San Diego Auto Repair

While American brands will always be popular, foreign cars also have their own sets of merits. Many enjoy the unique style and different performance options that import cars feature. They also tend to be associated with luxury and plush rides. In a previous blog, we discussed the top American car brands to look out for. This week, we’ll have a close look at the top five performing foreign car brands of the year. As before, we’re looking at Consumer Report’s statistics for Overall Score, Road Test Score, and predicted Reliability Rating 5) BMW Overall Score:     76 Road Test Score:    85 Reliability Rating:    Average Newer BMW models have been focusing mainly on technology improvements, as their performance and driving base is pretty well-establi ... read more

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year. There’s nothing more fun than carving pumpkins, dressing up in costumes, and just getting overall spooky. Besides the traditional trick-or-treating activities, there are also a ton of San Diego Halloween attractions to visit during the season. Whether you’re looking for a quick fright, some pumpkin carving projects, or other Halloween activities, you can find them right here in San Diego. Have a blast at these top Halloween attractions for 2016: HauntFest on Main in El Cajon Friday, Oct. 21 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Downtown El Cajon The fifth-annual HauntFest in El Cajon is a fun, family-oriented Halloween festival that features a ton of different attractions, including: Haunted car show Two stages of live music Kids Glow Zone and Candy Challenge activities Children’s crafts, face painting, and game booths Outdoor movies, carnival rides, and much more Ha ... read more

Smartphones are hands down one of the greatest inventions of the past few decades. Smartphones give us immediate access to an infinite store of information, instructions, pictures, and other good stuff. In particular, smartphone apps (especially apps for cars) make it even easier to navigate through whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish. An odd thing about phone apps is that many people don’t even stop to think about what apps are out there for cars. Here are some of the top apps for cars: A Preliminary Word: Apps for Cars and Driving Safety While the apps below might make driving easier and more enjoyable in many respects, always be mindful of road safety while driving. Be sure to obey all traffic laws, especially those involving distracted driving and smartphone use while driving. In fact, it’s better to go above and beyond the law when it comes to safety. Setup your app ... read more

When thinking about brake maintenance, most people think of the mechanical parts of the brakes, like the discs and brake pads. While these are very important, an often overlooked aspect of brake upkeep is the brake fluid. Brake fluid changes are needed from time to time (though not all the time); changing the brake fluid could prevent failures and accidents. Did you know that when you hear of “unexplained brake failure” as the cause of the accident, chances are it could be related to a brake fluid problem? Here are some important tips and factors regarding brake fluid changes. Why Brake Fluid Changes Are Necessary Brake fluid works with your car’s hydraulic braking systems to transfer force into usable pressure, thereby amplifying the car’s braking force. If brake fluids are deficient, or if there is something wrong with the fluid itself, it could sacrifice the car’s ability to stop when needed. Thus, a brake fluid change can help prevent a loss of braki ... read more

For the last week of summer, we’d like to pay ode to some of the most iconic beach cars that have given us all good times over the years. Here in San Diego, beach culture is very important to us, and a large part of that culture revolves around the surf cars. Throughout the years and decades, these cars have never lost their shine, both because of their functionality as well as their sheer beauty. Here are 5 of the most iconic beach cars to have ever graced the roads: 1971 VW Bus: King of the Beach Cars The Volkswagen Bus takes us straight back to the ‘60s and ‘70s for those beach barbecues and clambake parties. It’s perfect for transporting surfboards, and storing all kinds of beach gear. You can also pack it full of friends and family, and the 23-window versions make for an awesome and super-fun ride. As far as looks go, these VW’s have seen everything from super clean two-tone patterns to more “far-out” hippie designs. Lately, some VW Bus m ... read more

As summer winds down, most of San Diego begins to cool off for some crisp and enjoyable fall evenings. However, the inland and desert areas can still remain quite warm, and may often require special considerations when driving through them. It’s always best to be prepared and understand how desert driving can affect your vehicle as well as your driving plans. The San Diego East County Deserts can provide you with some of the most scenic driving in the country — you can spot boundless wildlife as well as unique desert vegetation. Here are some important factors if you plan to take a trip anytime soon through the desert. Pack Plenty of Water for Your Desert Driving Trip Perhaps the most important part of preparing for San Diego desert driving is to ensure that you have plenty of water. If your car breaks down and you need to wait for a tow or other assistance, you’ll ... read more

San Diego summers are known to get pretty warm. What better way to beat the heat than with some icy cold bubble tea? Bubble tea is also known as boba, pearl drinks, tapioca pearls, or other names, and it has taken the nation by storm. There are tons of San Diego boba spots to choose from, especially in the Convoy Street area in Kearny Mesa. Each charming little boba shop specializes in providing refreshingly unique arrays of boba tea selections and more. Here are some of our favorite boba spots right near Convoy Auto Repair: Cafe Hue- San Diego Boba and More 3860 Convoy St San Diego, CA 92111 Cafe Hue serves up some excellent boba and milk tea options. They’re also really well-known for their crepes and desserts. Order up some belgian waffles, gelato, or a delicious Nutella strawberry crepe to go with your boba beverage. This makes for a quick, scrumptious and satisfying snack that won’t take ... read more

These days, the term “going green” is a major catchphrase, indicating better efforts at preserving the environment and lessening pollution footprints. The auto industry has been at the forefront of “going green” efforts, which is evident in the recent influx and advancement of hybrid vehicles and electric cars. These represent a major development for the car industry, as they contribute greatly to a smaller carbon and emissions footprint. Hybrid cars are very popular due to their many environmental and financial benefits. But they also have very specific needs, especially when it comes to maintenance. Read on to learn more about hybrid vehicles attributes. The Hybrid Auto Boom Hybrid cars burst onto the auto scene in the late 1990’s, when the Toyota Prius was launched in Japan in 1997. Other hybrid cars soon followed, including the Honda Insight (launched 1999 in the U.S.) ... read more

Vehicle suspension is an important aspect of every vehicle. It keeps the car balanced, stable, and able to react to maneuvers during operation. It's one of the less obvious systems of your car, but it's one of the hardest working. Without suspension, your car's safety and comfort would be severely compromised. Read on to learn more about this essential system: What is Car Suspension? Suspension refers to the overall system of tires, springs, and shock absorbers that connect the car body to its wheels. The suspension system performs two main functions: assisting with the car's handling and braking, and providing a comfortable ride for the passengers. Without suspension, the vehicle would be at risk for tipping over and passengers would experience a bumpy, jarring ride. Over time, vehicle manufacturers have utilized different suspension types, including: leaf springs, torsion beam suspensions, springs (coiled), air springs, and various gas/hydraulic fluid pressure syst ... read more

The phrase "tune-up" is a nuanced one. You probably hear it all the time in radio or TV advertising. But what is a tune-up? For some people, the phrase conjures up 1950's Grease-style images of hot-rodders fixing up custom cars before a race. However, nowadays the term means something closer to a maintenance check up. It still retains its connections to performance and racing, though: a tune-up typically involves maintenance and repairs performed under the hood rather than on other parts of the car, like tires or suspension. Understanding what a tune-up is and how it helps your car last longer is important, as regular tune-ups are needed to keep engines running smoothly and powerfully. Here are the most important things to know about tune-ups: What is a Tune-Up? An engine tune-up usually focuses on repairing, cleaning, or replacing parts under the hood. This includes: Spark plugs Caps Rotors Wires Fuel injection systems Some tune-ups may involve inspections o ... read more