Santa Monica Auto Repair

Part of owning a car is dealing with the routine maintenance and adjustments that need to be done. It's important that you pay attention and are familiar with your vehicle so you can recognize when something is wrong, as well as making sure you get it serviced regularly. What Are Shock Absorbers? One of the parts of any vehicle that needs to be replaced once in a while is the shock absorbers. These are basically small oil pumps that help to absorb the shock of hitting bumps and uneven roads as you are driving, so the people in the car don't get jostled. The shock absorbers control the amount of fluid in the piston to ease the abruptness of the motion when the car hits a dip or bump. How Long Do They Last? Most shock absorbers will last for approximately 50,000 miles, although this is an estimate and can vary by the vehicle, and even the driver. If you frequently travel rough terrain or have a habit of driving without braking when needed, your shock absorbers will not last a ... read more

Automotives such as cars, trucks, and buses facilitate transportation but have also proven to be harmful because of the smoke they emit, violating the clean air act. A catalytic converter is a pollution-reducing unit found in some modern automotive that turns pollutants into harmless gases, including steam. It's installed inside the exhaust system of your vehicle or truck with a chemical catalyst, either Palladium or Platinum mixtures. The chemicals are responsible for converting detrimental emissions into eco-friendly gases. The following are some of the symptoms that will show your vehicle's catalytic converter is faulty. Poor Engine Performance When your engine is not operating efficiently, one of the reasons for its performance failure might be a defective catalytic converter. If it's clogged, the catalytic converter will reduce the engine's performance by reducing its acceleration, power, and fuel levels. In case your engine starts to malfunc ... read more

The battery is an integral part of your vehicle. It is part of the engine's starting system and powers all the electrical systems in your car. Therefore, without a battery that functions well, you will have problems enjoying nearly all your vehicle's features. A battery can last for up to six years if operating in the ideal conditions (not in extreme temperatures and lots of moisture). Unfortunately, the conditions are never this perfect, and most car owners need to change batteries every three to five years. Signs that You Need to Change the Battery Here are a few indicators that your battery is dying. The Engine Starts Slowly Over time, the battery's internal components become less effective, causing the battery to take longer to create enough charge to start the engine. Your car may take a few seconds to a minute to start or require several keystrokes. Check Engine Light Comes On The check engine light may be trigg ... read more

A bad fuel injector can lead to decreased gas mileage and occasional idling, leading to poor engine performance. That said, fuel injectors play an essential role in delivering engine fuel to guarantee optimum combustion. Obtaining efficient function may become a challenge with a faulty or clogged fuel injector. And so, regular maintenance and the knowledge to spot signs of a defective fuel injector will come in handy for most car owners. How to Detect a Dirty Fuel Injector It would help if you strived to detect a bad fuel injector to invest in prompt cleaning for a smooth and carefree car. Always remember that if one of your injectors malfunctions, then your car would not perform optimally. Therefore, if you experience the following, it is time to visit your mechanic to clean your injectors. 1. Engine Stalls or Rough Idle If the vehicle often sputters and shakes when you are idling at the stop sign or in traffic, this is one sign that the fuel injector is malfunctioning. The engine ... read more

It is so important to keep your car maintained well and working properly. This will help it stay in good working order for longer, saving you money and preventing any major accidents while you are on the road. Getting your vehicle inspected often is one of the best ways to catch problems early on. Some common components of your vehicle that you should inspect include: The Radiator It is a good idea to replace the radiator twice a year. Do an extra inspection if you notice there is a big problem with it. Check the hoses and caps for any erosion. When the car is parked, check for any radiator fluid that leaks out. The Rotors and Brakes Brakes are something that you should check out every 10,000 miles, every three months, or if you feel like something is wrong with them. You want the rotors to be smooth without any deep grooves. If you need the brakes changed out, visit a repair shop to get it handled. The Cooling and Heating Unit These should be checked with the changing seasons. T ... read more

