Santa Monica Auto Repair

Ceramic coating is a newer and more advanced method of surface protection for automobiles today. We are proud to offer this service using Ceramic Pro products at 26th Street Auto Center. If you want to uphold your vehicle's paint job, then read on to learn about the many benefits of ceramic coating. Many people wonder whether ceramic coating application is actually worth it. Is it more effective than washing your car monthly or even weekly? More effective than wax and polish? The answer is yes. Ceramic coating is far more effective at getting rid of aesthetic blemishes such as scratches, stains, and grime. It might sound too good to be true, but that is why everyone is raving about it. Ceramic coating, also known as nano-ceramic coating, is a chemical solution applied to the exterior of automobiles to protect its paint job. It stands to be a better and more effective alternative to waxing. The primary difference that distinguishes ceramic coat ... read more

Is your car engine cranking over and over again without a successful start? By the time the car actually starts (if you’re lucky), you’re probably already late for work or school. Many drivers experience this problem at least once in their lives, but what could it be? Most issues relating to slow car starts are related to the starting system. Read on to learn more about the starter and the list of reasons behind your slow engine starts.  How the Starting System and Ignition System Works When you turn your car key in the ignition or press the push-to-start button, you trigger a battery-powered electric motor. The motor starts the engine’s rotation, which combines and retrieves a balanced mix of air and fuel. Once that reaches the engine, the ignition system provides a spark provided by spark plugs (of course). Once the fuel and air are ignited, the process is started. All in all, the starter system comprises many parts that need to work for the entire process ... read more

Tires are the most important part of our cars. They need to be at the right pressure and have the right amount of tread depth for you to travel safely on the road. Most cars on the road nowadays have sensors that serve to measure your tires’ vitals. The one we will be discussing today is the TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system. When the TPMS recognizes a loss in tire pressure, it will illuminate a warning light on your dashboard. When you catch this light, you should quickly measure your pressure and refill your tires with the right amount of air. Hopefully, you don’t wait too long as it can have adverse effects on your tires, causing you to have to replace them a lot sooner. Your manufacturer specifically specifies the pressure at which your tires should be to ensure optimal vehicle efficiency and performance. At that given psi range, the tires on your vehicle will safely handle the full weight of the vehicle. On the other hand, ignoring the warning and continuing ... read more

Whether you are new or old to driving, most drivers on the road don’t even know what their dashboard warning lights mean. Driving like this can be very dangerous, especially when one pops up on your dashboard mid-drive. Before you know it, you car might break down, emit excess smoke, or worse. For the safety of you and your vehicle, it is imperative you understand what these warning lights mean and what to do when they illuminate in your vehicle. Below are the top 3 dashboard warning signals that you should never ignore: Check Engine Light The check engine light is feared by many drivers for a good reason: it has so many reasons for why it might come on. They range from very minor, like a broken gas cap, to severe, like a clogged catalytic converter. When this light comes on, check your gas lid before anything else. If the gas cap is closed, we recommend taking your car to our auto repair shop for engine diagnostics. Coolant Temperature Warning Light This symbol might not be ... read more

Your vehicle’s steering system plays an integral role in ensuring that you have smooth and seamless control of your movement and direction. The power steering pump is one of the many complex components in hydraulic steering systems, and it is responsible for applying the right amount of pressure to your wheels so that you can achieve turns. As a responsible car owner, you need to know the symptoms of having a bad power steering pump. Sign #1: Whining Whenever you turn left or right or steer to change lanes, you shouldn’t hear anything from your car. If you catch a whining noise while doing those actions, it is clear that you have a power steering problem. You may have a leak in the power steering pump or elsewhere in the system.  Sign #2: Hard-to-turn Steering Wheel If your steering wheel feels extra stiff to move, your power steering pump could be the culprit. It means there isn’t sufficient lubrication going on with the steering wheel. Sign #3: Noisy Durin ... read more

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car. They are responsible for keeping you safe on the road, and they need to be in good condition in order to do their job properly. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can wear down tires prematurely. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common culprits. We'll also provide some tips on how to keep your tires in good shape for as long as possible! Here is a list of things that can wear down tires prematurely: Driving on rough roads Not rotating or balancing your tires regularly Overinflating or underinflating your tires Hitting curbs or other objects on the road Running over potholes Suspension elements, such as front end parts as well as shocks and struts, can wear your tires unevenly and rapidly. Your wheel alignment may also be off, and this can cause premature tire wear. If you notice that your tires are wearing down unevenly, or if you're having difficulty keeping your ... read more

With Father’s Day coming up on June 19th, we thought it would be great to share some of our favorite auto-related gift ideas. Father’s Day is the time to show your dad how much you care. Whether your father is a car fanatic or not, we can guarantee that he’ll enjoy the simplicity and practicality of these father’s day gift ideas. Seat Covers and Floor Mats - These accessories can change up the whole vibe of your father’s vehicle. You can make his ride look sportier, sleeker, and overall cleaner, depending on which ones you get. Plus, it’ll protect his vehicle’s upholstery from stains, cracks, and other damage.  Wireless Phone Charger/Mount - If your dad is the workaholic type that is always on his phone, you can get him this helpful device. Most phone mounts nowadays are easy to install, and many of them can even charge your phone.  Car Merch - Does your father have a favorite car brand that he fanboys over? If so, we guarantee you ... read more

As your vehicle ages, its components endure natural wear and tear. One of those components may include the thermostat. Your car’s thermostat is part of the cooling system, and it is in charge of measuring the engine’s temperature. It allows the release of coolant when the engine gets too hot. Below are some of the symptoms that your thermostat has gone bad. Overheating The most common sign of a bad thermostat is engine overheating. If the wrong temperature is being read or the thermostat is stuck closed, it won’t release the coolant necessary to cool down your engine. It’s important to replace a malfunctioning thermostat as soon as possible. An engine that overheats can be severely damaged. Fluctuating Temperature Gauge Another sign that your thermostat is broken is an erratic temperature gauge. This gauge is located on your dashboard. If you notice that the temperature fluctuates a lot, this can indicate that the thermostat is malfunctioning.  Coolant ... read more

  The winter season is coming to an end, and soon we will begin enjoying the warmer weather of spring. The flowers will start blooming, and the birds chirping this spring. Therefore, you will enjoy driving your car with the windows down while listening to good music. As you prepare your mind for spring, preparing your car for the season is essential. Earlier preparation will save you time and headaches later in the season. Here are tips for getting your car for the long drives and vacations that come with spring; Tips for Ensuring your Car is ready for Spring Season Checking Your Tires You can save money by measuring your tire's tread and ensuring none of them is balding. Proper traction is essential for the rainy spring weather ahead. The winter conditions cause potholes. Therefore wheels need alignment in readiness for the new season. Also, it is necessary to replace the winter tires with all-season tires or summer tires before spring. Replacing Wiper Blades and Fluid ... read more

For many of us, we see March as the beginning of spring. But for some, it is still tax season. If you've received or are expecting a refund this year, you should listen up before blowing it on something you regret later. Let's face it: inflation is getting to most of us. With gas prices already high, we can't risk having car problems too. It is a time of year when many of us need to start saving money and prioritizing our needs over wants first. And we recommend putting some of that extra cash to the side for maintenance and repairs that can boost your car's efficiency.   Why are we telling you this? Your vehicle needs some upkeeping, and the cost to keep one right now is high. Preventive car care is key if you want your vehicle to be efficient and last a long time. Not only will you need an oil change, but throughout the year, your brakes might wear down, your fluids may get dirty, your tires may need to be replaced, etc. It's always good to have an "em ... read more