Santa Monica Auto Repair

We know that winter driving can be stressful, especially when you try to stay off the roads in times of winter storms and snow. The best thing you can do to be as prepared as possible when hitting the road in the winter is by ensuring that your vehicle is ready to handle the cold weather.  An inspection at our shop can help guarantee that your vehicle is in the best condition to stay reliable through the winter weather, and if not, we can help make the repairs necessary to get your vehicle where it needs to be.  Here are some of the top causes of winter vehicle breakdowns:  Engine overheating - Motor oil runs thicker in cold temperatures, making it harder for it to circulate and keep your car running smoothly—and prevent it from overheating. A dead battery - It’s harder for car batteries to produce a charge in winter — meaning it might not be able to produce enough energy to start your car when you turn the key. Radiator failure - You left your veh ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at 26th Street Auto Center! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at 26th Street Auto Center before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charg ... read more

We know that it can be concerning to see your vehicle’s check engine light turn on. It can be stressful thinking about what the issue could be and how much it is going to cost you to fix it. When your vehicle’s check engine light turns on, it’s letting you know that it has detected a problem that needs to be addressed. The best way to get peace of mind and figure out the problem is to bring your vehicle into 26th Street Auto Center for professional computer diagnostics.  Computer diagnostic testing is done using a tool that essentially snaps onto your vehicle’s computer system. It will read the error code which will indicate which system the problem is coming from. This will help your mechanic pinpoint the issue and perform further, more specific testing if needed. Once the issue is determined, you will better understand the problem and how much it will cost to restore your vehicle.  Engine problems can manifest in other ways as well, so look ou ... read more

If you own a European vehicle, chances are you've considered having your car windows and windshield tinted. While some have interest in tinting simply for the look of tinted windows, having tinted windows actually has many more benefits for your vehicle. One thing to note, however, is that each state has different laws regarding tinted windows. Be sure to do your research beforehand to figure out tinted window laws that apply to you.  The benefits of tinted car windows include:  Increased privacy - having tinted windows gives you more privacy inside of your vehicle. It also helps to hide what is inside your vehicle, which can be helpful when it comes to vehicle theft.  Protects your interior from sun damage - tinted windows will actually help protect your car interior from damage that can occur from parking in the hot sun.  Keeps your vehicle cooler - having tinted windows will reduce how hot your vehicle gets, protecting your items inside and your vehicle ... read more

Paying attention to the scents that your vehicle omits is important. Certain smells can be an indication of an issues, sometimes a more severe one that will need to be addressed quickly. If you do notice a strange smell one day while driving, especially if it's coming from under the hood, here are some tips on how to troubleshoot the smell:  Rotten Eggs Rotten eggs is never a good sign. This is usually an indiciate of a bad catalytic converter. The catalytic converter has the important job of converting harmful gases from your vehicle's engine into less harmful ones. A bad converter will cause your vehicle to omit harmful gases and damage other important parts within the emissions system.  Mold A moldy or mildew smell is usually an indication of an air conditoning issue. The a/c system can actually start to grow mold or mildew if the drain is blocked and water is sitting in the system. Mold is very unheathly to inhale, so this should be inspected immediately.&nbs ... read more