How to know if you have air in your brake lines Among some of the things playing a vital role in your vehicle are the brakes. When you want to slow down or make a complete stop, you step on your brake pedals. Faulty brakes can lead to accidents and eventually loss of lives. Well, this happens to every other driver sometimes when you want to slow down or make a stop. You step on the brake pedals and the brake pedal feels very soft and spongy than they usually are. This is a common sign that there is air in your brake lines and it's time you get your car checked by professionals. Let's look at some of the symptoms that indicate your brake lines have air in them. Symptoms of air in brake lines A spongy feeling of brake pedals when pressed Soft brake pedals than they usually are Bake pedals depressed too much than usual Driving around with air filed brake lines is very dangerous hence we recommend that you visit us should you notice any of the ... read more

Your vehicle's major components will eventually wear, making consistent care and maintenance essential to optimal performance. Engine oil keeps your vehicle functioning efficiently. Replacing the oil at regular intervals prevents damaging mechanical issues in the long run. Most vehicle manufacturers suggest changing the motor oil every 3,000 to 6,500 miles depending on the type of engine oil used. Engine oil keeps the engine lubricated and prevents its hot parts from creating too much friction. If you don't remember the last time your vehicle had an oil change, below are three signs that can help indicate whether your car is overdue.   Check the quality and color of the engine oil.  Engine oil is typically a liquid that's amber and translucent. As you tack on miles, the oil will become darker and gritty. Most drivers wait until their vehicle hits mileage intervals before getting an oil change. However, your oil can deteriorate several thous ... read more

2020 has been a historic fire season with record-breaking smog, scorching weather, and low humidity. In addition to everyday air pollutants, Los Angeles has experienced a decrease in air quality due to the soot, ash, and dust from the wildfires. This is a great time to consider your vehicle’s cabin filter. The cabin filter is designed to protect you and your passengers from harmful air contaminants entering your vehicle. Depending on driving conditions, cabin filters are typically changed every twelve thousand miles. However, due to the hazardous air quality from the California wildfires, the cabin air filter may need to be changed more frequently.  With today’s current circumstance, a clogged cabin air filter is inevitable. A dirty cabin filter will subject you to breathing the same polluted outside air while you’re inside your vehicle. Your vehicle’s cabin air quality will be drastically reduced and even just as dangerous as standing outside. If you aren ... read more

Fall is officially here, and the winter is fast approaching. There’s still enough time to get in some fall vehicle maintenance before the weather gets cold. The Fall is the perfect opportunity to give your vehicle a little facelift to keep it running strong throughout the next year. A little TLC can make a huge difference in vehicle performance and gas mileage. Below are five tips to help protect your investment.  Check the Brakes and Tires The brakes and tires are two of your vehicle’s most important safety aspects, and sometimes as drivers, we can be guilty of neglecting them. Have your tire tread checked to ensure that they are wearing evenly. This ensures there isn’t an alignment or balance problem. An inspection is also an excellent opportunity to have them inflated to the correct tire pressure.  Check the Engine Filter A dirty air filter can drastically decrease vehicle performance. Have your trusted mechanic replace it with a c ... read more

Let’s face it, during the summer months, we all think of our cars as our cool comfort or refuge amidst a hot humid day. You want to reach your car as quickly as possible and bask in the relief it provides. However, in some cases, when you turn your A/C on, warm air comes out, or there’s a musty smell coming out of the vents. In these types of situations, it’s best to seek the help of a licensed auto repair shop to provide you with a car A/C service to prevent any major issues in the long run. It’s best to have regular maintenance or checkup so that you can count on your A/C system whenever you are on the road. Most car owners have visual hints that indicate the need for a repair but in some cases, only an expert car mechanic and state-of-the-art tools can detect a hidden problem with your air conditioning. If you wish to avoid inconveniences and costly car A/C repair bills, you should visit your local auto repair center for a car A/C service at least once a ye ... read more