San Diego Auto Repair

As California residents, we know that wildfires are inundating our state, and we are dealing with the effects of these raging fires -- fire and ash. Not only does the ash and smoke affect us, but it affects our vehicles too, especially your cabin air filter. You can think of your vehicle’s cabin air filter as your vehicle’s lungs, and when your car is struggling to breathe, your risk of breathing in contaminated air is significantly higher.  Your cabin air filter is responsible for keeping the air in your vehicle clean and contaminant-free. When your cabin air filter is dirty, you might find yourself breathing in more smoke, ash, dust, pollen, and other debris. When a cabin air filter is freshly installed in your vehicle, the filter will be pristine and sparkling white. However, when your filter is infiltrated with smoke and ash, your cabin air filter darkens, practically to black.  A dirty, ash-filled cabin air filter doesn’t just affect your vehicle&rsqu ... read more

College may be different for some this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your college student won’t be completing the critical milestone of being an adult -- owning their first car. Before you let your college student take off, we recommend reminding them of the responsibilities of owning a vehicle. The team at Convoy Auto Repair has compiled a few reminders for first-time car owners. Here is what every college student needs to know about owning a car:  Study up on that owner’s manual. We recognize that college students already have so much to study, but add one more book to your reading list. The owner’s manual has tons of valuable information, including your car’s ideal maintenance schedule, appropriate fuel grade, and tire pressure.  Spend some time researching your insurance options. Insurance companies will provide different quotes for the same car and driver, so it pays off in the long-run to find the best price. You can easily com ... read more

It is easy to take our vehicle for granted. We put our key into the ignition, step on the gas, turn the wheel, quickly and safely get to our destination, but a lot happens behind the scenes. From your wheel alignment to your braking system to even your oil, each component ensures your vehicle performs best, and your wheel alignment is an integral part of your vehicle’s overall safety and driveability.  Your tires and wheels can become easily misaligned because of road conditions, hitting a significant bump in the road, or even a minor accident. Typically, your front wheels are more vulnerable to becoming more misaligned, but it does happen to your rear wheels. It is quite easy to tell when your vehicle is misaligned -- your car will pull one way or another. You will take your hands off the steering wheel, and your vehicle will veer to the left or the right. You might also feel a vibration in the steering wheel if your wheels are misaligned.  Wheel alignments are imper ... read more

From the art scene, beautiful weather, and sprawling beaches, San Diego seems to have something for everyone. However, in the wake of COVID-19, we might be feeling a little stir-crazy and are looking for a little getaway. Not only does San Diego have so much to offer, but we are located near many one-of-kind nature getaways. The team at Convoy Auto Repair has put together a few choices:  Joshua Tree National Park -- Driving distance from San Diego: 3 hours. Joshua Tree National Park is simply incredible at sunset, as the sun will cast an otherworldly reddish glow on the desert landscape.  Sequoia National Park -- Driving distance from San Diego: 7 hours. When we think of Sequoia National Park, one word comes to mind -- majestic! For breathtaking redwood trees (with some as old as 3,500), you can’t help but being blown away.  Ojai -- Driving distance from San Diego: 5 hours. Ojai is known for its holistic and healing atmosphere, as ... read more

We all know how hot it can get in the San Diego summer -- the temperatures seem to keep rising. Not only does this heat affect us, but it also can affect your vehicle. Believe it or not, your vehicle can get hot too! If your car is not well-maintained, regardless of the age, make, or model (the heat does not discriminate), high temperatures will negatively affect your vehicle even more.  When we are dealing with that summer sun, we have to make sure we stay hydrated. Our body is working extra hard during that heat, and we need to make sure we stock up on those fluids. The same goes for your car. Your vehicle needs to stay hydrated with proper oil, transmission, power steering, and brake fluids. You can think of these fluids as cooling agents that divert heat away from internal components of your vehicle’s engine that are working extra hard.  If your vehicle’s engine extremely hot, which is usually the case when you are driving in the San Diego heat, these fluids ... read more

