San Diego Auto Repair

Unfortunately, our vehicles can’t talk to us, but we can pay attention to sure signs, and some of these signs scream a little bit louder than other ones. When your vehicle makes a specific engine noise, it can mean numerous things, but the most important takeaway is that you should schedule a visit at Convoy Auto Repair for an inspection.  When you hear one of these noises emanating from your engine, you can think of it as your car’s cry to help. Here are the top 5 engine noises that scream service is necessary:  Hissing Sounds: If your engine is making a hissing noise, it is often indicative that there is an issue with your vehicle’s cooling system or your vacuum line.  Clunking: Is your vehicle making a clunking noise, especially when your car is going over a bump or pothole? If your answer is yes, your vehicle may be trying to tell you that there is an issue with the undercarriage.  Howling: Did you even know your vehicle could make a howlin ... read more

Before you know it, Valentine’s Day will be here, and you might find yourself in desperate need of a few ideas on how you can spend and celebrate the day with your loved one. The team at Convoy Auto Repair is here to help, as we think a romantic drive along the beautiful California coast is the perfect way to spend your day. Here are some of the most lovely and romantic drives in San Diego and Southern California:   Sunrise Scenic Byway: The name of this 24-mile road trip through East San Diego County says it all. Bask in the glow of the sun, while you travel through Laguna Mountain Recreation Area and along the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in the Cleveland National Forest. Ortega Highway Mountain Escape: During the winter months, you will find yourself transported to a winter wonderland, as you drive past canyons, forests, hillsides, and even boulders dusted with a light blanket of snow. Rim of the World Scenic Byway: If the name alone isn’t enough to p ... read more

If you’re like most of us, you spent good money when you bought your car, truck, van, or SUV. Automobiles are a major asset for most people. They allow us to commute to and from work, carry precious cargo, and give us a strong sense of independence. Because we often rely so much on our vehicles, it’s important to take care of them and protect our investment in them. The team at Convoy Auto Repair loves cars of all types, makes, shapes, and models. Over the years, we have recorded several videos showing some of the service and repair jobs we’ve had the good fortune to handle. Check out these videos and see for yourself why preventive maintenance is one of the key means of protecting the investment you’ve made in your cars. Electric Fuel Pump Repair Broken Water Pump Repair Coolant Leak Repair Transfer Case Repair Radiator Repair If you have any concerns about the service and repair of your vehicle, Convoy Auto Repair is here to help. Stop by Convoy Auto Repai ... read more

We were reminded of this adage due to the particularly wet winter we had. But the dryness of Summer is still far off. So, with some wet weather still to go, we thought we would share some simple tips that will help keep you safer in the wet weather. Rain changes things about driving, and habits that you might have may need to be adjusted. Slow down and increase the distance between yourself and the next car. You have a poorer stopping distance on wet surfaces. Turn on your lights, even during the day. Other cars notice you more quickly with your lights on. When turning, brake before you enter the turn, not during the turn, then accelerate out of the turn. Avoid driving in the ruts that naturally form within lanes by driving just slightly off center from the lane. Water pools in these ruts and you can hydroplane in a deep patch. Take extra care to avoid water where you can't see the bottom. That puddle might be hiding a deep pothole. If they need it, make sure you've replaced ... read more

It has come to light in the past several years that several Dodge and Chrysler vehicles are equipped with valve stems that are prone to corrosion and damage. This failure is most common in colder parts of the country, but even here in warmer states the failure still occurs routinely. This failure can and does happen on weakened valve stems sometimes by just simply unscrewing the cap to check the tire pressure. It should be noted that the valve stem is merely the most common part that fails, other parts of the system are also at risk. If you own a 2008-2011 Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, you may be at risk. These defects can cause tire blowouts, even at low speeds. There is currently a pending lawsuit against Chrysler over this issue, and their failure to issue a recall. Later models switched to rubberized valve stems to avoid the problems found in earlier models. At Convoy, we’ve had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the effects of this firsthand. I ... read more

February is here, and that means Valentine’s day is around the corner. Do you have a plan for what to do when you pick up your date? San Diego has great options, and it’s hard to hit them all unless you work at it over time. Here are five suggestions for romantic places to go that you need to be sure are on your list to visit. Ellen Browning Scripps Park Many people pass right by the park on their way to the nearby La Jolla Cove - which is worth a visit, make no mistake! But don’t get back in your car once you’ve visited the cove. Ellen Browning Scripps park is beautiful for a walk all on its own, and you’ll see weddings held here on a regular basis for that reason. If you want to make a day of it, there’s many dining and shopping options in the nearby commercial district. Coronado Landing With its ex ... read more

2017 is here! It is time to start getting together our list of New Year resolutions, and the team at Convoy Auto Repair thinks it is important not to forget about your vehicle. In case you are struggling to think of some resolutions related to auto repair, we have compiled a list of 7 New Year Resolutions: Make sure your vehicle is running in optimal condition. Let’s kick the New Year off with a multi-point inspection at our auto repair shop. We will inspect your vehicle from bumper to bumper to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Try to be a fuel-efficient driver. We all know gas is expensive, so let’s try to cut back on some of our bad habits, such as excessive speeding or aggressive. If you do this, you can cut down your fuel consumption by an incredible 35%. Put an end to the idling habit. We all do it, and like the saying goes: out with the old and in with the new! Let’s get rid of this habit. Idling for more than 10 minutes produces an excessive a ... read more

Are you planning a holiday road trip? If your answer is yes, then you are going to be needing some festive music to listen to. Before you on embark on your holiday adventure, take a look at the list of songs the team at Convoy Auto Repair has compiled for you. Here is a list of the top holiday songs to include on your trip to Grandma’s house: All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. Rockin around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Michael Buble. Little Drummer Boy by Josh Groban. Blue Christmas by Elvis. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms. The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole. A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry. Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes. Please Come Home For Christmas by the Eagles. Frosty The Snowman by Jimmy Durante. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives. Along with planning your playlist for your holiday road ... read more

The holidays usually means that you and your family will be hitting the road more frequently. Between the drives around town to purchase holiday items and attend holiday parties, to driving longer distances to visit loved ones, your vehicle is likely to have an uptick in mileage demands. Therefore, the big question is:  Is your vehicle ready for the holidays? Here are the top five things your vehicle requires to be ready for the holiday season: Tires that have a safe amount of tread, are properly aligned and are inflated to the ideal amount for better fuel economy. If your tires are flat, bald, worn unevenly, or show signs of bulging, you may need new tires. Wiper blades that keep your windshield clean and are in good shape. Most windshield wipers are meant to last for one year. If you see cracking, strips, or bits of rubber missing from your wiper blades, it’s time to replace them. Fluids are what makes your car operate smoothly. Without the prop ... read more

This week, we’d like to take a quick look at an aspect of your car that you might hear about frequently, but might not know that much about: spark plugs. These tiny wonders help to start the series of reactions that allows your engine to produce power in an efficient and smooth way. Thus, it’s important to make sure that your spark plugs are properly maintained. Read on to learn more info and spark plug tips! What Do Spark Plugs Do? Spark plugs have the task of igniting the vehicle's fuel/air mixture through an electric spark, thus allowing the fuel to combust. Without the spark plugs, the engine cannot convert the fuel into usable mechanical power. Spark plugs fire at a rate of about 25 times in one second during driving. If any sparks are missed, you’ll often feel it as a glitch or stumble in the engine’s output. Misfires are typically attributed to worn spark plugs. Conventional spark plugs should thus be replaced immediately when needed; every 30,000 m ... read more