San Diego Auto Repair

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

Chances are, if you're getting rid of a car it's because you upgraded to newer and better (maybe Santa was extra generous this year!). Congratulations! Unfortunately, selling your car can be a frustrating task. Even if you plan to skip the hassle and trade it in, you want your car to be in the best shape possible so you can get the most money for it. So what should you do to entice buyers or help the dealer see the value of your ride? Image: Flickr First things first: clean it up! Empty all your personal items out of car and remove any parking permits or bumper stickers. If you’re trying to sell your car to a private party, spring for a full detail. For roughly $200, you can get your car looking and smelling as new as possible with shampooed carpets, freshly waxed paint, and spotless windows ... 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

Here at Convoy, we have covered many different battery-related topics including battery basics and how often a battery should be changed. However, the battery is actually only one aspect within your vehicle’s charging system and it’s not even the most important. The most important part of this system is the alternator. Image: Product Engineering The alternator is a mechanical device attached to the engine that runs off your vehicle’s serpentine belt. While the motor is running, the alternator spins, which converts mechanical energy into electrical power that powers all electric features like the lights, radio, and more. All batteries have a full charge output of around 12 volts which is plenty ... read more

With so many travel plans over the summer – out of town getaways, beach days, or other outdoor activities – reliable transportation is a must. Before you put these plans into action, here are five tips to prepare your car for fun in the sun. How to Prepare Your Car for the Summer 1. Make Sure Your AC System is in Working Condition Sometimes stepping into your car in the summer can feel like stepping into a sauna on a hot day. Making sure your air conditioning is in top shape can minimize your car as a heat box. The best time to get your AC system serviced is before summer, so you can be prepared before it becomes a necessity to use. 2. Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades Your wiper blades have been working hard over the past few rainy months. The general rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades twice a year, at the beginning/end of each season. This will ensure fresh blades to wipe away any of that summ ... read more

When your vehicle is in desperate need of a spruce-up, it may be difficult to narrow down the options of the best places to give your car the attention it deserves. Therefore, we have taken on that task for you. Here are our top three recommendations to get your car detailed in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. Our first suggestion is Miranda's Auto Detail. Jesus Miranda has over 15 years of experience detailing vehicles. He is a skilled professional and pays attention to every element of your car. Miranda's Auto Detail is located at 3885 Convoy Street across from Convoy Auto Repair or you can contact them at 619-865-1150. This is a great place to have an expert bring your vehicle back to its full potential. The second recommendation we have is Lee's Auto Detailing. This is considered one of the best mobile auto detailers in San Diego. Areas of client services include Clairemont, Mission Valley ... read more

Car Care and the College Student Understanding the basics of auto care and auto repair is essential for any car owner to ensure they get the most out of their vehicle. For new college students, on their own for the first time and away from home, basic car maintenance skills and being able to recognize a serious problem in their vehicle can save both time and money. When it comes to maintenance, parents need to provide their fledgling car owner with information about how to check tire pressure and oil levels as well as issues relating to tire wear. Knowing When Service is Needed Students also need to know when they can’t fix a problem on their own. Make sure the car has its owner’s manual and that your young driver knows when it needs to be taken in for service and it is good idea to find a body shop that located near campus that can be used for both regular maintena ... 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