San Diego Auto Repair

Although it's officially been the fall season for some time now, it's only just now starting to feel like autumn in San Diego. However, this means cool weather - and rain! - is not far behind. As preparation for the season, make sure your car is in prime condition. When the seasons are a-changing, it 's always a good idea to take your car to a local mechanic for a check-up. Things to look at include the battery, antifreeze level, heater, brakes and defroster. In addition, have any other miscellaneous fluids checked, especially if the last maintenance check was over summer. This will ensure the basic functions are in order and you won't be subject to unpleasant surprises. Another important place to focus on is the tires. Be sure there is enough tread left to handle the slick roads and rotate the tires. Rainy weather also calls for the use of ... read more

  Any driver today simply turns a dial to cool themselves in the car, and auto air conditioning systems come standard. However, that wasn’t always the case – there used to be a day when that system was simply a luxury. In fact, modern cars aren't even advertised to come with air conditioning because it's expected: a car that is advertised to have an AC unit will sound like a car that is advertised to have tires to new drivers. Have you ever wondered how this cooling device got its start and became so popular? The History of Auto Air Conditioning The earliest forms of air conditioning began in the 1830s. A Florida hospital created a system that blew air over a bucket of ice to cool patients. In 1902, Willis Carrier created the “Apparatus for Treating Air” which is the closest mechanism to the modern day air conditioner. Also in that year, Alfred Wolff designed a system using ref ... read more

Because many areas on an automobile need maintenance, the air-conditioning system can often get overlooked. To avoid a neglected A/C giving out on you, especially in the middle of a heat wave, regular checkups are necessary. The first step to maintain your car’s A/C system is by understanding how it works. An auto air conditioning system is made up of five parts: a compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, expansion valve and evaporator. Put simply, air is cooled by a change in pressure through the system, which results in a lower temperature. When you turn on the A/C in your car, the compressor applies pressure to the system’s refrigerant (Freon), which raises its temperature. By doing so, air loses heat while it flows through the condenser; air then passes through the dryer to remove moisture and to the expansion valve where the refrigerant slows down even more, which causes the tempe ... read more

It may be fall in San Diego, but it's still as hot as summer. Unfortunately, not every car has air conditioning, making getting in a hot car near unbearable. Perhaps the A/C system is too costly to repair, or maybe the car is just too old. Regardless of the issue, cars without an interior cool-down can be brutal during a heatwave. Here are some ideas of how to cool down your vehicle sans air conditioning. Park in the shade: If it’s sizing up to be a hot day, try to find a covered spot to park your car. This will keep the sun from beating down on it, which leads to a cooler car inside. Buy a sunshade: If you must park in the sun, which is a more likely scenario, have your sunshade ready. The reflective piece placed over your windshield will reflect the light – and heat – from your car. Windows down: If you feel safe to do so, keep your windows c ... read more

Put on your game face and Chargers jersey because it’s time for football! What’s a game without fans coming together for a tailgate beforehand? To make the most of this season, be sure to plan accordingly with the proper food, drinks and tailgating gear. Best Tailgating Accessories We’ve already talked about the 10 best cars for tailgating, so let’s start with tailgating gear necessities. Stock your cooler with a lot of beer, water, and other refreshments. When it comes to food, think barbecue style – hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chili, wings, chips and dip, fruits, condiments, desserts, etc. Also, don’t forget details such as ice, trash bags, paper towels, and disposable plates and utensils. Once you’ve arrived, set up your area to enjoy for the rest of the day. It’s best to have some sort of shade, so an umbrella or canopy will do the trick. For tailgating seating, function an ... read more

It’s officially football season again! This annual game-watching tradition includes barbecuing, drinking, and cheering on the team with fellow fans (Go Bolts!). An almost more important component to these time-honored festivities is the question of, “Which car are we taking?” To help narrow down your options, here is a list of the 10 best vehicles for tailgating this season. Top 10 Best Cars for Tailgating GMC Yukon Denali: The Yukon Denali is more than just a pretty face. This luxurious design is also equipped with a Bose Surround Sound System, a power rear lift gate, and can accommodate up to eight people. With this vehicle, just pack everyone in and go! Image from GMCHonda Ridgeline: Looks are deceiving when it comes to the Honda Ridgeline. Included under the truck bed is an 8.5 cubic foot trunk that can be use for storage or as a cooler. No ... read more

When making a decision to purchase a used vehicle, it should always be inspected by a third party before purchase. While there are many very reputable used car dealers in San Diego, we have found over the years that we are able to uncover many needs, neglected maintenance or concerns not addressed in the dealer’s multipoint inspection process. Most dealers use entry level technicians and mechanic’s helpers to perform their own multipoint inspection punch list. While it may look impressive, it generally is pretty surface level. On the flip side, when Convoy has a seasoned ASE certified technician inspect the vehicle, they use their years of experience and a "fine tooth comb" to inspect the vehicle. This is where we discover all of the skeletons in the closet. In this particular inspection, a Convoy customer brought in a Volvo they had just purchased from a very reputable dealer. After further inspection, we found an oil leak, and a possible transmission problem. Si ... read more

Your sedan engine really needs clean air to operate efficiently. Let’s go egghead for a minute. For every gallon of gas we burn driving, twenty pounds of carbon dioxide comes out the tailpipe. Question: how can a gallon of gas that weighs a little over six pounds produce twenty pounds of carbon dioxide? The answer is that the carbon comes from the gasoline, but the oxygen comes from the air. You see, it takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your engine. Clearly, your sedan needs a lot of air to keep going in Tierrasanta. A lot of clean air is better. This is why you need to be vigilant about replacing your engine air filter. You’ve seen the pictures of the crowds in Asia wearing face masks. They want some kind of filter to keep unwanted pollution and germs out of their lungs. Well ... read more

People in San Diego have been hearing a lot about higher oil change intervals these days. Maybe you're wondering: What are the key issues? What is the harm in skipping an oil change? Some new vehicle manufacturers in San Diego are now recommending much higher oil change intervals than they have in the past. As much as 5,000 to 8,000 miles or more. This practice came under scrutiny when four of the largest new car manufacturers announced that owners like those in San Diego were experiencing engine damage resulting from these higher oil change intervals. The manufacturers' standard oil drain service for particular vehicles was scheduled at around 7,500 miles. People following these recommendations were experiencing engine damage. It turns out that oil sludge was building up. This caused small oil passages to clog and engine parts to fail. What causes oil sludge? It's a factor of time and mileage. There are hot spots in every engine that cause oil burn off t ... read more

Want to stay up-to-date with news in the auto industry? You’re in luck! There are several blogs on the Internet dedicated to all things automobile related. Here is a list of our top 10 favorite auto blogs.   10 Great Blogs for Automotive Enthusiasts 1. Jalopnik Jalopnik is a website “obsessed with the cult of cars” and everything in the auto industry. The car coverage is not only informative, but given with a sense of humor and sarcasm included. 2. The Smoking Tire The Smoking Tire is a blog written by guys who love driving. Their approach is to provide genuine, cut to the chase information regarding car news and reviews. 3. Car and Driver Also an American automotive enthusiast magazine, this blog provides car news, tips, reviews, and an ... read more