Posted on 6/27/2012
We've all seen people do crazy things while driving to or from San Diego. A guy shaving in the rear-view mirror, a woman applying makeup, people talking on their phones, texting or drinking from an enormous coffee mug. All of these are an accident waiting to happen.The truth is everyone in San Diego CA is distracted when we drive. Traffic, road construction and other things outside the car are beyond our control. But the distractions inside our car are things we can often control.Here's some things that'll give you more control in your car, and help keep your attention on the roads around San Diego CA.Handling Distractions While Driving Drivers who are 16 to 20 years old tend to be more distracted by the radio, CD or MP3 player. Drivers who are 20 to 29 are more distracted by passengers in the car, including small children. And those over age 65 tend to be more distracted by objects or events that are outside of the vehicle.Other factors like fatigue, stress and lack of sleep make it ... read more
Posted on 6/19/2012
There’s a segment of the Tierrasanta population that’s not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Mistaken perceptions have crept into the CA area over time. Many Tierrasanta motorists think the root lies in the fact that modern cars are so reliable. Reliability has improved dramatically in recent years. Quality surveys report fewer problems with new cars than ever before. Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth Back when cars spent more time in the repair shop, Tierrasanta drivers were more mindful of routine service. Now, it’s much easier to put it off. Take tune-ups for example. In the days of mechanical ignition systems, an engine needed to be tuned-up every couple of years. The ignition points had to be replaced, spark plugs and coils replaced and the timing adjusted. If your engine was out of tune, you knew it. It ran poorly and got bad fuel economy. Now, the ignition system in your sedan is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer ... read more
Posted on 6/12/2012
Today in the Convoy Auto Repair auto care blog, we're going to talk about oil change intervals. It seems that as engine technology advances, recommended oil change intervals have gotten longer for Convoy Auto Repair customers. High quality oil in a well-engineered sedan engine has lead to extended intervals. But it's also lead to some confusion among San Diego drivers. The old mantra "change your oil every three months or three thousand miles, whichever comes first" once applied to every vehicle in your garage. Time and miles take their toll on motor oil. But now, you could have a different oil change recommendation for every car or truck you own. San Diego people are like everybody else, they have a tendency to put off all the oil changes to the schedule of the vehicle with the longest interval. Of course, that can lead to problems. For example, recently four of the world's largest auto manufacturers shortened the published intervals ... read more
Posted on 6/5/2012
There are a surprising number of small, inexpensive parts that can lead to expensive engine damage when they fail. It doesn't seem right. Fortunately a lot of those things can be taken care of in routine maintenance. They may not be easy to remember, because it is a long list, but your service center at Convoy Auto Repair can help you know what's scheduled to be taken care of. Some of us in San Diego really don't look forward to going in for an oil change and then getting a list of the other things the manufacturer recommends. But automotive maintenance is all about prevention, and addressing small problems before they get big. Let's take the fuel filter for example. Fuel Filter Service in San Diego CA You may not know this but the median age for private vehicles on our San Diego roads is over nine years. When cars get older, five years or so, they've accumulated a lot of dirt and rust in their gas tanks. If that dirt gets into the engine it can cause ... read more
Posted on 5/31/2012
It's a scary thought to be driving in the middle of nowhere and have a tire that goes flat. But with the proper preparation and tools, this is a situation that can be easily handled. The tools you should keep in your trunk include a car jack, a wrench and a spare tire. Keeping a flashlight and tire blocks are useful to have as well. After you realize there is a tire issue, find a safe and flat place to pull your car over, set the parking brake, and turn on the hazard lights. Next, take all of the stored tools to the location of the flat tire. Once this is done, it is time to change your tire. How to Change a Tire <>Step 1: Loosen the wheel boltsYou may need to remove the hubcaps from the wheels beforehand. Then, use the wrench to loosen the bolts on the wheels by turning counter-clockwise. Do not completely remove the bolts at this point. Step 2: Raise the carThere are four main jacking points on a car. If you are unsure of the exact points, the owner ... read more
Posted on 5/29/2012
Most of our Kearny Mesa clients want to save on gas and seek our advice on improving fuel economy. At Convoy Auto Repair, we are frequently asked, however, just how much money Kearny Mesa motorists can actually save. Well the US government has a website dedicated to helping us use less fuel. It presents the cost savings in a way Kearny Mesa car owners can relate to and is relevant for all vehicles. Let me give you an example: Having your sedan engine properly tuned, can save up to 4%. If you’re paying three-fifty for a gallon of gas, you could save fourteen cents a gallon. In today's Convoy Auto Repair post, we’re going to talk about several things you can do to improve your sedanfuel economy driving around Kearny Mesa. We’ll tell you the potential savings per gallon of gas at three dollars and fifty cents, and we’ll show a graphic that also shows the savings at three and four dollars. DOLLARS PER GA ... read more
Posted on 5/22/2012
The cooling system keeps our engine from overheating while you are driving around San Diego CA. Its job is to move heat away from the engine. Let's talk about the various components of the system and how they work to accomplish this. The radiator is the part most everyone associates with the cooling system. Coolant flows through the radiator which has fine cooling fins that draw the heat out of the coolant and dissipate it into the air. To make sure there's enough airflow over the radiator, a fan pulls air over the cooling fins even when the car is idling. In some vehicles, the fan is powered by the serpentine belt. On others, an electric motor runs the fan. Electric fans turn on and off as needed. You may have heard the fan kick on shortly after you turn your car off. The sensor has determined that the engine needs a little help cooling down to a safe temperature. A hose connects the radiator to the water pump. The ... read more
Posted on 5/19/2012
One sure incident to spoil a summer trip is a car that overheats. To make certain this doesn't happen to you, taking the proper preventive care can ensure safe travels for you and your vehicle. Here are some precautionary tips and advice to prevent overheating and deal with it. An important aspect to check on your car is to make sure the fluids are at the right levels. For example, coolant is a large component to keeping the engine at a stable temperature. Maintaining a leak-free car and the right fluid levels will help in preventing a breakdown caused by overheating. Another tip to not overwork your car is to only use the air conditioning system when necessary. Instead of leaving the cooler on full-blast, turn the temperature down once the inside of the car reaches a comfortable level. Doing this will put less stress on the engine. If you do find yourself in the situation of a car breakdown, there are ways to calmly handle the situ ... read more
Posted on 5/16/2012
Here's a travel tip that'll I'll bet you didn't know, and, it might keep you safer... The average American commuter in CA spends two and a half hours daily in their car. The government says a hundred thousand auto accidents yearly are caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel. (Aggressive driving is the number one traffic safety concern.) So here's a question: can car scent keep you safe on CA roads? Well, which car scent did you think makes drivers more alert?It's C. Drivers are more alert and have less fatigue with pine scent in the car, according to AroMetrics. And, drivers were less angry with overall improved driving performance with strawberry and pine scents. And you thought they just smelled nice
Posted on 5/8/2012
With so many travel plans over the summer – out of town getaways, beach days, or other outdoor activities – reliable transportation is a must. Before you put these plans into action, here are five tips to prepare your car for fun in the sun. How to Prepare Your Car for the Summer 1. Make Sure Your AC System is in Working Condition Sometimes stepping into your car in the summer can feel like stepping into a sauna on a hot day. Making sure your air conditioning is in top shape can minimize your car as a heat box. The best time to get your AC system serviced is before summer, so you can be prepared before it becomes a necessity to use. 2. Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades Your wiper blades have been working hard over the past few rainy months. The general rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades twice a year, at the beginning/end of each season. This will ensure fresh blades to wipe away any of that summ ... read more