San Diego Auto Repair

For any business that has multiple vehicles on its books, fleet repair can be an essential part of not only keeping vehicles running, but also keeping a business on the move. Many companies have more than one vehicle, even those who do not specialize in the transportation of goods. Fleet repair services are those offered by an auto body shop to include repairs to all of a company's vehicles, and typically include such maintenance options as oil changes, tire rotations and yearly examinations. These fleet repair packages are often available at a discounted rate from regular services, depending on the number of vehicles that a company is looking to have taken care of. The benefits of a reliable fleet repair program are apparent the first time a vehicle breaks down. With a dedicated auto body shop to use, the vehicle can simply be dropped off and repairs performed, allowing a company to get on with their business rather than worrying about where to ... read more

Before the recession hit, the median age for cars in the San Diego was over nine years. And two-thirds had over 75,000 miles. At Convoy, we hear reports that those numbers continue to rise. Many people in San Diego are keeping their vehicles longer. The economy has influenced that, but the fact that modern sedans are more durable and reliable means that owning a high mileage vehicle doesn't have to be a painful experience. Local car owners in San Diego with over 100,000 miles on their vehicles often ask which service intervals they should follow. Let's start with the special needs of the older vehicle... The reality is that time and mileage will take its toll. The engine and transmission will have more sludge. The fuel, steering and brake systems will have gum and varnish built up. There will be more dirt and contaminants in the fuel tank. Corrosion and deposits in the cooling system. And seals and gaskets will start to dry out. All of this, plus normal wear and tear ... 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

Regular auto maintenance is a key component in keeping a car running as well as possible for the longest period of time. One of the most important, routine auto maintenance services that an auto body shop can provide is a basic tune-up. A basic tune-up involves a number of procedures that are all aimed at preventing more serious problems from occurring. During a tune-up, the air filter in a vehicle should be checked and replaced if needed in order to ensure that adequate air is getting to the fuel supply for it to function properly; the spark plugs, rotor and distributor cap should all be inspected; and the fuel filter, spark plug wires and oxygen sensor all examined. In addition, a basic tune-up may include a radiator or coolant flush as well as topping off fluid levels for both windshield wipers and power steering. By performing regular auto maintenance and having a tune-up done at least once a year, a car owner can ... read more

The government mandates a lot of equipment on cars in San Diego: emission devices and control computers, safety equipment like airbags and crash worthiness requirements. All of this is great for the San Diego CA motoring public, but it does add quite a bit to the price of a new car. Because new cars are more expensive, people in the San Diego area are driving their old cars longer. The average car is now over nine years old. Two thirds of vehicles on the road in San Diego have more than 75,000 miles. As cars age, their performance drops, they have difficulty idling for long periods and are more sensitive to weather extremes. Fortunately today's cars are up to the challenge – but they need a little help to keep on goin'. Give Convoy Auto Repair a call to schedule your next car maintenance. 3909 Convoy St. San Diego, CA 92111 Some owner's manuals don't specify service requirements at higher mileage. That doesn't mean it doesn't have to be d ... read more

Nothing in your engine workers harder than your oil. With hundreds of moving parts, and thousands of explosions every minute, it's no wonder that engine oil needs to be changed frequently! You've probably heard the old rule of thumb: Change your oil every 3,000 miles/ 5,000 kilometers or 3 months, whichever comes first. But some car manufacturers have introduced extended car oil change intervals. They figure that a modern vehicle driven under the right conditions can go for 5,000 miles/8000 kilometers or more between an oil change. The key phrase here is "under the right conditions". If you look at your owner's manual, you'll see two different maintenance schedules: one for "normal" driving conditions and one for "Severe Service". Severe service driving conditions include stop and go, short trips, towing, hauling, hot, cold, and dusty driving. That's why at AutoN ... read more

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in San Diego? Is it: Stereo Wheels Air Bag DVD System Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in San Diego – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in San Diego. Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them. There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all. That is definitely one car part you don't want to take a chance with, so Convoy recommends following these guidelines: Use a reputable collision repair center that em ... read more

When I was a kid in San Diego, my dad always made sure he took the cars in for Spring and Fall checkups. I was telling a friend that it's about time to get into Convoy Auto Repair for my checkup and he said that he read on the internet that modern cars don't need seasonal car maintenance. My friend is (technically) right about some things, but from a practical standpoint, a seasonal check up still makes sense. Back when my dad was teaching me about how to take care of the family sedan, most cars used a different weight of oil in the winter and in the summer. But most of today's modern engines run the same oil year round. High-tech engines and high-tech motor oils are better able to handle the seasonal changes. Your owner's manual or San Diego service advisor at Convoy Auto Repair can tell you the right oil to use. Of course, you're concerned about the coolant or antifreeze. You don't want to overheat in the CA summer or freeze up in the w ... read more

If you've ever been driving around San Diego and had a headlamp go out, you've probably just wanted to replace the bad bulb. If your car uses halogen headlamps, they dim over time. So if you just put in one, they won't have the same brightness which can be distracting and will affect your field of vision. To replace car headlights or to have them inspected, visit us at Convoy Auto Repair. We're at 3909 Convoy St. in San Diego, CA 92111. Or give us a call. Experts in San Diego recommend replacing your halogen headlamps every year. It's easy to remember if you do it when daylight savings time changes in the fall. That way you'll have bright headlamps for those long San Diego winter nights. There are other types of headlamps in addition to halogen. There are the old standard bulbs that have been around for decades. These are OK, but you can usually upgrade to halogen. They cost a little more but you can't believe the difference. If ... read more