San Diego Auto Repair

Back-to-school season is just around the corner, which means it is almost time for those early mornings again, rushing your little one to school before the first bell. With all that time spent in the car, you need to be prepared for anything. An emergency kit is exactly what you need, and here is exactly what needs to go in the kit:  Durable canvas bag.  Jumper cables.  Bottled water.  Granola/energy bars.  Miniature tool kit.  Flashlight.  Road maps.  Blankets.  Rain gear, umbrella, and a ice scrapper.  Rags.  Cell phone charger.  Duct tape.  Compass.  Reflective triangle.  First aid kit.  Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench, and tripod jack.  Reflective vest.  An emergency car kit is an after-the-fact measure, but at Convoy Auto Repair, we like to stay one step ahead with preventive maintenance. We will keep your vehicle running safe and secure, so you won’t have to ... read more

Has the time come for new tires? When deciding if you need new tires, there are three important things to look for, tread wear, exposure to heat, and tire age, but the team at Convoy Auto Repair is always here to examine your tires to decide whether or not a new set of tires is the right option for you and your vehicle.  The first step is to check tread wear. Fortunately, there is a relatively easy way to figure this out, and it all starts with a penny. Simply place the penny on the grooves of your tire, and if any part of Lincoln’s head is hidden by the tread, your tires are in good shape. If not, your tires are too shallow.  Regardless of the tread wear, many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing your tires after six years. Some manufacturers will say ten years, but it all depends on your vehicle. We can help you figure out your manufactuers’ recommendation.  With summer upon us, we have to be careful of how these UV rays can affect your vehicle. Expos ... read more

A fun summer activity is driving on the beach, and as most of us seasoned drivers, we have cruised across all sorts of terrain. Yet, one of the most tricky surfaces to navigate is sand! San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches, and if you are looking to hit the waves, or shall we say sands, this summer, we recommend reading over these safety tips for beach drives:  4-wheel drive is a must! If you are in a sandy situation, 4-wheel drive makes getting out of the jam much easier.  Pack lightly. The heavier your vehicle the more it will sink into the sand.  Before you go, lighten your tire pressure. This way, your tires can roll a little easier. Reduced tire pressure will provide more traction, so you can move easier across the sand.  Stay close to the water! The region between the high tide line and the water is the perfect place to drive, as the sand is packed the hardest.  Keep an eye on the tide. Because it is best to stay close to the water, you w ... read more

Convoy Auto Repair has been the first choice for auto repair for the communities of Kearny Mesa, Clairemont, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, Mission Valley & Linda Vista for over 40 years. We are honored to see generations of families pass through our doors, and we are proud of the stellar reputation our technicians have earned for auto repair among the region.  San Diegans love their cars, as so many of us are keeping our cars for as long as possible. We are smart about the cars we purchase, and we are smart about which auto repair shops we let service our vehicle. Why are San Diego families continuing to choose Convoy Auto Repair as their first choice for auto repair? Here are 10 reasons:  When you bring your vehicle to our shop, we embark on a partnership with you. We work with our customers, thoroughly explaining each aspect of the process to ensure you understand the “what, why, and how” of your car’s repair.  Convoy Auto Repair is a Blue Seal Shop ... read more

The temperatures are rising, flowers are beginning to bloom, and the sun is starting to shine. We all know what this means: spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. If you are like us at Convoy Auto Repair, we love road trips, and we enjoy them even more, we have our trusty sidekick with us, our beloved pup. It is the best of both worlds: out on the open road with two of our favorites, our vehicle, and our dog.  Before we embark on any road trip with our pup in the warmer months, it is essential to make sure we are prepared. Driving with our furry friends may present some challenges if we don’t take the time to go over and review safety tips. Fortunately, the team at Convoy Auto Repair has put together five of the essential tips for traveling with your trusty sidekick, your dog:  Be mindful of any pet food you are bringing with you on your trip. Pet food is at risk of both spilling and spoiling, neither of which we want to deal with!  Water, water ... read more

