San Diego Auto Repair

No matter how well they’re made, cars are bound to have problems with their design or manufacturing. When the government thinks a problem is really serious, they require the manufacturer to issue a recall notice to residents and to fix the car free of charge. The manufacturer then tries to contact everyone who owns that type of car in San Diego and elsewhere until the work is done. These recalls always affect safety, so you need to take them seriously. It’s really easy to find out if a vehicle is being recalled. Other website include: carfax.com; autobytel.com; and dmv.org. All of these sites have free recall searches. Recalls are pretty serious and don’t happen all that often. But sometimes cars have less serious problems that you still might want to know about. In this case, manufacturers issue what is known as a Tech ... read more

A recent report stated that over 80 percent of the vehicles on our roads have one or more service or repair that's needed, but hasn't been taken care of. Now that's a lot of undone service. That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. Some of the neglected items are minor. Others are serious safety concerns. There are several reasons why we hesitate to take care of recommended services; especially services that our automotive advisor recommends when we're in for something else, like an oil change. The first issue boils down to comfort with car care. We don't always feel we know enough to make good decisions. Some of that can be attributed to the fact that vehicles are so reliable these days. They almost become an appliance. Of course you love your sedan, but if you don't have to worry about it breaking down all the time, you're not forced to thi ... read more

We hope you're ready to start enjoying your summer because, this week, we have nothing but fun planned for you! What do you get when you mix beer, pirates, and a chili cook-off? We're not sure, but that's what this week has in store for you. Check out our recommendations for how to spend your free time this week! Saturday, June 25th, is the Pirate Faire and Festival in San Diego. From 10am-6pm, the Four Points by Sheraton San Diego will be over-run with scurvy sea dogs. Enjoy hundreds of costumed re-enactors, live music and entertainment, educational programs, and, of course, battles! This festival is full of fun and even throws in a little history lesson now and then, so bring the whole family. Ticket prices range from $17 for adults to fr ... read more

So you have some exciting plans for the CA weekend. You're going to take some of your friends out on the boat for some water skiing. Of course, you've gotten the boat all ready. And you haven't forgotten about your tow vehicle. You've gassed it up and even vacuumed it out. But you want to make sure that your sedan maintenance is up to date. Think about it - heavy traffic on the way out of San Diego. There's hilly terrain as you get to the lake. Some dirt roads - and its going to be pretty hot in San Diego this weekend. And all the time you'll be towing around several thousand extra pounds. That all adds up a lot of severe strain on your engine, brakes and transmission. Let's just consider the transmission. It's going to be working overtime, spending more time in lower gears. The internal transmission temperature is going to be much higher than normal. What's a fun little blast to the local CA lake for you is really severe duty for your transmission. It's important to have enough trans ... read more

Summer must be here, because this week’s events are all about laughter, outdoor fun, and good beer! Check out our suggestions below: This Friday, June 17th, catch Dana Carvey performing comedy for one night only at Sycuan Casino. What is your favorite Carvey bit? Is it his prissy “Church Lady” or “Grumpy Old Man”? Maybe it’s his impersonations of Bob Dylan, George Bush and so many others? Or is it the heavy-metal fan, Garth Algar, of Wayne’s World? Regardless of which skit is your favorite, we’re sure Dana will tickle your funny bone one way or another this Friday. The show starts at 8pm and ticket prices range from $45-$55; you can buy them ... read more

People from San Diego love their cars. And nothing goes with cars better than a CA road trip. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road – it's great! But there's nothing like car trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt. Now you can't always avoid problems, but you can take steps to reduce the probability of getting sidelined on your trip. Let's look at some of the auto maintenance related problems you might encounter on a road trip and what you might do to avoid them. It all starts with a thorough trip inspection by your service professionals at Convoy Auto Repair. Let's talk about some of the items on the trip inspection checklist. The most common vehicle component to fail is the tires. Of course, you can't always avoid a road hazard that leads to a flat, but you may be able to head off some maintenance-connected tire problems. A good tire inspection will start with looki ... read more

We find that a lot of people at Convoy Auto Repair are a little tentative when they talk with their automotive advisors. They want to ask questions, but don't want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Cars are very complicated and there's more to know about them than most of us have the time to learn. Maybe it's because cars have become so much more reliable that the average person just doesn't need to know as much to keep their vehicle on the road. You know, your local hospital has a Patient's Bill of Rights that they post throughout the hospital. We think our automotive service customers also have a right to ask any question they need to understand what is wrong with their car and what it will take to fix it. They need to feel free to ask the cost and benefits of recommended services. And they certainly have a right to understand the financial end of the transaction. It's all about the communication. It's a little harder when you're trying to find the right s ... read more

When it comes to car towing, finding a towing service that can perform on a regular basis is important. Here are five key features any great tow service should have. 1) Price. The price for the distance towed should be reasonable and stated up-front. Some car towing services will negotiate. 2) Speed. Companies will be busier depending on the time of day, but consider their average response time. 3) Safety. Make sure to examine the tow truck when it arrives. Does the operator know what he or she is doing? Is the truck in good condition? 4) Skill. Is your car well-handled when it is pulled up by the truck? Make sure that the operator has the skill to get you and your vehicle to your destination. 5) Reputation. Before using any car towing service, it is a good idea to quickly research their reputation online. Companies with good service will be lauded; those without will be easily found. Getting your car towed is somet ... read more

Let's talk about deciphering the auto service menu board. San Diego service centers like Convoy Auto Repair have a board that lists the routine services they provide. But some people don't know what these services really are unless they ask. Let's go down a typical list, in alphabetical order, starting with air conditioning service. First remember that all of these services are recommended by vehicle manufacturers. They set how often or at how many miles the service should be done. Air conditioning service involves purging the old refrigerant and capturing it for proper disposal. Then fresh refrigerant is installed. The fresh refrigerant will lubricate the system and will also help it cool better. Alignment. Service centers like Convoy Auto Repair make sure all four wheels are lined up and track with each other. This reduces tire and suspension wear and improves safety and ... read more

This Monday is Memorial Day in San Diego, which means the unofficial start of summer and we have a whole week’s worth of fun to kick off your summer the right way! On Monday, May 30th, get your shopping on at the Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale at Las Americas Premium Outlets. San Diego’s largest fashion outlet center is in San Ysidro, just 20 minutes from downtown. Enjoy huge savings on designer fashions and accessories at over 125 stores including Adidas, Banana Republic Factory Store, BCBG Max Azria, BCBGirls, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and so many more. The stores will be open from 10am-9pm on Monday. Also happening Memorial Day Weekend, is the debut of ... read more