San Diego Auto Repair

Who among us isn't trying to save a little bit of cash at the pump? If you're lucky enough to live in San Diego, you know that beautiful vacations await just around the corner...but they can still costly. No doubt we are lucky not to have to travel far, but even still, it's essential to save money where you can for the up coming summer adventures. Fuel efficiency is one of those bigs ways to save money: it can help you on vacation (bringing your total cost down) or beforehand (making your budget for partying larger). In this blog, we'll discuss increasing your car's mileage with quick and easy fuel efficiency tips. Whether you're driving an old but reliable car or a brand-new sports car, these tips will help you improve your car's mileage and get good mileage in any situation. Sit back and get ready to take notes as we show you how to make the most of every drop of fuel! 1. Maintain Your Vehicle Regularly Regular maintenance is the cornerstone of optimal ... read more

Photo by Lorenzo Hamers on Unsplash Do I Need To Go To A Mechanic For Every Dashboard Light? When you're driving, the last thing you want is to see a warning light flashing on your dashboard. It's natural to feel concerned and wonder if you must rush to the nearest auto shop. But the truth is, not every dashboard light requires immediate attention from a mechanic.    For most dashboard lights, you can look up what they mean in your manual and determine if going to a mechanic is necessary. You may need to inflate your tires or make a quick fix. Otherwise, it’s best to visit a mechanic for consultation.   Understanding the different types of lights and their significance can save you time, money, and unnecessary trips to the auto shop. This blog post will break down the most common dashboard lights and help you determine when to consult a mechanic. T ... 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

Ever since air conditioning became a standard feature on cars, there has been passionate debate about its effect on fuel consumption. Is it negligible? Is it worth the discomfort? What about rolling down the window? How much fuel does AC really use in a modern car? There are so many conflicting reports and rumors that’s almost impossible to determine a real answer. Here, we'll go over the basics of AC and driving with the windows down (hello physics!), but at the end of the day you may make your decision based on your personal preference on any particular day. (For example, no matter how much money your car might save by not using AC, no one is driving through the desert without it!) Does using the AC use more fuel? Of course. While the quantity can change depending on the aerodynamics of the car, using the AC does use more fuel than driving with the windows closed. This might be an obvious an ... read more

While many people assume energy efficiency in driving is limited to the fuel efficiency rating of your vehicle, there are other ways to increase your energy efficiency without moving to a hybrid vehicle or spending a ton. Obviously, having an energy efficient car is going to give you a leg up over more gas guzzling models, but you can't expect to get 50 MPG if you're constantly pushing your Prius to its limit. Top Gear showed us that driving style plays a huge role in how fuel efficient your car actually is (a BMW beat a Prius in fuel efficiency in their race test). So then, what does it mean to be energy efficient while driving? Image: Flickr  1. Keep your vehicle maintained. Making sure your car has a clean air filter, properly inflated tires ... read more

Alternative fuels sources are a hot topic for the news media as well as researchers as oil-based fuels such as gasoline and diesel become more scarce. Alternative fuel means anything that doesn't run soley on gasoline, and includes hybrid vehicles (that run on a combination of gasoline and other fuels), electric vehicles, natural gas fueled vehicles, and biofuel vehicles (vehicles that use a fuel made from corn or other organic sources). So, what are the renewable resources out there being tapped to power our automotive futures? San Diego is quickly adopting alternative fuel stations to facilitate this new car market - electric car charging stations are in most major shopping centers and CNG and other fuel stations are already here. Are you seeing any of these alternative fuel stations pop up in your neighborhood? Image: Flic ... read more