San Diego Auto Repair

If you want your vehicle to run smoothly, last longer, and avoid expensive repairs, two services matter more than anything else: your oil change and your multi-point inspection. But the question most drivers ask is the same: how often should you get an oil change, and how often do you really need a multi-point inspection? Whether you drive daily, commute long distances, or only use your car occasionally, the right maintenance schedule can save you money and protect your engine. This guide breaks down everything you need to know using real manufacturer recommendations and insights from trusted sources like Mr. Tire, Bastian Tire & Auto Centers, Erie Insurance, Toyota of Cedar Park, Jay Wolfe Toyota, and Car Care Central. You’ll also notice parts of this blog follow the clean, educational writing style used by Convoy Auto Repair, a shop known for making car care easy for everyday drivers. Why Oil Changes Matter More Than You Think Motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine ... read more

As California residents, we know that wildfires are inundating our state, and we are dealing with the effects of these raging fires -- fire and ash. Not only does the ash and smoke affect us, but it affects our vehicles too, especially your cabin air filter. You can think of your vehicle’s cabin air filter as your vehicle’s lungs, and when your car is struggling to breathe, your risk of breathing in contaminated air is significantly higher.  Your cabin air filter is responsible for keeping the air in your vehicle clean and contaminant-free. When your cabin air filter is dirty, you might find yourself breathing in more smoke, ash, dust, pollen, and other debris. When a cabin air filter is freshly installed in your vehicle, the filter will be pristine and sparkling white. However, when your filter is infiltrated with smoke and ash, your cabin air filter darkens, practically to black.  A dirty, ash-filled cabin air filter doesn’t just affect your vehicle&rsqu ... read more

Are you looking for something fun to do this Halloween? Nowadays,  you can do much more than just trick-or-treating, as there are various fun-filled, festive events throughout the community. The team at Convoy Auto Repair is here to help, as we have put together a list of family-friendly Halloween events in and around San Diego:    Seaworld's Halloween Spooktacular When: September 21 - October 27, 2019  Legoland Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights When: September 29 - October 26, 2019   Fall Fest When: October 4 - November 30, 2019   ... read more

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

Are you prepared for some common scenarios that could come up with your car or on the road? Here are 5 things to always have in your car for a “just in case” situation, or to be a handy helper for someone else. Image: FlickrTire Pressure Gauge Not sure if your tire is leaking? Pull out your gauge and keep an eye on it! You should be keeping your tires properly inflated and checking pressures regularly, but if you think a tire might be leaking, checking the pressure every morning can help you decide if you have a hole that needs repaired, or if it was just an optical illusion. Jumper Cables It happens to everyone. It’s a rainy morning,  you leave your lights on after the drive in to work, and by the afternoon your battery is dead. If you have jumper cables ... read more

Here at Convoy, we have covered many different battery-related topics including battery basics and how often a battery should be changed. However, the battery is actually only one aspect within your vehicle’s charging system and it’s not even the most important. The most important part of this system is the alternator. Image: Product Engineering The alternator is a mechanical device attached to the engine that runs off your vehicle’s serpentine belt. While the motor is running, the alternator spins, which converts mechanical energy into electrical power that powers all electric features like the lights, radio, and more. All batteries have a full charge output of around 12 volts which is plenty ... read more

There is no market segment out there in the car industry that is more important to consumers or has the ability to make or break the profitability of a car company. That market segment, of course, is the family SUV segment and it covers such a wide depth and breadth of pricing, size and luxury that you could say it mirrors the state of American families today perfectly. These vehicles are the daily workhorses used by millions to haul kids to school, perform hauling duties, tow trailers and generally be pushed to the limits of their ability. So they really, really have to be good. As follows is our list of the top ten best  family SUVs on the market today and we have test driven all of them to ensure that they are the best of the best. They are all at the top of the heap when it comes to crash test safety so you can also be sure they will keep your family safe in case of an accident. And of lesser importance, they all have interiors robust enough to withstand countless juice box s ... read more

Are you the kind of person who believes the only job worth doing is the one you do for yourself? If so, then no doubt you are the type of driver who prefers to shift your own gears and work your own clutch pedal when hitting the open highway or local city streets. There are some drivers as well who claim that a manual transmission is essential to actually getting in touch with a true love of driving. But what if you don’t have enough cash in your bank account to afford that BMW sport sedan you had always promised you would buy yourself so you would learn to love your commute again? Well, there is no need to relegate yourself to the mind numbing monotony of an automatically self-shifting gearbox that won’t let you make your own driving decisions (sorry, automatic drivers). We found ten currently-available vehicles with manual transmission options that are priced below $30,000 and should be attainable by those who must work for a living. The first half of this list is for tho ... read more

The lovely year round San Diego weather making you want to get out there a little more? Getting the itch to see the sights with the nice fall crisp air? Itch no more. While sunshine year-round isn’t a bad thing, it does make the changing seasons less noticeable in San Diego proper. To feel like fall is here and see the leaves turn, have a little weekend getaway. Don’t worry; you won’t need to travel far to feel the new season! ProSoaring San Diego Day Trips Temecula Celebrate autumn in Temecula with horseback rides through wine country or a hot air balloon ride over it. Other great outdoor activities include a nice day of golfing or getting close with nature by hiking. Enjoy the orange and brown colors with any option you choose! Feel like relaxing with food and drink instead ... read more

It’s officially football season again! This annual game-watching tradition includes barbecuing, drinking, and cheering on the team with fellow fans (Go Bolts!). An almost more important component to these time-honored festivities is the question of, “Which car are we taking?” To help narrow down your options, here is a list of the 10 best vehicles for tailgating this season. Top 10 Best Cars for Tailgating GMC Yukon Denali: The Yukon Denali is more than just a pretty face. This luxurious design is also equipped with a Bose Surround Sound System, a power rear lift gate, and can accommodate up to eight people. With this vehicle, just pack everyone in and go! Image from GMCHonda Ridgeline: Looks are deceiving when it comes to the Honda Ridgeline. Included under the truck bed is an 8.5 cubic foot trunk that can be use for storage or as a cooler. No ... read more