San Diego Auto Repair

The Golden Years: Keeping The Car Running As we here at Convoy are an automotive service and repair facility, it should come as no surprise that we believe routine maintenance is key to keeping your cherished ride running and looking its best. It also helps that this belief is corroborated by car experts everywhere, so there should be no surprise in this statement to anyone. But what, exactly, should owners of older cars in Southern California be doing whenever they have their car serviced? And what things that aren’t maintenance related can owners do on their own to ensure their car is running in tip top shape? Here are a few tips for anyone with a vehicle enjoying its “Golden Years.” Image: Wikipedia Check Your Tire Condition Yourself Regularly: When you bring your car to ... read more

There are thousands of vehicle makes and models for those in the market for a pre-owned vehicle. Buying an older car doesn't have to be a shot in the dark - not with so many amazing choices on the market today. We’ve already covered #10 – 6 of the top 10 used cars, and here is the remainder of our picks to #1! With so many choices available, you’re sure to find the perfect car for your lifestyle, budget, and taste on the used car marketplace. Image: Flickr#5 - Mazda MX-5 The MX-5 may not seem like a very bold choice in a vehicle, but that’s exactly why we think it’s a solid family mover. This Mazda powered minivan is one of the more unique vehicles out there, since it’s based on the popular Mazda 3 platform, but built wi ... read more

When it comes to buying an older car, there are countless options available. No matter what your tastes and needs, there are numerous used (or pre-owned, if that's your preferred lingo) options out there, and numerous price points. If you’re ready to start your search for buying an older vehicle, we’ve put together some great options to jump-start your brain. Here are our picks for number #10-6 of the top 10 best older model or used cars available: Image: Flickr#10 - Toyota Highlander The Highlander combines family-friendly features like 4 doors, seating for 5, and a large cargo area with the legendary Toyota reliability. Toyota came out with the model in 2001, which means there’s a wealth of options available in the used marketplace, which can vary in features, mileage, and care, depending on your budget and needs. #9 - Honda Accord The Honda ... read more

Modern cars have lights for everything channeled through sophisticated computers full of reminders. When you first get a newer car, it’s typically under warranty and the dealer turns off the reminders when you go in for the services. As your new car ages, you might decide to postpone a scheduled service, or do some maintenance in your own garage. But how do you get those pesky lights to turn off? Image: Flickr First, take a look at your owner’s manual and make sure you aren’t doing any damage by turning off the service reminder light without performing the service - there is a reason these lights are on! Some cars have an oil change reminder light, a service that many people choose to perform in their own driveway. Other cars have a service light that comes on at specific mileages (30K, 60K ... read more

Older Car Care There are few things as frustrating as car troubles. In addition to not being able to get around, you are often looking at expensive bills and a struggle to understand what’s wrong. Older cars have these issues more frequently, making the owners of these cars question whether the trouble is worth not having a car payment. You already know that regular maintenance is crucial to keeping an older car on the road; we identify 6 ways to get the most out of car maintenance and necessary auto repairs, making it easier to save time and money on your car. Image: Flickr How to get the most out of your auto repairs Provide a detailed description of the problem to service writer First and foremost, make sure you fully explain the problem your car is having to the se ... read more

A car can be more than just simple transportation – for instance, it’s often the most valuable thing you own! Make sure it stays in tiptop shape to ensure it lasts as long as you need it to. Here are 10 ways to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it going for as long as possible (both mechanically and physically): Image: FlickrRoutine Maintenance The number one way to keep your vehicle running smoothly for long periods is to keep up on routine maintenance. Make sure your fluids are all changed when required, including oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Give Convoy Auto Repair a call if you think you might be overdue! Service Intervals Another step in the routine maintenance category is to keep up with your major services. Nearly every vehicle has a major service due ... read more

It’s common knowledge that you need to change your oil regularly to keep your car running well. Did you know you also need to change your coolant? In the past, car owners would change their anti-freeze every fall, making sure they were ready for the colder winter months (well... maybe not in San Diego!). Modern coolant doesn’t need to be changed quite that often, but it does still lose its effectiveness over time, and flushing coolant will remove buildup, if you have it. Image: Wikipedia Coolant/anti-freeze does two things for your vehicle. It prevents the water from boiling out as it moves through special chambers through the engine, into the radiator and back again and it prevents the water from freezing inside those chambers when the temperatures get low. The chemicals that make up coolant break down ... read more

It’s the holiday season, which means an estimated 90% of holiday travel will occur via automobile as people head out to join their families (according to the AAA 2012/2013 Year-End Holidays Travel Forecast). Is your car ready for the journey? Image: Flickr Depending on how far you’re going, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared in different ways.  If you're sticking to shorter trips (say, from San Diego to Los Angeles) you should inspect and top off your fluids, inspect your tires for damage or excessive wear, and maybe make sure there are spare batteries around for any electronics your kids are using to distract them from the drive. For longer trips, such as up to the Bay Area and beyond, you should take a little more time with your fluid checks. If you’re already overdue for a service such as an oil change or a new set of brakes, you should ha ... read more

Although it's officially been the fall season for some time now, it's only just now starting to feel like autumn in San Diego. However, this means cool weather - and rain! - is not far behind. As preparation for the season, make sure your car is in prime condition. When the seasons are a-changing, it 's always a good idea to take your car to a local mechanic for a check-up. Things to look at include the battery, antifreeze level, heater, brakes and defroster. In addition, have any other miscellaneous fluids checked, especially if the last maintenance check was over summer. This will ensure the basic functions are in order and you won't be subject to unpleasant surprises. Another important place to focus on is the tires. Be sure there is enough tread left to handle the slick roads and rotate the tires. Rainy weather also calls for the use of ... read more