San Diego Auto Repair

A lot of gas is wasted in by dirty fuel delivery systems. Let's start at the tank. The gas tank gathers dirt, rust and sediment over the years. That's why there's a fuel filter to clean the fuel after it leaves the tank. A dirty filter will rob the engine of the clean gas it needs to run efficiently. The fuel intake components get coated with gum and varnish over time. This results in fuel being delivered inefficiently and some of that gunk getting into the engine. A fuel system service at Convoy Auto Repair will leave your intake as clean as a whistle. The big fuel thief is dirty fuel injectors. They deliver fuel to the engine at a specified pressure and in a particular spray pattern. When they're clogged, the fuel doesn't get atomized the way it's supposed to and doesn't get burned as efficiently. See your owner's manual or ask your service advisor at Convoy Auto Repair when a fuel system cleaning is recommended

Every day we get customers phone shopping and asking, “How much do brakes cost?” 99% of the time, the brakes have yet to be inspected. When you call a mass merchandiser or an independent auto shop whose only concern is getting your car into their garage, they will often quote you the lowest possible “starting at” entry level pricing. Unfortunately, this can be very misleading. Even if they do replace brakes at their quoted lower cost, they are generally short cutting the proper process and/or using substandard parts. Many times, these brakes are lower in performance than the ones your vehicle originally came with, which leaves you with substandard brakes at best. Every year, shops install new brake pads and shoes and reuse the old hardware. We can’t begin to tell you how many of these “$99 brake jobs" we fix and correct annually. Neglecting to replace brake hardware when replacing brake pads or shoes could lead to premature wear and timely ret ... read more

Most people in the area are aware that automotive manufacturers have recommended service intervals. Following recommended service intervals is very important. The engineers that design our vehicles have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards. Some of these standards are self-imposed and others, like those for emissions components, are government mandated. The maintenance schedules are designed to achieve the standards. Think of the benefits of following recommended intervals as falling into three general categories: Protection, Efficiency and Safety.Protection. Let's start with motor oil. First of all, the engineers recommend a particular weight and type of motor oil for your sedan. All of their oil change recommendations assume using the proper motor oil. Motor oil contains detergents and other additives that clean the engine and provide corrosion resistance. Over time, the additives are depleted. The oil a ... read more

Some 2004-2005 Ford F-150 and 2005 F-Super Duty, Expedition, and Navigator vehicles with a 5.4L 3-valve engines may experience difficulty with plug removal. This may cause damage to the spark plug and leave part of the spark plug in the cylinder head, requiring an expensive extraction process, and in some cases, even cylinder head removal or replacement. [caption][/caption] There are special procedures Ford has recommended in a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that may reduce the number of broken plugs. Unfortunately in the real world, many still break because the spark plugs were not changed early enough. Ford, like many manufactu ... read more

We hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend in San Diego because we have a whole new week’s worth of fun activities for you and your family to enjoy together. Celebrate literature, Mexican culture, and good, old-fashioned family fun this week! Starting Monday, April 25th, and lasting through May 5th, is the 15th Annual Literary Arts Festival at Grossmont College. Enjoy 10 days of celebrating literature with: performances, readings, lectures, workshops, writing competitions, book signings and more, all sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and English Department of Grossmont College. This year, some of the visiting writers and guest performances are ... read more

This fuel saving tip is so simple, no one will believe it. It has to do with your gas cap. The first thing is to make sure it's screwed on tight. If it's loose, gas vapor will be constantly leaking out; wasted gas. And air will get in and that can cause your oxygen sensor to read incorrectly and the oxygen sensor will tell the engine management computer to adjust the fuel-air mix and, well, you get the picture; you'll be burning more gas around Kearny Mesa than you need to. This could cause the check engine light to come on as well. A worn gas cap can have the same effect. If you constantly smell gas when you walk by your tank, you might need a new gas cap. So, twist your cap until it clicks three times – that means it's on tight. Have your Kearny Mesa area auto repair shop at Convoy Auto Repair inspect the cap to see if it needs to be replaced. See, I told you it was simple. Don't fo ... read more

Getting the right auto air conditioning service before summer hits is essential in making sure that both you and your car stay cool and run smoothly. Over the winter, a car’s A/C system will often see little or no use, meaning that parts can freeze up, corrode, or fail without a driving ever being aware of it. When the system is started in the summer, it may either produce very little cold air or none at all. If an A/C issue is left unserviced, it can cause not only a lack of comfort, but it can also cause serious damage to the car itself. There are a number of problems that auto air conditioning service can address, and two of the most common are torn or cracked drive belts that turn the air compressor and a plugged condenser, which cools the refrigerant as it is circulating through the system. If either of these parts becomes damaged, a vibration inside the car may result, along with reduced air flow or a ... read more

Good brakes are obviously very important. If you've ever had your brakes go out while you're driving around the San Diego area, you'll know how terrifying it can be. Today we'll focus on how to tell when you have a brake problem, and how to make good repair choices. Often, the first indication that something's wrong with the brakes is an unusual sound. It could be a squeal, chatter or grinding sound. Some brake pads have a little piece of metal embedded in them that will make a squeal or chirping sound when the brake pads have been worn down to the point that they need to be replaced. It's an early warning indicator. When you hear that sound, schedule an appointment at Convoy Auto Repair soon. Now a chattering sound is more urgent. That usually indicates that something is loose. It could be a brake pad or even the brake calipers. If one of those parts falls off, you could have some serious trouble stopping the vehicle. It would be a g ... read more

If you've ever been in a car accident around San Diego, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It's hard to think straight and know what to do. Let's review what you should do in case of an accident: When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a crime in CA - even if it's not your fault. And hit-and-run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your driver's license or even jail time. Most states, including CA require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able. Warn other San Diego motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood. Call 911 as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed. Always file a police report. It's tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy c ... read more

Provided that your vehicle undergoes proper auto maintenance, a road trip can be an exciting way to get out of the house and see our great nation. Leaving from San Diego, the road trip options are nearly endless. One could head to San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, or even New Orleans. On any road trip, however, there are items an individual should consider bringing, lest you experience discomfort along your route. 1. Naturally, auto maintenance is a must for any road trip. No one wants to break down along their journey, which is why visiting an auto shop is important. Auto maintenance will ensure that the brakes are functioning correctly, the car is properly aligned, the engine is not overheating, and that all fluids are at desired levels. 2. First aid supplies and medicines should be remembered, as should toiletries. 3. Cameras, music, and books are ideal entertainment solutions. 4. Just because you’re in a vehicle, this does not mean tha ... read more