San Diego Auto Repair

If you’ve paid any attention to the news in the last month, you’ve likely seen some coverage of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Manufacturers bring their latest and greatest concepts and newly announced models to this annual event, and it’s often a great way to see what directions automakers are headed with their designs and technologies. Here are some of our 2015 car predictions! Image: Flickr More Electric Between Tesla’s upcoming Model X and the new Chevy Volt, the full-electric car is getting some serious contenders in the marketplace. Mileage limits are expanding and batteries are getting better, allowing both full electrics and hybrids to really push the envelope when it comes to conserving fuel. Hyundai also announced a new plug-in hybrid that can go a whopping 22 miles before it even starts ... read more

If you haven't had one yet, you will eventually: the dreaded flat tire. You’re driving along, probably to work, and the car pulls to one side or loses momentum as the air escapes. Some cars have a tire pressure monitoring system that flashes, letting you know which wheel to check, or just turning on a light. So what now? Image: FlickrTurn on your hazards and pull off the road as quickly and safely as your are able. The shoulders on the highways were invented just for this kind of thing! (Make sure you don’t try to drive too far on a flat tire, you could do serious damage to your wheel or your drivetrain, turning a flat tire into a costly repair.) Safely exit the car and identify which tire is flat. Hopefully you already know where your spare tire is and know that it’s full of air, but if you don’t, check your owners manual for the loc ... read more

If you’re interested in customizing the wheels and tires on your sedan, there are a few things you should know first. Read on for The Convoy Auto Repair guide to custom wheels! Most importantly, the wheels you buy need to fit your vehicle. Not all wheels are created equal. Too many San Diego auto owners have bought a set of wheels that caught their eye, then, after going to the work of mounting them, have found that the wheels don’t fit right and the tires rub against the sedan when they turn or go over a bump. To ensure a proper fit, you can consult with your Convoy Auto Repair tire professional. He/she can also help you find tires that are suited to your driving habits as well as your sedan. You may find their auto advice invaluable, and you’ll probably be happier with your new wheels once you purchase them. But if you just have to have that set of wheels, and you’re willing to pay for t ... read more

2015 is here and it’s time to reflect on the previous 12 months and take a moment to think about self-improvement. For some of us that means a new exercise routine or a promise to learn a new skill. For others, that means sticking to a firm cleaning schedule or working toward a specific goal. But what about your car? New Years can be the perfect time to make a calendar for you and your car to make sure your ride is in tip-top shape. Start by taking a look at your manual and see what services your car is due for in the next 10,000 miles. If you have a higher mileage car and aren’t sure about the upcoming service requirements, schedule an appointment and we’ll be happy to set you up with a service schedule and recommend any other repairs your individual car may need. Starting off your year with an inspection can also set you off on the right foot for saving up for essentials or major repairs. New tires, major services, and unexpec ... read more

Considering the Ford Escape for your next new ride? Why not? It's one of the least expensive cars to insure, comes with a very sweet parking assist feature (the car literally parallel parks itself), and comes fully loaded for under $35,000 (under $30K for the base model). Our friends at Why This Ride? have a video review to share after having the vehicle for a week. The highlights of the Ford Escape are the surprising styling inside and out, the 2.0 litre, 240 horsepower/270 lbs. feet of torque Ecoboost 4-cylinder, and the affordability of the car fully loaded. This is a great car for a daily commuter for the whole family, and it looks pretty great, too! Check out the video for the full review! Image ... read more

When shopping for a car, we're hoping to strike that golden combination of a car that's affordable to care for, meets our needs, and won't leave us stranded on the side of the road (or worse). New cars are getting better and better about going the distance, but it sometimes seems that the older technology (pre-computer) can last forever. While it's impossible to know yet how long a car made in the last few years is going to last, all we can do is look at a manufacturer's track record to make an educated guess. But what about those cars that rarely break down, and get 100,000, 200,000 or more miles on them and still keep on truckin'?   That's what this Reddit discussion wanted to know. Here at Convoy Auto Repair, we see just about everything at one point or another ... read more

It’s a heavy burden to bear when your job is to drive brand new cars supplied by manufacturers for a week – fully detailed and with a full tank of gas. No, really, it is. (Why does no one ever believe that?) Well, it can be when the vehicle delivered to you all shiny and new turns out to be a bit of a disappointment. It’s rare to road test a horrible new car, as most new models have plenty of things to recommend them even if they aren’t to your particular taste, and as an impartial journalist you should approach each vehicle in the mindset of a person who would be interested in such a car. It's not all doom and gloom. Often times you find yourself really enjoying driving a car you were sure you weren’t going to like. This was very much the case with a mint green 2015 Fiat 500 1957 Edition: thanks to an enjoyable 5-speed manual and handsome brown leather interior (only Italians could make that work), it was the car’s quirky demeanor which mad ... read more

There’s nothing quite like buying a car. The stress of making the right decision, the excitement of having a new set of wheels … few purchases have such an impact on your day-to-day life. If you’re like most people, when you’re looking for a fresh car, you’re looking for something used to get the most for your budget. December is the best time of year to buy a used car, partially because plenty of others are buying new and selling their old rides. Take advantage of these used car buying tips and you'll have the perfect new set of wheels! Here are 5 tips to help you make the right call when you’re out looking: 5 Tips for Buying a Used Car Consider a Certified Used Car If it’s in your budget and you’re looking for a later model, a Certified Used Car from a dealer can offer you the factory extended warranty for no additional cost and the cars are often the nicest-of-the-nice in terms ... read more

Southern California is known across the country as the place with the mildest winters. While those of us who live here may know how lucky we are to have 70 degree days all year long, sometimes we still want to see the snow or participate in winter sports. Lucky for us, there are quite a few places within a short drive where the full winter experience can be had! Winter Day Trips Near San Diego Ski Resorts Mountain High Mountain High Ski Resort opened their ski season on November 25, just in time for some Thanksgiving slopes! This resort is a short 2.5 hour drive from San Diego, and they create their own snowpacks each year to provide SoCal with a full ski season. There’s a glut of cabin rentals, hotels, and other lodging options if you’re looking to make a long weekend of it, but with that short drive time many San Diegans find themselves with season passes! Big Bear The second most popular SoCal ski resort is Bear Mountain. This popular destination is a short trip f ... read more

There are some times in life when you don’t have the luxury of deciding when to get a new car. Accidents, mechanical failure, life changes...these things can all mean a quick research period and an urgent hunt for the perfect new or used car. For others, they know what they want and it’s a very particular model, special order even. And for still others, they know it’s time to start the hunt, they have some loose requirements, and they want a good deal. So, when is the best time to buy a car? Image: Flickr New Cars Fall/Wint ... read more