San Diego Auto Repair

Driving Alternative Fuel Cars in San Diego Like we've said before, alternative fuel cars are pretty great, but people want to know how they actually drive. We're here to answer that question; having driven the latest and most popular alternative fuel vehicles for the better part of a week (only up and down the notorious Southern California freeways, but to be fair that can be quite the punishment), we better understand how alternative fuel cars really drive. If you're looking for our thoughts on diesels or hybrids, check out Part 1. For now, we're going to discuss the latest and greatest plug-in hybrids, all electric cars, and those really alternative fuels, hydrogen and natural gas. Plug-in Hybrids Image: James Hamel2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid vs ... read more

Alternative fuel cars are great - they save you loads on gas, they do a pretty decent thing for Planet Earth, some get you into the carpool lane on your solo commute, and they're even starting to look pretty darn stylish. But how do they drive? Dear readers, we are about to tell you which alternative fuel cars we think are the future and which ones we could hardly tolerate during our brief time together. Just to be clear, we drove these cars like we normally would drive a car and abstained from cruel or unusual tests, unless you count the insane freeways of Southern California as cruel and unusual. And in some of these vehicles, doing just that was torment enough... but we'll talk about the Nissan Leaf in Part 2 (ba-dum-bah!). Brains and Beauty - Fun To Drive Alternative Fuel Cars We have got a lot of automotive ground to cover and a bunch of different ways to refuel each of these vehicles. So pay attention, you don ... read more

While many people assume energy efficiency in driving is limited to the fuel efficiency rating of your vehicle, there are other ways to increase your energy efficiency without moving to a hybrid vehicle or spending a ton. Obviously, having an energy efficient car is going to give you a leg up over more gas guzzling models, but you can't expect to get 50 MPG if you're constantly pushing your Prius to its limit. Top Gear showed us that driving style plays a huge role in how fuel efficient your car actually is (a BMW beat a Prius in fuel efficiency in their race test). So then, what does it mean to be energy efficient while driving? Image: Flickr  1. Keep your vehicle maintained. Making sure your car has a clean air filter, properly inflated tires ... read more

Alternative fuels sources are a hot topic for the news media as well as researchers as oil-based fuels such as gasoline and diesel become more scarce. Alternative fuel means anything that doesn't run soley on gasoline, and includes hybrid vehicles (that run on a combination of gasoline and other fuels), electric vehicles, natural gas fueled vehicles, and biofuel vehicles (vehicles that use a fuel made from corn or other organic sources). So, what are the renewable resources out there being tapped to power our automotive futures? San Diego is quickly adopting alternative fuel stations to facilitate this new car market - electric car charging stations are in most major shopping centers and CNG and other fuel stations are already here. Are you seeing any of these alternative fuel stations pop up in your neighborhood? Image: Flic ... read more

A car can be more than just simple transportation – for instance, it’s often the most valuable thing you own! Make sure it stays in tiptop shape to ensure it lasts as long as you need it to. Here are 10 ways to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it going for as long as possible (both mechanically and physically): Image: FlickrRoutine Maintenance The number one way to keep your vehicle running smoothly for long periods is to keep up on routine maintenance. Make sure your fluids are all changed when required, including oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Give Convoy Auto Repair a call if you think you might be overdue! Service Intervals Another step in the routine maintenance category is to keep up with your major services. Nearly every vehicle has a major service due ... read more

It’s common knowledge that you need to change your oil regularly to keep your car running well. Did you know you also need to change your coolant? In the past, car owners would change their anti-freeze every fall, making sure they were ready for the colder winter months (well... maybe not in San Diego!). Modern coolant doesn’t need to be changed quite that often, but it does still lose its effectiveness over time, and flushing coolant will remove buildup, if you have it. Image: Wikipedia Coolant/anti-freeze does two things for your vehicle. It prevents the water from boiling out as it moves through special chambers through the engine, into the radiator and back again and it prevents the water from freezing inside those chambers when the temperatures get low. The chemicals that make up coolant break down ... read more

Are you prepared for some common scenarios that could come up with your car or on the road? Here are 5 things to always have in your car for a “just in case” situation, or to be a handy helper for someone else. Image: FlickrTire Pressure Gauge Not sure if your tire is leaking? Pull out your gauge and keep an eye on it! You should be keeping your tires properly inflated and checking pressures regularly, but if you think a tire might be leaking, checking the pressure every morning can help you decide if you have a hole that needs repaired, or if it was just an optical illusion. Jumper Cables It happens to everyone. It’s a rainy morning,  you leave your lights on after the drive in to work, and by the afternoon your battery is dead. If you have jumper cables ... read more

The 2014 San Diego International Auto Show has come and gone once again, leaving us as quickly as it came. Running from Wednesday, January 1st through Sunday, January 5th, the San Diego International Auto Show is an important milestone in global auto shows. First, Southern California is the epicenter from which so many automotive trends spread across the world, and second because San Diego's is the first auto show in the actual “new year.” This show is also a great place to scope out your next car because the smaller space allows potential car buyers to compare models almost side by side, have a seat in most, and even drive a few without the pressure you get at dealerships (and even take home financial incentives from the display booths!) Many automakers new model years can begin in June of the previous year, which means we saw cars displaying ... read more

Chances are, if you're getting rid of a car it's because you upgraded to newer and better (maybe Santa was extra generous this year!). Congratulations! Unfortunately, selling your car can be a frustrating task. Even if you plan to skip the hassle and trade it in, you want your car to be in the best shape possible so you can get the most money for it. So what should you do to entice buyers or help the dealer see the value of your ride? Image: Flickr First things first: clean it up! Empty all your personal items out of car and remove any parking permits or bumper stickers. If you’re trying to sell your car to a private party, spring for a full detail. For roughly $200, you can get your car looking and smelling as new as possible with shampooed carpets, freshly waxed paint, and spotless windows ... read more

It’s the holiday season, which means an estimated 90% of holiday travel will occur via automobile as people head out to join their families (according to the AAA 2012/2013 Year-End Holidays Travel Forecast). Is your car ready for the journey? Image: Flickr Depending on how far you’re going, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared in different ways.  If you're sticking to shorter trips (say, from San Diego to Los Angeles) you should inspect and top off your fluids, inspect your tires for damage or excessive wear, and maybe make sure there are spare batteries around for any electronics your kids are using to distract them from the drive. For longer trips, such as up to the Bay Area and beyond, you should take a little more time with your fluid checks. If you’re already overdue for a service such as an oil change or a new set of brakes, you should ha ... read more