Unfortunately, our vehicles can’t talk to us, but we can pay attention to sure signs, and some of these signs scream a little bit louder than other ones. When your vehicle makes a specific engine noise, it can mean numerous things, but the most important takeaway is that you should schedule a visit at Convoy Auto Repair for an inspection.  When you hear one of these noises emanating from your engine, you can think of it as your car’s cry to help. Here are the top 5 engine noises that scream service is necessary:  Hissing Sounds: If your engine is making a hissing noise, it is often indicative that there is an issue with your vehicle’s cooling system or your vacuum line.  Clunking: Is your vehicle making a clunking noise, especially when your car is going over a bump or pothole? If your answer is yes, your vehicle may be trying to tell you that there is an issue with the undercarriage.  Howling: Did you even know your vehicle could make a howlin ... read more

Before you know it, Valentine’s Day will be here, and you might find yourself in desperate need of a few ideas on how you can spend and celebrate the day with your loved one. The team at Convoy Auto Repair is here to help, as we think a romantic drive along the beautiful California coast is the perfect way to spend your day. Here are some of the most lovely and romantic drives in San Diego and Southern California:   Sunrise Scenic Byway: The name of this 24-mile road trip through East San Diego County says it all. Bask in the glow of the sun, while you travel through Laguna Mountain Recreation Area and along the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in the Cleveland National Forest. Ortega Highway Mountain Escape: During the winter months, you will find yourself transported to a winter wonderland, as you drive past canyons, forests, hillsides, and even boulders dusted with a light blanket of snow. Rim of the World Scenic Byway: If the name alone isn’t enough to p ... read more

If you’re like most of us, you spent good money when you bought your car, truck, van, or SUV. Automobiles are a major asset for most people. They allow us to commute to and from work, carry precious cargo, and give us a strong sense of independence. Because we often rely so much on our vehicles, it’s important to take care of them and protect our investment in them. The team at Convoy Auto Repair loves cars of all types, makes, shapes, and models. Over the years, we have recorded several videos showing some of the service and repair jobs we’ve had the good fortune to handle. Check out these videos and see for yourself why preventive maintenance is one of the key means of protecting the investment you’ve made in your cars. Electric Fuel Pump Repair Broken Water Pump Repair Coolant Leak Repair Transfer Case Repair Radiator Repair If you have any concerns about the service and repair of your vehicle, Convoy Auto Repair is here to help. Stop by Convoy Auto Repai ... read more

We were reminded of this adage due to the particularly wet winter we had. But the dryness of Summer is still far off. So, with some wet weather still to go, we thought we would share some simple tips that will help keep you safer in the wet weather. Rain changes things about driving, and habits that you might have may need to be adjusted. Slow down and increase the distance between yourself and the next car. You have a poorer stopping distance on wet surfaces. Turn on your lights, even during the day. Other cars notice you more quickly with your lights on. When turning, brake before you enter the turn, not during the turn, then accelerate out of the turn. Avoid driving in the ruts that naturally form within lanes by driving just slightly off center from the lane. Water pools in these ruts and you can hydroplane in a deep patch. Take extra care to avoid water where you can't see the bottom. That puddle might be hiding a deep pothole. If they need it, make sure you've replaced ... read more

It has come to light in the past several years that several Dodge and Chrysler vehicles are equipped with valve stems that are prone to corrosion and damage. This failure is most common in colder parts of the country, but even here in warmer states the failure still occurs routinely. This failure can and does happen on weakened valve stems sometimes by just simply unscrewing the cap to check the tire pressure. It should be noted that the valve stem is merely the most common part that fails, other parts of the system are also at risk. If you own a 2008-2011 Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, you may be at risk. These defects can cause tire blowouts, even at low speeds. There is currently a pending lawsuit against Chrysler over this issue, and their failure to issue a recall. Later models switched to rubberized valve stems to avoid the problems found in earlier models. At Convoy, we’ve had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the effects of this firsthand. I ... read more