Auto Repair in Albany, CA

  Countless people plan for traveling throughout the summer, but planning a successful road trip is more difficult than it sounds. Here are seven tips to help your adventure go off without a hitch. 1. Get Your Vehicle Ready Before you even think of getting started on an extended driving trip, you’ll need to take care of any pending maintenance on your vehicle and make sure it’s ready to handle long miles on the road. Schedule an oil change, ensure your tires are roadworthy, and get all your fluids topped off before your departure. If you’ve just purchased a used vehicle, ensure you’re familiar with the vehicle’s history report and what that may mean for any necessary maintenance prior to setting out for the trip. 2. Prepare for Roadside Emergencies Prepare an emergency kit stocked with everythi ... read more

A few quick tricks on what to look, listen and feel for can help keep your tires alive longer. Knowing what to look for can prevent any major blow-outs leaving you stranded on the side of the road. Keep the Pressure Up Inflate inflate inflate! Always keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer recommended PSI printed on a sticker in the door jam of the driver’s side door. The PSI stamped into your tire’s sidewall is the maximum pressure the tire can withstand. Under-inflation is the most common cause of a blowout. Keeping your tires at the proper pressure will also help you get the best gas mileage possible. Win for your car, and your wallet!   Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Most vehicles made after 2007 have a pressure monitoring system that will warn you if any of the tires go lower than the specified amount. One problem however, is that it may not warn you if you’re just slightly under-inflated, and eve ... read more

  Whether you’ve purchased a new car, or the car is just new to you. Congratulations! There’s nothing like getting a new set of wheels. You’ll want to keep your car looking and running good for years to come, and the best way to do that is through good old fashioned upkeep. Here are a few great tips to use along the way. Check Your Oil Newer car technology changes the math on how often you should get oil changes. The standard for years was every 3,000 miles, but these days it’s more like every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. If you take your car to a shop, the mechanics can give you the best timeline based on your car’s age and type. In the meantime, make a point to check your oil regularly to see if it’s low or dirty. Oil is the lifeblood of your car. If you neglect to monitor levels and forgo regular changes, your engine can seize and essentially turn the car into a giant paperweight. Practice Good Tire Hygi ... read more

Winterizing Guide for Californians Do I really need to winterize my car, even though it doesn’t snow here? The short answer is yes! Cold temperatures make it more difficult for an engine to work properly. Rain, especially in times of drought, limit traction grip for your tires. When it only rains sporadically this makes the roads even more slick because there is more oil and other foreign debris that don’t mix well with water. If there’s heavier rains, this too can be a hazard as it tends to increase the amount of, and the size of, potholes. Vehicles respond differently to the weather just like us, so they need special maintenance at the change of all major seasons. Here are some quick tips on how you can be better prepared for the season change: 1. Check Your Tire Pressure! Simple, right? Many people know properly inflated tires can save you gas money. What you may not know is that the best way to maintain functionality of the tires for the long ... read more