying public is one factor and that still very real fear that manual transmission equipped cars require too much attention, effort, and nowadays don’t offer any real fuel economy advantage. But those in the know, those lucky drivers who faced their fears of stalling in an intersection or starting on an uphill, they know the pure joys of what it means to be a driver. Fortunately, some carmakers still know how to ch ... read more

One of the most exciting times in a driver's life is when it's time for a new car. The decision of new car or new-to-you car is a personal one, but if the time is right for a fresh-off-the-lot ride, it's easy to get excited and make mistakes that cost you in the long run. Fortunately, with just a little bit of planning and foresight, anyone can buy a new car at a great rate and be happy with the decision for years to come. Here are 5 mistakes new car buyers make that you should avoid at all costs: Mistake #1 – Making a decision too quickly It can be easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and pull the trigger on a new car when you’re feeling excited about a deal, but that can be a major mistake. Salespeople are trained to make a deal seem like it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, when in reality there are deals on new car models every day. You should never feel rushed into making a decision, and at the very least sleep on it and ... read more

Editor's Note: This post comes from a former dealership service department employee (not based in San Diego) who is no longer employed by or affiliated with any service center. This is a true account of one employee's experiences at this specific dealership at one specific time. Many changes have been made at dealership service centers since then, and these issues are not necessarily true for all dealership service centers, automakers, or any service facility now. But it was this way once, and so the story begins. Some years ago now I worked at a dealership for a manufacturer (whose name I will not mention) as a service advisor, and I wound up being quite successful at it. Not for the reasons you may think, but mainly because I was the only one who always answered the phone, greeted customers who were being ignored, and generally acted like a respectful human towards our customers. It was not exactly a secret among the other employees as to who customers preferred to ... read more

One of the most common car issues out there is the dreaded dead battery. Luckily, it’s one of the easiest car problems to resolve on your own. Here’s how to change your car battery. Find the battery: Most manufacturers put the battery under the hood, but a few cars have batteries in unexpected locations such as the trunk or under the passenger floorboards. If you can’t find yours, check your owners manual to see where it might be. Disconnect the black cable first; using an appropriately sized wrench, loosen the nut that holds the cable onto the terminal. Carefully twist and pull up to remove the cable from the terminal. Disconnect the red cable: Now do the same thing for the red cable! Your battery terminals may have a lot of corrosion on them, depending on how your battery has aged. You can remove the corrosion by making a paste of baking soda and water and gently applying it to the terminals, letting it sit, and then wiping it off ... read more

The sun is shining here in So-Cal and we are more than ready to welcome summer weather! Whether you're always thinking about your dream convertible or you've always appreciated more practical cars, there's no denying the allure of a shiny convertible. And because we're dreamers, too, here are our favorite drop tops. 2015 Ford Mustang - Nothing says California dreamin' like a Mustang convertible. Ever since its release in 1964, the Mustang has captured the essence of what it means to be a sporty convertible. The Mustang comes with a convertible option at each price point, from the thrifty V6 all the way up to the GT trim. (We’re partial to the 2.3 EcoBoost option ourselves.) The 310 horsepower and 320 ft. lbs of torque are more than enough for a spirited city or mountain road drive without breaking the bank. And, best of all? You can still option this car with a manual transmission! 2015 BMW 4 Series - If you’re after som ... read more

Spring has nearly sprung for those of us on the West Coast, and it’s time to think about spring cleaning. Before you go diving into that hall closet, have you thought about spring cleaning your car? Throughout the year, all kinds of gunk gets into the nooks and crannies of your car. Here are a few tips and tricks for spring cleaning your ride! Cup Holders: These always seem to be a magnet for grime and dirty pennies. The condensation from your drinks merges with the general fuzz and dirt that accumulates in a car and together they form some kind of unholy paste that seems impossible to remove. We always start with a good vacuum of the cup holders, just to get anything loose out of there. Then we use a cleaning solution (a simple all-purpose cleaner is fine) and a paper towel or sponge and really get in there to clean out the gunk. The same basic techn ... read more

If you told friends and family that you bought a used rental car, you’d probably get some shocked and confused reactions. Traditionally, buying a used rental car is something people approach with great fear and trepidation. Rental car mentality might as well be an invitation to abuse and be careless with the car, especially if you bought the agency’s insurance. But then if you told friends and family what you paid for your used rental car, you’d be sure to get reactions mixed with more shock and understanding. Used rental cars generally have a lower resale value than their non-rental brethren on the used car lot, which make buying one highly affordable. Pros of buying a used rental car Is the risk of buying a used rental car myth or fact? The truth is, despite their occasionally high mileage, most rental cars are very well taken care of. Unlike some owners, rental car agencies follow the maintenance schedules exactly as required by the manufacturer. You don’t k ... read more

As we move into spring, it seems that a lot of parents are thinking about their teenagers and cars. It’s one thing to teach a teen to drive on your car, but what about after they have a license? Not all cars are equally safe for teen drivers, and bigger doesn't always mean better (or safer). Here are some tips for picking out a first car for a new driver: Compact Car vs. SUV - This debate has been raging since SUVs were introduced to the marketplace, and in the end, there’s no real “better” option. SUVs can offer increased safety in the event of a major accident, but they are more challenging to handle safely on the road. The high center of gravity is great for visibility, but it increases the risk of a rollover. In the end, you need to see how your teen or new driver handles your car. A too-confident driver would probably benefit from a car with less power and easier h ... read more