Life seems to be exceptionally stressful right now, and the last thing we would want you to worry about is a car accident. However, if you happen to be in one, the team at Convoy Auto Repair implores you to keep calm and follow these tips if you are ever in an auto accident.  Preparation is key. You just never know what can happen out on the road, which is why it is essential to stay prepared. Preparation can go a long way. Before you head out for your next drive, consider getting together a first aid kit and an emergency contact list. Take the time also to check and make sure you have all the necessary documents handy and ready to go.  If you ever find yourself in a car accident, first, take a breathe and see if anyone needs medical attention, including yourself. If you are hurt, avoid moving to prevent further injury. However, if no one is hurt, Highway Patrol recommends removing your vehicle off the road to prevent further accidents. Take pictures of your car before doin ... read more

We have all heard of the saying: “April showers mean May flowers.” We may be looking forward to seeing the roadsides blooming with flowers, but first, we have to deal with spring rainstorms. The team at Convoy Auto Repair wants to make sure you will drive safely during this upcoming wet weather. Here are some tips:  Slow down! The roads will be slippery and wet, which spells trouble if you are driving fast. If you are driving at speeds above 35 mph on slick roads, you are at risk of hydroplaning, especially during the first 10 minutes of light rain. Those first ten minutes are in fact the most dangerous time during a spring rainstorm.  Stay away from the standing water on the roadside! Sometimes, we see those large puddles, and we can’t help but veering over and driving through for that big splash! However, you need to resist that urge because these puddles can be dangerous for both you and the other drivers on the road.  After winter, we will often ... read more

Fixing your vehicle correctly is only the bare minimum of what you should look for in an automotive repair facility. Fixing your car right the first time is standard -- the leading automotive repair facilities go above and beyond for their clients from the moment they walk through the doors to the moment they leave.  When you are deciding which automotive facility you should bring your vehicle to, transparency should be at the top of your list. An automotive repair facility needs to be transparent about which services your vehicle needs to maximize longevity and driveability. They should also be upfront about which services can wait until next time.  The ideal automotive repair facility should strive to form lasting relationships with you -- they are looking to keep your car sailing down the San Diego streets for the long-term, and to do so, they need to form a partnership with you. You aren’t just in and out and on your way, without even a backward glance.  You ... read more

If you are struggling to figure out what to do this Valentine’s Day, the team at Convoy Auto Repair is here to help. How about a relaxing night-in watching one of our favorite automotive-related movies? Not only do you get to spend some relaxing one-on-one time with your loved one, but you can show your appreciation for your vehicle by watching a movie that celebrates cars. Here are the best automotive-related movies for a Valentine’s night-in:  The Car (1977) Drive (2011) Thunder Road (1958) The Italian Job (1969)  The Transporter (2002) Mercedes, Mon Amour (1992) Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974) Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) Autostop (1991)  The Last American Hero (1973) Locke (2013) Taxi (2015) Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) Thelma & Louise (1991) Please let us know what your favorite car-themed movies! We are always looking for more to watch and enjoy, as cars are our favorite pastime, hobby, and wa ... read more

At Convoy Auto Repair, we are all about reducing our carbon footprint, which is why we think a perfect New Year’s Resolution will to become a more eco-friendly driver. To ensure you can accomplish your New Year’s resolution, we have put together a few tips and tricks designed to maximize your eco-friendliness on the San Diego streets:  The first and most important step is to keep up on your vehicle’s maintenance. A properly maintained vehicle is destined to save you money. You will spend less money on preventable auto repairs, and a properly maintained vehicle equals a fuel efficient vehicle.  Underinflated tires will increase fuel consumption by as much as 3 percent, and they are more likely to burst and cause an accident.  If possible, trave lightly. Take anything and everything out of your vehicle that can reduce weight, including roof racks, seeing as they increase wind resistance.  Consolidate all your errands into one trip, instead of tak ... read more